Hidden Beach, Riviera Maya: Phil - March, 2014
Hidden Beach
March 15-20th, 2014
A little about us and our perspective:
This was our very first trip to Hidden Beach. We have been going to
GLN/Breezes/GLN since 1996 and probably have a total of 50 trips to
GLN, HII, HIII, Braco and CSS.
We have friends who we met at GLN who have been trying to get
us to try Hidden Beach.
We travel every year to Jamaica for our anniversary in June but take
several other trips throughout the year typically last minute.
Hidden beach has only 42 rooms and stays consistently booked
thus it is difficult to book last minute.
Also the price has been an eye opener.
The rate can be two or more times the rates that we are used
to paying in Jamaica and it was always difficult to commit to paying
the extra when we are quite comfortable at GLN for half the price.
We love Mexico had gone to the Grand Oasis Viva in January
(wasn’t what we were looking for) and wanted to go back to Mexico.
We wanted to give it a shot, booked and glad we did.
We only had time for a short trip this time around spring break so
we booked 4 days and ended up extending for a 5th.
As I said the price is stiff but they had a 30% off special
running so we booked.
We could have possibly gotten a cheaper rate by either committing to
attending the time share spiel or purchasing nights from a member of
their vacation club.
More on that later.
Flights:
We had great flights connecting through Miami.
We flew to Miami the night before and stayed in the hotel in
the airport, which kind of sucked for the price but was convenient.
Next morning we had a 7am flight which arrived Cancun at 6:20
am ;-)
Transportation to/from resort:
Unless you are a member of the timeshare which provides free limo
service you or your travel agent must arrange your transfer to and
from the airport.
Anyone who has been through the Cancun airport knows the timeshare
hall that has to be navigated just before leaving the airport.
These people know every trick in the book to sideline you and
make you think they are your best friend and that your travel agent
specifically arranged your travel through them.
It is very common for travelers to miss their real
transportation because of the time share folks.
Tip is to keep your head down, look straight ahead and don’t
make eye contact with anyone until outside the doors.
Once outside it is very easy.
Each transportation company wears a very distinctive uniform.
Our luck with arriving so early was that apparently the
timeshare folks were still in bed.
We breezed through, out the doors and there was the Ameristar
rep in his bright colored flowered shirt.
We were immediately taken to our bus.
We were told since it was so early there were no other riders
or stops and 5 minutes later we were on the highway headed south.
The ride to the resort is about an hour and 10 minutes on the
Mexican version of a 4 lane highway.
Along the way there are several areas with speed bumps like
no other you have ever seen that require a full stop.
Imagine a strip of half basketballs lying across the road.
Can’t imagine if you didn’t stop especially since there were
also a few Federales standing nearby with machine guns ;-)
A hint when returning to the airport:
Always let the luggage handlers assist you.
They are a whiz with those automated check-in kiosk.
They will have you checked in, boarding passes in hand and
bags at the bag drop before you know it.
Well worth a $5 tip.
The Jamaican baggage handlers could take a hint.
Check-In:
Hidden Beach is situated next to its much larger sister resort El
Dorado Seaside Suites which has 380 rooms.
You arrive at a large circular driveway for the El Dorado
pull through then off to one side is the entrance to Hidden Beach.
A bellman immediately takes your bags and whisk you off to
what serves as the Hidden Beach front desk.
The Hidden Beach check in is located in the lush garden area
and is an air condition building with a palapa roof.
Very spa like and relaxing.
We were immediately met by Miguel who quickly verified our
reservation, informed us our room was ready (8:40 in the morning)
and gave us the rundown of the resort in a very informative manner
emphasizing that most of the staff had been there for 10+ years and
they liked to think of everyone as family and that is exactly how we
felt our entire stay.
Quickly whisked off to our room
Rooms:
Based on the recommendations of others we had booked a swim out room
and ended up in 1209 which was second from the end on the southern
side (away from disco).
Rooms are very nice, up-to-date and extremely clean and fresh
smelling. Our room had
a large walk in shower, typical double sink vanity area, toilet room
with glass door, large closet with a safe.
Safe is the old style with a metal block and key exactly like
Hedo/GLN used to have before the digital safes.
Surprised that this has not been upgraded especially for
folks who have no place to put a key.
The bed in the room had a mattress and bed covering that you
would expect in an upscale US hotel such as Westin or Hyatt and were
very nice. Room had a
mini fridge stocked with juice, soft drinks, beer (2 Mexican beers,
Heineken and Coors Light) and snacks.
There were 4 full size liquor bottles set up into a little
mini bar although I never cracked the seals as the hotel bars were
more than enough for us.
The room also had a Jacuzzi tub next to the door looking out
over the pool. We never
used the Jacuzzi even though the night maid had filled it for us one
night during the nightly turn down service.
Outside was a small patio with 2 very comfortable chairs and
a table. Stairs lead
down into a little “lazy river” that ran in front of the swim up
rooms and out to the main pool.
There was also a table and chairs built into the pool for
each room. Only took
the lazy river once out to the main pool just to say I had done it
but the swim up room was very convenient because of having access to
the main pool areas out your backdoor.
The rooms are beautiful; the only negative we could come up
with was that the shower could have used some sort of seat to help
my wife shave her legs.
We solved that by bringing the table from the patio in.
Hidden Beach/Eldorado Suites:
Hidden Beach has 42 rooms and is located and operates alongside the
El Dorado Seaside Suites.
Wasn’t familiar with the Eldorado and don’t see it marketed
within the US. It is a
very nice resort but is the typical clothing resort in that it
doesn’t appear that the guest interact much with each other.
The time we were there it seemed to be mostly Brits and
Germans although Hidden Beach was mainly Americans, a couple
Canadians and one very nice British couple who said that Brits were
so stuffy that they would probably be thrown out of the country if
found in Hidden Beach ;-).
Those staying at Hidden Beach have full rights to come and go
at El Dorado, their restaurants and bars.
Restaurants:
Hidden Beach has one restaurant overlooking the main pool that
serves a breakfast buffet and al a cart lunch and dinner.
The breakfast buffet looks small but actually has all the
items that you are used to just in smaller containers that are
frequently replenished from the kitchen.
There is an omelet station, bacon, sausage, potatoes,
vegetables and some traditional Mexican offerings, yogurt and all
the fixings, fruit, cold meats, bread, bagels and pastries, mimosas
and bloody mary’s.
Never had the lunch or dinner from the menu although it looked good
and received great comments.
For lunch there is a large grill area near the pool in which
each day the attendant would grill burgers, beef, pork, chicken and
fish in some form and all very good.
They would have salads, ceviche and 4 or 5 chaffing dishes
with hot items. Along
the lines of what was done at Braco only much grander.
We ate next to the pool each day and really enjoyed it.
Hidden Beach is set up so that those wishing to be nude can stay
that way for their entire visit including when dining.
We on the other hand prefer to get dressed for dinner.
My wife looks hot in a LBD so we enjoy getting dress.
Hidden Beach’s location next to El Dorado was great for us.
At Eldorado they have a Mexican restaurant, Italian, Asian
Fusion and a new restaurant called the Pub that serves an eclectic
menu of pastas, tappas, salads and main courses.
They call it a rustic atmosphere but it is really upscale
with the best background music.
Lounge music versions of U2, the Stones and Pink Floyd .
Only the Pub requires reservations mainly I think because it
was new and very popular.
Each of the restaurants are a notch or two or five ;-) above
what we are typically used to in Jamaica.
It was truly gourmet food, presented in a very artistic
manner, in an upscale environment.
They call it Gourmet Inclusive.
The Pub was fantastic, Duck tacos served on lettuce leaves
and braised beef ribs.
With the variety of restaurants and special events you could go here
for a week and never eat at the same place twice although when you
look at the menus you may want to ;-)
Upon check in we were told our rate included a free beach side
lobster dinner for 2 which they did for us in a private beach cabana
that had a second story looking out at the water.
It was wonderful.
The waiter brought a salad and soup course along with drinks
and wine from the bar.
Dinner was surf and turf which included a large warm water lobster
and one of the best steaks that I have had outside the US.
It was a full 1 and ½ inches thick, very tender and
flavorful. Dessert was
baked Alaska. A memorable night.
Bars:
Hidden Beach has the main pool bar and an area that they call the
Disco. The disco is a
large (50’x50’) open air palapa hut with a bar, stage, dance floor
and a large (10’ in diameter) hot tub.
All night time entertainment occurs here with the exception
of the Wednesday night pool party.
All of the bars are nicely stocked with premium brands and many
tequilas. They are
prepared to mix any drink not just beach drinks and the drinks come
in traditional barware abet plastic after all it is a pool.
But it is nice that your mixed drink come in a highball glass
with a plastic stirrer and your beer comes in a pilsner glass.
There is a full time pool waitress that from 10 til who 6 does
nothing else other than getting drinks.
The service is quick and reliable.
Wednesday pool party is a very nice affair they use the same grill
area, place tables with table clothes around the pool and put on a
lavish buffet. Grilled
steaks seafood, paella ect.
They bring in a 5 piece live band that plays the 70’s, 80’s
and 90’s. They are very
good and will have you singing along with every song.
Entertainment:
Another area that we like.
We are not the late night crowd and that time period between
dinner and the start of 10pm entertainment is usually our death
knoll ;-) But at Hidden
Beach most things crank up by 8 or 8:30.
In the 5 night we were there 2 live bands were brought in
that were very good.
Quality that you would expect in a much larger venue.
Each night has a theme. Black and white, lingerie ect.
Repeaters come well prepared while first timers improvise
;-). Whole lot of sexy
and some slutty wear along with just plain old naked.
Beaches:
Beaches are not near as nice Jamaica.
The beach directly in front of Hidden Beach is narrow with a
seawall at the water line. The
sand is crushed coral so it is much harder on your feet than
Jamaican sand. The
beach is very nicely appointed with plenty of loungers and day beds.
The wooden loungers at the pool and beach not only have
cushions but they also have a fitted sheet that is replaced daily.
Every day we walk the beach for an hour to the south passing
through the El Dorado and down to the Palladium resort along the way
the sand gets softer and the view is spectacular.
Pool:
The Hidden Beach pool is beautiful much bigger than any of the
Jamaican pools other than Braco.
Has a large swim up bar with seats, restaurant and grill
area. The ends of the pool have a shelf that will hold about 4
lounge chairs in about 8 inches of water.
Pool has a volley ball net and is large enough to play 8 per
side
WiFi:
WiFi is free and works very well.
Tipping:
It is common to tip at Hidden Beach as the staff has been there for
years and most guest are repeaters.
Same as Jamaica in that we want to take particular care of
those we know. The
difference is that at no time did I feel that any staff member was
soliciting a tip from me.
Each and every staff member is amongst some of the best staff
I have encountered in how they treat and interact with guest.
Timeshare Concept:
Hidden Beach is heavily into the time share concept.
Booking this trip we heard from all sides.
If you go and agree to sit for an afternoon for the timeshare
spiel you can get a rate that is comparable to what we pay in
Jamaica. If you become
a member there are those who say you can return every year to Hidden
Beach for the Jamaican rate, some said they paid for their
membership in just 2 trips.
We aren’t into high pressure sales so booked this trip
through a travel agent and honestly only paid $70/night more than
what we would have paid if going the timeshare route.
Trip was short and we didn’t want to waste any time.
Another way we heard to get a good deal was to purchase
nights from a member.
Can’t attest to any of this other than to say one visit and we are
hooked so will be looking for whatever helps us to lower the price
so that we can go more often ;-)
People:
Most folks there tended to be Americans and in their 40’s, 50’s.
Within minutes of arriving at the pool with a little effort
and you know everyone.
This is the reason that we started going to clothing optional
resorts in 1996 and Hidden Beach does not disappoint.
Naked people are just the friendliest people in the world.
With 42 rooms we were thinking that is world be sparsely
populated and quite which was not the case.
42 rooms which are typically always filled equals 84 naked
fun people ;-). Those
used to the shenanigans at hedo would be disappointed; PDA’s are
forbidden but for a bunch of folks in their birthday suits having
fun Hidden Beach can’t be beat,
Summary:
We are so glad we finally went.
A trip to Hidden beach is a luxury vacation unlike what most
of us have come to expect when visiting Hedo or GLN.
You really don’t want for anything.
We will definitely go back.
Most of us have always been willing to give up something to
be able to participate in naked fun.
At Hidden beach you are not giving up anything.
Respect,