All in Mexico

Until recently all-inclusive resorts conjured up images of overcrowded beaches, buffet lineups and bad entertainment. But, after visiting several properties on the Mayan Riviera, we realized what we’ve been missing all these years: a truly relaxing vacation where everything is taken care of for you. —Cori Howard

stay. The Grand Velas Riviera Maya brings unparalleled luxury to the all-inclusive concept. About half an hour from the Cancun airport, this beachfront property is located down a kilometre-long jungle road. You arrive at the marble, open-air lobby with a high-ceilinged palapa roof to breathtaking views of the azure Caribbean sea in the distance. The white sand beach is Insta-worthy, but the massive, warm oceanfront infinity pool is hard to leave. Highlights include clubs for young kids and another for teens and a service ratio of 3:1 that guarantees attentive, personalized service. But it’s the little things that can make all the difference: the constantly restocked mini-bar with bottled water, high-quality cocktails and wine (rare for an all-inclusive); free 24-hour room service; a beach bag to use during your stay; a personal concierge; and private oceanfront patios draped in bright-pink bougainvillea with comfy lounge chairs big enough to sleep on, so you can stargaze with the warm breeze on your skin at midnight, while listening to the waves.

shop. Shopping in Playa Del Carmen means a mix of designer boutiques, Mexican handcrafts, bars and cafes along one main street that make for an interesting afternoon. The town’s 5th Avenue houses international brands like American Eagle, Forever 21 and Nike alongside local retailers La Bikinería, which offers swim styles from Latin American designers inspired by the colours of the sea. Also, check out Shalom—the popularity of this boutique has reached Tulum and Holbox, where new stores are opening to bring the boho style to the streets of the Mexican Caribbean. Look for the green carpet on the wall of the store, and you’ll know you’re there.

savour. No need to leave Grand Velas for inspiring food. The resort has the distinction of being the only all-inclusive to host a five-diamond restaurant, Cocina de Autor. The menu is always a surprise (you don’t need to order) and features a 10-course meal with highlights like tacos on lava rocks and sea urchin soup served in a beautiful glass bowls. Insider tip: Mexican wines are actually amazing and worth trying, and so are the resort’s other restaurants, including the four-diamond Sen Lin. Even the buffet is out of this world.

sip. Mezcal is where it’s at in this part of the world. At Velas, artisan mezcal, created exclusively for the resort by master mezcalero Olvídame Si Puedes (Forget Me If You Can) is offered in room and in poolside margaritas. Made with 100 per cent espadin agave, this sip-worthy stuff is matured for more than six years in the central valleys of Oaxaca, harvested and distilled twice in a copper alembic before revealing aromas of humid earth and notes of smoke and herbs. Delish. And unlimited.

spa. If hanging at an oceanfront pool isn’t relaxing enough, you can take it one step deeper with a visit to the award-winning Grand Velas spa. Begin with a one-hour water ritual using hydrotherapy and end with a honey massage. The hydrotherapy includes eight unique stations, like the cinnamon-infused sauna, a mint ice room, a eucalyptus steam and a huge pool with waterfalls to massage your shoulders. The honey massage is more like a spiritual ceremony, with sage burning in the room, prayers offered and organic Xtabentún honey poured warm over your body. To wash off the mildly sticky honey, enter a Mayan Chaká tree bath (it’ll heal your energy, too). Bees were considered by the Mayans to be the connection with the spiritual world. Honey carries the vital energy of nature, infused by the energy of the sun and taken from the nectar of the Xtabentún flower. The smell is otherworldly and your skin will feel like butter for days.