Umpteenth Trip to Cozumel..... time for a break

Secrets Aura Cozumel

Man, still can't believe we did this one!   I wanted to do a motorcycle weekend up in Arkansas, Lucy said " nooooooo " (we've been doing a lot of them lately) and replied with "I'd rather go to Mexico!"  So, I did what I do best; Travel Planning!  Next morning we were complety booked leveraging our UVC membership back to Secrets Aura.  I'd initially used our "preferred nights" which basically means 'free' since I have a shit load of them banked, but it does't guarantee the room that we want.  I was okay with that, but then I saw a killer deal on the UVC site for Beach Front Rooms so ... canx one and made a new reservation.  Done!  Headed to AA for flights via points and we've got a great value trip planned.

Last Monday we headed to DFW for the normal routine. This time around our flight was delayed though.  Now, normally, not a big deal but friggn' AA didn't keep their App updated so we wasted an hour of what could have been more time in the Admirals Club.  Then to boot, when they finally loaded up the plane, they had a couple that were in powered wheel chairs and they got to the front to board of course.  Problem was, the AA folks and the family members were clueless on how to get them out of them and into the plane correctly/safely.  So now we're all standing at the entrance to the plane for 10-15 minutes watching a gaggle F'.  Had to suck to be the folks in the predicament.  I'm pretty sure my ass won't be traveling when my day comes and I'm in that situation. So, I've got to give them Kudos'.. .but ...  could have been more streamlined.   When we hit Cozumel, we were row 1 on the plane and first off.  Fly through customs, grab a Taxi at the exit point and we're headed off to Secrets.  About $45 later, we're off loaded and our close friend Yussell whom works there is waiting for us in open arms.  Welcome Home we hear from him and many others that we recongnize from so many previous trips.   Head to check in, grab an adult beverage and feels like we never left.

Now.. here's where I bitch about this trip. Overall, we had a good time.  We ALWAYS do. But, this trip didn't go smooth like all others do, for various reasons.  So, lets give it a go.  

    First, I'd emailed and texted multiple folks at UVC about my room choice.  We wanted room 911 or 114. We've been in both and they are our fav's.  There are only 8 to choose from that are beach front, in the preferrred area. Tecnically, there are 2 or 3 rooms in the building to the South of 100, but only one of those is worth it in our opinion. Well, we've been in 914 many times before and we found ourselves there again.  Overall we like it, but ... there are a couple negatives about it's location.  The lesson learned here is .. I didn't ask the person checking us in ... for either of those two rooms.  We didn't see anyone in them for a few days during our stay, so maybe they were available?  That's on me.  I'd asked others (UVC) and figured they did their best.  I don't believe they did.  Again, that's on me.  Lesson Learned!    

    Second, on a positive note the Resort wasn't busy.  On a negative note ... wasn't busy and that created issues.  They rotated what restaraunts were open and closed during the week.  This allowed them to save $$ no doubt but sometimes was confusing.  The Aura App didn't show the correct times, what was open, etc.  They were not keeping it up.  Turns out they had a calendar printed out but never let me know.  Never handed it out to me and they were supposed to. And on the last day, I realized there in the preferred club it was in a picture frame that could have been utilized if I'd noticed it.  Now, this is on them .. but ... had I bitched on day 1, I'd have found the solution.  Grrrr... I'll take the hit, but ... I call BS.  On them.

    Third, there is construction going on between Secrets and Dreams. The Sunccape is being converted into the Dreams property (addtion).  Problem was, Swing bar isn't open.  Grrr.  Mexican Restaurant nor the one next to it is open .. grrrrrr.  So, it did affect us a lil.   Didn't hear any noise and you could walk down the beach path to Dreams with no issues.  Still ...  felt weird and .. behind the fence, looked like the Gaza Strip if you could see over it (pssssttt... I can..  lol).

We did break away on one day and headed down to San Miguel for some shopping and Food/Drinks at Woodys which also had live music while we were there.  Got my fill of Lobster, Lucy got some of her fav's and then worked our way back.  We'd hoped to make it to Yussells and have dinner with the family but weather threw Lucy's RA a curve ball so we had to take a rain check.

After 7 nights of good times we said out goodbyes to Yussell, Aruturo (UVC) and a lot of others promising to be back 'soon.'   Quick Taxi to the aiport (the driver rocked!  Wealth of info) we checked in, headed to the Priority Pass Club and .. .relaxed.  Once we got headed out to the plane... here we go again.  Elderly couple in wheel chairs take to the ...  stairs, not ramp.  I didn't think the lady was ever going to make it to the top of them stairs.  Probably took her the better part of ten minutes to climb them. Once again, KUDOS!  But, when my day comes.... that won't be my ass traveling.

So did we have a good time?  Yep ...   Weather overall was nice. Stormed up one evening for an all nighter and was cloudy a couple of afternoons with some quick downpours which are no big deal. For our 7 nights, we had great weather for ... 6 of them.  During rainy/hurricane season, that's a win!   Ocean temps were perfect, pool was a notch warmer than I'd expected but the way I like it.  Employees there are always great...

However...........  we had plans for another trip in the Spring.  I'm going to cancel them and move the location to Akumal most liklely.  With the Suncsceape construction going on .. just doesn't 'feel right' to us. When they get it all done in a year or so, we'll make another trip that way and use our preferred nights.  Maybe, even stay at Dreams vs Secrets for the first time, since as of this writing, adults at the Dreams side, can utlize the Secrets side; as preferred. (I don't agree with that, but I'll leverage in the future if possible).

So for now .. we're taking a break from Isla Cozumel.

Yussell is in the House!

Beach Time!

Almost every morning .. perfecto!

Woodys

SUNSCAPE ... ouch

SUNSCAPE

TACO DAY!

Love our Beach Front Room

Living the Dream!