A little R & R with my honey… Cancun Edition
get Senor Frogs out of your mind, this was way different than a Senior Trip! Ha
Let me start out by saying that we do try and stick to a budget (insert JT’s eye roll), so we knew wanted to get away for a minute but wanted to do it without blowing the travel budget. Well, thanks to Southwest flight points (+ companion pass) and Marriott Bonvoy points we flew for “free” and stayed for “free.” We literally had the best time- 100% recommend JWMarriott, a 20ish minute taxi ride from the airport.
When was the last time you got away?
When we got to the hotel, they had our room ready so we got all settled and then headed to the poolside restaurant for a late lunch at BeachWalk. I had the best shrimp tacos of my life & JT had mahi & shrimp tacos. I don’t know if the food was what made it, or the fact that we were able to sit there and snack, sip, and visit (uninterrupted) for almost 3 hours! We needed it- the food and the convo!
After we ate (a late lunch turned into a “linner”) and sat by the pool for a bit, we got dressed for a midnight snack (aka 8:30pm) at the Speak Easy on property- La16. We had the best guacamole, and, yall, the chips all over the resort… I have been dreaming about them. My mouth is watering just typing this- SO good!
I will tell you, it’s nice being in our almost mid-40s and not trying to prove anything to anyone. We aren’t afraid to say at 9pm, I’m tired, let’s go to bed- ha! I don’t know who was snoring 1st?!?!
On Friday we woke up to a super dreary day. JT wanted to keep dozing, so I went on the hunt for coffee. There is a little shop in the lobby that has delicious pastries, coffee, and pizza at night- along with some tequila tasting some evenings. Then I went and woke JT up and we did something we do NOT usually do on vacay… checked out the gym. Here’s the thing, I am trying to move my body, and it is easier to get on that treadmill when it overlooks the ocean, even if the view is complete with rain pouring down!
We decided to head across the street for lunch to check out some of the local restaurants that we had heard so much about. We took a taxi there because it was drizzling still, but walked back after a delicious meal at Harry’s. I will tell yall, we were a little surprised that most places didn’t open until 1 for lunch. Even though I slept in, I still was up and moving by 7ish, I think. By 1, I was starving- ha! I do highly recommend the espresso martini mid day when you are on vacay sans kids… maybe even if they are with you.
After lunch, JT was determined that we were getting outside and the rain heard him loud and clear and stayed away. We had cocktails and read pool side most of the afternoon. Can you believe that view? This is the family pool and has an incredible infinity edge pool that looks like it flows straight into the ocean.
Speaking of, the ocean was full of seaweed- like FULL, so we didn’t even touch the sand 1 time. We both said the kiddos would have been disappointed in that part, but everyone told us that it was because of all the storms and the next morning we did see a tractor truck kinda thing come in scooping it up.
Friday we had reservations at a fabulous Italian restaurant inside the hotel- Gustino Italian Grill. We walked downstairs to the restaurant and the 1st thing you see is all the homemade pasta. Our mouths started watering.
JT and I like to share an appetizer, salad, and main course when we go out to dinner. Most places (no matter what city we are in) have such large serving sizes that we have realized doing that gets us full without feeling miserable, and allows us to try more things- ya know? Well, this meal, we almost ordered more- it was so good we didn’t want to stop! The fact it was a quick walk back to the room was perfect.
On Saturday we were pleased as punch to wake up to sunshine!!! We grabbed coffee and croissants from the little shop in the lobby and hit the pool. We read, we napped, and we played games. We ate poolside and I sipped the most delicious watermelon mojito. I’m telling you, these chips- drooling as I type
Yes, we left the kiddos behind, but still brought some of our favorite games with us. I did crush JT in Blockus, for the record- ha. We took a short pool break to get a snooze in the room then came back for more… I’m telling you, these view was just unbelievable. You can tell where the pool ends and the ocean begins. Now, I am not usually an “in the water” kinda girl (IYKYK), but I had to get in to get the full experience and it was beautiful!
I mentioned that we are Bonvoy members, and I am not 100%, but I think that’s why we got some great little coupons when we checked in. One was for a hand scrub at the spa- Sens-Ya Spa. I’ve never met a spa treatment I didn’t love, so JT and I made appointments for the afternoon of our last day. It was awesome… 15 min honey/sugar scrub all over our hands and arms. I would have paid for it, but getting treated to it was fabulous!
Ok, the last super (ha)… my sister and Chris told us we had to eat at Portofino and good news for us- it was across the street from our hotel. The setting was super cool. It’s right beside Harry’s where we ate the day before (same owners), and we sat outside on the water. In true us fashion, we split several things and I don’t know what the name of this steak dish they cooked in front of us was, but it was delicious. Followed by the biggest lobster tail I’ve ever seen, and it was scrumptious. We were stuffed, relaxed, and, honestly, will go back next time with more empty bellies!
We woke up Sunday and wanted to get a big breakfast because they had told us to get to the airport about 2.5 hrs before our flight. And then our flight was due to get home at 4pm so I knew we would be staring. We sat there after several rounds through, wondering why we hadn’t eaten there before the last day. Yall, the pictures don’t do it justice. We kept saying how much our kiddos would have loved it too. It’s an all you can eat breakfast for around $38 and it includes a delicious fresh juice and coffee. Point being- Bravio Spanish Cuisine isn’t your ordinary hotel buffet.
I’m kinda a nervous traveler, so we (aka me) wanted to follow just as they told us. Turns out, because I have a “fast pass” with southwest, I don’t think we had to be there that early, but it was fine! We talked about how much we needed and enjoyed the time with each other. We’ve been married 21 years. Year 20 was a doozy… ya know, kids, finances, time… anyway, point being- I remembered how much I like and enjoy spending time with him. JW Marriott in Cancun was perfect and we can’t wait to go back again… maybe with the rest of the family!
This is NOT a sponsored post… I do not work with JW Marriott or Southwest Airlines (although, wouldn’t it be cool if I ever got that opportunity- ha). I hope that this little recap maybe nudges you to give it a try- all of it:
Accrue Southwest flight points & don’t be afraid to use them.
Join Bonvoy Rewards & start accruing points (we love our Amex with them)
Carve out time with your significant other and make it a priority to spend time together
Allow yourself time to rest, sleep, play, and eat- when you want, what you want, because you want it.
I certainly don’t know it all, but I do know that a little time away helps me show up better when am home. Someone remind me of that, umkay? I’ll remind YOU- deal?
Xo