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This was to be my first visit to Mexico and I was really pleased to be given the opportunity to go.  There were just seven of us on the trip and none had been to Mexico before so we were all able to learn together.  The 7 of us met up at Gatwick for our British Airways flight to Cancun.  We took off on time and I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of legroom we had – we were sitting in Economy.  There were quite a few spare seats at the back of the plane so we spread out and relaxed. The choice of films was huge, and the service on board was attentive and friendly.

Secrets Capri

We arrived in Cancun just after lunch, Mexican time and once we had cleared immigration and customs we were whisked off to the Secrets Capri, around a 25 minute journey away. Upon arrival we were greeted with a glass of champagne, a cold towel and a ‘welcome home’.

The Secrets Capri is an adults only, all ‘Preferred Club’ hotel so we were seated in a comfortable, cool lounge where the check in was carried out.  We then went off to our rooms to find that our cases had already arrived.  The rooms themselves were tastefully decorated in shades of blue and white and the whirlpool bath was a nice touch.

We met in the lobby for our hotel visit and had a good look around.  Secrets Capri is a smallish, intimate hotel with a lovely atmosphere. The choice of restaurants is plentiful including the usual buffet offering, together with a la carte restaurants including amongst others an Asian, Italian, Mexican, each with their own theme and no reservations required.  We were treated to a candlelit barbecue supper on the beach.  The sand was soft and cool beneath our feet and the sound of the ocean in the background was the perfect backdrop.  I could see this being a good option for a private wedding supper.  The food was delicious, I particularly enjoyed the vegetable skewers, and the fillet steak was cooked to perfection.  By this time the long flight and jet lag had taken their toll and an early night was on the cards for everyone.

Now Jade

The following morning I was up at 5.30 am ( jet lag!) and after sampling a plentiful breakfast buffet we set off on a short drive to Now Jade in Puerto Morelos.  Our guide pointed out an alligator in a lake not far from the hotel but not surprisingly no one expressed much desire to get out and take a closer look.

Now Jade is a very modern, contemporary hotel set right on the beach.  We first went to look at the rooms.  The first room we saw was large and beautifully decorated, with twin double beds and a couple of steps down to a spacious seating area.  Then, best of all, the hotel manager pulled up the blind and there it was, right in front of our eyes, the beautiful white sand and turquoise Caribbean sea. The bathrooms were vast, with twin washbasins, a massive jacuzzi bath right under the window so, if the mood grabbed you, it would be possible to lounge in the jacuzzi looking out of the window at the lovely clear turquoise sea and no, no one could see in!

Another great feature of Now Jade was the restaurants, each themed to within an inch of its life and guaranteed to make the diner believe they were in a different place, if not continent, every night.  The choices of buffet, Asian with tepanyaki tables, French, Mexican etc.  – it would be very hard to get bored with the food.  I particularly liked the coffee shop where you can get a proper cup of coffee and a beautiful muffin, all part of the all inclusive programme, naturally.  A contemporary hotel with great facilities which is also welcoming for families.

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Naomi (center) at The Bordeaux at Dreams La Romana

I travelled down to London the day before my AM Resorts Fam Trip to the Dominican Republic and decided to stay overnight at the Sofitel at Gatwick airport. In the morning I literally just had to walk down a corridor and I was in the North Terminal and ready to go.

We flew with BA to Punta Cana International and our flight had a touch down in Antigua, which I was not looking forward to. Surprisingly it did not bother me at all, we were on the ground for less than an hour, passengers who were staying in Antigua got off, they switched the flight crew and we were off again.

Now Larimar

Our first stay was at Now Larimar, a property that is new to the AM resorts chain. The transfer took around 35 minutes and when we arrived we were taken to the Preferred Club lounge which is just to the right of the main entrance. We checked in whilst in the lounge and were shown to our Deluxe Tropical View rooms.  I was very impressed; they were extremely specious and the décor was quite modern.

The fountain at Now Larimar

We met before dinner in the Moments Lobby Bar. All of the bars and restaurants are set around a square courtyard which makes everything easily accessible and if there is a wait in one of the restaurant you can simply cross over to one of the bars and wait.

The evening meal was a hosted dinner at Mercure, the French Restaurant. After dinner we went up to the resorts night club, Eclipse, which is open from 10:30 to 1:30 every evening.

The next day we had a buffet breakfast in International Café followed by a site inspection of Now Larimar and Secrets Royal Beach.

Now Larimar

We started off with Now Larimar and had a look at all of the restaurants and a few room categories. We had a look in Scores, which is the resorts sports bar complete with a bowling alley. We saw the kids club, which has two sections, one for children aged 4 to 7 and one for children aged 8 to 12. They do not yet have a teen area, but we were told that this is something that they are looking to put into place.

My favourite feature of the resort was the long water fountain which could be used as a Wedding location. I though it was fantastic, there is a path on either side and couples can get married at the head of the fountain. We were told that one couple had actually had the water turn on just as they had their first kiss, I though that this was an amazing idea.

Secrets Royal Beach

We walked across to Secrets Royal Beach which is literally next door to Now Larimar; there is just a little path and raised grass section separating them. They share the same stretch of beach and guests staying at Secrets are able to use the facilities at Now, but not the other way around as Secrets is the Adults Only property. The resort is relatively small and has just five bars and three restaurants: a buffet, a grill and a sea food restaurant. However, guests are not short of choice as they can dine in all of the restaurants at Now Larimar.

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It’s Sunday 13th March when I find myself at London Gatwick Airport, boarding a British Airways flight to Punta Cana. A few drinks and some much needed sleep later; I wake to find us landing on time.
 

Dreams Punta Cana

Wedding Gazebo at Dreams Punta Cana

After collecting our cases, we are met by the Amstar representative and transported by limousine to Dreams Punta Cana Resort and Spa – WOW! Was my first impression as we entered the hotel. We were taken to the Preferred Club, where we were checked in and shown to our rooms, mine was a premium deluxe. That evening we had a hosted dinner with the hotel management at the Portofino restaurant, (I didn’t think it possible for me to eat a 6 course meal!) – STUNNING! The rest of the night comprised of chilling out with a few drinks and a visit to the casino – where,  yes, I lost!

The following morning we had breakfast in the World Café where there was so much choice, before being given a site inspection of Dreams Punta Cana. We were shown a number of different room types, including the Honeymoon Suite and the stunning Spa.
 

Zoetry Agua Punta Cana

Zoetry Agua Punta Cana

We were then transferred to Zoetry Agua Punta Cana, about 20 minutes away, a small property by comparison with only 51 rooms and very boutique in style, where we had a hosted lunch, before being given a site inspection. We again got to see a variety of rooms, my favourite being the Junior Suite Ocean View with plunge pool. We had the afternoon to ourselves, so I made the most of the beautiful Caribbean sunshine. Later we made our way back to Dreams Punta Cana, where we had another hosted dinner at the Hitmishu  restaurant and enjoyed the tapanyaki tables, which are a fabulous experience and a must to try if you haven’t already; watching the chefs cooking in front of you and getting everyone involved. The food was amazing; chicken, lobster and beef. A few drinks and an early night completed the day, as we had an early start and a busy day ahead of us.
 

Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana

Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana

After an early breakfast we head off into the mountains for a Zip Wire excursion, which is something I would totally recommend to do whilst in the Dominican Republic, it is absolutely fantastic  – as long as you have a head for heights! From here we head to Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana, another beautiful property. Once checked in we were given a full site inspection. That evening we head over to Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana for a gala dinner hosted by the hotel management; again the food was simply stunning and the hotel looked out of this world. We travelled back to Dreams Palm Beach and spent the evening in the disco.
 

Dreams La Romana

Dreams La Romana

The following day we we made the 90 minute journey to Dreams La Romana, down in the south of the Dominican Republic; we were now on the full Caribbean side of the island, which is reflected in the stunning white sandy beach and crystal clear flat calm ocean. We were shown around La Romana, but all too soon it was time to leave. After lunch we got to experience the Dr Fish excursion, which is very different and very enjoyable. We spent approximately 4 hours on a boat, where we got to experience a massage, try yoga, have a stingray massage and have a fish pedicure where you sit with your feet in a tank of water filled while little fish nibble at your feet! Back on dry land we head back to Dreams Palm Beach, where we have yet another hosted dinner at the Bordeaux  restaurant – where I definitely recommend the Steak! The rest of the evening was spent partaking in a few drinks.

It is now sadly the last day of this fantastic trip, and after breakfast we head down to the beach, where we board a boat for the Reef Back explorer, this is a floating island out at sea, where you spend around 4 hours. You can have a guided snorkel tour over the reef, have a massage, go kayaking and swim with Nurse Sharks and Stingrays – a great way to top up the tan! Leaving the ocean behind, we headed back to Secrets Sanctuary to see the hotel in its full glory in daylight and are give a guided tour of this amazing property. We take lunch for the last time before heading back to the airport.

All too soon it is time to leave this amazing Caribbean Island…

You can see more gorgeous photos from my trip on our Facebook page here:

Are you thinking of visiting one of these beautiful resorts for your next holiday? Give me a call on 08444 999 333 and I’ll be more than happy to share my expert knowledge with you and help you arrange your dream holiday!