One of the reasons for my Mexico trip was to visit an exceptional resort new to Fit Bodies, Inc. and part of the Original Resorts chain of fine hotels.

We already work with Temptation Cancun and if you haven’t visited there yet you must make plans to try it soon. Desire Resort and Spa Cancun is in the prestigious area of Puerto Morales and the newest member of the elite group of resorts available to members of Fit Bodies, Inc.

When we arrived to meet Mario for our tour, we walked across a wooden bridge where the resident crocodiles were lurking below. Big ones, little ones and some apparently come when called. Well, I made sure to make it across that bridge pretty quickly.

The lobby was welcoming and so were the smiles on the faces of the staff. We walked outside to an open spaced are where comfortable lounging couches, chairs and tables were assembled and nearby a large circular bar which remains open most hours of the day and night.

This resort is for couples only and of the opposite sex. This resort is also clothing optional as was apparent when we wandered over to the beautiful pool and beach areas. Rooms are in clusters scattered throughout the gorgeous grounds and there is a ground floor and second floor option. Pros will be able to upgrade to beachfront or suites if they so desire but with the beautiful beach, pool, hot tub, restaurants, disco and play room areas, there is really not much reason to be in your room.

We wandered upstairs to the disco that was being renovated and probably complete by the time you read this blog. There is a separate play room area that is accessible at the back of the disco and an outside deck where those who chose to smoke can still be near the festivities.

Another climb took us to the rooftop hot tub. This is the first swim up bar, hot tub I have every witnessed. Everything here is upscale, with attention to detail and pleasing to the most discerning guest.

Enjoy fine dining at two gourmet restaurants, with a wine list and menu that will be sure to please the wine lovers and foodies out there. Other casual choices are available including 24 hour room service. This coupled with the beautiful grounds, beach and rooms makes Desire the prefect option for those of you who prefer the clothing optional package with a first class touch of elegance.

Yoga/pilates teachers or group fitness pros are welcome to book here if you will be traveling with someone of the opposite sex. We are also looking for specialty programming such as partner yoga, wellness sessions, and welcome your ideas of ways to add that special touch to this fabulous resort.

The General Manager, Martin is very excited to have us on board and welcomes your friends to travel along at special reduced pricing. Extra nights or upgrades can even be complimentary to you if you bring along others who book at that special Fit Bodies, Inc. rate.

For years I have been hearing the same question from many of our members – when are you going to start booking pros at Desire?  Well, we HAVE delivered. Now you need you to bring it on!!!!

Check it out!!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at Suzelle@fitbodiesinc.com

Now is WOW!

I spent an enlightening afternoon with Oscar and Arturo at the newest resort in our selection and the newest BRAND by AMresorts. NOW Riviera Maya is spectacular. The hotel is in the prestigious area of Puerto Morales. For those not familiar with Mexican geography, this area is basically the beginning of the Riviera Maya region as you leave Cancun proper and the airport.

Travel time from CUN airport is about 30 minutes. Puerto Morales is home to lots of celebrities because of the location, natural habitat and beautiful beaches.

NOW Riviera Maya is nestled very near the little village center.

THIS JUST IN!! This just in…. THIS blog was written before the official announcement last week changing the name of this resort to NOW Jade. The reason for this quick change is the announcement of the next NOW resort coming on board Wednesday May 5^th called NOW Sapphire which is also in the Puerto Morales area of Cancun. Read more about NOW Sapphire soon.

WOW!

Back to NOW Jade:

The hotel: We pulled up and saw this terra-cota monstrosity appearing at the end of a dirt road with flags flying and a huge welcoming lobby in the middle of the circular driveway. This must be it but WOW… We were greeted in an expansive lobby where guests were seated as they checked in at small desks rather than standing in line at a huge counter.

The lounge area was lovely and the circular bar at the edge of the lobby gave us the view of what was to come. WOW

Oscar found us and after a short meeting with him and his assistant Arturo, I knew the pros were in good hands with people who really care about the program looking to expand and broaden the basic classes and programming.

Oscar took us on a tour as we walked into the Premier Club lounge. Here find free wireless, snacks, high-end liquors and a beautiful green color theme. This private area is always available to the select group of guests that pay extra to stay in on this side and FREE to Fit Bodies, Inc. fitness and tennis pros and their guests. YES I said tennis – more on that further down.

From there we ventured to the quiet pool in this area. The music is light jazz and at the time we were there only adult guests enjoying the ambience. This area is not off limits to children but they were more at home on the other side of the resort where the large river style pools merged together to form the inviting entertainment area. There is an island near the edge by the beach, which is a perfect location for the aqua and the land classes.

On the way to the pool we passed the restaurants, which are near to each other. We walked across a wooden bridge over a coy pond to get to the Asian restaurant and the other gourmet restaurants were all nearby. The casual ala Carte restaurant is adjacent to the activities pool and the buffet where you can eat inside or out is overlooking the beach and Caribbean Sea. This is where we had lunch and WOW what a spread. The salmon was done to perfection and here again, I can have chips and guacamole any time of the day. While Larry and Oscar got their chocolate fix, I made myself a cheese and fruit plate that would rival any fine dining restaurant.

The gym is comparable in size to the resort itself. WOW. I was impressed. There is actually plenty of room to teach classes there or hold a bootcamp but the outside areas are easier for guests to find. I think best unless it is raining, heaven forbid but it does happen sometimes.

This resort is large boasting a convention center, sports bar and disco and more. The rooms are double in size compared to most resorts you will visit with a huge 700 square feet of living space.

Bring your children, 2 under 12 with no extra charge or travel with your spouse, friend or alone. You cannot go wrong with this fabulous resort.

Tennis pros: 5 courts on top of the building!! WOW! They are looking for you.

PLEASE contact me if you have any questions but book this resort before it fills up. Check the description page under TRAVEL SPOTS for more details and keep in mind that the schedule is always subject to change.

We are pricing this one as we do all of our family resorts at $375 administration fee due at the time of booking with a $150 gift each week. As always, special discounts are available for family and friends to travel with you and take advantage of this unique spot in paradise.

What are you waiting for?

Email me with your questions. Suzelle@fitbodiesinc.com

My first impression of Temptation was about a year ago when we met Mario Cruz and toured the resort. The facility had been newly named and the property was being renovated. This time my husband and I stayed for five nights and I am here telling all of you to book a trip to Temptation as quickly as possible. Once the word gets out about this place the availability will disappear.

We were greeted by Mario who is still the contact at Temptation. He has since been promoted to corporate PR director but is still heavily involved with the entertainment program and remains our Fit Bodies, Inc. contact for the pros. Mario sees the immense value of our program and is instrumental in making it successful at this resort. Pros must contact him right after booking to create a schedule based on their specialties. This and the flyer must be completed and sent to him at least 2 weeks before travel. I was excited to see a picture of the pro and description of the program at the reservations desk. Once you check in, the concierge meets with you to describe the property. She told us to make reservations in the morning for the three gourmet restaurants that take them. You can make up to three days in advance. There are other restaurants that don’t take reservations such as the buffet and Margaritas. My first night in Mexico warrants a Mexican dinner and I was not disappointed. I love the cheese and cheese appetizer with chorizo and mushrooms. You have to eat it quickly while it is hot. The blackened grouper was out of this world and the service was impeccable.

Even though the music in the disco down the hall was pulsating, I got a good night sleep and started the next day in the usual fashion. I threw on my running clothes, and headed out the front door to the paved path that goes from one end of the downtown Cancun strip to the other. It was me and all the Mexican elite athletes. These guys take it seriously and most have their own trainers getting them ready for a marathon or ironman or both! After my run I popped into the gym which is located on the second floor overlooking the pools and beach. No wonder it was pretty empty. It was tough to be inside with a view like that. I rolled around on the ball and did some yoga and then met Larry for breakfast at the buffet. I enjoyed the view there of the sexy pool where almost all the chairs were taken by 9:30am. The music was cranking and the activities had already begun. The swim up bar was busy already and the conversation and laugher permeated through the walls of the restaurant. Breakfast was great. I love that I can have Mexican food for breakfast too! I also realized I much I love guava. OK, I must admit the coffee is better in Jamaica and the DR but the ala carte restaurants all have espresso and their doubles fill up the coffee cup.

We were on the road all day and got back just in time for our dinner reservation. By the way, guys, you need to wear trousers and close toe shoes to dine at the gourmet restaurants. The guests at this resort were all nicely dressed, very impressive. Dinner was at Il Piacere and we were blown away. The ambience was romantic. The walls are rounded and one is solid rock with water cascading down. Crystal and china adorn the tables. You can order off the wine list for an additional charge. The prices are low and the selection is impressive, although their house wines are very nice as well. Ask for David and have the Mayan coffee just for entertainment sake. The servers light the liqueur and pour it over a peeled orange.

The Village Wok which is their Asian restaurant was very good as well with a variety of Thai, Chinese and Japanese dishes. It was a bit more casual but very nice and it is right on the beach.

I recommend taking a jacket or wrap because these restaurants are nicely air-conditioned. So was the room but it makes for good sleeping. Speaking of the room, there is a hair dryer and nice products so leave you own things at home and make more room for shoes! There is a coffee maker and a stocked refrigerator with juice and colas. They also bring you a big bottle of water each day.

Our room was near the quiet pool. It was very nice with its own swim up bar and jets in the pool. The only difference was that activities were not generated there at all.

One evening we went to the Paty’O bar (named after the owner). I saw people there just coming off the beach to those already dressed for dinner. It opens at 6 and serves appetizers like seared tuna, smoked salmon and much more, and they specialize in martinis. It is furnished with love seats, chaise lounge and high tops. The bar is thick granite. Can you tell yet that I was impressed with this place?

As the pro you will be teaching between 8 and 11 each day with Saturday off and you help design the schedule based on your specialties. Everything from yoga to Zumba works here.

I could go on but I will leave you with this… if you are single, married, traveling with friends, in your 20’s, 30’s 40’s 50’s, 60’s 70’s or 80’s. If you like to party, and if you like to relax in quietude – this is the place for you. Yes, ladies can be topless at all three pools but it is not clothing optional. I did see someone lose at strip arm wrestling but they did eventually tell him to put his pants back on. A girl won by the way.

So pack your bags and head to Cancun. Temptation is minutes from the airport. Mario, Vincent and the rest of the Temptation Entertainment Cast will treat you like royalty and you wont want to go home.