Vidanta Grand Luxe

Jan 26, 2020

    Our flight from Houston to Cancun International was an easy 1.5 hour flight. Customs was quick and easy without the scrutiny like we received in Saint Petersburg, Russia, for sure! Our traveling companions, Ron and the lovely Nancy Pinkerton were once again sharing the week with us in this luxury 5 star resort. Nancy had arranged our accommodations through a travel deal she made. She also arranged to have a shuttle pick us up at CI after our arrival.
    The half hour ride was non-scenic along the thick jungle type vegetation that grew along the highway. A large stone entrance marked the Vidanta complex, a thousand acre chunk of real estate teeming with resorts, restaurants, water features, swimming pools, roads lined with jungle vegetation and a myriad of electric carts to transport vacationers to their various resorts.
     We stayed at a building called the Jungle in the Grand Luxe Riviera Maya. We and the Pinkerton’s each had our own one bedroom, two bath condos complete with kitchen, dining room, living room, bedroom with king bed. We had maid service daily with evening turn down and chocolate on the pillows.

   The huge swimming pool nearby had more than a mile of shoreline and was lined with lounge chairs, grass thatched roofs on large cabanas, some with beds, umbrellas, roving waiters and waitresses to take food and drink orders, live and DJ music, exercise classes, games Ana ton of stuff to do.

   The Gulf of Mexico was pristine with many 🌴 coconut trees, more lounge chairs, waiters, boardwalks, docks and more swimming pools. The Havana Moon was a favorite restaurant near the pool where we enjoyed several meals.

 This place exists to sell time shares so we prepared ourselves for the coming pressures, and come it did three days after our arrival.

   Hector bought us breakfast at one of the nicer restaurants, a great buffet spread of food from salmon to omelets and exotic fresh fruits 🍉 and perfectly blended fresh juices. A fitting Segway into the hour of negotiations. Let the fun begin!
   Note: we held out, stood our ground as they painted an enticing picture. I remember the Proverb that says, “A fool and his money are soon parted “.
   For a price one could do about anything one desired. There were many excursions to be had. The closest town was Playa del Carmen. We went there twice for about $20 one way. They had a very Nice Walmart where we picked out our groceries for the week. Shopping on “5th Avenue “ was also fun.
   Coatis, aka Mexican 🦝 Raccoons and iguana 🦎roamed around the complex like they owned the place. I tried to stuff one in my suitcase but Debby said no. Besides, Toronto would probably mistake it for a chew toy.