Cancun

Royal Resorts

The Royal Sands, villa I5025

BLVD. Kukulcan KM 13.5 No. 32 Seccion A
Segunda Etapa, Zona Hotelera
Cancun, Q.Roo 77500
Phone From US: 01152 (998) 881-0100

Get reservations at Peter's and Du Mexique (Cancun) and Oh Lala (Playa) days before you go, they're small and fill up fast.

What to take

For kitchen:

scissors, cocktail shaker, rubber bands, foil, baggies, saran wrap, wire whisk, kitchen sponge.

Good idea to bring your own pillow.

For Mexican Coffee

French press, fine sieve, cinnamon sticks.

Wines

Lorca Malbec Poetico (2007) (at Puerto Madero, but gone now)

Restaurants

El Conquistador - Reviews - excellent dining at the Royal Islander (km 16.5)
Elefanta - Reviews - good Indian cuisine (km 12.5)
Puerto Madero - Reviews - epic Chilean seabass, nice Malbecs (km 14)
Hanaishi - Reviews - fantastic sushi in Plaza Caracol (km 8.5)
Irori - Reviews - great sushi in downtown
Thai Lounge - Reviews - La Isla (km 12.5)
Cenacolo - Reviews - nice Italian restaurant hand made pasta excellent (moved to km 12.5) loved the shrimp fettucini, quality la sagne, sausage ravioli. outside seating on the lagoon available
La Destileria - Reviews - great tequila, fine Mexican food (km 12.6)
El Fish Fritanga - Reviews - Hidden gem - Great spicy fritangas, ceviche - lunchtime atmosphere - beach under palm trees (km 12.5)
Harry's - Reviews - excellent steakhouse (km 14.5)
Du Mexique - Reviews - first rate French cuisine, Best Duck Ever! (downtown, book for after 8pm)
Peter's Restaurante - Reviews - very friendly, excellent food (downtown) - epic hot Fois Gras, superb Tamarind Ribs, save room for dessert!!
Tempo - at Paradisus - Reviews - Fantastic multi-couse 3-star Michelin Basque restaurant (waiter Florenzio always remembers us) (km 16.5)
Hiromi - Reviews - first rate sushi! (km 2)
Rosa Negra - Reviews - creative dishes, fab desserts (esp chocolate orb!) (km 15)
Porfirios - Reviews - first rate Mexican, mariachi supreme! (km 14)
Taboo Reviews (new 2020) - Excellent shrimp, service very good and surprise fireworks at 10PM Walking distance -- across the street from The Royal Sands
Other Nick Picks

Also

La Habichuela - just ok Mexican (km 13) - show. 2020 - gone. New restaurant Bueno Barra
Fred's House - fish/steak - get a booth * 2015 disappointing menu, service still excellent, good ceviche, don't order grouper for two(km 14.5)
Fantino - at the Ritz Carlton - Reviews - tasting menu plus wine pairings - expensive - used to be excellent, but stuffy and boring now (km 14.5)

Closed

La Madonna - Swiss Fondue at La Isla (closed 2018)
Savio's Bistro - excellent Italian fish house, by Freds (closed 2016)

Playa del Carmen

The Royal Hacienda, villa B106

Mza. 70 Lt. 2 Carr. Chetumal-Puerto Juárez
Km289+10, Centro Playa del Carmen
Solidaridad Q. Roo.  77710
Phone From US: 01152
(984) 206-3110

Restaurants

Aldea Corazon - Reviews gorgeous cenote/garden, Mexican/Mayan food, friendly service good chicken mole (5th and 14th Norte.)
Oh Lala! - Reviews - EPIC, no theme, just excellent food. Get reservations days before (14th norte between 10th&15th)
Dirty Martini - Reviews -Great martinis Mango, Cucumber, Chocolate, Key Lime (the best) - 1st between 8th&10th norte. nice staff and fun place.
Plank - Reviews - Superb drinks, service and food outstanding. New 2014 . Connected to Imprevist. Scallop starter, salmon main excellent. Beef Wellington just ok. bet. 5th Ave and 1st on calle 16 norte).
La Bedega del Medio - Reviews - Cuban, when the music's on, be there!
La Famiglia - Reviews - spectacular Italian, try the lasagna, scaloppini and Italian sangiovesse!

Also

Madre Tierra - good service, used to have excellent food, bit ordinary in 2017 (5th & 14th norte)
Imprevist - Reviews Mediterranean/Asian Fusion, quiet street. Was excellent, but now just basic menu (1st & 14th norte)

Closed

Curry Omm - Was very tasty UK style Indian (10th south end) (Closed Jan 2020)

Tulum

Restaurants

El Bistro at Ziggy Beach - fun beach bistro, fish + passion fruit cevice, coconut shrimp and cocktails
Mezzanine - Thai great food, beautiful location.

Activities

Cancun: Snorkel boat trip to see Sailfish, see Queen Angel
Scuba trip to Dos Ojos cenote
Playa: Scuba dive with Bull Sharks, tons of fish
Playa: Coba trip interesting with excellent Cenote swim.
Laguna Kaan Luum