Onsite Review: Spotlight on the Brand-new AVA Resort Cancun

ROOMSSpotlight on the Brand-new AVA Resort Cancun By Paloma Villaverde de RicoHere are two of many selling points for the stunning new AVA Resort Cancun, part of AIC Hotel Group: It’s 10 minutes away from the Cancun International Airport, meaning clients can be hanging shoreline in about an hour; and every one of its rooms is oceanfront. And I don’t mean oceanview—I mean completely oceanfront. By the way, even the resort’s standard rooms come with a 2-person spa tub on the terrace overlooking that gorgeous setting. Another major selling point for this family-friendly resort is its massive pool—the 2.7-acre saltwater AVA Bay—where your clients can paddleboard and kayak (yes, you read that right—non-motorized sports in the pool). The 1,622-room, -suite and -villa resort, which draws its inspiration from an ocean liner and as such has a long promenade that connects its North and South Towers, is set to officially swing open its doors this month, with a few more amenities coming on board in November. With our visit during its soft opening, we were unable to sample all the delights the resort will eventually offer, but what we did get to experience tells us that AIC is taking the all-inclusive vacation to the next level with the debut of the new AVA brand. The resort’s aesthetics lean minimalist—think elegant beiges, light browns and whites with splashes of pink and green. Guests will be surrounded by naturally sourced materials that have been crafted specifically for the resort, some in collaboration with local artisans. They’ll find carpets made from recycled fishing nets and chukum coatings, sourced from local trees. Another plus: This resort, which seemingly rises from the rich-green mangroves, truly invites the natural light in, so guests are never walking into a space that feels like a dungeon. RESTAURANT As they stroll the airy promenade, guests will find boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants, bars and a kid-friendly bowling alley as well as spots for gelato, frozen yogurt and coffee/pastries. Everything is at visitors’ fingertips, including the 17+ collection of casual and fine dining restaurants. Top spot for grabbing lunch is Plaza MX, a Mexican Gastro Market, as well as at Copal Tacos. The restaurants offer a global feast, from French cuisine at Chez Moi and Asian fare at Bao (both are adults-only) to Italian delights at Veranda, authentic Mexican dishes at Copal and a top selection of meats at Black Iron. The star attraction, though, are the duo Teppanyaki eateries: Kita (North Tower) and Minami (South Tower). When it comes to pool-time, guests have several to choose from, including the aforementioned AVA Bay; a kid-friendly water area; one exclusively for adults; and a party pool where activities keep both adults and kids busy all day long. BEDSA Range of Room CategoriesWith a resort this massive, it’s no wonder there’s an array of room categories—15 in total. We called a spacious Oceanfront King (it sleeps three as it features a pull-out sofa) home during our time at the resort. The space is quite comfortable for a party of three, with plenty of storage space, a nice-sized bathroom with double sinks and separate rain shower and WC, an expansive terrace with the spa tub, a desk and other customary amenities. Best feature: The speedy 24-hour room service. The maritime motif continues in the accommodations; guests will notice a peekaboo porthole-shaped window between the bathroom and the primary bedroom, as well as a plush anchor in place of the generic “do not disturb” sign, among other touches. There are too many accommodation options to run down the list, but within The Rooms selection, one top recommendation for a family of five is the Friends & Family Sundeck Suite, with an expansive private deck terrace with outdoor living room/sunbeds and umbrella/spa tub for six guests. At the very top of The Villas selection, one finds the 4,155-sq.-ft. 5-bedroom Panoramic Villa (sleeps 12), which features its own 1,787-sq.-ft. private rooftop. And if clients prefer a suite to a villa, they have seven options to choose from. Due to the assortment of accommodations, in fact, the resort is ideal for a multigenerational group of family and friends as well as wedding groups. THE SpaWith 55 treatment rooms, including VIP Cabins, and 60,000 sq. ft. of space, The SPA at AVA is a dream for wellness enthusiasts. Treatments run the gamut and include a 130-minute AVA Signature Mindfulness Ritual. Our 50-minute gentle massage was delightful, kicked off by a hydrotherapy experience (an extra charge on top of the spa treatment) that includes stepping into an icy cold plunge pool. LOBBYMinimizing the Carbon Footprint At this resort, the sustainability conversation is not brushed aside, rather there’s a huge spotlight on it. The aforementioned AVA Bay, for example, is powered by Crystal Technologies, which means that the pool’s filtration system
uses only 2 percent of the energy compared to conventional centralized swimming pool filtration systems. Additionally, the technology of Crystal Lagoons applies a system of pulses of disinfection that allows up to 100 times less chemicals than those used in conventional swimming pools. Moreover, AVA has partnered with Solar Ing Costa Rica and Tesla to build the largest solar microgrid in the Americas, covering approximately 40 percent of the resort’s energy consumption and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And the resort supports the local community through the Tejedoras de Sueños program by the RCD Foundation. This initiative relies on recycled fabrics donated by the group’s RCD Hotels. Travel Advisors Are Saying… “I absolutely love this space. I think it’s perfect for families, especially for destination weddings and group trips,” says Lauren Doyle, President, The Travel Mechanic. She adds, too, that it’s ideal for “a quick 3-day getaway, offering gorgeous views, amazing food and a party atmosphere.” Contact InformationAVA Resort Cancun: avaresortcancun.com

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