Category: My Blog (Page 2 of 3)

We wanted a great relaxing lunch and researched this restaurant in the Grand Hyatt before we arrived. We weren’t disappointed! Service was quick and friendly, and the view was only spectacular.

The Hyatt Gran Plaza is a stunning resort with fantastic restaurants.

We regularly ate at the massive breakfast buffet that had something for everybody. We ate a fancy steak and lobster dinner one night, and many times we enjoyed beverages and snacks from the poolside bar. We did move into the restaurant place in the city; it is only a couple of blocks away, and we had a few great experiences in the city. Possessing that daily breakfast and coffee began daily right.

We ate here several times throughout our stay in the Hyatt. Breakfast was terrific with lots of choices and gluten-free bread. The buffet is priced too high for folks like us who consume in moderation, so we purchased from the menu and shared with the big pieces. 1 day it was just the buffet, and we needed to eat in the bar close to the pool. We ate here a few times for its convenience, initially, but kept coming back to the great, no-nonsense food, Superb service, and Affordable costs for 5-star resort dining. The guacamole is superb. Also, they had an extraordinarily fair and yummy breakfast (although I did hear the buffet was expensive ). Some guys there recommended the fishing charters by cozumel cruise ship pier as a nice trip for our party.

A wonderful spot to eat. The food is fantastic, beautifully adorned, excellently prepared, wonderfully flavored and ample portions. I had a fish dish, but I can not recall the title. It was quite possibly among the best meals I’ve eaten everywhere.

It was cooked to perfection, every ingredient had the ideal texture and flavor. I’ll eat this every time I see. It was about 3pm, and the area was relaxed. There’s outdoor seating directly by the first swimming pool of the Hyatt and approximately 10 steps from the shore. So that you get to see while eating.

For the life span of me, I couldn’t locate the menu online but determined based upon the fantastic reviews here to give it a go. I’d with fries and broiled salmon tacos. The guoc was good but not excellent, an enormous part but no real kick to it or exceptional taste. Three arrived in the purchase. They were very filling too. I recommned a lot La Cocina.

This resort is near the beach and 5th Avenue, although not near the busy hubbub. The rooms have been decorated with all the”center” as a focus that reflects the owner’s fire, thus the name. They are rather romantic. They ship you off using a wooden core key chain along with a brief background on how the resort came about. Quaint!

This must be among the most magnificent resorts. Excellent staff, fantastic location, good food. Just perfect in every way. Spotlessly clean and such a cozy bed. Indeed if I could give it 110 computer, I would. I highly recommend it. Due to all staff for your help.

First, of, I must state that La Pasion Hotel Boutique from Bunik and La Leyenda Boutique Hotel will be the Exact Same Location. You’ll come across precisely the exact same review on the two hotels. I along with my girlfriend just came home from a 15 days holiday in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. We had the joy of staying in this resort for our entire stay. The staff give great recommendations such as the riviera maya snorkeling tours of a family-owned company.

We might not have been happier. This oasis is just one of the loveliest inns we’ve stayed in in the over 50 years we’ve been traveling. The inn is situated across the road from a big plaza in front of City Hall. We can’t say enough about the team in Conrad, the director, to his service team such as Michel, Josi, Christobo.

Whatever we asked for was supplied fast and with a grin. The construction of the resort is in the form of a horseshoe. We suggest requesting a room which has a large dressing table and ample storage in the restroom. There was likewise an inviting tropical place with a pool and a jacuzzi on the ground floor in addition to some other spaces to relax and rest around the resort. There was a complimentary breakfast for an affiliated restaurant adjacent to the inn (La Tapas) at which we’d fruit, juice, eggs, pastry, and coffee daily.

Alongside La Tapas was just another connected patisserie at which we had crepes and coffee. Conrad advocated three restaurants — all low key with excellent meals — El Fogon, El Pirata (shared an entire fish) and Dona Mary. In the event you require a cab, ask Conrad to contact Ivan. The room rate was also reasonably fair. Overall, we’d highly suggest staying in La Pasion Boutique.

Great Hotel. It had been my first 3. Stay in this resort, so what do I tell you… I really like to be here… 3 pools & jacuzzis, beautiful & comfy beds, clean rooms, and the entire team is amiable & helpful with what I want… then into Julian & Guti, Martin, Conrad, Hanzel & Juan. Does not matter where… in front desk, the rooftop bar or in the breakfast: for me personally, it is the ideal place to keep at Playa del Carmen. 5 minutes to the beach, fantastic seafood place around the corner and distinct supermarkets at a 1 minute. Walk away. If you do not enjoy big all-inclusive hotels, this is going to be the ideal location for you.

Beautiful property in the center of PDC. Right on Saturdays route that’s the most critical bike path through the city. Fantastic pub literally across the street though they’re available odd hours. Contained breakfast with Como Como is quite high, albeit restricted up to”contained” goes. The reception was delightful, fast, useful, check in to check out. I spoke to some week before my birth, and he had been the one on the desk! (I am sorry I do not recall your name).

I booked a swim up space. Beautiful room, but quite tiny. The TV was also quite a little, too small to match the area provided. Exposed wires, just over the atmosphere supplied, a whole lot to be desired so far as the city goes. The patio was charming. Large enough for two people to unwind. The pool is enormous, but idle river fashion. It is quite silent. There’s a good deal of color in the patio.

This was a significant factor for me as a smoker. I wasn’t there long enough to make the most of the majority of the conveniences sadly. Total fantastic grounds, place, property. I’d love to stay again.

It’s an excellent hotel, with friendly, helpful employees who mentioned the riviera maya mexico fly fishing trips near PDC. My room was clean and very, although the room confronted 10th Ave. I’m a light sleeper, and so I took ear plugs, but just wanted them on a Friday evening when a bunch of folks was singing as they walked down the road.

The place was really great for this particular resort, despite its central location, it wasn’t noisy at night, provided that the room didn’t face the road. Well equipped rooms awarded the cost and a somewhat relaxing setting and quiet setting (again, provided that your room doesn’t meet 10th route ). Staff is quite friendly, and breakfast is adequate. You’re not likely to use the pool but its beautiful design. Fantastic site.

Everybody, there was always making sure we had all we had. Luis at the front desk and eager to assist with anything. The bartender Carlo was so much pleasure he left our night for sure mixing a few of their best mojitos we have ever had. The breakfast was yummy and also to get a small extra the menu has been stopped a choice. I had been somewhat worried about that I only pick 2 nights but loved the resort and place so much that I ended up staying an entire week.

Playa del Carmen was beautiful such as the hotel. I only did not need to depart and that I know why everybody else remains. Thank your desk for everything restaurant team to your excellent attention and Carlo bartender for providing is a fantastic moment. If you’re seeking something super contemporary, this is not for you. This has a little hacienda texture to it. And Playa I will be back shortly.

Just got back in our 12 day trip to Playa. We ate here twice –the very first my husband and me, the next additional our kid, grandgirl. We adore the soy butter tuna plus it wasn’t disappointed. On my next trip, I purchased the meat, and it was fantastic. Our granddaughter bought curry, and it was really great. As always the service was ideal — careful and considerate. We never skip a trip or 2 on our yearly trips to Playa. It’s part of what causes our holiday great!

This is a terrific little place off La Quinta. There was exceptional wine, excellent company, and some genuinely excellent seafood. It was a real highlight of the trip, and it was hands above all else we ate in PDC. Also, our waiter recommended us a private fishing charter playa del carmen if we wanted an unforgettable fishing trip.

We’ve been going to lala for the previous 3 decades, every time we see. We moved twice this moment, the very first time with 4 spouses as well as the moment with my spouse and me. The food is entirely ready. Our most essential classes ranged from the rack of lamb to octopus to steak tenderloin to sea bass, and all of us loved it. As a beginner the fig salad is lovely.

The wine list, although not enormous, has a wonderful choice which won’t break your bank. We anticipate returning to lala!

My husband and I picked Oh Lala to our 1st night outside in Playa del Carmen, and it was excellent.

The demonstration of both was terrific. Delish! The parking garage has been across the road (cash only). After dinner, it is a fast walk to 5th Avenue to elongate your legs. You won’t be let down. The food is excellent as is the ambiance and service. This is wasn’t any exception. Cesare was our server and was beautiful.

Very attentive service from all of the staff here. Our entrees were equally excellent. The Butter Soy Tuna would be to expire, along with also my husband’s Seabass Particular was exquisite! Because of the employees for the birthday cake for my own husband. An excellent ending to a superb meal.

The cost is 100$ every, but we compensated 90$ each. To be honest, I didn’t wish to move, but my wife had been eager to see it, and so we reserved. I was so thankful we did that. This series is terrific with amazing singers and dancers – it had been well worth the entry fee and much better than anything I’ve seen on a cruise boat. In fact, I don’t believe our wine glass was empty.

Definitely, suggest a trip to this series if you’re staying in the GP. If you keep in the TRS that’s an element of the GP, then you’re at no cost. Can I go back – entirely?

It cost 100 bucks, but it has been well worthwhile. Food is quite right to drink service might have been faster! Recommended.

Frankly, it is an incredible series! Nonetheless, it’s long, the operation is close to 3 months, I presume. I recall going in about 8pm and departing beyond 11pm. I adored most if not all of the songs they sang. It was interactive too! The food was wonderful. It is fine dining, and the servers are superb intuitive and kind to your demands; they recommended a beach el cielo playa palancar tour – a must visit place around Cozumel.

You have to see this series! Entertainment, cocktails, meals, ambiance, and staff were top notch. This is our 2nd trip in 5 weeks and much better than the first. Some criticize the meals, for the life span of me, I really don’t understand why but we adore seafood and trying new things, and this particular menu provides. Entry was contained with our Space but might not have any issue paying if it was not included.

We were guests in the TRS Yucatan and attended the Chic Cabaret at the end of January. The pre-show actions, beverages, appetizers, and entertainment was fantastic. There were dressed up walking around that made for excellent photo opportunities. A mermaid in a bathtub with margaritas, skeletons, musicians, and dancers.

There were 7 people, and we had been seated at a long table at the rear of the theater. Chic is well organized from ushering you to the theater, chairs, bringing drinks and serving your meals at an orchestrated parade throughout the series.

We ended up flying for a wedding day earlier than intended and wanted to stay someplace other than a comprehensive for the evening. If we would have known how enchanting Cocos Cabanas is, we would have intended to wait longer. Our bungalow was clean, spacious, and charming, and the reasons were only a small retreat. We had dinner at the restaurant, and it was yummy –much better than anything else we ate in the hotel later in our trip.

We adore the Cocos Cabanas – it’s my third stay. Now we’re here together with our 2,5 half-year-old girl. The cabanas and the restaurant have been managed by Silvia and Helmut, a great couple doing this type of company, their staff is friendly and needs to love for their Mexican nature. Food and beverages are yummy. Keep on stirring.

This area is a refuge of great beverages, food, and casual entertaining if you’re staying in the region. The guest rooms seem fantastic also. I really don’t know whether you’re able to get to the location right from the beachfront. A guy talked to us about cozumel hire a driver for a day so we’ll go to the island soon.

We remain nearby in a little hotel but have eaten Coco’s 3 times now over two decades. The food is actually fresh and unique, pizzas are also uncommon and very excellent. The air is amiable and romantic. We travel and revel in the food scenes from several cities and believe Coco’s is a special place with unique hosts.

Stayed here to escape from everything. Personal Bungalows ordered like a little village. You needed to cut another hotel’s property using a gate, but they had been willing to endure if you used their services. Felt very secure. Food was yummy on the shore and in Cocos.

That is a magical little place; a relaxing oasis in the big hotels. It is somewhat hard to locate since there is building all around, but as soon as you arrive it’s delightful. We stayed at a nearby hotel, and they delivered pizza to the shore!

I thought it had been filled fish, but it was fish and lobster. Yum. We loved visiting Molly, who’s well trained to not come up on the dining/pool location. Additionally, the two birds are delightful. This is an actual diverse fun place that we’ve loved for many decades.

Things we enjoyed. We stayed 4 times and walked around PDC a whole lot. Always felt secure (although we did not party and wandered around the area late at night).

Nice looking resort. Recently upgraded rooms. Seemed clean. Air con worked amazingly. Always warm water. Continental breakfast was really WAY better than many”non-resort” resorts! Notably Cynthia and Humberto in front desk. They worked hard and went over and beyond to assist us.

Things we did not like. You have heard the testimonials. You understand there could be audio noises at night. We had one night very loud and the following three nights we did not hear the sister resort’s music in any way. Must depend on that night along with also the positioning of your area.

Pool and poolside was from the color a great deal of the afternoon so that the pool was colder than my 10 years old favored. The principal thing we did not enjoy when we got in our area. It smelled awful like moldy/mildew tropical. I understand that is the tropics. However, it did require two days of terrace door open to clean out the odor thoroughly. However, other guests said their area did not smell in any way. They also mentioned a fly fishing riviera maya mexico trip very close to the hotel. We must try it in another time.

So general, we’d stay here again. Fantastic deal for the price, good site. I believe I’d just request a separate room next time when it smells overly plump.

Hacienda Paradise is a really great resort, with charming rooms and setups, as well as the team, make your stay really Pleasant. The hotel is well located between the 5th Avenue (stores ) and the shore. The report quality/price is quite excellent.

Great place. My son was reserved in a different place that seemed dangerous & self – Gonzalo made space available for my son to proceed to the Hacienda which was quite comfy. The one issue is another door hotel with loud audio & Morning on weekends.

Greetings!

As promised I’m sharing with you, my ingenious technique for preventing those pesky felines (I mean, loving fur balls) from chewing your $80 macbook pro cords into oblivion! This is the first in my new series, That Darned Cat! where I try to solve the problems that cat ownership bestows upon us, the lucky many, who choose to let those evil beasts live in our homes.

This hack cost me about $5 and can be found at Lowe’s or Home Depot or any other big home improvement box store.

What you’ll need: scissors or an Exacto knife, and 1/4″ clear plastic tubing, a willing participant to do the work for you (Thanks I.F.!). The tubing comes in rolls of 12′ or greater. You won’t need the whole thing, but if you have a macbook, chances are you also have an iPhone, iPod, iPad, etc. Take care of those cords too and save the rest for when those cats smarten up and decide to chew through the plastic tubing. Although, I’ve completely dissuaded my cats from ever doing this – they just aren’t attracted to the thicker plastic tubing. They love those ridiculously expensive, uber-fragile mac cords. Curse you Apple. I once thought your high prices were for quality – I now know they’re only for arrogance and pretension.

Believe it or not the tubing isn’t in the electrical area of the store, its in the plumbing section! Don’t as me why, don’t ask me how. All I know is that I searched for months after reading a version of this hack on another blog and FINALLY I found a knowledgeable employee who could tell me where it was. God bless Janine at the Lowe’s Home Improvement in Ames, IA!

What you do is, you measure out the length of the cord you want to protect, and transfer that measurement to the cord. I did the super fancy skilled method of holding the tubing up to the cord and cutting the tubing where the cord ended. But you can use a measuring tape if you want. You know, show me up. Be skilled at things. SEE IF I CARE!

Once you have liberated a section of the tubing from the roll, you’ll take the exacto knife or your scissors and cut down one side of the tubing so that you could actually uncurl it and it would lay out flat into a 1″ x 3ft’ (or however long your cord is) piece of plastic – or silicon or whatever manmade disturbing concoction it happens to be. By the way, don’t uncurl it. You want it to keep its shape. Once you have cut down one side of the tubing, you may open the “wound” slightly to wrap the tubing around your power chord.

Voila! Instant kitty repellant in a non gaseous/chemical form – until you heat it up somehow, like letting it hang over a heating vent or something. I haven’t tried this, but there’s no reason the tubing should ever be warm or put you in any kind of danger. Unless you’re desperately protecting a cord that has been destroyed by kitties and has way too many exposed wires popping out every where. You’re just asking for an electrical fire that I, personally, and my life hack here, cannot help you with.

That’s all she wrote, folks!

Cheers.

I recently helped a good friend of mine organize a fundraiser for exceptional Iowan gubernatorial candidate, Jack Hatch. The event was the first of many in the ‘Women for Hatch’ campaign and I was tasked with bringing some appetizers. I’m sharing them with you because they flew out the door, literally. No, not literally, but they were gone in a flash!

I didn’t take pictures because, well, I’m a silly goose so I’ll share with you the inspirational women I got them from. Thank you Pinterest – you saved my cooking conundrum, once again.

I made Spinach Artichoke Dip tartlets – of which a version can be found here.

Here’s the recipe:

Baked Spinach Dip Mini Bread Bowls

13.3 oz roll of refrigerated french bread loaf, I used Simply Pillsbury
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 Cups baby spinach, coarsely chopped
1 clove fresh garlic, minced
3 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 Cup light sour cream
2 Tablespoons fresh shredded parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Ancho Chile Pepper
1/8 teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Garlic Salt
1/8 teaspoon McCormick Gourmet Sicilian Sea Salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 Cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray 10 regular muffin cups with non stick cooking spray.  Unroll package of french bread loaf and slice into 10 equal size slices, about 1 inch thick.  Press each slice into about a 3 inch round, I did this by pressing in between my hands.  Press into the bottom and up sides of the muffin cup.  Set aside.

2.  Heat oil in medium skillet over medium heat.  Cook and stir spinach until wilted, about 3 minutes then add garlic, cook and stir for another minute then turn heat off.

3.  Place cream cheese, sour cream, cooked spinach and garlic, Parmesan Cheese, Ancho Chili Powder, garlic salt, salt and pepper into a medium bowl.  Mix until well combined. With a medium cookie scoop, scoop dip into each of the centers of bread bowls. Top evenly with shredded cheese and bake for 15-17 minutes until just turning brown on edges. Remove and let cool for 3-5 minutes before removing from oven.

10 mini spinach dip bread bowls” from www.pickypalate.com

Here’s what I did:

bought the pillsbury simply french bread dough

Went to Sam’s club and bought their Artisan spinach and artichoke dip and a tub of 4 shredded italian cheeses.

Then, I assembled and baked per her instruction, except I cut the dough into 1/2″ pieces to get more out of the dough – I got about 12-13 cups, instead of 10. However, you really need to take one out and cut it in half to see if its cooked through. After 20 minutes mine were still doughy. Reduce the heat to 325 and bake for another 5 minutes. Test again.

I recommend that you cool these completely before serving. They are good hot, but SO MUCH BETTER at room temperature. The flavors really come alive. Also, once cool, they can be easily stacked on top of one another so I arranged them in a kitschy country bread basket kind of deal. Looked great, casual, fun, and delicious!

Then, I made these herbed cheese cucumber bites. They were a crazy big hit!

The original recipe asks you to buy fresh oregano and cream cheese. I used goat cheese, and thinned it with some sour cream and skipped out on the oregano. But I did buy chives, sage, and basil. I added a little salt and lots of fresh black pepper. I garnished with pepper.

These hold up well but you want to refrigerate them until serving.

If you have blue plates to serve both of these items in, or on, DO IT. Food looks so much more appetizing on blue plates.

That’s all she wrote, folks!

This resort is centrally situated on the very lively streets in Playa Del Carmen. If you just step from the resort, the roads are lined up together with all the resorts and nightclubs. Hotel staff is extremely courteous. Breakfast is made new in the dwell counters on top floor regular using homemade salsa. Throughout our stay in 2017, there was some building work going on from the resort which led to a few alternative arrangements and early afternoon building sound but has no other complaints.

In a city that is known for large hotels and VRBO condos, it is lovely to discover a resort that’s merely rock-solid travelers’ resort. Clean, small rooms which are on the small side – ideal for a busy excursion in which you want a secure, well-located neat, clean, relaxing lodging. The staff is great and talkative: they recommended a cozumel jeep and snorkel excursion near to us.

The resort has a fantastic situated on 5th Ave., a pedestrian-only zone with stores, restaurants and pubs and it’s 1 block from the shore. The staff was so friendly, and the resort was very nice with a little pool along with a cute lounge area overlooking 5th ave. The resort was clean, quiet, comfy beds and the shower had high pressure and warm water. I’d certainly stay again.

There are just 21 rooms in this resort. If you want WiFi, request the password in front desk; the password to the placard inside the place isn’t valid anymore. Breakfast is included with all the room, and the breakfast terrace is quite beautiful, coated with palapas and well appreciated by two neighborhood women, which will make your breakfast to purchase.

The team are the heart and soul of this resort and made the experience exactly what it had been. Ivan and Humberto on the front desk had been super hospitable and the housekeeper Jesus did an excellent job daily cleaning the space.

There are two pools to cool off and lots of common areas to hide in and unwind (including one which overlooks 5th Ave, which means that you can maintain almost any room and get the best perspectives ). Safety is on the door so that you can go and come at any given hour of the day. Breakfast is basic but tasty and the type ladies are cooking will cause you to the pick of what’s on the menu.

The one thing I could fault was that the net was out and in compared to other areas I’ve stayed in about Mexico. If you’d like somewhere in one of the activity although not with the loud music of those nightclubs, then remain at Casa Ticul. It is a peaceful paradise.