Hacienda Tres Ríos

The Hacienda Tres Rios could be likened to an eco-adventure Disneyland. It's located on a large nature reserve and there are 10 cenotes -- subterranean sinkholes -- on the grounds. The resort is surrounded with jungle and mangrove, and much care is taken to
preserve and propagate native wildlife and plants. Guests can navigate one of
the underground rivers all the way to the warm Caribbean sea and private white-sand beach, where there is a bar and restaurant. The resort is designed like a traditional Mexican hacienda, with
lots of open space, natural light, and bright colors. The lobby is
huge, with a dark mahogany ceiling and a fountain in the center that gives the
feeling of being in a village square or courtyard. There are modern stained-glass skylights and clusters of nut-colored
wicker sofas with plump white cushions. Beautiful handcrafted touches include an old pushcart turned into a plant stand and a rustic hand-carved table. Outside, the pools are pristine; the adult pool
is freeform and offers plenty of privacy for contemplative soaking.
There is a lovely private-feeling terrace with a large hot tub, elegant teak
sunbeds, and beautiful stone mosaic work on the deck and in the outdoor
showers. The combination of Mayan tradition and reverence for the natural
environment is continued in the spa treatment menu, which includes scrubs
with native cocoa or honey, meditative treatments, and aromatherapy to bring
back balance to guests taking a break from their hectic daily lives. If that's too zen or hippie-dippy, there are plenty of other options,
including tequila tastings, martini bars, and casino nights. Not much business will get done at this property, although there are a lot of weddings, and the resort is more popular with families and couples who want to relax.

The Hacienda Tres Rios is located on the MayanRiviera, 45 minutes south of the Cancun Airport. There is not much in terms of nightlife, shopping, or restaurants within walking distance, but as it's an eco-adventure
destination resort there are plenty of activities right on the premises and there is a 18-hole PGA championship El Camaleon golf course a few minutes' drive away. Playa del Carmen, a popular resort town with lots of entertainment, shopping, and restaurants, is a 15-minute drive away. The Mayan ruins at Tulum and the adjacent bohemian beach town take an hour to get to from the hotel by car, and tours can be arranged through the concierge desk. 

All 273 rooms at the Hacienda Tres Rios are actually suites (although the Studio Suites, which have only a screen to separate the living and sleeping areas, feel more like regular rooms). Each is enormous
and immaculate, with a furnished balcony
looking out on the pools and the Caribbean Sea in the distance, although palms and mangroves may block the views in lower-level rooms. Top-floor rooms have
the best views, and some even have private roof terrace access. Certain rooms
have private outdoor hot tubs; most have indoor hot tubs for two in the bedrooms, as
well as large glassed-in shower stalls in Mexican marble in the bathrooms. The overall feeling is
luxurious and romantic.Decor is unique and inherently Mexican, with local mahogany
used in the handmade furniture, pristine Mexican marble floors, walls painted a
rich orangey terra-cotta hue, and sunny orange bed throws. Rooms come with
either a king or two queen beds, and guests should specify their preference
upon check-in. The sheets are high-end and made of Egyptian cotton, and there is a pillow
menu. Connecting rooms are available; cribs are
free, and each room has a sofa bed. Family Suites have kitchenettes and large dining areas. All suites have minibars,
flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, iPod docks, and safes as well as free Wi-Fi.

The Hacienda has an
enormous variety of activities, including guided snorkeling and kayaking from the
cenotes, along underground rivers, and into the Caribbean. SenseAdventure is a one-of-a-kind nature hike in which guests are blindfolded and led through the rainforest, left to rely on their other four senses. The X-Treme tour
includes biking, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, although guests must be over 15 and have a good fitness level. More relaxed tours include a guided visit to the
Hacienda’s large nursery and botanical garden, a visit to the kitchens, and a
catamaran adventure. For an extra charge, guests can climb aboard Segways and
tour the jungle paths. The resort also offers Spanish lessons,
sushi-making classes, yoga, Pilates, Zumba, meditation, mixology, tequila
tastings, and even classes on how to make towel animals. Some of the naturalists and engineers who work here also host guided walks. The lagoon-style pool winds through the beautifully landscaped
grounds, with palm islands in the middle, and lounge chairs lining the deck and lawns
at water’s edge for guests who don't feel like making the trip down to the white-sand beach. The Ya-Ax Che spa has an extensive menu featuring hot stone massages, facials, reflexology, and luxurious
wraps using cocoa, honey, and local herbs. Couples
can arrange treatments for two that include wine and there is a Turkish hammam for
steaming out the tequila. The 90-minute Temazal Ritual is based in the
Mesoamerican tradition of purification, and involves a sweat lodge, traditional
music, and an optional cold plunge at the end. In-room aromatherapy is
available, as is personalized in-room hot tub preparation.Finally, the Hacienda ballroom accommodates up to five hundred
guests, and the wedding and event staff has plenty of experience. Ceremonies
can be held beachside or at the edge of a cenote, and religious, secular, and Mayan ceremonies can be arranged.

There are six resort restaurants, including Casa La Islan, the main buffet where all-inclusive meals are served. Reservations are required at the formal Alebrije, which serves a gourmet Mexican menu featuring regional specialties, including duck and lobster, and creative desserts such as rose petal ice cream and chipotle creme brulee. There's also a tequila bar that offers tastings. The decor borrows architecture and design from the provinces of Jalisco and Puebla and a Mexican quartet plays during dinner.La Hacienda Grill serves lighter Mexican food and fresh juice in the mornings. Pizzeria Il Forno services Italian cuisine at lunch, including wood-fired pizza. El Kotori offers an Asian fusion menu that incorporates Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisine. There is also a cute coffee shop serving French pastries, a dedicated martini bar, and a sports bar. There are different activities scheduled each evening, including casino and karaoke nights, and 24-hour room service is available.