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Akumal Beach Resort Sept 19-26, 2012 - 9/30/2012 12:10:43 PM
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ulle trautvag
Posts: 378
Joined: 3/28/2008
From: Manhattan/nyc
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Took the train to the plane for a 12:11 non-stop on AA from JFK to CUN and arrived on time around 3pm. Had a 15 min. wait for the ADO bus which leaves once an hour and then a 1 hour ride into Playa del Carmen. The ride on 307 was fine, even though it was rush hour, until we were pulled over by the policia municipal with whom our driver had a 10 min. discussion. Entry into Playa was slow going as was the taxi ride out. Once on 307 the taxi zoomed along, taking about 25 mins to ABR. Check-in was very quick. We were housed in room 530 in building 5, although I’d requested building 6 or 7; but never mind, I’m not picky. Wilbert at the main bar greeted us, remembering our drink preferences. We were starving and enjoyed soup, salad, pasta and fish. This would basically be our menu for the next seven days.
Breakfast offers omelets made to order, sausage or bacon, French toast, pancakes, several styles of eggs, chilaquiles, black beans, hash browns, yogurts, fresh fruit, freshly-squeezed juice, dry and cooked cereals, a selection of breads and the best home-made orange, guava and strawberry marmalade I’ve ever tasted. Whoever makes these should have the recipe patented. I can see them as toppings for ice cream. Lunch serves up salad and fixings, guacamole, salsa cruda, fish, vegetables both steamed and braised, a starch such as rice or potatoes, beans and selections from the pasta bar, including pizza and focaccia. I’m from New York City where some pizzas drip with sauce and cheese. ABR instead offers smaller pieces of “dry” tasty slices akin to focaccia which I like very much, especially the ones with bits of pineapple. Dinner is similar to lunch but more extensive: sautéed or grilled fish, meat such as chicken in champagne sauce which was excellent, pork or beef and always a soup. Some of the dishes include selections made in Mexican, Aztec or Yucatecan style. Mexican Night featured pozole, tacos, tamales, tortillas, fish Veracruz and a very good coffee flan in addition to regular dishes. At 9pm a special program in the theater highlighted costumes and dances from various regions of Mexico which was very enjoyable.
ABR’s snack bar has hamburgers grilled to order, hot dogs, guacamole, salsa, tender chips and salad stuff. French fries are a pleasant surprise, crispy brown, lightly salted with absolutely no grease. I’m not a fries person but couldn’t resist these and will have them in the future. Nice!
Akumal Beach Resort is an older resort and therefore had the good fortune to locate its buildings parallel to the beach. This means that all rooms face the sea and no buildings are stacked inland. One of my joys is to sleep with only the screen door shut, the ceiling fan turning as I listen to waves lapping the shore. This was the only cooling I needed at night this September. There are times in the mornings when I’ve opened my eyes to see pelicans glide past or frigate birds circling on the air current. Wonderful! The beach is scenic, curving in and out, the white sand powder-fine. What I love most is the endless vista of the sea: there are no cruise ships on the horizon, no booze cruise party boats blaring music, no motorized water sports vehicles, no boats pulling parachutes or bananas -- nada, only the water breaking over the reef in the distance. It is so enjoyable to watch the sea through the main dining room’s large, open windows while eating breakfast, lunch or dinner. And I’m not the only one as eyes are continually directed at the gorgeous aqua and turquoise sea or a beautiful moon. When available I opt to sit at one of the three outdoor tables in front of the dining hall.
The resort is the only one in the area so one isn’t disturbed by neighboring resorts. There aren’t any restricting ropes or buoys, you can swim or snorkel as far as you wish. It is the best off- beach snorkeling in the Riviera Maya, affording almost guaranteed sightings of turtles of various sizes, all kinds of fish, invertebrates and beautiful coral. You’ll never see the same thing twice; well, maybe the coral. A few minutes’ beach walk to the north is the charming village of Akumal where you can eat, shop and dive with the dive center. Paradise? You bet.
< Message edited by ulle trautvag -- 9/30/2012 12:12:50 PM >
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RE: Akumal Beach Resort Sept 19-26, 2012 - 9/30/2012 1:17:48 PM
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tooter
Posts: 142
Joined: 9/25/2007
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sounds like my kind of paradise...thanks for the great report!
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RE: Akumal Beach Resort Sept 19-26, 2012 - 9/30/2012 2:25:41 PM
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Jamie
Posts: 2548
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Southern California
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Great report, thanks so much Did you go off ABR to eat or visit ?anything
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RE: Akumal Beach Resort Sept 19-26, 2012 - 9/30/2012 6:39:19 PM
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TinafromNY
Posts: 499
Joined: 3/19/2009
From: Queens, NY
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Ulle
Great trip report, glad you had a good time. Maybe we will cross paths at ABR again in the future.
Tina
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RE: Akumal Beach Resort Sept 19-26, 2012 - 9/30/2012 6:50:49 PM
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ulle trautvag
Posts: 378
Joined: 3/28/2008
From: Manhattan/nyc
Status: offline
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Did not go off the resort, Jamie.
We had daily rain, sometimes a lot and quite extensive during the night. But the mornings cleared and then rain would arrive around lunch and clear about 2pm. I'd mentioned in an earlier post that I didn't mind: getting fried isn't my thing, especially after the summer. But, hey am going to the beach again during this week. Water will be cold but I'll get in it. My record is November 4, several years back when the temperature was 90 degrees. It happens...
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RE: Akumal Beach Resort Sept 19-26, 2012 - 9/30/2012 6:59:12 PM
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ulle trautvag
Posts: 378
Joined: 3/28/2008
From: Manhattan/nyc
Status: offline
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Tina, please empty your message box(?)
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RE: Akumal Beach Resort Sept 19-26, 2012 - 10/1/2012 12:03:41 PM
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SoccerJon
Posts: 60
Joined: 7/28/2012
From: Peoria, IL
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Great report!
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RE: Akumal Beach Resort Sept 19-26, 2012 - 10/3/2012 7:07:35 PM
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london stu
Posts: 20
Joined: 7/3/2012
From: London , Ontario
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Great report Ulle. It further confirms that we have chosen the right destination for Feb.
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RE: Akumal Beach Resort Sept 19-26, 2012 - 10/3/2012 8:20:20 PM
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murphytaters
Posts: 252
Joined: 7/17/2009
From: Iowa
Status: online
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21 days til back to our home away from home
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RE: Akumal Beach Resort Sept 19-26, 2012 - 10/29/2012 8:41:43 PM
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Notch
Posts: 1224
Joined: 5/4/2007
From: Pittsburgh, PA
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I commend you on such a well written, informational and spot on report. You pretty much touched on all the important points and didn't labor on any little nit-picky details. You were very positive but obviously honest and unbiased. I know I'll share your report with some friends. I think the ABR should as well.
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