When your wedding rolls around, you want to create fabulous memories, take beautiful pictures, and start a wonderful life with your love. Well, whether you are considering a destination wedding or looking for a place to honeymoon, The Reef Playacar in Mexico fits the bill perfectly! With its lush landscape and gorgeous beach, it’s the ideal place for the couple who wants to say, “I do,” away from home.
This post is in partnership with The Reef Playacar, which I personally visited and thoroughly enjoyed!
Beachfront Resort – The Reef Playacar
Whether you are planning a destination wedding or honeymoon, the idea is to be in a stunning location while being able to relax and enjoy the time spent in a new place. The Reef Playacar is perfect for you – and your guests – to gather in sunny Mexico. Whether you decide to lounge by the beach, take a dip in the pool, sing karaoke, feast on Yucatan food, or explore the area outside of the resort by bike, there are plenty of ways to pass time at this all-inclusive resort. Here are a few of my favorites!
Relax on the Beach
Does hearing “beachfront” make you curious about the views? Well, wonder no more! The ocean is lovely (don’t miss the dusky photo below), and there are comfy beach chairs for lounging. It’s the perfect area for listening to the waves and catching a few rays (but wear sunscreen!).
Lounge by the Pools
Does a swim-up bar sound fun? Well, it is! Add in poolside cabanas and the chance to do water aerobics (only if you choose!), and you are all set to relax, have a drink, and then burn off those calories all in one spot. Also, as an all-inclusive resort, your food and beverages are…well, all included!
Explore the Grounds
One pleasant surprise about The Reef Playacar is the natural areas. Yes, you expect beaches and pools at a resort in Mexico, but the fact that there are native plants that create a refuge within the resort is so unexpected.
It creates a sense of peace and relaxation, which offers such a respite. Just look at how gorgeous it is (my husband is looking pretty cute, too)!
Don’t miss teatime!
We were actually served afternoon tea in this gorgeous area below (which is also fab for an intimate wedding!). Regular teas were offered along with a spiked version that was actually lit on fire. So fun!
Get Acquainted with the Buildings
Of course, once you get there, there are plenty of spots to get familiar with. Below you will see the lobby, the main eating area for breakfast and lunch, and a view of our cozy room with a balcony.
The meals were delicious, and there are several restaurants and bars to choose from depending on what you are in the mood to eat. Yum!
Say “Hi” to the Critters
Love animals? In addition to having lush greenery, The Reef Playacar is visited by some fun members of the animal kingdom. Of course, you may see a harmless iguana or a few birds in the trees, but having a kitty is a big plus. One you may not be so familiar with is the sereque (or agouti), which looks like a large squirrel without a tail (my assessment). All of the animals are harmless (unless you provoke them, of course), and they add to the lovely, peaceful environment of the resort.
Explore Off-site of The Reef Playacar
Want to wander outside of the resort? We did! Bikes are available, and you can choose to shop, head to local sites, or just ride around for exercise. One interesting place was Xaman-Ha with 3000-year-old ruins. What a gorgeous place to explore, be in the shade, and take photos.
We didn’t take advantage of this, but The Reef Playacar can arrange excursions such as golf, land rover expeditions, and heading to historic sites. Take a peek at all there is to do here! We chose to just enjoy the resort, swim, eat, and drink, besides our one foray with the bikes.
Also of note…
The logo for The Reef Resorts is everywhere. It’s beautifully and tastefully incorporated into designs, and I didn’t even realize that the coral spelled out “The Reef” in the middle until it was pointed out to me. You can see it in the sign below. What a creative logo design!
Ok, on to our bike ride…
Weddings at The Reef Playacar
If all of the above didn’t convince you that you and your guests will have an amazing time, take a peek at the images below of real weddings at The Reef Playacar. Ceremonies are perfect on the beach, and the intimate deck area below is serene for a more intimate ceremony or bridal shower.
The resort has dedicated wedding planners that are able to craft the event of your dreams. They can work to design a delicious menu within your budget, and help guide you to local vendors. Plus, your guests receive a group rate. Click here to see all of their wedding offerings and honeymoon options (which include time at the spa for newlyweds!).
photo by That Moment Photo
My Take on The Reef Playacar
My husband and I had the opportunity to visit The Reef Playacar (and The Reef 28 – see here), and we had the most relaxing time. As I said, we chose to really enjoy the resort itself and sleep in, dine at their different restaurants, enjoy the beach, and – yes – even take a water aerobics class (mostly because the instructor was SO energetic and fun).
Here are a few reasons I fell in love with The Reef Playacar.
- It is a boutique chain. I love supporting local and small. I enjoy supporting boutique brands, and The Reef Resorts fits the bill well. They have 3 all-inclusive resorts with impeccable service, delicious food, and on-site activities to enjoy.
- The serenity. I’ve shown you the beach, wildlife, and the natural area. It all combines to create such a feeling of relaxation and peacefulness. Reading a book on the beach is a totally different experience than sitting on your deck amidst the shade trees – and both are equally as enjoyable.
- There are unique experiences in one location. The nightly entertainment was fun! We did karaoke one night and then watched a carnival-like show the next. They have afternoon tea (spiked tea if you please!) and a small ice cream shop. Again, there are the pools, the beach, and the fabulous food with varying cuisines. You really don’t have to leave the resort unless you want to.
- They have amazing food and drinks. All-inclusive definitely means that you can try new flavors! The restaurants were creative with their added touches, and I LOVE that. They put in so much effort even though the food is included. And – of course – testing out new beverages is fun, too. Whether you need a nightcap or a refreshing drink during a day in the sun, you can order whatever you’d like!
As final thoughts, I want to say that bigger isn’t always better.
Some may fear that a smaller resort may not have the amenities, food options, or service that a chain resort may have, but I found just the opposite. The attention to detail in the food, decor and hospitality was flawless.
