Castles, Cruises, and Culture

08/10/2024

Beautiful adults only hotel with a great vibe of its namesake, Jimmy Buffet. We visited today to see how it looked. Not for beach people but the pools were nice and rooms great!

08/09/2024

It’s time to start thinking about Christmas, Spring Break, and next summer. Let me help you plan your next forever memory with your family or girls group!

We are here at the Azul Beach Riviera Cancun! A fun midlevel resort with an option to upgrade to a higher level room….such as a Honeymood Ocean Front room! Not the best beach but the resort and staff are top notch!

07/27/2024

Mother/Daughter/Aggie Roommate trip!

First day exploring Secrets Maroma near Cancun…..adults only, zen-like, immaculate grounds, peaceful, live music, fun shows, extremely attentive staff, unique and delicious drink options, and scrumptious food. Now that my youngest is 19, I can go to adults only resorts, which is a strange idea to me after years of hearing screaming kids at the pools.

We didn’t feel the need to upgrade to the club or privilege level, so I won’t be able to comment on that. Beach does have some seaweed on it but staff works hard to clean it daily. Soft sand as you wade into the ocean!

This resort is priced higher due to the pampering and high quality….
but you know you deserve it! It’s not too early to start planning your Fall/Christmas getaways, as well as Spring Break! Castles, Cruises, and Culture

07/10/2024

I’d love to help remedy this! Let’s plan something for the fall…or even get started on next year’s Spring Break! A Christmas cruise? Having a trip scheduled can lift your spirits and give you a distraction when life gets rough! Call or text me at 214-202-9212!

05/06/2024

Having just taken an amazing and fun cruise to Alaska, this is a great time to start planning YOUR next family vacation….whether it be this summer, next summer, or somewhere in between!

I specialize in cruises, all-inclusive and hotel vacations, as well as Disney trips! Text, email, or call me and let me start working on your next vacation! Laura Lee Pirtle
214-202-9212
[email protected]

01/17/2024

Royalton Splash:
For those interested in a family friendly awesome resort, I’m posting a detailed review below.

This may now be my new favorite upper level/mid priced family resort! It is fantastic for kids and teenagers but even for adults without kids.

PROS:
* Food is very good with lots of choices and great presentation
* Activities are numerous, from waterpark slides, jump zone, laser tag, bowling, volleyball, pickleball, tennis, pool games to nightly shows starting at 6:30 to 10/11 pm.
* This resort is CLEAN. Our housekeeper, Alicia, thoroughly cleans our room each day. The grounds are kept tidy and the pool servers are constantly picking up dishes and empty glasses guests leave
* Drink carts! Several places around the resort have drink carts with a ‘drink of the day’ and it can be with or without alcohol.
* POOLS! They are heated….all of them (but not Lazy River). Infinity pools! They go on and on. Lots of cushioned pool and beach chairs. We did come out early to make sure we got our prime spot but we even came out late once and still found a good spot Infinity pools! So many pools that go on and on. Swim up bars with great attention. AND there are servers coming around with finger foods like sushi, mini burgers, etc
* 8 A La Carte restaurants: Japanese, Italian, steakhouse, Gourmet, French, Indian, BBQ, and Brazilian, as well as a large buffet, food carts, poolside snack bars, and many places to get ice cream, gelato, and coffee.
* Countless bars that serve everything! Even a martini bar.
* Definitely a wedding venue. We probably watched 3-4 rehearsals and weddings (from a distance) and the set up and party after looked great!
* Highly energetic shows at night. One lasted til 11 and we danced on balcony to the best music!
* SPA!!!! Simply lovely. Yes, thr prices may sound high but for a resort it wasn’t bad. We signed up while checking in for a ‘check in only discount’ of 35% off so 80 minute massage is $133. But that included an hour of a hydrotherapy session prior and getting to use the spa facilities. An 80 minute massage at the tented places on the beach was $100 but they aren’t affiliated with the hotel.
* BEACH! You can walk for miles up and down this beach. I stayed at the sister resort next door during Covid and watched this one being built. I love this one more. The water is darker close to shore but very turquoise and blue farther out. Very few rocks. Smooth sand as you wade out. Much less seaweed as in years past and they try to grate the beach and pick up what seaweed there is left.
* Several cute shops to browse through. Yes they have resort prices but still a distraction!
* Very close to the airport. Like 20 minutes. It’s south of Cancun but above Playa del Carmen.
* STAFF! These sweet people work hard and you can tell they like their jobs. I will list my favorites below because they deserve a shout out
* Gym is impressive!!! Two stories and has everything you need, except…in my case…someone to work out FOR me! Yoga and lots of other classes.
* Wristband doubles as room key so you don’t have to keep up with that!
* Highly suggest upgrading so you have a whirlpool bath hot tub for two on balcony. It’s nice at night to listen to music while in hot tub.
* Sports bar with tons of TVs
* Large resort but because of the way it’s set up you don’t have to walk too far
* Option to upgrade to Diamond Club where you get a designated pool, reservations for dinners, dedicated concierge, better located rooms, private lounge
* Strict rules regarding smoking. Only a few places allowed. Doesn’t seem to have as many smokers….definitely NOT inside.

CONS:
* the list of scheduled activities is not easily accessible by phone app or hard copy. It’s only on rolling screens in the lobby or on the tv in your room. An app to download would be good
* pickleball and tennis courts are on 6th floor but not covered and basketball and shuffleboard on 5th
* Every once in a while we could smell the jungle/mangroves which is another reason to upgrade to an ocean view room
* Check in can take a little longer, especially if you come at the same time as a wedding or convention.
* So many covered cabana-like beds but $50 and up is the cost

Keep in mind that we do tip when we are at all inclusive resorts. It is not mandatory but is so much appreciated.

01/15/2024

There are worse things than having your flight cancelled and being ‘forced’ to stay in Mexico two more nights, so ‘living it up’ is on the agenda. For anyone considering this resort I can’t recommend it ENOUGH! Today we participated in Aqua Zumba, Foam Party, and rode the Vortex slide (last pic)! Lots of energy at this resort! Yesterday we took advantage of the spa and it’s beautiful facilities. Top notch!

01/11/2024

Perfect for a family vacation!

Back in Mexico to try out THIS amazing NEW upper level mid class hotel just a little south of Cancun on a beautiful stretch of beach! The Royalton Splash is definitely family friendly with 12 restaurants, 8 being a la carte. There’s a delicious ice cream area AND a gelato store. Lots of water slides. Fantastic shows every night. Upgraded the room to the ocean front with a whirlpool bath tub on the balcony. Thank goodness because I am a TUB person and there’s not one in the room. So I got to take my bath on the whirlpool bath while listening to mariachi music!

I’ll post more pics tomorrow and a review later in the week.

This is a great time to start thinking about family vacations!!

01/07/2024

Let’s create a trip for you!

01/04/2024

Let me help you have no regrets!

01/03/2024

If I could afford to, I’d fly to Cancun every week to a new resort so I could review it for my clients. This last minute getaway has been fun, but many of the hotels were full, so we chose a good budget all inclusive…one I would send clients to if they were price conscious and still wanted to have a great location and decent food and drinks. First off, the whole resort is kept VERY clean by the friendly and amazing staff who tries very hard to keep their guests happy.

Pros: price, cleanliness, safe, staff, location in the hotel zone, view, shopping across the street, access to Riu Caribe by shuttle for Jungle parties, entertainment staff constantly having activities at the pool with party music, activities for kids, updated, safes in room, attentive housekeeping, compact so not as much walking, 4 a la carte restaurants, 30 min from airport, near ferry to Isla Mujeres, quiet pool and active pool, 4 elevators, all rooms with a view of the ocean, staff tries to learn your name and we enjoy going to the same server because they know what drinks or specifications we like

Cons: basic room with bare amenities, no robes or lotions. older resort, less sun due to hotel position, food is good but not gourmet, lack of nightlife or shows unless you shuttle to other resort, no long stretch of beach to walk,
no swim up bar, go early to restaurants to get seats because no reservations, walls in rooms very thin, tiny gift shop

All in all, I would definitely suggest this hotel to clients on a budget without champagne tastes. We read the reviews and knew what we were getting but it’s actually been surprisingly nicer than expected. Don’t come thinking it’s comparable to Secrets or JW but you’ll have more money left over OR come twice to Cancun for the same price!

Castles, Cruises, and Culture

12/28/2023

It’s the perfect time to start planning your Spring Break and summer vacations! Let me send you some ideas and quotes and you’ll be on your way before you know it! I specialize in cruises, all inclusive resorts, and Disney vacations!

07/07/2023

Hard Rock Riviera Maya! I have booked lots of clients here who loved it but it’s our first time here. (Missing Victoria Pirtle!)

We are really enjoying the food, enormous resort, lots of things to do….you can even order an electric guitar to your room to practice on! It’s just not for beach lovers since the coast is rocky (but beautiful) and the man made lagoons are the only sections of sand.
Castles, Cruises, and Culture

01/26/2023

After touring the Live Aqua resort (adults only) I am ready to highly recommend this property to any clients who would like to stay at a higher level resort with service and food beyond compare! Francisco showed us the incredible 7 restaurants, 7 pools, zen atmosphere, unmatched spa, Aqua Class level lounge/rooms, and staff who go above and beyond to ensure your happiness! At the end of our tour he said we could pose in front of the Aqua sign and the staff crept up behind us to surprise us with the signs!

I had the most lovely 80 minute massage (well priced) and enjoyed their hydrotherapy area, with cold plunge pool, hot tub, steam and sauna area.

Below I have taken pictures of what this beautiful resort has to offer.

01/24/2023

Spending time here now and it’s amazing!

From $180 + Free Shuttle

06/30/2022

https://www.facebook.com/1507990373/posts/10227940592049331/?d=n

01/31/2022

Awesome visit to the Dreams Vista Cancun! Let me help you plan your Spring Break or summer vacation! Mexico will give you the most bang for your buck but why not try a Caribbean island or cruise? Even that long awaited trip to Disney?

01/07/2022

Castles, Cruises, and Culture

As a travel agent, I felt obligated (😜) to try Hilton’s first attempt at an all inclusive resort south of Cancun! It just opened in November so everything is fresh and new, staff well trained, and fantastic food options and presentation! If you like zen and modern, this is for you. Covid testing results back in ten minutes with only ‘tickle’ tears involved! 🤣 This is the perfect time to start planning your next trip, whether it’s for Spring Break or Summer! LOTS of awesome hotel options for every budget! Let me know if I can price something for you! [email protected] or 214-202-9212
Laura Lee Stem Pirtle

05/01/2021

Another favorite resort in Mexico! Riu Palace Costa Mujeres! Second time here and still a favorite: great beach, delicious food, $40 massages on beach, well priced, and directly across from Isla Mujeres! First time I was here was with family in 2019 and kids still talk about the INCREDIBLE coffee bar! Free COVID testing included....and if you test positive, you stay 10 days free! WIN WIN WIN!!!