Words of Wisdom from Rancho La Puerta Destination Spa

As I noted in my earlier post about my fantabulous stay at Rancho La Puerta, one of the true highlights of my week was the early morning hikes. Yes, it was sometimes tough to roll out of bed for the 6, 6:30 or 7 a.m. guided walks, but afterwards, having started the day in the resplendent desert setting (and having gotten some great exercise), it was certainly worth the effort. Plus, I was in control of my day at the spa –- if I wanted to take a mid-afternoon nap to make up for lost sleep, I could!

After hiking, I’d stretch and then walk to breakfast along the brick-paved path, passing by a double-sided chalkboard that always featured different daily quotes. Here are just a few of my favorites — I hope you’ll find inspiration in them like I did!


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January 30, 2009 | Filed Under Destinations, The Cookie Jar | 1 Comment 

Interview with a Traveling Mama - Kelby Carr

One pleasant consequence of being a travel writer deep into Web 2.0 and new media, is the interesting people I “meet” along the way: These are the fellow writers and technophiles with whom I have extended online relationships, but only occasionally meet. One of my longer online professional relationships is with Kelby Carr. Her intelligence and depth of knowledge about writing for the internet is really impressive. She is a France guide on About.com, the Family Vacations weekly columnist at Suite101.com (this is how I met her, with my column there being Luxury Vacations), and boundless other projects either in full swing or in the hopper. No wonder she started a full-blown, many faceted website called Type-A Mom. That name suits her to a tee. Kelby managed to find some time to sit for a Traveling Mamas interview.

Tell us about Type-A Mom. Why did you start it? How’s it going?

Type-A Mom was an idea I had when I got put on bed rest. As a newspaper reporter, I wasn’t even allowed to do my job even though it didn’t even require getting out of bed…fortunately I wrote for sites like Suite101 and About.com and that kept money coming in. For years, though, it had bugged me that employers are so hung up on moms working in the office. I wanted to provide an opportunity for moms, any mom, to write online and earn money like I could do.

So Type-A Mom’s primary mission is to be a place where moms can write and earn revenue. Its other mission is to be a resource for moms to get real advice from real moms instead of being forced to rely on so-called experts (sometimes men, sometimes childless) about motherhood. Moms are the real experts. That’s who most of us call when we have a tough parenting question.

You’re a real traveling mama. Could you describe a family adventure you’ve had?

Probably the biggest adventure we had was our extended family sabbatical. We moved to France with our first child when she was 1. We lived in Nice, but we traveled most of the time we were there. While there were plenty of challenges — particularly lugging baby gear all over Europe and getting a stroller and luggage up and down stairs constantly — this was an amazing experience. Our daughter learned colors in the Louvre, and she learned animal names at Barcelona Zoo. We camped in the Pyrenees, and strollered through Paris. The three of us were together almost non-stop, and it was also an amazing bonding experience.

What are the benefits to traveling abroad with young children?

I think [my daughter] got many benefits from the experience. For one thing, she was speaking French better than English when we left. There is evidence being exposed to foreign languages young has benefits, and she seems to learn languages in preschool and school (like Spanish) pretty easily. I also think there is something to be said for learning from experience vs. books or TV shows. People constantly remark that she seems very mature and intelligent for her age, and I think some of that is due to the stimulus and in-person learning she did while traveling so young. Beyond all of that, I am a firm believer that everyone — babies, children, and adults — benefit from being exposed to other cultures and new situations.

Is there anything you specifically recommend against while traveling with children?

Yes, and it would be expecting to treat travel with children the same as your previous travels. You will not have the same experience, and this isn’t a bad thing. If you loved a regimented itinerary beforehand, you’d better get over it. If you liked spending hours doing one un-stimulating activity like wandering a museum, that probably won’t cut it anymore. On the other hand, I also recommend against only doing so-called “kid-friendly” sightseeing and dining. Kids adjust to what they are used to. If you always take your kids into museums or quiet cathedrals or nice restaurants, they will learn to behave accordingly. If they don’t at first, then walk out… which again goes back to what I said initially. Flexibility is the key.

Kelby Carr can be found on Twitter; @typeamom is one of my favorites!

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January 29, 2009 | Filed Under Adventure Travel, Family Travel, Mama Interviews | 5 Comments 

Top Tips for Winter Car Safety

Winter is in full swing, and some of us aren’t used to icy driving conditions. It recently snowed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the first time in many, many years. When this happened, I had a few questions about car care, and about safety while driving my vehicle in the snow.

Spontaneous Traveling Mamas may find themselves on an impromptu road trip that ends up in a colder destination. These tips from Jiffy Lube can help all of us keep our cars, trucks, and mini-vans running during frigid weather – whether you’re traveling through a northern state or if you live in a snowy clime and just want to do daily errands safely:

* Check your antifreeze/coolant
Antifreeze helps control the temperature of a vehicle’s engine. Since it remains liquid and does not freeze in cold temperatures, antifreeze also helps protect the engine during extreme cold starts. Servicing your vehicle’s cooling system according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations can help you avoid costly repairs down the line. Check your owners’ manual for how often it should be replaced.

* Watch the wiper blades
The normal life expectancy for most windshield wiper blades is six to 12 months. Check and clean the windshield wiper blades or replace them if necessary. Checking and replacing them as needed can improve visibility to help avoid a very dangerous situation on the road — particularly in snowy and stormy conditions.

* Make sure the battery is strong
A weak battery is less reliable and can take longer to start your car on cold mornings. In fact, a weak battery could lose about one third of its power or more in colder conditions (e.g. below 32 degrees Fahrenheit). Make sure that connections are tight and free of corrosion and have your battery tested to ensure it has ample power to withstand the cold. Start the car with the heater, lights and window defrosters turned off to minimize battery strain.

* In case of emergency
Maintain a vehicle emergency kit including a first aid kit, jumper cables, flashlight, bottled water, extra blankets, gloves and hat, granola/energy bars, duct tape, and a can of Fix-a-Flat. You never know when you will need these essentials. If you have little ones still using formula, keep a few extra servings of powdered formula to mix up with your bottled water, just in case you do end up on the side of the road.

* Clean the engine air filter
The engine air filter is a vehicle’s lung. A clean air filter helps the engine combust an optimal air-to-fuel mixture, making it run more smoothly and efficiently. When your air filter is clogged, your engine has to work harder and therefore is not operating at peak performance. Check your vehicle owner’s manual to find out when it needs to be replaced.

* Pay attention to oil grade
Motor oil lubricates the engine, keeping it cool and reducing the friction between moving parts. As motor oil circulates, it also cleans away harmful dirt and contaminants. In general, you should use the lightest grade of oil your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends for the conditions you drive in. During the winter, this may mean an even lighter grade than usual. Most vehicle owner’s manual specifies the correct grade of motor oil for your vehicle during certain driving conditions and seasons.

* Keep an eye on tire pressure
Under-inflated tires create extra friction where the rubber meets the road. Improperly inflated tires also wear unevenly, which can impact your vehicle’s traction on the road and possibly lead to a dangerous blowout. Check your tire pressure regularly and make sure all of them are filled to the correct level — and remember your spare tire, which can lose pressure in the cold.

Proper tire pressure is vehicle-specific. Tire pressure information for a vehicle is found on a decal typically in the vehicle’s door jamb or in the vehicle owner’s manual. Do not follow the pressure listed on the sidewall of the tire, as this number is specific to the tire, not the vehicle.

Consider visiting the knowledgeable folks at Jiffy Lube to help you with your winter car maintenance. To find the location closest to you, log on to JiffyLube.com.

Special thanks to the experts from Jiffy Lube who provided these tips just for Traveling Mamas readers. Do you have tips for driving during the snow that you have found helpful? Please share them with us in the comments below.

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January 28, 2009 | Filed Under Family Travel, Travel News | 3 Comments 

Winning Wednesday - Flip Ultra Video Camera

Wow, this Winning Wednesday is a biggie. The Traveling Mamas are so lucky to be able to give away a Flip Ultra digital video camera, and we really enjoy browsing readers’ ideas of what they’d first take videos of with the camera. What a fun contest! Thank you, everyone who entered.

But unfortunately, there can be only one winner. Who is the winner of the Flip Ultra digital camera contest giveaway? Why, it’s…(drum roll, please) Monica Surfaro Spigelman! Congratulations, Monica!

Catalina Mtns (Sarah Wilde)

Our winner wrote a pretty great comment, by the way (which is always nice, even though the winners are selected randomly for all Traveling Mamas giveaways). She wrote, “Loved your explanation of Flip Ultra - now I want one! What I’d record with my new Flip: Native plants and wildlife glimpsed along the trails I walk here in the Catalina Mountains. I’m preparing an electronic journal for online posting about our beautiful yet endangered natural environment. Flip would be my invaluable ‘media partner’ in this project. Thanks for this opportunity!”

What can I say? That’s a wonderful project you have planned, Monica. The Traveling Mamas are happy that this prize will help you create that electronic journal. Please get in touch with me through this site, and we’ll figure out how to best get this digital camera in your hands and ready to document all that wildlife along your nature trails. It’s nice to know that the Flip will be put to such good use.

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January 28, 2009 | Filed Under The Cookie Jar | 3 Comments 

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Is Coming To Tucson!

Last week I received word that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is on the road again, this time it’s stopping in the desert, my town specifically Tucson, Arizona! If you don’t know about this ABC show here is a little background: Every episode a deserving family, usually very much in need and is or has been facing a hardship, is chosen to have their house completely renovated. Often the house is in such bad shape it is knocked down and swept away.

Host of the show is the fun and energetic Ty Pennington. Ty, the Extreme Makeover team, and volunteers renovate or rebuild a new home where the old house stood. The home is then beautifully furnished and the yard landscaped before welcoming the family to their “new” home.

Week after week, the EHM team and volunteers do an outstanding job. It’s a “feel good show” that inspires people to help others less fortunate and it also inspires homemakers to re-do their home - at least I get the urge.

The show always manages to make me a little weepy. When I was pregnant I had to have a box of Kleenex nearby because I would sob and sob and sob - a little dramatic I know, but Extreme Makeover: Home Edition sure knows how to produce a a tearjerker.

When I heard Extreme Makeover was coming to town the first thing to come to mind was - how can I help? Well, that was a great question with an easy answer: there is a website dedicated to the show asking for volunteers, donations and it has answers to all of your burning questions, such as “Can I ask Ty out for a date or at least have him sign my autograph book?” - the answer is no, at least not while on-site, but there may be an opportunity at some point. (Okay, it doesn’t really mention the date part - but is does talk about autographs.)

Today is the “move-out” date so if you’re in town and have time to volunteer tonight from 5 pm to 1:30 am sign up now! The remaining days open to volunteers are the building days and they run Thursday, January 29th to Tuesday, February 3rd.

Since I have the “kid-thing” going on I had to choose a weekend time slot, so I’ll be there Sunday February 1st from 10am to 2pm. If you’re going to be there keep an eye out for me.

The Tucson builder is the generous John Wesley Miller Companies and EHM is still looking for volunteers and donations especially the list below:

  • WOODWORKERS! Skilled cabinetmakers, furniture makers - woodworkers!
  • Generous Tucson restaurants to donate meals!
  • Native American Artists (pottery, weaving, etc)
  • Lumber and building materials! Cash donations can help as well.
  • Home Decor
  • Services

If you can help go here to find out more. See you there - I can’t wait to shout Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s catch phrase: “Move That Bus!”

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January 27, 2009 | Filed Under The Cookie Jar | 16 Comments 

Baja California Destination Spa - Review of Rancho La Puerta

I couldn’t wait to share my review of Rancho La Puerta destination spa with Traveling Mamas’ readers. I actually wrote this on my plane rides home this weekend. I hope I captured the essence of this special place while memories were still fresh!

I doubt there’s one mom on the face of this earth who couldn’t benefit from a short break from mothering duties. I’m a huge proponent of taking time for yourself daily, to do something just for you — whether it’s 20 minutes to meditate, and hour of exercise or a lengthy bubble bath in the evening.

I also think solo trips or girlfriend getaways are the best ways to break away from routine, get outta town and do something that’s super fun — all in an effort to recharge those mom batteries and return to the homefront feeling refreshed, recharged and ready to take on the world (or at least deal with the laundry, lunchboxes and litter box).

I was fortunate last week to take what I think is the crème de la crème of re-energizing vacations: a full week at Rancho La Puerta destination spa in Tecate, Baja California. This was an early 40th birthday present from my ultra-generous mother — and I couldn’t think of anyone better to spend the week with.

After all, Mom and I are cut from the same cloth — we both enjoy the benefits of eating well, exercise and pampering spa treatments. Not all of my friends would be game to spend six nights in a gated community just south of the border: no shopping, no sightseeing, no “adventure.” Just a whole bunch of time for introspection and relaxation. For us, it was the best way to spend the week away from the responsibilities of “real life.”

With origins dating back to 1940, Rancho La Puerta bills itself as the “original destination spa.” (Learn more about the spa’s fascinating history on its website.) Over the course of several decades, it’s perfected the overall “spa experience.” In fact, “the Ranch” highly encourages guests to book a week’s stay to “fully achieve and maintain the magic of Rancho La Puerta.” I totally agree.

When you arrive at the Ranch with dozens of other guests on Saturday, you are uptight, stressed-out strangers. As the week unfolds, everyone grows less tense and friendlier. By the time you leave the following Saturday, you’re a relaxed, blissed-out family. Really.

Relationships develop with the guests you see regularly in exercise classes, around the communal dining tables and on the hiking trail. The casual conversations I had with new acquaintances were so enlightening; many I met were so open with their own personal challenges and struggles and reasons for spending a week at the Ranch. We all shared and learned from one another.

But making connections with like-minded guests is just one of the highlights of a week’s stay at Rancho La Puerta. Here are a few others:

The to-die-for gourmet cuisine. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are included in the price of your stay, and menus follow a vegetarian diet, with one seafood entree usually offered at dinner. But we’re not talking carrot sticks and cottage cheese here, folks. The organic cuisine is out of this world. Think Mexican Enchiladas, Grilled Nopal (cactus) Salad, Spicy Beans and Sesame Mole (pictured at right); Roasted Garden Vegetables with Gorgonzola Cheese, Tomato Coulis and Sprouts; or Florentine Lasagna with Basil Sauce, Steamed Asparagus and Roasted Eggplant.

Portions aren’t skimpy, and you can always ask for a side of cottage cheese, bread and butter, or seconds of anything if you’re starving. I had a few contraband Clif bars in my room for hunger pains around 3 p.m., but you can usually find fruit, smoothies or raw veggies in the communal lounge. Speaking of contraband, wine is only served twice a week. You are welcome to bring alcohol to consume in your room.

The wide range of exercise and movement classes. This is where Rancho La Puerta shines. Multiple classes are offered daily at 9, 10 and 11 a.m., then again at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. And I’m talking everything from yoga, Pilates and aqua aerobics to strength training and treadmill trekking to the far-out Gyrokenesis, Cardio Drumming and Release & Mobilize, where you roll around on tennis balls to give yourself a deep-tissue massage. (I took this class three times and absolutely LOVED it.) Indeed, some classes are designed to get your heart pumping, while others are focused on stretching and gentle movement.

The pristine facilities. The 3,300-acre grounds are beautifully landscaped. Accommodations are in charming, freestanding, garden-level casitas decorated in folksy Mexican style, set amid gorgeous desert gardens and joined by winding brick pathways. Beautiful sculptures adorn the grounds, which include three pools, a jogging track around grape trees, tennis courts and a basketball court. Brightly colored wooden signs and arrows direct you where to go. We couldn’t get over how absolutely clean everything was and how discreet the groundskeepers were. No loud conversations anywhere; clearly the ultra-friendly staff has been trained to maintain a peaceful environment.

The fabulous hiking program. A number of hiking trails meander through the hills surrounding the 3,885-foot, sacred Mt. Kuchumaa, which looms over the Ranch. Every morning, guests can choose from among a number of guided hikes, ranging from mellow 2-mile nature walks to more grueling, 7-mile treks. My favorites were the 3.5-mile Pilgrim and Professor’s trails, and a true highlight was the four-mile (round-trip) gentle hike to the Ranch’s organic garden, Tres Estrellas. Here, we met one of the head gardeners, who shared his passion for organic farming. We also enjoyed a wonderful meal in the kitchen that serves as a learning center for the new cooking school, Cocina Que Canta, the “kitchen that sings.” For an additional fee, guests can take cooking lessons here during their stay; my mom and I opted out, but I’m told they were great.

The spa treatments. Admittedly, the spa facilities at the Ranch are a bit rustic. Don’t expect marble bathrooms or high-end appointments here. In fact, I got frustrated at the adjustable showerheads that wouldn’t stay in place; they kept falling and bonking me in the head — I think they’re built for shorter people.

That said, if you take the rustic charm with a grain of salt, visiting the spas (there are three separate buildings), is certainly a treat. You can steam and sauna to your heart’s content, and treatments are reasonably priced, in comparison to urban spas. I thoroughly indulged, and got rubbed down four of the six days I was there: a sports massage, a deep-tissue massage, a healing massage (trigger-point therapy) and a relaxation massage. Each was different… and perfect.

The overall variety of things to do. Rancho La Puerta draws all types of people. I met a couple who took every single challenging exercise class and went on all the rigorous hikes; seemed their motive was to indulge in their passion for exercise. Other guests were there simply to chill out — to take some mellow stretching and toning classes, and spend most of their time in the sauna or by the Jacuzzi. You could go to the Ranch and not set foot in an exercise room and instead spend time attending lectures (I was partial to “Sex after 40″ by the visiting sex educator), going on bird walks and sampling art classes. Or you could pick and choose from all of the above.

That’s the beauty of the Ranch — only you set your agenda. And that agenda might change day to day, hour by hour. You really don’t have to be anywhere at any time (unless you’ve booked a spa treatment), so if you want to blow off Circuit Training one day to loll by the pool, the power is yours to do just that!

I could likely write a book, not just a blog post, about Rancho La Puerta — but honestly, this is one place you really need to visit in order to truly “get it.” Given the economy, and some vacant rooms, the Ranch is offering a handful of specials this year. First, room rates were not increased in 2009; the 2008 prices remain. “Bring a Friend” weeks allow you to pay for one week, while the other guest in your same room gets 50 percent off. Other specials include spa credits for Villa bookings and a fourth friend in a Villa quad stays for free. Call 877-440-7772 for details

If you’re considering booking a stay here, and have questions about the spa, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments. I’ll happily answer them, all the while remembering my amazing time here.

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January 26, 2009 | Filed Under Culinary Travel, Destinations, Eco Travel, Spa Getaways | 7 Comments 

United’s Economy Plus Policy Stinks

Beware: Rant ahead.

I understand the appeal of paying an extra $15 to $60 per plane seat on a domestic flight to get the few inches of extra leg room in United Airlines’ Economy Plus section. I’ve paid the fee myself when I’ve wanted confirmed assurance that I’d have a bit more comfort for my five-foot-nine-inch frame on a cross-country flight.

I certainly don’t begrudge anyone who pays a little more to sit in the exit rows and the coveted half-dozen Economy Plus rows of seats. And they shouldn’t begrudge me if the flight is less than half full, there are several of these spacious seats open, and I ask to scoot up into the roomy seating –- after all, Economy Plus patrons still have the extra space they’d reserved. I wouldn’t be taking away their precious extra five inches of legroom.

But that’s exactly why the flight attendant wouldn’t let me move up to an empty exit row on my flight from San Francisco to Denver earlier today.

It comes down to a bunch of whiners.

Nope, can't sit in any of those empty Economy Plus seats.
Don’t even think about sitting in any of those empty Economy Plus seats.

I asked a flight attendant if I could move up to one of TWO empty exit rows or one of the THREE totally empty rows 12, 13 and 14 on the aft side of the plane. Nope, couldn’t do it, “Those rows are reserved for people who paid for the upgrade. You’re welcome to purchase an upgrade now if you like.”

Since when did Economy Plus become First Class??

When I said I’d never had a problem moving up to a roomier seat before, the UA flight attendant said, “If I let you sit there, I could get fired.”

WHAT?

The only reason I couldn’t have the extra bit of legroom is because others’ paid for it. Um, so what. If there are empty seats, why can’t I snag one? It’s not like I’m displacing the other Economy Plus passengers, nor am I getting any extra services, like the passengers being served a hot lunch in First Class.

My guess is all those people who forked over the money to reserve an Economy Plus seat have been furious and complained when Economy passengers have scooted up front for free.

Just more nickel and diming from the airlines. They’ll take every dollar they can get.

Obviously, United Airlines has no interest in making passengers as comfortable as possible on a half-empty flight on a lousy two-and-a-half-hour flight (that had already been delayed an hour). Flight attendants shouldn’t fear for their jobs in situations like this. It’s a judgment call.

The next time I book an Economy Plus seat, and by chance someone moves up to share my row with me, I won’t complain to United Airlines’ Customer Service. Instead, I’ll say, “Good for you!” After all, plane travelers need to stick together these days. We’ve been knocked down so much lately, with extra baggage fees, reduced flight schedules and paying for on-board water and pillows and snacks. We should celebrate small victories amongst one another, since the airlines are growing stingier by the month and aren’t going out of their way to do us any favors.

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January 24, 2009 | Filed Under Flying High | 51 Comments 

Tucson’s New GOLD Restaurant at Westward Look Resort

Pesto Crusted Beef Tenderloin Medallion paired with parsnip puree and roasted shallot, Triple Cream Brie Beignet served with grilled eggplant, roasted red pepper and flat bread, Lobster and Toasted Corn Risotto Cake with jicama slaw and smoked chile romolade…these are just a few starters on Tucson’s Westward Look Resort GOLD Restaurant menu.

This past week I was invited to GOLD’s launch party to sample dishes created by Westward Look’s new Executive Chef James Wallace (that’s us by the marvelous GOLD ice sculpture). I was not disappointed (I don’t think it was possible to be). Everything tasted so fresh - and it’s no wonder. Many ingredients are picked from the on-site Chef’s Garden - how cool is that? Chef Wallace is not only a talented culinary artist, but the kindest, most down to earth person you can imagine - the Westward Look staff is terrific, too. (They always are.)

The resort’s rustic Southwest ambiance was enhanced thanks to Spanish guitarist Gabriel Francisco.

As you may be able to tell, Westward Look is one of my favorite Tucson resorts. It is located on 80-acres of stark Sonoran Desert and has fantastic city views. My favorite is relaxing on the GOLD Restaurant patio which overlooks a dazzling blanket of Tucson lights. I’m looking forward to my next visit up the hill. In fact, I hear there’s a new GOLD Martini on the menu. It looks like I have yet another golden reason to return to this fantasitc Tucson resort.

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January 24, 2009 | Filed Under The Cookie Jar | 4 Comments 

San Diego Omni Special

Do you remember last summer when the DesertFamily stayed at the Omni San Diego? Well, I thought our readers would like to know this Omni is offering a Family Slumber Party Package - perfect for the families looking for a weekend away.

The Family Slumber Party Package includes:

  • Two night’s deluxe accommodations
  • One in-room movie per day complete with popcorn and sodas
  • Breakfast for two adults and two children at McCormick & Schmick’s
  • A “Scoop City Guide” to San Diego’s attractions
  • Complimentary valet parking (excellent!)

This special is running through until December 31, 2009 and costs $499 (plus tax). The best part: Guests wanting additional space for their family can book a connecting room for only $99 more!

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January 23, 2009 | Filed Under Family Travel, The Cookie Jar | 1 Comment 

Solymar Resort in Cancun, Mexico: Love It or Hate It

A few years ago my husband and I took one of those “last minute” specials a travel agent put together for us. We didn’t have a lot of money, but we were due for a romantic escape away from our then two and four year old children. We took a direct charter flight from New Orleans to Cancun, and we had entertaining companions on the flight: The Girls Gone Wild Film Crew. It was a prelude to a really horrible romantic escape.

Located 15 minutes from Cancun International Airport, Solymar is a 200-room budget beach hotel on the Caribbean Sea. While some people choose the all-inclusive option here, I would not choose this the next time I visit. Actually, I probably won’t visit again. It’s a toss up. Either you love Solymar or you hate it. I found it to be an “OK” home base while in Cancun. I tried my best to stay away, except to sleep.

Rooms:
This is a Mexican style hotel, meaning no elevators and open air hallways. The majority of the rooms are dark with Mexican tile and navy colors. It is very rustic. The walls were a terra cotta colored stucco. The bathrooms are shower-only and I wore my flip-flops in the shower. Upon check-in, we entered our room to find a view of the parking lot. This is a chance you take when you book ROH (run of the house). I sat down on one of the beds, and my behind got wet. Apparently someone else had been there in a wet swimsuit and left their mark. At least, I’m hoping it was a wet swimsuit. The rooms are condo-style with kitchenettes, but I don’t recommend cooking in the room we were given. The amenities were sparse as were the towels. The electrical outlets are 120/220 AC

Somewhere in this hotel are the “good” rooms. They are larger, brighter, and supposedly cleaner. I even hear that there are villas with private pools. I didn’t see them.

Pools:
There is one pool at Solymar. It is not very large, but it will keep you cool.

Restaurants:
Solymar advertised at the time that it has three restaurants. It was actually one restaurant that changes its name for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is a bar in the lobby and also a pool bar that will order burgers for you from the lunch restaurant. I guess this is what you would call a “pool-side grill”.

Activities:
There were no scheduled activities. There were some activities down by the beach offered by an independent contractor. Hubby and I went exploring and joined a tour to Chichen Itza. Definitely the highlight of the trip.

The Bottom Line:
As stated before, you either love Solymar or hate it. I wouldn’t stay there again, but I did enjoy spending time with my husband and experiencing the area with him. Some people have had great experiences here. Check out some of the reviews on Tripadvisor.com and epinions.com to help you make an informed decision. If you are on a budget and needing someplace to store your luggage while you explore, Solymar is a good choice. If you are looking for a relaxing, trouble free vacation, search elsewhere.

Our adventure didn’t end with a ride to the airport. Our return flight was delayed, but fortunately the booking company, Vacation Express, sent all of us to Moon Palace Resort and Spa to hang out by the pool until the plane was ready. That was definitely a highlight, but the funniest moment was our return through US Customs and noticing as the Customs Agents began rummaging through the bags of the Girls Gone Wild Film Crew. Let’s just say there were a few interesting items!

I recently checked up on Solymar, which will forever hold a place in our memories (ha!). It seems they still have awful service and many of the standard rooms have bigger holes than when we are there. At least the beach was clean.

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January 23, 2009 | Filed Under Budget Travel, Destinations, Romantic Getaways, Travel News | 7 Comments 

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