Deciding where to take your honeymoon can be an agonizing process. So many choices and so many places you really want to go...we had to narrow it down somehow. I told my husband- if we are on a beautiful beach, what's the difference if it's close to home or half way around the world? (Mind you if we wanted to have a cultural experience this theory wouldn't work, but all we wanted to do was lay on the beach and relax). He agreed, so naturally Mexico was the best destination for quick travel times and the sensation of "being far away from home." Hawaii just doesn't do it for me.

Ok so now where in Mexico? Last year we did Tulum and absolutely loved it, but it's very "boutique" and for this occasion we needed serious luxury: spa, gym, room service, poolside service, restaurants, shops THE WHOLE SHA-BANG!!!! We chose Playa del Carmen since it's an easy flight into Cancun and a 25 min drive to the town, plus the waters are Carribean -so they are clear and warm. A few friends had highly recommended the Rosewood and one friend did not recommend it. Generally, Rosewood Hotels are top tier accommodations but with one friend not loving it, we had some nerves. Especially with the price. Naturally we went to Trip Advisor to help tip the scales and read stellar reviews all around. (GENERAL TIP: ONLY READ REVIEWS FROM PEOPLE FROM DESIRABLE AREAS- San Francisco, Beverly Hills, Santa Barbara, NYC, Miami, etc). The choice was clear- yes yes yes!!!

We were beyond happy about our choice. The Rosewood was everything and more!!!!!

1. THE PROPERTY: It's a unique resort because it sits between a rain forest lagoon filled with alligators and tropical birds, and the most pristine white sand beaches. There were 3 restaurants, 3 pools, a great spa, and gym. It's a huge property so beach cruisers are issued to get around OR you can ride the golf carts that go by every few minutes. The path is wide and paved, and very picturesque so we loved riding bikes all around everyday. We rode our bikes every morning to the gym, then to breakfast and to the pool. It's only a short ride, nothing any able bodied person would have an issue with. One day we took the "nature trail" which was probably about 6 miles round trip all around and off property. We saw a beautiful cenote, rode all around the lagoon and the golf course, and saw a few other resorts. It was great! The resort also offers a "biology tour" on the lagoon almost every day where they ID the birds, gators, iguanas (they were everywhere BTW) and other creatures.

There was an onsite shop with beautiful resort and active wear for men and women. My husband and I saw so many things we wanted for our time there as well as back home too. The spa was beautiful and relaxing and the service was incredible. We both had a 90 minute massage and would highly recommend it. The gym was small but super clean and had the adequate equipment for us to get a good cardio and weight lifting set in each day.

The region, as I had said, is on Carribean waters. Clear and warm water with white sand that was so fine it felt like powdered sugar between my toes. I couldn't get enough beach walking in. The feeling on your feet is just something you have to experience.

2. THE SUITES- we had a beach view lagoon suite. There was also a choice of beach front suite or the presidential (price went up in about $500 increments/night). We were very happy with our suite. We had a beautiful view and a bit more privacy than being right on the sand. Our room had a separate living space, bedroom, 2 tvs, a huge bathroom/closet/vanity area with a humongous tub and separate shower. We had a covered balcony off the side of the living room and on the top of our suite was our private sundeck with a daybed and plunge pool: we had a 360 degree veiw (half beach and half lagoon) It was sooooo beautiful. We spent most afternoon/sunset time in our pool with a bottle of champagne (ooooh yes). The room was comfortable in every way and terry cloth slippers and robes were provided as well as beach sandals and beach bags. Every time we left, we would return to a clean room with a fresh bowl of fruit and new bottles of water and usually some sort of treat and sweet note.

3. THE SERVICE: This is a top-notch resort and the service is right on par. We were completlely blown away with the personel at this resort from the house keepers to the managers. Our favorite person though was our lunch time server, Arturo. He was so much fun to talk to, so knowledgeable about the food, wine and beer of the region and was obviously great at his job. We never needed anything: everything was anticipated for us at all restaurants, bars, and even poolside. The bottles of Rosé were served with Rosé ice cubes.....can't let that rosé get watered down!!!! I got sick one day and needed medication- they called the property doctor and had antibiotics delivered to my suite within an hour!!!!! My husband needed shaving cream- no prob, they delivered it. One day it rained and they felt really bad about it, so they made up rainy day "activities:" Mojito class, Wine tasting, Beer tasting, Churro making and free pay-per view movies and popcorn in your room all day long. Half way through our trip we changed rooms for a better view- THEY PACKED ALL OF OUR STUFF, MOVED IT AND UNPACKED IT PERFECTLY, all while we were drinking margaritas by the pool. This place does not come cheap, but I can guarantee it is money well spent...no regrets!!!!

4. THE FOOD: my main objective for this trip was to eat, drink and be merry. Mission accomplished!!!!! Every morning we ordered off the menu- amazing benedicts, omeletts, pancakes and mexican fare....but that's not all. Each breakfast included a fresh pastry, charcuterie and fruit "buffet." We had croissants, donuts, english muffins, procuitto, brie cheese, fresh mango and kiwi, and watermelon juice. If you are an AMEX platinum holder- breakfast is included, which can save you several hundred dollars on a week long trip for 2. Everything we ate was so good that we really over indulged! We had lunch everyday by the pool (which was also beachside) at the Mexican restaurant. Each day we started lunch with chips and guacamole. The salsas were so good that we went home with the recipe. We tried fish tacos (#1 choice), mexican pizzas and ceviches. All insanely good!!! We also dined at the sushi restaurant on property, which I thought rivaled my favorite sushi here at home and the Italian Restaurant was also very very good!!! Our top choice was the Mexican place Punta Bonita- The margaritas were all made with fresh lime juice, and the craft beers were local and really good (according to my hubs). The wine list was extensive with lots of local choices. At dinner there we had an octopus carnita dish which was more like a ceviche- very fresh and delicious. We followed that up with my best meal of all time- the duck breast. WOW!!!!! Bryan had the fresh fish of the day served in a tomato broth and he loved it. I was too busy with my duck to even give it a try. We topped the meal off with fresh made, melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon and sugar churros and tequila liquer. We went to bed very happy that night.

Honestly we went to bed happy every night. And like I said- we signed that (huge) final bill with a wink and a smile because it was totally worth it!!!! (Oh yeah- the 10lb gain was worth it too.....more about getting that off in the next post)

Below are some of my favorite pics from the trip: