RIU Santa Fe Resort - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

DESTINATION: CABO SAN LUCAS, RIU SANTA FE HOTEL

WHEN: Week before Easter Weekend / Last week of March. It did not feel overcrowded at all. As we were leaving it felt like it was getting a little “younger” with Easter Weekend spring breakers but not during our week at all. That’s a good thing when your 40 and bald!

TRAVEL: Flew out of Detroit w/ connecting flight in Minneapolis. Got “bumped” to first class do to flight overbooking. First time in the good seats for us. Very NICE! Air travel was perfect. All flight to and from destination were early and flawless.

ARRIVAL IN CABO AIRPORT: VERY IMPORTANT!! The packet that you sent us from Delta Vacations stated that all transportation would be handled between airport and resort by CONTACTOURS. The info stated clearly that our representative would be outside wearing a dark green shirt. This was crucial information to a successful start to the trip because once we exited Customs the place was a free for all.

There were crowds of buss drivers, cab drivers, scammers, etc, mobbing us as we exited and walked for the outside doors. There was even a very official looking man, wearing a green shirt (not dark green), asking us if we were going to the RIU. We later ran into some people who fell for it and it cost them an extra $80!
We followed instructions to the point of me stiff-arming a guy out of our way until we exited the airport and clearly saw two people wearing dark green golf shirts that clearly stated CONTACTOURS on the front. Low and be hold they had our names on official documents f/ Delta and we were on our way to the RIU. It worked perfectly for us, however, if we hadn’t of received such detailed info prior to arrival it could have been very irritating.

RESORT/POOLS/ SLEEPING ROOM: Perfect! We have never been to Mexico so can’t make comparisons but we loved it. Grounds were immaculate. Room was very nice, spacious and cleaned daily including mopping the deck that overlooked the pool and ocean!

Pools were beautiful, huge and well placed. Lots of room, plenty to drink (to much at times), perfect weather.

Employees were very polite, hard working and professional. Top notch!

FOOD: They tried very hard to make it like royalty regarding the presentations and layout. Breakfasts were awesome! Lunch, snacks and dinner were good but not great . I was briefed by a friend regarding the beef in Mexico so I stayed clear of most steaks, hamburgers, etc. Overall the food was a good solid B+

The dinning areas were never overcrowded or backed up with lines.

TOWN: Very nice with lots of cool bars and shopping. Always felt safe but used 20 yrs of police work experience to stay out of bad situations. Stayed on the main drag and did not stay in town past 10pm. I’m sure it was fine to stay later we just didn’t. Ate on the marina bay at Ruth Chris steak house….VERY GOOD!

Town in approx 2 miles down the beach from the resort. We walked it once to see all the vendors and beach bars. Took cabs other times with no problems. I only carried US Currency and used that to shop, barter with vendors, tip people, etc. and saw no benefit to currency exchange.

BEACH: Town is a walk past other resorts, time shares, beach vendors, etc. The town direction is where the Cabo Rock Arch is located, shopping and the giant and very cool marina filled with marlin fishing boats. The other direction on the beach, opposite of town, is nothing but paradise. Open beach with no other resorts or people. It was about a two mile walk down to a large rock outcropping where we watched giant waves crash in, sea lions, pelicans and other cool stuff. We loved the beach in the mornings (your going to think I’m crazy) but we got up before dawn everyday and walked down the beach to the rocks. We watched the sun rise, I fished in the surf , and my wife took pictures every morning.
We had a tropical paradise to ourselves for three hours every morning until we would see an occasional walker or jogger.


This was a huge factor for me personally (I’m probably not like many of your clients) as we are outdoors people. Being able to fish, walk, wade, photograph things away from the crowd made the trip. I took my own fishing gear with me and had a blast.

* I would not recommend this location for a person who wants to swim and frolic about in the ocean. The beach was very nice but the tides / ripe currents were very significant. We thought it was very fun to watch people get on and off water taxis in the huge surf as we drank from the friendly confines of our pool overlooking the ocean. We saw many foolish people get tumbled into the water /waves including one lady who spent the rest of her week in a wheel chair due to a huge crash. Seriously…..I did swim for a minute just to say I did it but your average vacationer could get in trouble very quickly.

SUMMARY: We will go back and I will use you in the future to make arrangements !!!!! Perfect vacation overall!!

Barcelo Tropical & Colonial

Hi Hilary,

Our trip was the best one yet!!! Everything went extremely well and was so easy. We loved the resort!!! You did a great job and I very much appreciate it! That is why you are my favorite travel agent. You have always done such a nice job for us!
The all inclusive is our favorite because you have no worries once you get to the airport. I thought Riviera Maya was the most beautiful place ever, so wouldn't mine going back again. I also wouldn't mind going anywhere else in the world, as long as it is warm. We love to travel! Let me know your thoughts and recommendations.

Rhonda

Sandals Dunn's River Honeymoon

Hey Hilary,

Sandals Dunn's River was amazing...to say the least! They even upgraded us to a butler suite, thank you! I have no complaints! The only thing we'll do different next time is stay longer!

Thank you so much!

Best regards,
trish

Sandals Dunn's River Resort & Villagio Wedding

The trip/wedding was fantastic:) I loved the resort and loved the staff working there! They were so kind and accommodating! I think everyone had a really good time. When we arrived, Charlie was slightly disappointed in our room because the view was of the neighboring hotel and the backside of our resort. I spoke with Florence our concierge and she had us moved the very next day. Our view from the second room was incredible! Stacy (our wedding lady) is so good at her job. She was funny, kind, and very well organized. She made sure everything went perfectly! The rehearsal dinner and cocktail reception they threw for us was great. The dinner was held in the lawn near the gardens. The tables were candle-lit, food was so good, we had our own butlers and our own bar! I was truly impressed. The entire group kept telling me how well I had planned everything, and yet I hadn't done a thing!!! I loved the entire week and owe you a huge thank you. Thanks for putting everything together, answering my many questions, and dealing with my whole family! You helped make our wedding day and vacation so very special for Charlie and I. We would go back in a heartbeat! THANK YOU! I hope I attached these pictures right! love, meg

Wedding at Royal Lahaina

HEY HILARY!!!

I’VE BEEN MEANING TO GET WITH YOU. I HAVE PICTURES TO SEND WHEN THINGS SETTLE DOWN. IT WAS SO AMAZING. WE LIKED THE HANA SIDE OF THE ISLAND BETTER THEN THE LAHIANA SIDE. IT’S BECOMES TO COMMERCIALIZED. TOO MANY JEWELERY STORES. WE WANT TO GO BACK AND STAY IN HANA FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THAN GO TO KAUIA FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP.

I WAS SO DEPRESSED AFTER WE GOT HOME. THE WEATHER WAS BEAUTIFUL THERE AND I LOVE THE WATER. I TOOK OVER 500 PICTURES IF THAT TELLS YOU ANTHING. THE HOTEL WAS NICE AND QUIET. NOT MANY FAMILIES JUST COUPLES WHICH WAS REALLY NICE. THE WHALES STARTED TO COME IN WHILE WE WERE THERE UNFORTUNATELY WE DIDN’T GET TO SEE ANY BUT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE DID. THE MINISTER WHO MARRIED US WAS SOOOOO AWESOME. HE WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO TAKE 40 PICS AND ENDED UP TAKING 80 WHICH WERE PUT ON A CD FOR US TO DO AS WE WISHED. IF ANYONE NEEDS A RECOMMENDATION LET ME KNOW HE WAS AWESOME!!!
WE DIDN’T EAT ONE THING THAT WASN’T FANTASTIC! THE SEAFOOD IS OUT OF THIS WORLD.

NOW IT’S TIME TO GO BACK TO REALITY.

Maggie

Sandals WeddingMoon Sandals Dunn's River Villagio Resort & Spa

This letter from one of my groom's was too nice not to share. Makes my job all the more worth it! Thanks for the kind words!

Hello Hilary,
I’m not sure if Holly has replied but wanted to drop a quick few lines. I’m in training so not a lot of time. Our Vacation was probably the best time I’ve had in my life. Our friends at the resort were so nice and approachable it was refreshing. There was no mistake saying our friends at the resort. I believe we truly made friends there and I can’t wait to get back. For starters Tracy in the concierge department was wonderful. I have to admit I was upset after a long 12 hours of travel when we checked in and found we didn’t have the upgrade were believed we were getting due to the number of rooms we booked I was upset to find we were on the first floor. In my mind the first floor was on the ground level and did suit what I thought we were getting. She asked if she could show us the room and if we didn’t like it she would see what she could do. We viewed the room and found it was not on the ground floor and were very pleased with it in fact.(trees blocked the ocean view but we had a nice view of the pool area which provided a nice view at night with the lights they had and the sound of the waterfall very soothing.Laila and the wedding department were outstanding. She was very thorough with what we were getting and all the options we could get. laila was extremely patient. between the two girls they were able to plan a beautiful wedding. We didn't have a venue for a rehersal/welcome dinner we wanted to have and Laila was able to create a place for us by the aformentioned pool and waterfall that made for a nice setting and I personally thought that was the best dinner we had during that stay.(although all the dinners were very good).The wedding went off without a hitch everything went as it was planned and everything was what we expected or more,very ,very smooth and stress free. The pictures were outstanding Sheldon really had some ideas that had us scratching our heads but when we viewed the pictures we came to understand why he's the one behind the camera.The reception Dinner really put the cherry on top of a wonderful night. Nichael, Akelion, Jermaine, and the two ladies that were helping, who's names I can't remember ( I apologies to them) really did an outstanding job. The food was outstanding, service top notch.The thing that i appreciated the most was during the weding plan meeting We inquired about if they could play music for us during dinner and laila advised that if we had an I-pod w docking station we could other wise we would have to pay for a DJ type of option. So it was no big deal it would have been nice to have but wasn't a deal breaker.To our suprise when we arrived at the reception she had an I-pod playing with some of the best love songs i've heard in a long time....so good that we all were trying to get a copy of the cd !! After dinner we asked if they could play more upbeat dance. Before we knew it Akelion, Nichael and the gang were showing us Jamacian dance moves. We all to a person had the best time ever and it was the talk of group all the next day. something so small as helping uis get music really helped to have the most rememberable Wedding that can be talked about for a lifetime. I really am forever endebted to the wedding department they really confirmed why they are the cream fo the crop. Thank you all again and again.
The Playmakers really kept the fun going wether it was dancing, making you laugh with the games or comedy routines, or just coming up and enteracting with your group as you drank at the bar or sitting by the pool.They were all good but I have to tip my hat to Mystro. He propably is the most energetic person I have ever met. He seemed to be everywhere. I worked out just about every morning pretty early and more times than not he was there getting ready to teach the first of his three classes before starting the days activities as a Playmaker. Thanks also for letting me win that Chess game. The bar tenders and other workers really helped to make the vacation. I'm not much of a sun tanner so a lot my time was spent at the poolside bar, and piano bar.Kyrstian, Joseph(thanks for the pool lessons), shrek, Wilson, Mario, The two gentle man at the Tree bar (night time home base) kept our drinks full and always had good conversation for us.Thanks Also to Vitale in the water sports department. before I even got lessons for the Hobe Kat he knew my name and always said hello. When I left I truly felt like I was leaving alot of friends behind that I can't wait to get back to.I would like the thank everyone at Sandal's Dunne River Resort from the top to bottom for an unforgetable vacation.I think I had an enteraction with just about everybody working on the resort and i thank you all for being so nice, accommidating, and approachable. You all truly made the vacation for my new bride our family and friends one for the ages.
Thank you very much,

The New Sandals Emerald Bay

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