AZUL Blue Hotel + Spa

I felt pampered before I arrived, with the pre-concierge service. Using a form on their web site, I specified my preferences in music, aromas, pillows, and food. When I arrived, my butler (trained by the Professional Guild of English Butlers) checked in for me, unpacked my suitcase (they'll iron, too) and prepared my room with aromatherapy and customized soaps and shampoos. Poolside, I was similarly pampered, with butlers coming by bearing cool towels and drinks.

Included are accommodations, all drinks and juices (including premium alcohol), meals (including room service and mini bar, restocked daily), villa, beach and poolside butlers, in-room champagne on check-in, most activities, fitness center, bicycle rentals, non-motorized water sports (snorkeling, kayaks), scuba lessons in the pool, classes (e.g. tequila tasting, Spanish language, dance), nightly entertainment, and all taxes and tips. Available at an extra charge are spa services, wedding packages, scuba certification, deep sea fishing, the shuttle from the Cancun airport, babysitting and nanny services and vintage wines.

AZUL Blue has only 96 suites in six villas, each with a dedicated butler. Large suites, decorated in neutral colors with contemporary furnishings, include whirlpools built for two (some indoors, some on private balconies). Suites include a plasma TV, an iPod preloaded with music and a docking station, a mini bar, bathrobes, a DVD player, hair dryer and wireless Internet. Roomy bathrooms have rainforest shower heads, bidets and double sinks.

Three restaurants include Globe for all-day dining a la carte (no mediocre buffets here), served inside near the open kitchen or outdoors next to the pool. Upstairs, Yuzu (dinner) serves Asian fusion and features a sake parlor. View (lunch/dinner) is an outdoor, casual restaurant with a thatched roof; the specialty is a variety of fresh ceviches, and even here the casual fare has a gourmet twist. Tinto (a wine and piano bar), the swim-up pool bar and 24-hour room service are also included.

The curved windows of the 10,000 sq. ft. spa and fitness center overlook the Mexican Caribbean, but they're not the only reason you'll want to linger. Imaginative treatments like the Mayan Body Wrap (with cocoa, vanilla and coffee), a Sacred Stone Massage and a romantic Couples Massage are administered in ten treatment suites. The more daring of our group opted for the Temazcal, a cleansing spiritual ritual which involves a shaman, steam rising from hot lava rocks and some soul searching. Read more about my stay at AZUL Blue.