I’ve always been a wanderer at heart, and luckily I’ve been blessed with two boys that love to travel as much as I do. So when I had the chance to check out the Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun resort in Cancun, Mexico, I decided to give my boys the choice between a traditional Christmas present from their mom or coming on the trip with me as their gift. As I expected, both of them jumped at the chance to visit the Now Sapphire and shortly after Christmas we were on our way!
Choosing a resort that’s fun for both adults and children is never an easy task, and it’s often made harder when I travel with my boys since they both shun the idea of spending time in a Kid’s Club. But within minutes of arriving at the Now Sapphire resort, I knew that it was going to be perfect for all three of us. While I sipped the resort’s signature cocktail and checked into our room, the boys explored the gorgeous open lobby filled with picturesque fountains and plants. Then it was off to see our room and the rest of the resort.
Fun for Kids
Now Sapphire has no shortage of fun activities for kids and my boys tried almost all of them! The Bungee Trampoline is a must-experience for little ones and since it’s reserved for children at the Explorer’s Club, it makes attending a lot more appealing. The club also offers sandcastle competitions, big-screen movies on the beach and a playground so that parents can relax while kids enjoy supervised fun with trained caregivers. Open from 9am to 10pm every day, it’s the ideal way for kids and adults to both have a blast on vacation!
The Core Zone teen’s club is also hugely popular, featuring foosball, pool, table tennis and a video game room. As I could have guessed, both my boys were standing by eagerly when the video game room was opened for an hour or two each day! The staff at the Core Zone are incredibly attentive and treat kids as equals; something that Zackary especially noticed and appreciated. The area also features special supervised daily activities for both kids and adults; Benjamin was able to shoot a bow and arrow at one event and Zackary even got to shoot a BB gun for the first time!
Of course, with the hot Mexico sun beating down, the pools were a great place for fun with kids and my boys especially loved the built-in lounging chairs, floating mats and swim-up bar. Personally, I liked being able to read a book beside the pool while keeping an eye on the boys’ activities. Playing in the water was a must every day and my oldest even mastered independent swimming after being in the pool so much!
Family Activities
Part of the appeal of any vacation for me is spending time with my boys, and Now Sapphire understood that by providing a wide variety of activities that families could take part in together. While excursions off the resort are always a popular choice, they’re really not even necessary with so much to do at the resort!
With my boys and me all being confirmed beach addicts, a lot of our time was spent on the gorgeous white sand beach. The boys splashed in the waves while I lounged in a chair and worked on my tan, and sometimes we would take an hour or so to just go for a walk and look for shells in the sand.
When evening rolled around, we had a blast enjoying some of the night activities and entertainment. The Fire Show was a favourite with all of us; the entertainers amazed and delighted as they juggled and danced with flames. We were close enough to feel the heat from the stage, something that the boys thought was incredible!
We also took part in some dancing lessons complete with live music, and Zackary was so proud when he was asked to come up and help teach the class along with the activity coordinators at the resort. I loved watching him follow along and dance his heart out with his new best friends at the resort as I danced along with the crowd.
Fine Dining
In my opinion, good food goes a long way towards ensuring a good vacation, and the Now Sapphire resort had plenty of it! The Coco Cafe was our first stop each day; the boys would choose a tasty freshly-baked pastry while I enjoyed a frothy latte. The Moments lobby bar was also a frequent stop throughout the day as the boys indulged in their favourite blended virgin cocktails. Benjamin fell in love with the Pina Coladas!
Come dinner, we’d put on our dressier clothes and head out to one of the fancier restaurants for dinner. We loved the high-class Medetteranian cuisine at Cibu, one of the resort’s most popular dine-in restaurants. While no reservations are required, there is usually a wait. It’s never a bother though, as the staff conveniently provides buzzers to guests so that they can enjoy a pre-dinner drink or wander the resort until their table is ready.
The Bluewater Grill, featuring seafood specialties, was another top pick with our family. We’re all big seafood fans, and being able to enjoy the delectable dishes while on a balcony overlooking the ocean was pure paradise. And Lemongrass, the Asian restaurant, was by far the boys’ favourite choice for dining. The Tappenyaki-style dining tables are the only ones in the resort that require a reservation, but it’s worth it to experience the delicious food cooked right in front of you by skilled Tappenyaki chefs!
For any of those times we wanted a little snack in between meals or an assortment of more casual fare, the poolside restaurant or the Market Cafe buffet were there. Since my boys had both been through a picky eating phase, I liked having the opportunity to introduce them to a wide variety of different dishes. I was so excited when they discovered they both had a love of the Now Sapphire picco de gallo!
Entertainment for Grown-Ups
When kids are having a blast in the Explorer’s Club or are finally tucked into bed for the night, there are plenty of adult-only activities to help parents relax and recharge. An adult pool gives those in need of a more peaceful swimming experience the chance to enjoy the water without splashing and shouting. While the pool does close at night, it’s a great place to enjoy the sun each day or take a peaceful swim before bed.
The Now Spa by Pevonia is also a great choice for relaxing. I didn’t get a chance to visit the spa on our trip, but I did browse through the extensive list of services offered. I loved that the spa offered a full-service menu including facials, body treatments, massages and manicures. Best of all, the spa even features children and teen services so that kids can get pampered too while parents relax!
The Eclipse Night Club is a hugely popular hotspot for adult fun each evening. Music, dancing and a more youthful adult crowd make this a popular location for couples and groups of young adults. It’s a great place to meet new people and dance the night away!
The Now Resorts Difference
There’s no question that the Now Sapphire Rivera Cancun offered plenty of entertainment for the entire family. But what really made the resort such a wonderful choice for our family was the attentive and inclusive staff. From joining in to make a foursome so that my boys and I could all play foosball together to inviting Zackary and Benjamin to eat with them during the Caribbean buffet on the beach, we all felt like part of the Now Sapphire family while at the resort.
And with the Now Resorts Unlimited-Luxury experience, we also got to feel like royalty as we enjoyed the sunshine and the resort’s many experiences. I loved the fact that I could end my night with a drink created using top-shelf liquor, available at no extra charge. The boys adored the bar fridge in the room that was refilled with soda and water each day at no extra charge. And we all appreciated the friendly and attentive service, whether we were ordering drinks by the pool or dessert at a restaurant.
When it comes to Mexico travel, there’s no shortage of family-friendly resorts to choose from. But even with all the competition, the Now Sapphire managed to impress and stand out as a must-visit resort. And in my opinion, that is very much due to the incredible people that work there.
Fun activities, great entertainment and tasty meals are fairly common at all-inclusive resorts. Staff that genuinely care about the guests and their happiness are far less common. With winter weather here in full force, there’s no better time to pack your bags and head off for some sunshine. Check out the many amenities the Now Sapphire offers for yourself and get ready to experience a vacation you’ll remember forever!
Stephanie LaPlante says
Now that is where I’d like to be right now!
ginette4 says
Looks like an amazing place full of life but Mexico scares me to death..not sure if I could ever go to Mexico.
Paula Dumont says
I kind of feel the same way … because of all the negative publicity.
Kathy downey says
Wow,it sure looks like a great place to visit,lots of activities for parents and kids alike.My daughter loves mexico and visits every year !
Holly MacRitchie says
Looks like heaven! The pools are beautiful
Lynda Cook says
It’s so nice that the boys choose to go with you, and by reading your review there was never a dull moment, it’s great that everyone enjoyed themselves, and the pictures were awesome, looks like a great place, so stunning!!
Cheryl says
Looks like a blast there
kristen visser says
The Now Spa by Pevonia has my name all over it. gah looks so peaceful and relaxing
Karla Sceviour says
Looks like so much fun!!
Louise Gilbert says
looks wonderful. One day I will go there.
Michelle Elizondo says
I wish I would be blessed enough to take my family on vacation.
Cheryl says
Looks like an amazing spot. We were in Mexico before the kids came along I dream of going back each day! 🙂
Chandra O'Connor says
Love the huge pool! That’s where I’d be spending my days
Julie F says
I would love to be there right now, It looks amazing!
Daniela Plume says
It looks fantastic. I’ve always wanted to go. Perhaps next winter.
Grey Owl says
Sounds like you had a great time and that this would make a great family trip if the CAD is stable vs MXN.
sarah sar says
Great way to escape the dreadful winter! That pool looks fantastic.
Florence C says
Looks like a place I want to be right now with all the snow on the ground and cold weather. Love the pool.
Haroon Khan says
This sounds great!
K Yee says
Thank you for sharing your experience. This looks like a great place and those pools look incredibly inviting given the cloudy wet day here.
AD says
Looks like a beautiful, fun place! Plus, taking the kids to explore the world with you is so awesome; opens up their eyes to a larger and diverse reality of existence.
jan says
Just love that picture of your son doing the dance lessons. Get out there and participate!
LisaM says
I always dream of a warm weather vacation in mid-January!
rochelle haynes says
Love to travel here looks great
i have not been any where never travel
angela m says
Looks like a fantastic place to visit with the family.
jordan alice says
Whoa! This is super cool! What a wonderful place, I think I would rather do that than the adult side!
Jamie hall says
Looks like a beautiful place . Thanks for sharing
heidi c. says
This sounds like such a family-friendly resort. I would love to take my family there.
Debbie W says
Mexico is not high on my travel wish list, but it does look nice.
Tiffany M says
Looks so fun – what a great trip for the whole fam!
Karen says
So many wonderful family activities ! Would be a great vacation.
Tracy says
Its so nice that you get to take your kids with you,you are making great memories
Debbie White Beattie says
It looks like you had a great time, I’m jealous because I’d love to go where it’s warm
ruth moreira-lozon says
That looks like a super fun vacation!! Glad you enjoyed it. One day we will go as well…for now, we hang closer to home 🙂
Doris H says
Amazing! I would love to take a trip there!
Melinda Jana says
Looks like it’s the place to be for anyone of any age!
Silvia D says
looks like an awesome place to visit!
Wanda Tracey says
Your pictures are so beautiful and tell of a fantastic place to visit!!
It would be a perfect place to go on a family vacation.
Jeannie says
What an amazing place for a family vacation! This will have to be on our bucket travel list.
Carol M says
Looks awesome, would love to be there now with some blizzardly conditions here.
ivy pluchinsky says
That looks fun! I wish i was some place warm right now
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
A great review and this looks and sounds like a great place to take a vacation, fun for all. 🙂
Anne Taylor says
This place looks amazing! I could go for a dip in the pool right about now!
micheline says
I’m glad you had a great time, I’ll get to a resort on of these days.
kathy downey says
I’d love to go somewhere warm!