Description: Bahia Principe is first-class and deluxe. It’s nearly two hours from the airport but definitely worth the trip. Set amidst spectacular jungle, it has acres of landscaped gardens, a long stretch of white sand beach, gorgeous turquoise water, and a separate entertainment and shopping complex (La Hacienda). While being escorted to our villa, we met Devi, a dancer on her way to the theatre. Speaking some English and French, she was utterly charming in her welcome. Then we arrived at our room: handsome furnishings throughout the bedroom and sitting areas, a huge marble bathroom, and a separate vanity. Floor-to-ceiling windows opened onto a generous balcony with comfortable patio furniture and a beautiful view of the near gardens and the ocean in the distance. A short time later, we went out for our first dinner at Bahia Principe. The main buffet restaurant, Yucatan, is a little overwhelming: several jumbo jets could park there and still leave room to spare. I defy anyone to sample everything. There are many chef stations with hot and cold dishes prepared to order and vast tables with countless platters of tempting foods. Despite the cavernous size of restaurant and the hundreds of diners, waiters were attentive and beverage service was excellent. After dinner, we wandered past boutiques in the main building, paused to listen to a trio in the Akumal Bar, then went onto the theatre to watch Devi and the rest of international cast in a variety show. It was nearly midnight when the show finished but the cast invited everyone to follow them to the outdoor entertainment at Dona Isabel in La Hacienda. Dancers performed with a five-man band and then the audience danced to the same band until the early hours. What a start to our vacation!
In addition to the main dining room, the Yucatan (the "aircraft hangar"), there was the Gran Tortuga, which served buffet breakfasts and lunches and a la carte dinners. There were also two specialty restaurants where reservations were required: Mamma Mia had incredible gourmet Italian food (and my husband is half-Italian so he knows great Italian food) and Tequila, which served good Mexican food. There were endless activities during the day: sports, games, classes. The gym was reasonably well equipped but the humid, salt air was taking a toll on the machines. I loved the aerobics and dance classes because the performers acted as instructors and, ladies, you haven’t lived until a smouldering, handsome Venezuelan teaches you the meringue. And I swear some of the men were deliberately making mistakes in the Yoga classes so that the beautiful dancers would correct their posture. The pool was huge and constantly cleaned and monitored. At night, one could see fascinating phosphorescence in the sea so we always took a moonlight stroll on the beach. The ruins at Tulum were nearby and there were jungle and nature park excursions plus shopping trips, but we hardly ever left the Bahia Principe. It's a great place for a vacation.
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