We had the privilege of staying at AVA Resort Cancun on its opening day. Here’s our firsthand review of this highly anticipated, family-friendly, brand-new luxury all-inclusive resort in Cancun.

AVA Resort Cancun opened on June 1, 2024 in Cancun, Mexico.

#1 - The videos and pictures you see online do not capture the spectacular size of the resort.

Grab a coffee and take a quick read of my review of my stay at AVA Resort Cancun. Here’s an overview and my insight of this beautiful resort.

The resort has a very modern luxury yacht feel with Mexican riviera inspiration, but also reminds me of a higher end luxury resort with cohesion but great separation of activities based on ages.

Truly, AVA has it all!

As AVA had a soft opening on June 1st, I had the pleasure to arrive for my first glimpse of this new hotel and brand. With the understanding this is a soft opening and various elements and parts of the resort will open in segments in the next 60-90 days. This is a chance for the hotel operations and staff to begin a fluid operation and continued training.

First and foremost, I love the feel and the vision. The cohesiveness, thoughtfulness and care for client experience already shows.

The north tower features 5 specialty restaurants:

• Plaza Mx (gourmet stations)
  
  
• Black Iron (steak house)
  
  
• Kita (Teppanyaki)
  
  
• Veranda (Italian)
  
  
• and Copal (Mexican)
  
  

@vincentvacations.com The Spa and Fitness Center at AVA Resort in Cancun. The spa is over 66,000 square feet and the fitness center is over 11,000. #avaresortcancun #avaresort #allinclusiveresort #vincentvacations ♬ Dile - Los Inquietos Del Vallenato

• Online, you will read it's a 10 minute transfer to the resort from the airport, but mine was more like 5 minutes.
  
  


• It features 1,622 rooms, suites, and villas, all with ocean views of the Caribbean Sea.
  
  


• The resort has 17 restaurants and bars offering global cuisines like Peruvian, French, Mediterranean, Italian, and Mexican.
  
  


• 2.8-acre sustainable saltwater bay powered by Crystal Lagoons technology, providing a unique swimming experience.
  
  


• AVA Resort has a 90,000 square foot spa, beauty, fitness, and wellness space.
  
  


• There are dedicated clubs and activities for kids (AVA Kids) and teens (The Lounge) to keep them entertained.
  
  


• Other amenities include a nightclub, speakeasy bar, bowling alley, escape room, theater, and water park.
  
  


• The resort is offering introductory rates up to 30% off, free kids stays, and complimentary airport transfers for bookings made before the opening.
  
  

AVA Resort Cancun offers a diverse array of unique dining experiences with over 17 restaurants and bars showcasing global cuisines.


Some standout restaurant options include:

- Aji - Modern Peruvian cuisine

- Chez Moi - Classic Parisian-style French restaurant (adults only)

- Copal - Modern Mexican cuisine with an outdoor taqueria

- Kita North and Minami South - Classic teppanyaki grill and sushi bars

- The Food District - International gastro market with various global food stalls

- Plaza Mx - Authentic Mexican snacks and street food

- Aroma Cafe & Bakery - Locally sourced coffee and housemade pastries

- Konos Ice Creams - Gourmet ice cream parlors

The resort also offers unique dining settings like poolside service, in-room dining with 24/7 room service, rooftop dining, and the ability to organize private dining events.

Additionally, there are several bars including a nightclub with guest DJs, a speakeasy bar, swim-up bars, and more for evening entertainment.

The resort features diverse culinary offerings across its 17 restaurants and bars showcasing global cuisines.


AVA Bay

AVA Bay is the perfect idyllic water playground.

The lagoon features signature and unique AVA floating cabanas for the best relaxation on your vacation.

AVA thought of everything as the lagoon is comprised of sustainable artificial saltwater that serves as a water playground catering to both kids and adults.

The lagoon allows for various non-motorized water activities:

For Kids:
- Water park with slides and play areas
- Swimming in the crystal clear turquoise waters
- Kayaking and paddleboarding

For Adults:
- Sailing
- Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)
- Kayaking
- Relaxing in the floating cabanas

The lagoon is powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, using less water and energy than a traditional pool while requiring fewer chemicals, making it environmentally friendly. Both kids and adults can enjoy the water playground at AVA Bay through these diverse offerings.

AVA Kids Club

There is a dedicated AVA Kids Club that offers supervised activities like indoor slides, trampolines, and access to the water park and AVA Bay lagoon. There are full time lifeguards/staff monitoring kids in the water areas.


Best Rooms for Families

For families, the best room types at AVA Resort Cancun are:

Friends & Family Oceanfront Suite

This spacious suite features a master bedroom, TV room with a daybed that sleeps two children, and a living area with an L-sofa. It comfortably accommodates 2 adults and up to 3 children under 12.

Friends & Family Sundeck Suite

With an expansive sundeck and outdoor living room with sun-tanning beds, this suite offers ample space for families. It overlooks the Crystal Lagoon and sleeps 2 adults and up to 3 children/teens.

Two Bedroom Panoramic Suite

Designed like a second home, these suites have spacious walk-in closets, a TV room, dining for eight, kitchenette, spa-inspired baths, and private terraces with daybeds and spa tubs. They can accommodate up to 4 adults and 2 children.

Three or Four Bedroom Villas

These villas are exclusively for LVC members and can sleep 8-12 guests, making them ideal for larger families or multi-generational travel. They offer abundant space and luxurious member-only amenities.

The resort's family-friendly accommodations and amenities like the AVA Bay, kids' and teens' clubs, and diverse dining options, make AVA Resort Cancun an excellent choice for families seeking a luxurious all-inclusive vacation.

Family Friendly Spa Experience

AVA Resort Cancun offers an extensive spa experience that caters to families in the following ways:


Family-Friendly Spa Amenities

- The Spa at AVA features a dedicated hydrotherapy circuit area where families can enjoy therapeutic water experiences together.

- There are 24 double spa cabins designed for couples or families to receive treatments side-by-side.

- The spa has a spacious restoration lounge where families can relax together after treatments.

Kid-Focused Offerings

- The spa menu includes kid-friendly treatments and services tailored for younger guests.

- There is a beauty salon within the spa complex where kids can get hairstyling, manicures, etc.

- The spa likely offers family packages or specials for parents and children to enjoy services together.

Wellness Programming

- In addition to the spa, AVA has a large 11,000+ sq ft fitness center with group fitness classes that families can participate in together, like yoga or pilates.

- The resort's focus on holistic wellness means there are likely educational programs or activities around healthy living that are family-inclusive.

AVA Resort Cancun has designed its extensive spa facilities and programming to be an immersive wellness experience that accommodates families looking to relax and rejuvenate together during their vacation.


Event Spaces

AVA Resort Cancun offers a wide range of event spaces and services to organize various types of events and gatherings for guests.

Private Events and Celebrations

- The resort has flexible indoor and outdoor event spaces that can be customized for private events like weddings, parties, and celebrations.

- They have a dedicated event planning team to assist with all details before, during, and after the event for a smooth experience.

- Custom menus can be crafted by the resort's master chefs for private dining events.

Corporate Events and Meetings

- AVA Resort has over 90,000 sq. ft. of total meeting space across 52 meeting rooms, with the largest room spanning 53,223 sq. ft.

- The event spaces are fully wired and adaptable for corporate gatherings like conferences, meetings, and workshops.

- Audiovisual technology and support is available for business events.


Recreational Activities

- The resort organizes private and group excursions/tours to nearby cultural attractions and natural destinations.

- On-site, they offer various activities like watersports (kayaking, paddleboarding) at the AVA Bay saltwater lagoon.

- Other amenities for guest activities include a nightclub, speakeasy bar, bowling alley, escape room, theater, and water park.

AVA Resort Cancun is well-equipped to host private celebrations, destination weddings, corporate functions, recreational outings, and custom-designed events tailored to guests' needs, supported by dedicated event planning staff and facilities.

Contact us today to book your stay at AVA or to learn more:

https://www.vincentvacations.com/get-a-quote?loc=AVAresort

Is Greece on Your Bucket List?

Greece regularly ends up in articles and lists for things such as top destination, top searched country, and most beautiful. But for a first-time visitor to Greece, deciding on which town or island to visit can be overwhelming. Each has its own historical significance and beauty.

Of course, Athens is a must-visit city with the famed Acrop-olis and Parthenon as pictures don't do them justice. And on mainland Greece, you can also see Mount Olympus and Thessaloniki.

Some parts of the country can be reached as a port of call on a cruise. Or you can make your own cruise itinerary by taking advantage of hydrofoil ferries that have routes be-tween the more know islands like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete. Islands give you a great mix of historical archaeo-logical sites as well as relaxing beaches and unforgettable sunsets.

There is something for every kind of traveler in Greece which is why it deserves to be on every travel bucket list.

Greece is a top destination for many people. It is no wonder why with its creation of the Olympic games, ancient ruins, beautiful islands, and fabulous food.  But how do you decide where to visit on a vacation to Greece?  Here are eight regions of Greece to help you pick your top options for your next vacation.

Ionian Islands
Located west of mainland Greece, the Ionian islands are most known for Corfu and Ithaca.  Corfu is a lush green island and has influences from its Venetian, French and British rulers of the past.  This is where you want to go for cultural heritage, music and art.  Ithaca, though not a typical Greek vacation stop, is most famous for Homer’s Odyssey.  You can see Ithaca and how it inspired Homer on a day trip via boat.

Northern Mainland Greece
The northern mainland region of Greece is best known for historical and religious connections such as Thessaloniki and Mount Olympus.  Thessaloniki is considered a cultural capital and is a popular destination on most Greek vacations where you can enjoy great seafood, beautiful coastlines, and historical experiences like the Byzantine Baths, see a statue of Alexander the Great, and dig into religious history.  Mount Olympus is known as the home to the 12 Greek gods in mythology and is also home to beautiful flora and fauna throughout its hiking and trekking trails.

Attica
Attica is the birthplace of western civilization rich in history.  This region is famous for its archaeological sites and monuments.  This region is home to Athens, the capital of Greece, where you can access the Parthenon, Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, and many great museums.

Peloponnese
This region is most famous for Corinth and Olympia.  Corinth has a rich history of being at the center of many political and religious battles.  It was a Roman colony established by Caesar in 44BC and is known to Christians because of Paul’s letters in the New Testament of the Bible. A trip to see the ancient city ruins is worth your time.  Olympia, as you likely know, is home of the Olympic games which began in 776BC.  Olympia is home to the Temple of Zeus, the Temple of Apollo, and the Archaeological Museum.  See where the original games took place and marvel at where the temples of the gods once stood.

Saronic
The cluster of islands in the Saronic region are a picturesque image of Greece.   Think no cars, island hopping by boat, private coves, and cobblestone pedestrian-only streets.  Aegina is the most popular island in this region with its close proximity to Athens on the mainland.  It is also home to the famous Aphea Temple, one of three sites in the “holy triangle.” This site is part of an equilateral triangle formed with the Parthenon and the Temple of Poseidon.

Cyclades
The Cyclades region is one of the more popular regions for vacationers as this is home to Santorini and Mykonos.  But don’t limit yourself to just these well-known islands.  There are 33 different islands in this region.  Mykonos is known for its luxury holiday experience with both a bustling cosmopolitan city life as well as its breathtaking views of the coast.  Santorini has a bit of everything including excellent gastronomy experiences, the famous white buildings with blue rooftops that are the perfect backdrop to unforgettable sunsets, and an active volcano.

Crete
Crete is Greece’s largest island and has a bit of everything for the traveler.  On this island, you can see ancient archaeological sites, enjoy perfect sandy beaches, and hike through steep gorges.  Two of the most popular towns to visit include Chania, the capital town closest to the Samaria Gorge and Heraklion that is home to the Koules fortress.

Dodecanese
The Dodecanese islands are the southeastern set of Greek islands.  The more popular places to visit in the region include Rhodes, a popular cruise stop for its beaches and gastronomy.  Those looking for that perfect Instagram photo will want to include Symi in their travels.  This island is known for how its village has such a traditional architecture of two-and three-story stone houses.

So, what kind of Greek experience are you seeking?  Do you have visions of that perfect photo with the white buildings with blue rooftops in Santorini?  Do you want to see ancient cities and ruins like Athens?

I would love to chat with you about Greece and help you decide on which regions are just right for your next vacation and how to best pair them together.

Greek food is something special! Even the most discern-ing traveler can find something that is worth the calories. Here are the top dishes and drinks that are a must try on your next trip to Greece.

• Moussaka this is a traditional dish made of spiced meat, usually lamb or beef, cooked in tomato sauce and then layered with fried eggplant and bechamel sauce.
• Souvlaki - this popular dish is a marinated meat (chick-en, pork, beef, or lamb) served on a skewer and often eaten with warm pita bread
• Tzatziki - a simple dip made with yogurt, dill, cucumber, olive oil, and lemon. This dip is a fantastic addition to any appetizer or main dish.
• Choriatiki - this is a Greek salad served with almost ev-ery meal. A classic version of this salad has cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese. It is served with oil and vinegar on the side to accommodate each person's dressing preference.
• Kleftiko - a traditional slow-roasted lamb dish that in-fuses lemon, olive oil and garlic.
• Spanakopita – A popular savory pie made with spinach, feta cheese, onions, and eggs, all wrapped in layers of crispy phyllo dough. It's perfect as a light snack or an appetizer.
• Dolmades – These stuffed grape leaves are often filled with rice, pine nuts, and sometimes ground meat, seasoned with lemon and herbs. A refreshing and satisfying starter!

• Ouzo – This iconic anise-flavored spirit is often enjoyed as an aperitif. When mixed with water, it turns a milky white color and pairs well with meze (small appetizers).
• Retsina – A traditional Greek wine that has been flavored with pine resin, giving it a unique and earthy taste. It's perfect for pairing with grilled meats and seafood.
• Greek Coffee – Strong, thick, and served with foam on top, Greek coffee is typically enjoyed slowly. Don’t forget to savor the grounds left at the bottom of the cup—it’s all part of the experience!
• Metaxa – A smooth amber spirit that blends brandy with muscat wine and a variety of botanicals. It's often sipped neat or over ice as a digestif after a meal.
• Mastika – A liqueur made from mastic resin, harvested from the mastic trees on the island of Chios. Its aromatic, slightly sweet flavor is best enjoyed cold.

Ready to explore the beauty of Greece? Start planning your adventure today and check out our other posts for more tips on navigating this stunning country!

Join our family as we review Utopia of the Seas, from Royal Caribbean.

We were on the first sailing of this beautiful ship. It’s the 2nd largest cruise ship in the world.

At a quick glance, it has the largest dry slide at sea, plenty of connecting stateroom options for those traveling together, 21 dining venues, 23 bars, 8 hot tubs, 5 pools, and 3 waterslides, making it a hub for entertainment and relaxation.


Royal Caribbean’s latest ships are split in design, which allows for more open space, more balcony cabins, and more natural light.

One of the areas that takes advantage of this is Central Park, with a lush garden, real trees and plants, spanning over 20,000 square feet.

The Utopia of the Seas features the largest variety of stateroom types of any cruise in the world, offering several unique family-friendly cabins designed to cater to families of many sizes, providing a fun and comfortable cruise experience.

#1 for families: The Ultimate Family Suite

This suite spans two stories, has a slide to travel in between the kids bedrooms down to the living room below and a whirlpool on the balcony.

Sleeps up to 10 guests, with an air hockey table, 85 inch TV, 3 video game consoles, 100 foot Lego wall, and more.


#2 for families: Aqua Theater Suites

These suites are unique as you can watch the shows in the Aqua Theater from the balcony. They sleep up to 8 guests, located in the back of the ship, they have large wraparound balconies that overlook the Aqua Theater, providing a direct view of the performances.

You can watch high-diving and acrobatic performances, including the show 'Aqua 80 Too,' which is a musical tribute to the 1980s.

#3 for families: Crown Loft Suites

Sleeps up to 4 guests, with a 2 story design and a balcony.

Coastal Kitchen restaurant access, concierge services, Suite Sun Deck access, priority embarkation/disembarkation, and more.

#4 for families: Ultra Spacious Ocean View Rooms

These rooms sleep up to 6 guests and feature a master bedroom with a king bed, a second bedroom with two twin beds that convert to a queen, and a double sofa bed in the living room.

- **Large balcony**: The balcony is spacious, perfect for lounging and taking in the ocean views.

The Utopia of the Seas offers a wide range of family-friendly entertainment and activities:

The ship features five pools, including two resort-style pools and one with a sloping beach entry on the top deck, providing plenty of opportunities for families to relax and have fun in the water.

The Wonder Playscape is a thrilling space for kids with slides, climbing walls, puzzles and other interactive features.

The ship's Adventure Ocean Youth Program provides full days of supervised activities and entertainment for kids aged 3 to 11, all complimentary to guests. The Royal Babies and Tots Nursery also offers care for the youngest cruisers for a fee.

Teens will enjoy the swanky hangout with daily programming like disco parties and game nights. The ship also has a Royal Escape Room and laser tag for family fun.

Dining options are plentiful, with over 20 unique venues including the Windjammer buffet, Sorrento's Pizza, and the Southern-inspired Mason Jar restaurant. Family-friendly dining options like My Family Time Dining are also available.

The Ultimate Family Suite offers a sprawling three-bedroom layout that can accommodate up to 10 guests, with amenities like an in-suite cinema, karaoke station, and a two-story slide.

Overall, the Utopia of the Seas is designed to provide an exceptional family vacation experience with a wide range of entertainment and activities for all ages.

Utopia of the Seas is the sixth addition to Royal Caribbean's award-winning Oasis Class fleet. The world's largest ship with the world's best features just got even better.