We heart Mexico! A tale of our first family vacation...

Hello blogging world,

I haven't posted lately because the fam and I have been in the Riviera Maya of Mexico! This trip was all about the boys and I think they pretty much had the time of their lives. Mission accomplished. We stayed at the Iberostar Parasio Maya Resort which is located on a large, white-sanded beach between Cancun and Playa Del Carmen.

It is a 5 star all-inclusive that is specially designed with kids in mind! The 4 biggest highlights were:

* the wave pool

* the lazy river

* the beach

* and meeting Sheldon, our new pet hermit crab

As soon as you pull up you notice the decor is authentic to the Mexican culture. The buildings are brightly colored and there are master pieces of art scattered all throughout the resort. For instance, the lobby bar has an exact replica of the Chichen Itzá Pyramid.

The hotel has a total of 434 rooms:

• 76 Superior Rooms
• 351 Suites
• 5 Rooms adapted for the disabled

Every room is a spacious junior suite equipped with jacuzzi tubs, sitting area complete with a comfy couch and a mini bar. Plus, of course, the comforts of home like an iron board, a safe deposit box, a mini-fridge, a hair dryer and satellite television.

The Iberostar Paraiso Maya is the most luxurious of the 4 family-friendly resorts in the Iberostar Paraiso complex. It works in a domino effect, the nicer Iberostar resort you stay at, the more you will have access to. This being said you have a ridiculous amount of restaurants, pools and bars to choose from.

The food was impressive, especially the buffet-style restaurants. The variety and freshness was quite delicious.

The entertainment staff made sure that everyone was having a good time and most were quite funny. The pools are GINORMOUS. The rooms are clean and spacious. Overall, I would give the Iberostar Paraiso Maya Resort a 4.5 Star. We would love to go back one day!

A couple of negatives that stopped me from giving the full 5 star:

~ Not stroller friendly, therefor not very toddler friendly. Since the resort is laid out and pretty darn BIG my baby boy would often get tired and want to be carried.

~ Room service was not 24 hours. Call me spoiled, but I love to have a cervesa served with chips and guac for a midnight snack while on a Mexico vacation. ;)

~ Lastly, the fact that the rooms were not oceanview was kind of a bummer. There is a natural mangrove (jungle) area between the hotel buildings and the beach. Their was a short walk across a bridge but once you got over to the other side... oh.my.GOODNESS WHAT A BEACH!

The boy's first plane ride went without a hitch.


The hibachi restaurant was a big hit for all of us. We saved that one for the last night.


My Hudsonater and me coming inside from enjoying the swing on the balcony.


It's Hudson!


My yummy hunk of a man.


At the entertainment show one night, the staff decided to choose our boys to come and be part of the show. Afterwards they rewarded them with candy and sword balloons.


The Dylanmeister!


Meet Sheldon, our hermit crab that the boys tried to sneak back in the U.S.




The beginning of sand castle numbre tres.



And for those who would like see my super-cool professional home video I did on my sweet ass Flip camera, here you go:

Our first family vacation! from Terrah Rominger on Vimeo.

The family pic (that only took 1,279 tries)

We were a little nervous about taking our little, active boys but we ended up being quite impressed with them. Knowing that my 2 favorite little guys are good travelers may just be the best feeling in the world.


Much luv and happy traveling!

*Terrah*

p.s. ~ if you and your family may be interested in vacationing at an Iberostar Resort give our agency a call. We have been there, have close relationships with their management and would love to help!