Grand Velas Riviera Maya

This all-suite, ultra-luxury, all-inclusive resort has three categories of rooms, all with over 1,000 square feet. I stayed in the highest level, the adults-only Grand Class which features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean; private plunge pool and daybed on the balcony; oversized Jacuzzi tub; rainforest dual-head shower; spacious sitting area; fully-stocked mini-bar (refilled daily with snacks, drinks and spirits) and a private butler. As inviting as the beach looked, I didn?t want to leave the luxury of my room.

It was the little touches in my room that exuded the luxury vibe: Molton Brown bathroom products; Nespresso espresso machines; remote-controlled window shades; iPod docking station; 42? inch flat-screen plasma TV. The Grand Class is the way to go for truly decadent treatment.

Families have the choice of staying either in the Ambassador Grand class, located near the pool, or the Master Suites located in the jungle section of the resort.

Piaf is the popular French restaurant on property and has bold red wall coverings and dangling chandeliers, making it feel both romantic and artistic. I found this restaurant to be unique and intimate.

Lucca, which caters to both adults and children, is one of the more casual specialty restaurants, but I found the food to be the best here. Dishes range from the classic osso buco to delicious basics like lasagna bolognese and pizzas.

Azul offered the best beach views and we chose the outdoor dining for breakfast each morning. The selections of meats, cheese, fruits and breads and the views of the sun rising over the Caribbean Sea was the perfect way to start our day.

For those looking for a bit of nightlife, the four bars--Sky bar, Sen Lin bar, Karaoke bar and Piano bar--provided atmosphere and an extensive spirits menu. During the day, there are three swim-up bars in the resort's pools.

The spa recently won Virtuoso?s 2010 Award for Best Spa of the World and it?s not hard to see why. The 89,000 square-foot sanctuary boasts the largest hydrotherapy spa in Latin America. The "water-journey" is included in every 50-minute treatment and includes 8 stations of blissful aqua relaxation including steam rooms, Jacuzzi, ice room, experience showers, underwater massage jets and in-pool relaxation beds.

The service--in the restaurants, rooms, concierge--was excellent throughout the resort, but it was especially wonderful at the pool. The pool butlers offered me towels, snacks, drinks and even Evian facial mist on one particularly hot day. Service was prompt, courteous and well executed.

The kids program offers games, movies, pi?ata parties and creation of local crafts--all supervised by local staff.

There are two gyms at the resort. I used the small, but easily-accessible fitness center located between the Grand and Ambassador buildings. It had all the basics--elliptical, treadmill, bikes, weights, personal TV screens and water. For the hard-core workout traveler, there's an enormous gym at the Master class section of the resort, which also houses the meetings and convention rooms.