Fall was tough for my wife and I. Both individually and collectively, it felt like we couldn’t catch a break! We both needed a minute to breathe and recharge. Not to mention, winter was upon us which meant shorter days and a reduced level of sunlight… our kryptonite.
To prepare our mental’s for winter and the holiday season ahead , we took our first trip together to Tulum, Mexico.
American Express Platinum Card
One of my favorite perks of being an American Express Platinum cardholder is access to travel deals, which we took full advantage of for this trip.
Platinum members earn 5X membership rewards on flights and prepaid hotels when booking directly on amextravel.com. Members can also save, each year, by getting $200 back in statement credits on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings when paying with your Platinum Card.
When booking two or more consecutive nights at one of The Hotel Collection properties, eligible card members will receive benefits like a $100 onsite credit to spend on qualifying dining, spa, and resort activities and room upgrades at check-in, if available.
Sanará Tulum
I don’t know about y’all, but I’m still healing from the pandemic. I needed a healing space where I could relax and recharge.
During our last trip to Mexico, we hopped over to Tulum for a lunch date at the Real Coconut Kitchen – the plant-based and food-conscious restaurant of the Sanará Tulum. After lunch and a relaxing afternoon on the beach, we knew it was a place we wanted to return to together. So, when we learned that Sanará Tulum is one of The Hotel Collection’s properties, booking a stay was a no-brainer.
Sanará meaning, ‘you will heal’, is a barefoot luxury hotel on Tulum Beach just steps away from the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. I used my Platinum Amex card to book a prepaid five day four night stay in the properties Upper Level Beach Side Suite. Since this was my first time booking a stay at one of The Hotel Collection properties for the year, I received a $200 credit back on my Amex statement plus 5x membership points. Upon check-in, I also received a $100 onsite credit to be used at the hotel’s restaurant, spa, and/or other activities. In addition to all of that, our room was upgraded from the Upper Level Beach Side Suite to the Ground Floor Beach Side Suite.
Come through rewards and perks!
Nourish & Heal
We barely left the property. We spent the bulk of our time lounging on our beach beds, enjoying fresh and healthy foods, reading our books, and soaking up the sun.
Something pretty spectacular happened during our trip. After booking, we learned that we were going to be in Tulum during the 2022 Beaver Full Moon, which also happened to be the final lunar eclipse of the year as well as a rare total lunar eclipse. On the evening of November 7th, while on an impromptu walk east of the hotel, along the ocean, we looked up, and illuminating bright above the ocean was the Beaver Full Moon. There are no words to describe how captivating, breathtaking, and exhilarating a sight the moon was.
The cherry on top of the cake happened the following morning. We set our alarms for 4am so that we could watch the rare total lunar eclipse and to our surprise, not only did we get to witness the moon transform to a reddish-copper color, but we also got to see the constellation light up the midnight sky. It was truly spectacular!
Off the Resort
Tulum has so much to offer. It all depends on what you’re interested in.
Couple massages have become must-dos when we travel. Since her last trip to Tulum, the Mrs has been raving about the Mayan Clay Spa and while I wasn’t thrilled about possibly getting clay stuck in my hair, I knew I had to experience it.
This unique healing therapy includes a full body, top to toe clay massage with a specialized Mayan clay face and hair treated, a hot shower, and a closing massage with natural oils.
When I tell you this was the most rejuvenating massage that I’ve ever experienced!!! I highly, highly recommend it and ask for Whitney, she is amazing and will make you feel as if you’re melting into the table.
Reflection
Last year was a year of healing… as well as a journey to inner peace.
Remember, no matter where you are or what you’re doing, your breath will always ground you.
What do you think?