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You haven’t even arrived, and the love’s already coming your way. A pre-arrival
coordinator contacts you at home so you may select your pillow of choice, favorite
soaps and aromatherapy for your room; you can also peruse the spa menu and even
indicate any preferences in cuisine. “Accommodating” may not often be a word used
when describing an all-inclusive retreat, but this is the way
Azul Blue Hotel + Spa conducts business. With barely four months
in full operation, this latest property from Karisma Resorts has a leg up on the
Riviera Maya’s many offerings.
Breaking All the Rules
This is a radical departure from the sprawling area resorts. Small and intimate,
guests of Azul Blue are embraced by a sense of cool serenity from the moment they
walk in. You don’t need to hitch a ride on a golf cart to go from your room to the
restaurant or a map to find your way around. It’s all close-by and ready. Upon arrival,
your designated butler will meet with you to show you the ropes of the stress-free
lifestyle, which in essence means everything’s been prepared to your predilection
based on your specifications. No itchy bracelet or secret password necessary to
get what you want. There’s not even a real lobby here for check-in, either; your
butler handles it.
 The
96 luxurious suites, all with free wireless Internet access, are all about living
large—big yummy bed, big bathroom, big shower, big whirlpool tub inside or on your
own terrace—yet effortlessly. Your suite’s bar and iPod are stocked to your liking.
Each of the six villas housing the suites comes with its own steward—trained by
the Guild of Professional English Butlers—who is at your disposal to take care of
all those details you’d rather not be bothered with. Personal experience allows
me to (somewhat shamefully) declare that your butler will find you change for a
$20, pack and unpack your bags, or hunt down that particular movie you want to watch
from the resort’s movie library. It’s a simple yet uncommon premise in all-inclusives:
a proper luxury oasis with constant showers of kindness and a hefty dose of patience
for persnickety guests.
Azul Blue’s infinity pool with swim-up bar is made for jumbo hats, a flouncy
bikini and placid thoughts. There is a quiet spot on a swing, on a lounge chair
by the sea, or on an outdoors four-poster bed with billowing drapes for privacy.
You won’t run into screaming kids performing cannonballs into the pool; unlike sister
property Azul Beach, which caters to families, Azul Blue accepts children but is
not geared to them. And those lounge chairs by the Caribbean Sea have a handy slide-out
tray for your drinks and guilty-pleasure magazine, which you’ve also chosen prior
to your visit. Don’t get up! Your beach or pool butler will bring you that extra
towel or warm cookie you’re craving. Don’t be shy about asking for anything here;
lightning-fast guest gratification, within reason, is Azul Blue’s specialty.
 Gourmand-Approved
Careful you don’t waddle out, though—this is a gourmet-inclusive resort. Under the
watchful and creative eye of Executive Chef Heiner Hellenberg, Azul Blue prepares
a symphony of tasty creations geared to excite your mind as well as your taste buds.
The resort’s restaurants (Asian grill and sake parlor Yuzu, open-air seafood eatery
View and the international Globe) pride themselves on open-kitchen settings in full
view of patrons. “There is nothing to hide,” says Food & Beverage Director
Jeroen Hanlo. Five-star chefs and culinary experts are at hand to show you the ropes
of a blissful stay. Eduardo, the sommelier, may just open that bottle of Malbec
you’ve been eyeing. Savvy cevicheros— ceviche chefs—will create magic from freshly
caught seafood. The pastry chef? You’ll want to take him home with you.
There is constant guest-to-chef interaction at Azul Blue. According to General Manager
Renaud Pfeifer, both management and staff are completely dedicated to the culinary
aspect of the hotel, emphasizing quality, flexibility and freedom above all else.
Indeed, the personal service to gastronomic whims is unparalleled here, especially
considering that this is an all-inclusive. There is a passion behind this service,
says Pfeifer, that permeates throughout the food & beverage team
Is It For You?
So, who would benefit most from choosing Azul Blue? Pfeifer says the property is
aimed at “…an upscale market—spontaneous travelers with a high disposable income
who can pick up and go” when they need to unwind. “This is a place where they can
just come and relax,” he adds, explaining that the peacefulness of the property
is one of its biggest draws. “If you can’t relax, this place is not for you!”
Azul Blue guests are given entertainment options—a wine or tequila tasting at the
chic Tinto Bar + Piano Lounge, Spanish lesson, cooking class, or maybe a bike ride
to a nearby cenote—but these are mere alternatives to just being in the Azul Blue
moment. Another benefit to consider, says Pfeifer, is the property’s “eco-luxury”
feel. Guests may book a number of excursions to nearby attractions, including the
Tulum ruins, Xcaret Park, Xel-ha Ecological Water Park, and more.
 There’s
one more enticing point to note: the spa. Unlike at other properties, Azul
Blue’s spa has been given a prime location here, allowing for treatment rooms and
fitness areas to offer soothing ocean views. This means that if you engage in a
guided meditation session, you’re ensured an “Om” moment. Any spa experience begins
with a water ritual; after that, choices are unlimited. We loved the Zen Tahi-Atsu:
you get stretched, pushed and pulled into sheer contentment as your energy pathways
are coaxed into submission, improving the flow of energy throughout. There’s also
a temazcal facility, where a trained healer guides you through a stirring purifying
ritual that detoxifies body and soul.
Rates at Azul Blue start around $387 pp per night dbl for a Superior Suite through
April 10 and keep going down through Oct. 31. The property is also offering a Wellness
Suite package for two that includes magnetic mattresses and pillows, vitamin shower,
two full body massages and one facial treatment per guest, two in-suite aroma baths,
and much more. Prices for the package start around $670 pp per night dbl with a
5-night minimum stay.
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