September may be here, but that does not mean summer has come to an end. Summer 2019 may have been the hottest one yet, but I wanted to make it even hotter. What better way to intensify the hottest summer of my life by escaping to the sunny beaches of Cancun, Mexico. During my visit, I resided at the Óleo Cancun Playa. One the newer all-inclusive boutique resorts in Hotel District, Óleo garnered an impressive 4.5 stars out of 5 on Trip Advisor alone. Besides seeing photos and reading excellent reviews online, I wondered if the boutique resort would surpass my expectations and this summer one to remember.
As the airport shuttle pulled up to the resort, I was mesmerized by Óleo’s overall carefree vibe. Upon arrival, I heard the sound of crashing waves complement the tropical house music that played in the lobby. I was greeted by youthful staff that offered refreshing beverages while check-in procedures commenced. While our luggage was carried to our suite, we were given wristbands (instead of a room card) that enabled access to our room and the hotel’s facilities. It was extremely convenient knowing that I didn’t need to search for my room card to enter the suite. Within the first half hour of my stay, I knew Óleo was not like any other hotel. Typically, hotel staff expect guests to approach them with questions. However, at Óleo, the staff approached the guests to ensure every moment and every tiny detail was perfect. Óleo’s Head of Promotions and Customer Service, Cynthia Tello, explained that the resort’s mission was to present patrons with the royal treatment to provide an unparalleled experience overall. Let me tell you, they did just that.
With an ice-cold cucumber water in hand, I explored the premises. I did not know what to expect since it was my first time in Mexico. Little did I know, I would be transported to a world of luxury. The resort was anchored by 3 ocean-side towers that enclosed 3 restaurants, 3 pools and a tennis court. Since every corner in the hotel served the perfect backdrop for a photoshoot, I found it hard to even enter my suite! I resided on the 5th floor of the Inspira Suites. With a gorgeous ocean view, my suite contained 2 queen beds, a large television (equipped with Apple AirPlay, YouTube and Safari), a fridge stocked with a variety of beverages (refilled every morning), a dining area in addition to a large sofa bed. The room also boasted grooming products from Malin+Goetz and Rizzoli coffee table books. Furthermore, Inspira members had access to more facilities such as a secluded section of the beach with comfier furniture and bottle service. I was settling in quite well to this new lifestyle.
I traded in my hectic 9 to 5 schedule for a routine that prioritized laying out along the shore. For an entire week, I lived a picture perfect lifestyle. Here’s how it all went down:
Every morning, I would wake up naturally as the sunlight filled my room. After soaking in the warm rays and feeling the fresh breeze from my balcony, I would head to the gym for a quick workout. Because all-inclusive hotels supply unlimited food and drink, I made sure to prioritize my healthy habits, while in paradise. Óleo’s gym is filled with the latest equipment, 2 large televisions, clean towels and a spacious weight area. Breaking a sweat each morning allowed my energy to kick in for a jam-packed day.
After working out, I would head to Óleo’s Nuup Spa. A 25-minute full body massage, access to the steam room and private pools were crucial after a long night of partying. Nightly Óleo had fun parties and activities so a morning at the spa was needed to recover.
Next, it was time for breakfast. Azul is the resort’s main restaurant, offering over 150 varieties of food daily. I wanted to taste genuine Mexican cuisine and Azul whipped up traditional a Mexican breakfast each morning. I’ll talk about Óleo’s restaurants in future blog posts, so don’t worry!
While digesting my breakfast, I would head straight to the beach and find the perfect spot to spend most of my mornings. I would get a little hut in the section dedicated to Inspira members only and would wait for my first sangria of the day.
Depending on my mood, I would pack up my belongings and get ready for a shopping day at La Isla or head to the lobby and talk with a Best Day representative for any tours that I desire to experience. I definitely suggest going on a tour. I’ll tell you about my tour to Isla Mujeres in a future post as well!
I would conclude my day with a family dinner at either Óleo’s Mediterranean restaurant, Al Mar, or make reservations at their exclusive hot spot, Hakka, a Japanese cuisine that fused the tastes of Mexico. Again, because everything was all-inclusive, I did not have to worry about costs.
Cynthia was not lying when she mentioned how she wanted guests to feel like royalty. I was quickly getting used to an extravagant lifestyle where my days were packed with fun activities, photoshoots and outfit changes. I mean, I was living the millennial’s dream.
Óleo is a wonderland for the travelling millennial. It is an oasis for those who crave new experiences and lasting memories all within arms reach. Unlike other resorts in Hotel District which catered to more mature, family-oriented crowds, I noticed Óleo attracted a youthful crowd that was ready to experience life. I suspect it is because of the resort’s chic architecture that consisted of clean, sharp lines and minimal colour scheme. Each building on the premises was painted white, which emphasized the beauty of the fresh greenery and the dark hues of the ocean. Furthermore, each room consisted of large windows that spanned from the floor to the ceiling to showcase the natural beauty of Cancun. I loved how a modern institution stood in the heart of an old historic city. This modernity differentiates Óleo from other hotels in the area. Óleo set a precedent that caters to the young, outgoing individual who chases sunsets and lives vibrantly.
Although Óleo had beautiful facilities, I will remember the resort’s employees the most. Everyone from the receptionists, the servers, the bartenders and the cleaners helped make my stay memorable and pleasurable. Every single person had a great personality rooted in humility, empathy and the desire to accommodate guests’ needs. Words cannot express how close I got to the employees. For instance, we knew each other by first name, shared hilarious stories and they even surprised my mom with a cake for her birthday (mind you, we didn’t even ask for cake). Towards the end of my stay, I felt like I had a new family over in Mexico ready to welcome me back with endless food and drinks! I was ready to head home, but I was not ready to say goodbye to my new extended family. I want to give a big shout out to Gabriela Duran and my girl, Cynthia Tello who helped my family with our specific needs and airport procedures! Speaking of Cynthia, feel free to email her at cynthia.tello@inspiravacation.com with any inquiries regarding deals, pricing or Óleo’s other hotels.
Without a doubt, I KNOW I will be back at Óleo sooner than later. The only question is: who’s down to come with me?
Candidly,
Jonah
