Ohhh, nothing. Just another gem of a place tucked back from the highway through winding streets and a lush forest. Just an easy 40 minute drive south of Cancun, the Viceroy Riviera Maya offers up a plethora of reasons you why you should make it a point to visit.
Vibe
Upon your arrival to the huge, open-air palapa you can immediately get a sense for what's in store for your stay. We were greeted with cold towels and a refreshing fruit smoothie before the quick check-in and then given a tour of the grounds on the way to our villa. There was a quick stop at the Spa, complete with a traditional Mayan welcome ritual that included a local shaman's blessing in his native tongue complete with a chalice of incense that he would move around our bodies as we stood and held hands. It was a very cool experience and a great way to begin our stay!
The path to our villa was lined with lush forest flora and the sound of trickling water was ever-present. It was a very nice touch as we began to feel the outside world and its stressors began to slough off our psyches.
The mood was quiet and laid-back, but there definitely was an underlying buzz about us. Not in a disturbing way, but in an "excited to finally be here way." Maybe it's because we hadn't actually been anywhere in over a year due to the pandemic. But I think it was more than that.
Upon arriving to our room, we were given a quick tour (more on that below) and our before leaving, our guide cut us off two bars of artisan soap for our stay - and they smelled amazing! But that's not all of it - she also left behind a taste of mezcal, complete with chili salt and lime wedges.
Not a bad way to start any stay, no matter where you are.
The beach wasn't huge, but it was just right. Day beds suspended from thick ropes, comfy lounge chairs that either gave you full sun or were full covered by thatch roofs - all yours for the taking. The water was clear and while the beach was rocky, you could easily grab a pair of water shoes and venture out into the waves if you desired.
The staff? Wow! Attentive, kind, always there with a smile and ready to get you whatever you need. They even have a gentleman on the beach that comes around to clean your sunglasses! The staff on the beach was always there when you needed them and never overly-present. It's like they knew what we were thinking right before we did! This service carries throughout the property from the front desk (which quickly and easily organized or COVID tests for entry back to the US the day before our departure) to the pool to the beach and the restaurants. They left us wanting for nothing.
Accommodations
We could call it a room, but it's not. It's a villa. Your own, freestanding, can't hear your neighbors, plunge pool included, private villa. In fact, that's all that they have at the Viceroy. Forty of them that start at 1,000 square feet and just get bigger from there. It's one of the many things that makes this place feel so intimate.
We opted for a "middle of the road" Premium Villa that was a generous 1,700 square feet with a separate bathroom with two sinks, a luxurious, deep tub, walk-in closet and one indoor and one outdoor shower. The bedroom had a stocked mini-bar, seating areas and a large TV that we never turned-on.
Sliding glass doors off the bedroom led to a day-bed, seating area, hammock and a nice, deep plunge-pool that can be warmed to your liking. We spent our late afternoons here after the beach to have a drink(s) and talk and sustaining that relaxing vibe that was ever-present since we step foot at the property.
If I had to say one negative thing, it's that this property is sandwiched between two larger resorts. So while it did seem private and intimate, it's hard to keep all the outside noises from creeping in. Our villa backed up to a maintenance shed. It wasn't all-out loud, but you could hear them hammering/building things from time-to-time. It wasn't enough to complain or get upset (it actually seemed like they were softly hammering), but a consideration when you inquire about the location of your villa.
Fare and Glass
Let's just say that we've been to our fair share of places in Mexico and the food at the Viceroy Riviera Maya consistently had the best food we've had South of the border.
We did the vast majority of our dining at the Coral Restaurant and Bar, which in their own words is a "two-tier alfresco restaurant offers classic international and authentic Mexican breakfast offerings and an extensive selection of fresh seafood available for our lunch and dinner menus." I really can't say it better than that.
Breakfast was a delight overlooking the ocean. They served up everything from fresh fruit to breakfast burritos to a fantastic eggs Benedict. We'd typically snack around lunch time and can with full confidence vouch for the guacamole, shrimp tacos and tuna ceviche. And dinner was always something delicious (the lamb ossobuco was AMAZING). We were also there for two of their fixed-menu nights (Caribbean Grill night and Pasta + Pizza night), which were also quite good. Everything was open-air and it was obvious they were taking COVID precautions seriously (masks and all). They have another restaurant on property called La Marea that's open for dinner, but we just never made it! Perhaps next time (and oh, there will be a next time).
When it comes to fun, Mexican-inspired cocktails, well, you really can't go wrong. I bounced between a spin on the traditional margarita and a mezcal coriander drink that quickly became my favorite. At night, we had excellent bottles of wine or traditional cocktails made to perfection. If you want something, just ask and you shall receive.
The Verdict
We have a handful of go-tos now in Mexico. So it's sometimes hard to leave the comfort of what we know and venture off to a new property. But in this case, I'm so glad we did. The Viceroy Riviera Maya is one of those places that makes us ask ourselves, "Why don't we do this more often?" It's an easy flight (from Texas, that is), a short ride south of the airport and by early afternoon we have our toes in the sand. It was just what we needed to make 2020 melt into the past and gave us the (literal) breath of fresh air we needed. We felt pampered and well taken care of every second of our stay.
It won't be the last time we visit.
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