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Live Aqua is my most favorite resort in Cancun, Mexico.

First off, I have to admit, I am a little bit biased when it comes to the Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun.  I mean, my husband, Todd, and I have been there several times in the last six years.  So, yeah, it’s a great resort.

What Makes it so Great?

The staff is what makes Live Aqua so incredible.  They sincerely want to make sure that your vacation is absolutely amazing.  Each time we visit the resort, they welcome us “home”.   Everyone is always genuinely happy to see us. And the staff genuinely considers us as part of their family, and the feeling is mutual.  

Repeat visitors are their favorite, and they truly appreciate when people choose to come back again and again.  So much so, that the repeat visitors are known as “AquaLovers”.   Live Aqua has so many AquaLovers, that a couple of them created a Facebook page, Live Aqua Fan Page.

Who Leads this Team of Incredible People?

Alfredo Santamaria, the General Manager, as well as a very talented, yet humble person.  

He continually encourages his staff to be creative and think of new ways to surprise their guests.  The staff is very in-tune with the guests.  If they know that a guest needs or wants something special, they are empowered to make it happen.  

Ask yourself how many times you stayed at a resort and actually got to meet and have a conversation with the General Manager?  For us, never, until we stayed at Live Aqua.  

Mr. Santamaria walks the resort grounds and meets the guests whenever he gets the chance.  He seems to pop up to see us each time we are there, which is always a very special treat! See the photo of Mr. Santamaria, my husband Todd, and me below.

Always Something New

We never know what to expect when we return, as there are always new surprises to discover.  In February, we thoroughly enjoyed listening to a saxophone player in the AKA Bar playing smooth jazz.  We sat on the patio, drinking wine, watching the silent movies, as the sweet notes of the music drifted out to us. It made for a relaxing and lovely evening.  This past April, we got to see the renovated Sea Corner restaurant.  If you like sea food and a great ocean view, this is the place! Tacos, tostadas, and Ceviche can be enjoyed with your toes in the sand gazing out at the sparkling ocean.  Plus, we always get to see Luis and Jonathon – it’s always fun spending time with them!  See our picture below.

Location, Location, Location

Live Aqua is located in the “Hotel Zone” in Cancun.  A twenty-minute ride from the airport, and is located across the street from La Isla Mall.  Plaza Kukulcan Mall  is a few blocks away, safe and easy to get to as well. Both malls carry a wide variety of items, including souvenirs and gifts for the folks back home.

The Live Aqua gift shop is also well stocked with all the forgotten necessities, souvenirs, beautiful jewelry, swim wear, and their signature oil scents.  

Luxury and Privacy

Rooms are well appointed, as you would expect from a luxury resort.  Some include a soaking tub shower.  All of the rooms have a lighted makeup mirror, hairdryer, bath robes, special soaps, as well as shampoo, conditioner, and lotion.  A beach bag, their signature blue checkered bag is provided for use in case you didn’t bring one.  

Aqua Club level rooms are the same as the others, with the exception that they are located on the 5th floor and have access to the Aqua Club Lounge.  Suites vary in size, location, and price to suit the guests’ needs; and they include access to the Aqua Club, in addition to a daily cabana with a 20-minute foot massage.

Seating by the Pool and at the Beach

There is plenty of seating all around the pools and the beach.  Also, cabanas are available for rent daily; a heavenly 20-minute foot massage can be included with the cabana rental.  Simply check in with the folks at the towel hut, and they will help find your perfect spot.

The Beach

The beach is absolutely gorgeous.  Imagine seeing different shades of turquoise throughout the day.  This is what the ocean does, and Its beauty is mesmerizing.  The water is typically warm yet also very refreshing and so clear you can see the bottom.  

The depth is about two to three feet for a little way out, but gets deeper with some strong currents as you get further out.  A lifeguard works very diligently to keep the guests safe.

Safety Tip

Please make sure you pay attention to the flags, as they are alerting you as to the condition of the water. 

A red flag warns of the risk of strong currents, rough waves and dangerous conditions.  Swimming is not recommended when a red flag is posted.  A yellow flag warns of rough conditions with high surf, currents and undertows.  A green flag indicates a calm ocean, but realize that the ocean can be unpredictable.  

If you choose to swim under any of these flag colors, use caution, good judgment, and ALWAYS follow the directions from the lifeguard.  They know that water and where the dangers are better than any vacationer, and they are doing their best to keep you safe.

Early Morning Eats

Food and beverages are provided all day, and are located throughout the resort.  Beginning in the morning, there is a choice of room service available 24 hours a day at no charge (see the menu in your room), the Café Deli Boutique, and Siete, which has a wide variety of breakfast foods to satisfy all nationalities. 

The cafe offers coffee, sweet treats, and pastries all included at no charge.  Starbucks coffee is also available for and is an included perk.  Outside Siete, there are pastries and coffee available as well as tables on the patio to enjoy your breakfast.

Lunch Time Options

Siete offers a daily lunch buffet; there is Paradillo Grill (Or as we like to call it, “Jose’s Grill”). Chef Jose grills the most delicious ribs, chicken, sausage, and fish.  It also has a complete salad bar.  It is located in front of the Inlaa’kech Restaurant tucked under the trees.  

Varenna offers a vast assortment of pasta dishes, as well as pizza and calzones, and has a lovely patio for enjoying your lunch.  Paella or other lunch delights are cooked on a large round grill pan near Varenna, so check them out as well.  

Azur has a very nice lunch with many different options to choose from salmon, tacos, salads, etc.  In addition, they have a large salad bar and an assortment of various breads. Sit outside on the deck overlooking the turquoise blue ocean to enjoy the sea breeze as you eat your lunch.

Sea Corner Restaurant is tucked under the pool bar and has a sand floor and seating over looking the ocean.  They offer ceviche and tacos, as well as other yummy Mexican foods.  And do not forget, you can always ask your pool server to bring a menu for dining poolside. Jose and Moses – from Paradillo Grill are pictured below.

Mid-day Munchies

Afternoon snacks are available throughout the resort, sandwiches in the cafe, crepes on the AKA patio, and the Sushi Station, which opens at 5…. Chef Javier does an amazing job preparing the sushi rolls beautifully.  My favorite sushi rolls are the Texas Roll and the Spicy BBQ Chicken Roll, but they are all delicious.

Dinner is Amazing at Live Aqua

My favorite thing, there are no reservations required!  You simply show up to the restaurant of your choice and are seated, once a table is available.  The only exception is at Inlaa’kech, as this is scheduled at the concierge station in the Lobby and is an added charge.  See more on Inlaa’kech below.

MB Restaurant

MB is fine dining with a dress code for men to wear pants and close toed shoes.  Their signature habanero soup (see photo above) is an absolute must each time we dine there. You can order steaks, veal, fish, and chicken.  All wonderfully prepared with exquisite plating.  Try the beef tongue appetizer it is so tender and delicious and one of my favorites!

Karla, the manager, personally checks in with the guests to ensure a pleasant dining experience. Friday and Saturday nights are busier, and many times there is a piano player filling the dining area with beautiful music.  MB is a must each time we visit Live Aqua! See the picture below with Karla, the Chef, Willian, and our server.

Siete & Mexican Restaurant

Siete is separated into two restaurant choices – a buffet stocked with prime rib, fish, chicken, turkey and a vast variety of vegetables and salads, along with desserts, so many choices!  The other is a Mexican restaurant providing authentic dishes from various regions in Mexico.  So delicious!

The Hidden Garden

Hidden Garden is always a favorite, especially when we get Roy as our waiter!  The cuisine is Thai food; soups, noodles, curry, etc. and are all absolutely delightful.  The restaurant is uniquely tucked under the trees, which provides for an intimate dining experience. We love it! We are pictured below with Roy, Chef Jose, Todd and me.

Varenna

Varenna offers an Italian dinner fare, complete with lasagna, linguini, and other pastas.  The dining is enjoyable as it is located under the trees with fun lighting to provide a great atmosphere.  So yummy!

Azur

Azur overlooks the ocean, and has a variety of options, osso bucco, rabbit stew, salmon, etc.  Some evenings they have entertainment, typically a singer or guitar player, which makes for an enjoyable evening.

Inlaa’kech

Inlaa’kech is a lobster and steak restaurant, which is well worth the extra fee (typically about $60 per person). The food is freshly prepared on the grill. The ambiance is lovely as it is located under the trees in an intimate setting and only has a small number of diners at a time, so it too, is very private and serene.

Adult Beverages

Bars – during the day, the AKA, swim up, beach, and pool bars are open.  Also, there are poolside waiters to bring you beverages throughout the day.  At night, the AKA bar is especially fun because of its location – near the Sushi Bar, MB, and Siete, and there are always a lot of people to visit with.

There is a pool table for those who enjoy a good game of pool. The Azur Bar is also open, and is nice because it is poolside and near the beach.  In addition, the Egos Bar on the lobby level has music and a comfortable lounge area and stays open later than the other bars. Our favorite poolside server, David pictured with Todd below.

Aqua Club

The Aqua Club is a lounge located on the 5th floor and offers a quiet space to relax and enjoy the views of Cancun from both sides of the hotel. There are breakfast items in the morning, and appetizers available throughout the day.  The bar is well stocked with a large selection of adult beverages.  The wait service is impeccable.  Access to this lounge is included with all suites, and Aqua Club level rooms, and is available to add to any other room for a fee. My gift to the Aqua Club were these mouse pads I created from a rendering I made of the Live Aqua Grounds:

Fernanda and Valerie at the Aqua Club

Get Ready for an Incredible Spa Experience

The  “Feel Harmony Spa” is my absolute favorite place, so be prepared to be pampered.  The spa offers a variety of massages, three of my favorites are Mayan Secret (hot stone), Fusion (a combination of different massage techniques) and Samumpray.  The Samumpray massage is the first one I choose, as it gets me so relaxed and totally into vacation mode.  Our favorite therapists are Daisy and Pillar, but all of the therapists are excellent.  There is also a nail salon to provide manicures and pedicures.

Exercise in the Plan?

You are in luck, the resort features a workout gym, tennis courts, and a beautiful beach to walk or jog to work off all that delicious food, and there is a scale in the room (which I avoid!). In addition, the streets in Cancun near the resort are safe for walking, as we walk each time we are there for our exercise.

Visit Live Aqua Beach Cancun Resort. #Aqualovers

Enjoy,