Hidden Beach Resort, Mexico

ACCOMMODATION All suites have a super king-size bed, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, direct-dial telephone, satellite tv, DVD and CD player (DVD library at the exclusive concierge reception), safe deposit box, coffeemaker, mini-bar stocked daily with beer, mineral water and soft drinks, spirits dispenser with whisky, vodka, tequila and rum, large bathroom with bath/shower and wc, hair dryer, plush bathrobes and an ironing board and iron (on request). A private balcony or patio is equipped with two sun loungers and a hammock.

The 24 standard suites are on the first and second floors. 18 swim-up suites on the ground floor have direct access from the patio to the man-made ‘lazy river’ connecting to the pool. Each patio has in-river seating and a coffee table.

FOOD & DRINK (all-inclusive) The air-conditioned La Vista Restaurant serves meals a la carte and buffet style: full American breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks with fresh coffee and pastries, dinner and midnight snacks. Most guests chose to eat on the outside terrace, of course au naturel. Sometimes themed dinners, e.g. Mexican, are announced unscheduled. The C’est La Vie Bar is the social centre of the resort: it has a wet swim-up side with stools submerged in the swimming pool, and a dry side. The Vida Loca Disco Bar is the popular open-air nightspot above the restaurant, open until 02.00 hrs. Occasional themed evenings are arranged. The Moonlight Bar is only open in the evening.

All bars serve premium brand alcoholic drinks, exotic cocktails and fine house wines as well as soft drinks. Room service is available 24 hours.

THE POOL & BEACH The free-form pool is so warm that many guests spend all day chatting in the ‘conversation end’ or sitting at the swim-up bar. Sun loungers and floating mattresses are plentiful. Between the pool and the beach there is also a giant hot tub where guests tend to finish the day. Beach towels are freely available on a self-service basis.

The fine white sand on the private man-made beach is kept spotlessly clean and even sports stylish ashtrays. It is lined by unique sunbathing platforms with mattresses, thatched roofs and retractable white curtains affording shade and/or privacy. There are several camouflaged showers to wash off the sand from the beach before entering the pool area. Massage in the open air on the beach is available at an extra charge. For sea bathing in the protected coral reef, ‘jellies’ are recommended. It is ideal for snorkelling.

OTHER FACILITIES The adjoining ‘textile’ El Dorado Resort is under the same management and offers all its facilities to the guests of Hidden Beach, including speciality restaurants, a large theatre for evening entertainment, fitness centre, sauna and steam baths, land and water sports – bicycles, tennis, paddleboats, kayaks, snorkelling, water polo, beach volleyball and ceramic painting, car rental and tours desks and a gift shop.

There is an extra charge for spa treatments, laundry and dry cleaning, fax service, internet access and a shuttle service to the cosmopolitan town of Puerto del Carmen, a 25-minute ride away. The Puerto Aventuras Golf Club is just a few minutes away.

ACTIVITIES An entertainer organises a programme of daily activities and beach sports, including volleyball and introductory scuba diving lessons in the pool. There is table tennis, a pool table and a darts board. The manager holds a weekly cocktail party.

THEMED EVENTS These include: Arts & Crafts week, Fitness week, Valentine’s Day, Carnival week, Comedy week, Cooking competition, Halloween week, Christmas Eve, Nude Year’s Eve, Weddings at any time. (Phone for dates and details.)

SIGHTS & EXCURSIONS

Tulum and Xel-Ha On limestone cliffs overlooking the Caribbean, Tulum is the only Mayan fortress built by the sea. The walled city (known as the City of the Dawn) was once the main port to gather goods from as far as Tabasco and Honduras and includes fascinating ruins of several temples. The Xel-Ha (‘where waters are born’) eco-park is the world’s largest natural aquarium and a unique phenomenon that combines salt water from the sea with fresh water from underground rivers.

Chichen Itza This is the most important city and the most famous archaeological site of the Mayan civilisation: climb up the main pyramid to experience this remarkable construction that directly reflects the Mayan solar calendar. Also explore the well-preserved ruins of the Ball Court, Observatory, Temple of the Warriors and the Sacred Wall.

Afterwards, refresh yourself by swimming (costume required!) in the transparent waters at Cenote Ik-Il. (‘Cenotes’ are sweet-water deposits or sinkholes, produced by subterranean rivers which came to the surface over the course of millions of years.)

Swim with the dolphins This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed: a 1-hour programme (30 minutes of water time) to interact with the dolphins, including foot push, dorsal tow, dolphin kiss and free time to swim with them.

Jungle tour Drive your own 2-seater jet-ski on a guided tour of the jungle, mangroves and cenotes: explore ample pools of fresh water amidst a setting of orchids and multi-coloured birds; They are the entrance to a labyrinth of caves and flooded caverns.

Playa del Carmen This has developed from a small fishing village to the largest town on the Riviera Maya with restaurants and nightlife and world-class shopping – designer clothes, silver, jewellery and, in the colourful market, ceramics, leather goods, hammocks and native paintings.

WHAT OUR HIDDEN BEACH HOLIDAY PRICES INCLUDE

• Return flights from Gatwick or Manchester to Cancn by direct charter flights.
• Private transfers between Cancun and Hidden Beach Resort, approximately 55 minutes each way.
• Air-conditioned accommodation on an all-inclusive basis: full breakfast, lunch and dinner, 24 hour room service.
• Electricity, linen, towels, including beach towels, daily maid service, entrance fees to grounds.
• Local taxes.
• Complimentary personal holiday insurance.
  
  
• Not included: $45 Cancun departure tax.

Hidden Beach Resort holiday prices in £, including air travel from the UK, Standard Suite on all-inclusive basis and personal holiday insurance, for each of two people, from:
Month (2006)	7 nights	14 nights
January	1383-1571	2171-2181
February	1429-1544	2217
March	1429	2217
April	1441-1666	2047-2346
May	1443-2048	2176-2835
June	1550-1741	2336-2557
July	1496-1683	2283-2644
August	1683	2230-2644
September	1443-1496	2176-2230
October	1443-1804	2176-2363
For exact holiday prices please refer to the Peng Travel 2006 brochure or phone 0845-345 8 345 with your holiday specifications. [ Flights from the UK – click here ] [ Currency exchange rates – click here ]