So I do the recaps for a lot of reasons, but the BIGGEST one is so that I have them to look back on over the next year as I’m waiting to return.  Every trip has some things the same and some different… ALL awesome!!!  I sometimes think about going to other resorts, but I just can’t do it.  EPM checks all the boxes for the bear and me.  I’ve been to other adults-only five star resorts (Hyatt Zilara, Live Aqua, Valentin Imperial).  I like them all, but none “get me” like Excellence Playa Mujeres (EPM).

So the night before I was incredibly anxious. I’m not sure why.  I had been collecting stuff in the “travel closet” for weeks.  I had all my documents printed.  I had all my clothes together, the packing cubes, the whole deal.  Still, my heart was racing.  I always schedule our flight out as early as possible, and we were to leave at 6:05 AM.  We went to bed at about 10 o’clock the night before and when the alarm went off at 3:00 I was READY!!!

The bear and I  arrived at the airport at about 3:45 and were in and through bag check and TSA Precheck line  by 4:25… earlier than we needed to be for sure, but I don’t ever want to be nervous about catching a flight.   (Just a sidenote, I LOVE my travel rewards card.  It’s a Chase Sapphire Reserve.  It has SO many perks.  It paid for my TSA precheck/global entry,  travel insurance, lounge access, gives me $300 a year back in money for travel, AND it pays for my flights.  But I digress.)

We started boarding at promptly 5:30, off the ground by 6:10, and back ON the ground in Cancun a little more than 2 hours later.  We “lose” an hour this time of year, but it was only 9:30 by the time we landed and breezed through immigration.  I got a little nervous in line because I saw people keep stepping out to fill out their forms.  I had printed mine in advance, and I was afraid that the immigration officers weren’t taking them.  That wasn’t the case.  It was just that several planes that came in at the same time had run out of forms.  They took ours just fine.  I love terminal 4.  (That’s what you take on Southwest.)  No customs, you just keep on walking.  It took about 10 minutes for our bags to come out, which, as always makes me think about doing carryon– I just want to be able to bring all my dumb stuff (damp rid, big bottles of sun screen, personal fans, etc.), so I don’t want to think about what to carry on too much.

Outside and a beeline to Kalido who was, as always, ready and waiting to whisk us off.  (I used to do Lomas but was burned twice.  I did Seasons once, but it’s double the price of Kalido, so I don’t do that anymore.)  They had our preordered drinks on ice.  The bear said he wouldn’t want one, but I knew if it was there he’d drink it.  It never feels like it takes us long to get to Excellence, no matter how excited I am.  This was the first time the bear and I had been alone upon arrival.

 

The more times you go, the more the anticipation builds as you make your way up that driveway and around the circle.  We were greeted at the front door with towels.  No champagne quite, yet, but no problems there.  We were seated in the main lobby and it came within a minute.  About five minutes later, up to the EC lounge to see it the first time.

I wasn’t sure what to expect as many had told me that Magna is somewhat awkwardly arranged around the lounge itself, but it seems more that it’s split and off to two sides.  I wasn’t bothered by it and quite liked the chairs and the table in the bar part.  Yes, they are a little hard to get out of, but they look great and are comfortable while you’re sitting in them.

 

I had told the bear if a swim up was available for a $60 or less upgrade per night, I was getting it.  They did have one, but it was going to be $90.  I chose not to go for it, and I think that was the right choice.  For the most part, the swimups only have one set of stairs down, and they’re on the other side from the room.  I’m NOT an agile lady, so I’m probably best off with just my “regular” EC room.   Our room wasn’t ready, yet (It was only 11:20), so we headed off for the martini bar.

We talked with a whole group of Texans for awhile as I drank vodka sodas and started to think about the fact that I was going to need to get some food.  I went with my “tradition” (I don’t know if you can have a tradition if you’ve only been there twice) of starting at The Grill.  Tonatiuh (the Toscana and grill server, not the bartender) recognized us on the way in, which was very cool.  Gilberth gave us “excellente” service at lunch.  My Spanish is passable, and he definitely made me practice, which was good fun!  I had the corn soup and fish tacos my last two trips, but today I wanted a burger.  Oh, holy cow, it was good!   The fries!   What do they do with those fries?  Why are they so wonderful?

It was blistering hot.  In the two years that we’ve been there, I’d never been in the lazy river.  (It had always been too cold), so we decided to find a spot for awhile.  and get on in.

The bear actually took a siesta.  By this time it was about 2:30, and we decided to chance it and see if our room was ready.  In the future, I probably won’t bring stuff to change into while waiting.  There’s enough to do without switching into a bathing suit, and I was somewhat uncomfortable carrying all of that stuff around with me after changing.  Still, I’m glad to have had my lazy river time.  I was so glad to see that they were setting up for Mexican fiesta night outside.  The day had threatened rain, but the chances were dissipating, and I was worried about how warm it would be if they moved it to Agave.

 

Since last year, the bear insists that we make one of our nights a Saturday night because the fiesta night is SO spectacular.  He’s right!

We went back up to the lounge and the room wasn’t ready, yet.  I decided to delve into the cocktails.  I had a fresh watermelon mint gin drink.  It was VERY good.  No fake syrups or anything, all fresh fruit and mint muddled together.  Just yum!

Our room was ready a few minutes later.  I had requested building 8.  The last two times I was in 7, so I wanted something different.  I was a little disappointed to find out we were not on the Soleil/building 8 pool side, but on the lazy river instead (8152).  In the end, however, I ended up really liking it because it was very quiet.  No late night howling as people walked by our room.  We did get return guest gifts, which is always nice!   I even tried a baseball hat on for the first time in my life.  I didn’t wear it in public or anything, but I might!

 

After getting ready for the night out, we thought we’d check out Havana.  It was open, but there was no one there, yet, so we just wandered around.  The space is absolutely beautiful!  The smell of smoke is almost non existent.  It was a wonderful spot.

 

From there to the martini bar where Cesar welcomed us back (how do they remember?) and made me a lovely lavender martini.

Out to the fiesta where the food and entertainment were spectacular.  We ate until we burst.  The quesadillas, the corn with poblano, the suckling pig… Oh my!!!  There was a Mayan guy who was either angry or praying or something…  I’m not sure, but WOW the costumes.  Then, enjoyed the trek back to Havana through the resort at night.  It’s always so breathtaking.

 

Diego was back at Havana “holding court” and doing his “getting drunk with Diego” show.  He said he really likes being at the bar there because he can get creative and really has a chance to talk with the patrons.  The first night was the first of many times during this trip that I was “recognized.”  It was both flattering and unnerving.  The bear said it was a little like being with a celebrity influencer!  I just can’t help myself.  Talking about Excellence on the We Love Excellence Playa Mujeres Facebook group is one of my biggest hobbies, so I love to post… A LOT.  Many times, I was greeted with, “I swear I’m not a stalker, but…”  It really was quite fun!!!

When we returned to our room, turndown service had come.  Turndown and housekeeping had both been spotty on our last trip.  I mentioned it at checkin, and never had a problem at all this trip.  I had, however, asked for a bottle of Bailey’s that hadn’t been delivered, yet.  It was about 10 PM.  We called, and within five minutes Edgar showed up at my door and said he was my “personal minibar” for the evening.  He had a bottle of Bailey’s with him and brought me more Diet Coke in just seconds.  We called room service and put in an order for fruit, coffee, and pastries to be delivered to our magic box at 7 AM and called it a night.

It had been a long and wonderful first day, and I was so excited to start the second one.