Recommend Oct 2017 - 46

onsitereview

Bird's-eye view of the
pool area at Grand
Hyatt Playa del Carmen.

Grand Hyatt
Playa del Carmen Resort
Sipping coconut water straight from the
source while wading around an infinity pool
overlooking the azure waters of the Caribbean
Sea, I thought to myself, "this is the life." From
the moment I opened the sleek wooden doors
to my Club Ocean View guestroom, revealing a
409-sq.-ft. oasis bathed in blue and sand hues
with modern furnishings and floor-to-ceiling
windows, I knew I had arrived. My destination:
The 314-guestroom and -suite Grand Hyatt
Playa del Carmen Resort, located a breezy
45-minute drive from Cancun International
Airport (CUN). Though this wasn't my first
time to the area, it was my first experience at a
Grand Hyatt property, which promises locally
inspired design, superior service, and top-notch
accommodations set before a backdrop of
dramatic architecture.

Pick Your Paradise
It's your client's vacation, so make sure they
know there are 13 room categories to choose
from suitable for families-think connecting
rooms-and couples alike. By upgrading to the
Grand Club level, guests receive private checkin and check-out, concierge service, and access
to a private lounge where continental breakfast
and hors d'oeuvres are served daily. Suite
guests also receive Grand Club lounge entry.
Score brownie points for recommending the
south wing of the property, which faces The
Royal Playa del Carmen hotel. The north side
neighbors a beach club that plays music during
46 october 2017

46-47 GrandHyattBuccaneer.indd 46

the day and into the evening (wrapping up at
7 p.m.). Want to earn a gold star (i.e., referral
and/or repeat business), suggest lunch at the
nearby Frida Kahlo Restaurante on the shop-,
bar- and restaurant-lined La Quinta Avenida
(Fifth Avenue).

Viva La Vida-Live Life
A colorful mural depicting the late artist in
her signature flower crown stopped me in
my tracks before entering the open-air Frida
Kahlo Restaurante, where general manager
Juan Ayllon welcomed me like a familiar
friend. "[At the restaurant,] we want to take
care of the flavors of Mexican food and its
ingredients." The whimsical chain, laden
with recreations of Kahlo's famous works,
opened less than two years ago and features
an eclectic menu of appetizers, salads, soups,
main dishes and desserts. Joining our meal
was chef Stephania, who says the restaurant's
refreshed menu offers a minimalist view
without the small portions. Using a mortar
and pestle, a waiter ground a spicy greenand-red tomato sauce with onions, garlic and
chilies to accompany my chips and piña para
la niña appetizer-a take on tacos al pastor
served on pineapple rather than tortillas-
while Juan and Stephania recommended
more items for me to try, including sauteed
grasshoppers.
After lunch, I headed downstairs to the
recently opened Museo Frida Kahlo for a

Melissa Bryant

private tour chronicling Kahlo's tumultuous
life. The moving tribute features family
photos, love letters from Diego Rivera, and
an interactive portrayal of Kahlo's famous
accident where guests experience the ordeal as
though they were passengers on the bus using
headphones as well as realistic and abstract
graphic displays. My tour ended in front of an
enlarged photo of Frida Kahlo's last painting
"Viva La Vida," a still life with watermelons
celebrating life and all of its complexities.

A Grand Exit
With just one day left to make the most out
of our time at the Grand Hyatt Playa del
Carmen Resort, I had a difficult time choosing
what activity to participate in. A deep yoga
or aquaforza fitness class ($30 each), more
culinary delights at the onsite La Cocina
oceanfront restaurant and bar, a stroll down
El Paseo, the hotel's "extension" of La Quinta
Avenida, for sushi and ice cream, or maybe
a custom tailored therapeutic treatment at
the Cenote Spa, made to resemble the sacred
wells the Mayas believed to be a portal to the
underworld. I recommend all four, and for
the kids, time at Camp Hyatt Tortuguita (ages
4-12) or the #hashtag Teen Arcade complete
with ping-pong table, bowling, theater and
board games. ■
Contact Information
Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen:
playadelcarmen.grand.hyatt.com
recommend.com

10/5/17 12:39 PM
http://playadelcarmen.grand.hyatt.com http://www.recommend.com
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