TRAVEL
of the Caribbean Sea, the spa is cleverly split into separate men and women’ s hydro circuits, saunas, steam rooms and relaxation lounges that then deftly reconverge into a shared lounge space of statement chairs, relaxation beds and stunning views from which guests are transported to one of the treatment rooms either as singles or couples for a signature treatment. A couples’ massage closed the afternoon of relaxation with warm oils and steady hands easing away the trip’ s excited cacophony. A totally serene moment in a resort where fun reigns supreme.
Fun( and relaxation) aside, there is also the food. As a resort that prides itself on its all-inclusive principals, food here embraces everything from Hard Rock’ s American roots and playful character to authentic global and local cuisine.
Alongside the plentiful buffet restaurant that’ s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, and the quirky diner-style buffet open for breakfast and lunch complete with its own trucks converted into seating areas( yes, really!), you’ ll find a myriad of à la carte options.
Frida, the Mexican restaurant, managed both authenticity and flair. Guacamole made at the table, served either with pork rinds or spicy grasshoppers if you’ re brave enough. The octopus and pork chicharron taco with handmade tortilla was a standout: smoky, tender and layered with heat from the chipotle chilli sauce. At Toro, the steakhouse, we reset with crisp Caesar salad, before diving into ribeye tacos, soft tortillas filled with rich beef, avocado cream, onion and coriander, and a plethora of flame-cooked steaks and sides. Desserts included an unapologetically rich molten lava brownie. While Zen, the teppanyaki restaurant, offered the theatrical counterpart. Edamame set the pace, drenched in rich soy and spicy chilli salt, followed by the meats- chicken, pork and beef( we opted out from the prawns due to allergy, but they looked plump and juicy too) cooked on the hotplate with crisp vegetables and clouds of steam. The
children adored the show- juggled eggs, onion volcanos and fire- and the adults appreciated the precision.
Across all offerings, kids’ menus were never an afterthought and were instead balanced, fresh and appealing. And, between meals, endless buffets, snack stops, swim-up bars and ice-cream counters ensured no one went hungry- ever- praise to you the‘ can I have a snack please?’ gods.
Hard Rock Riviera Maya is loud, proud and full of theatrical music-driven flair, but look closer and you’ ll find a resort meticulously built for families: safe, manmade beaches, endless entertainment, impressive dining, cool interiors and genuinely kind staff. It’ s a place where the kids lived their best lives by day, and we adults reclaimed ours too, one strum of a guitar or stroke of a massage at a time.
hotel. hardrock. com / riviera-maya hrhrivieramaya www. insidekent. co. uk • 97