Nearly
5000 years ago Mayans
migrated into the Yucatán region
of Mexico and between 500 BC and
900 AD they
constructed large commercial,
ceremonial and religious centers.
The first documented
Europeans to sail into the area,
although they did not land, were
part of the
1513 Ponce de León expedition.
Four years later Francisco
Hernández de Córdova,
while seeking slaves, landed.
Encountering indigenous people he
asked where he
was in Spanish. They responded in
their language, " Tetec dtan. Ma t
natic a
dtan," basically, "What are you
saying?" Córdova
believed they were answering his
question and, hearing their words
as "Yucatán", named the land
accordingly.
This
unbelievably lush and
bountiful region remained
relatively isolated until the
1950s because the only
access was by sea. In the mid-20th
century both a railway and a road
were constructed to connect the
Yucatán to the rest of the
country. Because of
its former inaccessibility the
region has maintained much of the
Mayan culture
and is home to one of the largest
indigenous populations and the
greatest
number of indigenous language
speakers.
The
Yucatán's semi-tropical
eastern coastline is lapped by the
Caribbean waters, famous for being
comprised
of seven distinctive colors of
blue. The pristine beaches and
world's 5th
largest barrier reef make this a
tourist destination just as it was
a sacred
and secular destination for the
ancients. There are currently more
than 2,500
ruins, of varying sizes, in the
area including Chichen Itzá, Cobá
and Tulum.
Seventeen of the ruins have been
restored and two have been
designated Wonders
of the New World.
Mayan roads were engineering
marvels. They were comprised of
three layers covered with
limestone and crushed
shells. These "white roads" were
luminescent in the dark and were
gateways to
the culture and to the most
beautiful and luxurious places
along the coastline.
Modern roads follow many of these
same paths and lead to still
stunning
destinations.
Three
adjacent resorts
comprise the Excellence Group
Luxury Hotels and Resorts complex
and are located
just a few miles from
Aeropuerto
de Cancun
off one of those ancient roads at
the end of a stunningly landscaped
boulevard
that appears carved out of the
jungle's lush foliage.
Architecturally the
resorts blend harmoniously with
the setting, the sea and each
other. The two
newest properties, Beloved and
Finest, offer unique experiences
and
opportunities to immerse oneself
in the culture and spirit of the
country.
Finest
Playa Mujeres is the
larger and newer of the two luxury
resorts. It is the sole
all-inclusive,
family friendly resort in the
Cancun area and it accomplishes
this in a novel
manner. One entire section of the
resort is for families while a
second section
is reserved for adults only. A
common area accessible to all
guests separates
the sections.
There are
more than 400
accommodations, including rooftop
suites and casitas, the smallest
of which is
800-sq. ft. and features a full
range of amenities. The
exclusively adult
Excellence Club accommodations
feature Bvlgary toiletries and an
upgraded
minibar. ADA rooms are available.
Many activities are offered and
Finest is an
ideal wedding location because of
the setting and the layout.
Finest
offers 12
all-inclusive international
restaurants complete with
vegetarian options, 16
bars including the trendy Sky Bar,
10 swimming pools, a 3,500-sq ft.
state-of-the-art
fitness center and spa. The One
Spa menu boasts treatments based
on both
traditional and modern techniques
with a special hydrotherapy
experience that
is linked to the sea.
www.finestresorts.com
Beloved,
a 5-star adults only
boutique all-Inclusive resort is
the most romantic destination in
the area.There are 109 luxurious
accommodations with
designer amenities, Jacuzzi and
minibar. There are 4 restaurants,
4 bars, 3
swimming pools, a 304-ft.
beachfront and complete selection
of water based activities
and land excursions. It provides a
singular romantic and intimate
experience
with an unprecedented level of
service. There are 3 service
providers per
guest.
Beloved's
35,000-sq. ft. Spa
& Wellness Center presents
guests with numerous treatment
options. The
signature hydrothermal therapies
that are taken in the Agua Viva
facility include
the crystal steam Hammam, Roman
Caldarium and Swedish Sauna. Each
guest is
assigned a personal thermal valet
and treatments end with champagne
and chocolate
covered strawberries.
www.belovedhotels.com
Excursions
to nearby sites
can be arranged from either resort
that create a perfect combination
of
traditional culture and sensual
Caribbean luxury. There are
several nearby
day-trip notable cultural
destinations including Mayan
ruins, cenotes and
Xcaret Mexico. Xcaret Mexico is a
must for a quick overview of
authentic
Mexico, its traditions and
architecture. Highlights of a
visit include
activities in an underground
river, exhibitions and "Xcaret
Mexico
Espectacular," a
musical trip through history.
www.xcaret.com
Excellence
Group Luxury
Hotels and Resorts is a best bet.
Specials and packages are offered
online and
you will be amazed at how
affordable your visit can be.
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