Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico

As you turn onto the road leading to the resort, you can’t help but wonder where you’re going. A jungle of twisted trees flanks the road, and numerous speed bumps make the ride seem long when you’re impatient to be there already. Eventually, the trees part, and you get your first glimpse of the resort’s perfectly manicured landscaping.

Step into the main lobby of Moon Palace Sunrise. You are surrounded with marble. Tropical plants cascade over balconies. Ceilings reach toward the sky. You are handed a drink as you wait to check in. Welcome to Moon Palace.
Moon Palace is made up of two parts: Punta Nizuc and Sunrise. Punta Nizuc is the original part of the resort; Sunrise is the newest part. We stayed in Sunrise. 

After we checked in, we were referred to an Activities Specialist who pointed out all Moon Palace had to offer and gave us maps and coupons. Moon Palace is partly a timeshare property; prepare to be asked to attend a presentation during your time with the specialist. You get U.S. money you can spend at the resort if you listen to their 90-minute presentation. It was $100 when we were there. They can’t require you to go, but they are persistent about getting you to sign up for an appointment. Since we were on our honeymoon, we firmly refused their invitations. Eventually they gave up. 

We were assigned a room in one of Sunrise's three-story buildings. The building names are recognizable Spanish words, such as piñata, tequila, and sombrero. When we had a late night, the signs with words and pictures helped us back to our room. 

The Deluxe room is just enough for a couple. The floors, showers, and countertops are all marble. A minibar with liquid refreshment in the form of bottled purified water, soft drinks, and Mexican beer is restocked every other day. A two-person whirlpool looks out over the semi-private balcony, where a pastel-colored hammock sways in the salty breeze. Rooms also include a television, alarm clock, and a small safe. Since we were honeymooners, we were honored with a fruit basket and a bottle of champagne on our first day there.