Shhhhh, it's a secret, sexy, adults-only resort in Mexico
Planning any fun winter vacations?
I'm excited about an upcoming trip to Mexico. My superfine girlfriend (SG) wrote a travel story that won her a trip-for-2 to an all-inclusive resort in Huatulco. And instead of taking her boss, a family member, or some secret Craigslist lover, she's invited me to come along.
Did both these people come to Huatulco with somebody else?
I'd never heard of Huatulco (pronounced wah-tool-co) before but the Internet assures me it's a real place. Huatulco is a new 5-star resort destination located in the state of Oaxaca (whah-ha-ka) on Mexico's southern Pacific coast, about 500 kilometers southeast of Acapulco and 900 km northwest of Guatemala City. Huatulco gets 330 days of sunshine a year and pretty much hovers at 30 degrees Celsius each day.
The travel writing contest was held by Wanderlust and Lipstick, "Your destination for women's travel," which features travel stories written exclusively by women. The site's editor, Beth Whitman, is certainly a veteran traveller. She's been threatened by Nicaraguan motorcycle cops and had a hand grenade pulled on her in Cambodia.
Meanwhile my SG's travel story -- on how she ran in a wine-tasting marathon near Bordeaux -- beat 250 other entrants to win Wanderlust and Lipstick's first prize of a 1-week stay at Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa. Great prize, hey?
But I've got mixed feelings on the resort. On one hand, I'm happy to enjoy such a cool prize and thrilled to escape this freezing winter. On the other hand, I'm wary of the hardbodies who'll be sunbathing around us. Secrets is an adults-only property that, judging by the slick bronzed bodies on their website, looks like it's crawling with swingers. Even my mom thinks so. Check these people out:
Nothing but hot young couples who can barely keep their mitts off each other, you, me, and my SG. There's even a swinging bed on the beach!
Granted, Secrets' guests probably don't all look like these lithe sunbathers. As my friend Jim says, "It's too bad that by the time most people can afford to go to a place like this, they no longer look like the models on the website."
A week at Secrets costs anywhere from $1,771.77 USD ($1,746.79 CDN) for a Junior Suite with a double jacuzzi, to $12,402.60 USD ($12,227.72 CDN) for a week in their Preferred Two-Level Presidential Suite Swim-Out. Those are July prices, by the way. Expect to pay another $200-300 in January, February, or March.
Our roundtrip flight from Vancouver to Huatulco (which wasn't included in the prize) cost $625 each, taxes included. Not bad, given that Mexico is one of the most gorgeous destinations on Earth and Huatulco is a relatively new resort destination. It's certainly not commonplace and played out like, say, Acapulco or Cancun. Most roundtrip flights from Canada cost $1,000 or more, not including a $30 taxi ride from the airport to the resort.
Ah, but according to the website, it's all worth it when you set foot on their sparkly shoreline.
"As though carved into the foothills of the coastline where it hugs the glistening shores of the Conejos Bay, there sits a place where even doing nothing is amazing," coos the Secrets website.
"With its golden sand, beautiful rock formations and sapphire waters, Conejos Bay welcomes the adults-only Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa. Here, the exceptional amenities and services of Unlimited-Luxury® await, beginning with unlimited food and top-shelf spirits from eight reservation-free, gourmet restaurants and four stylish bars and lounges." There will be "nightly theme parties", pool and beach wait service, and "24-hour room and concierge service. All of it without wristbands."
In other words: it's a bacchanalian orgy without any screaming kids, and all the Grey Goose and Patrón tequila you can pour past your decadent, sunburned lips. And if that somehow gets dull, there's a Canadian-owned sports bar in town called (wait for it) Señor Pucks.
How do you feel about adults-only resorts? If you won a week at Secrets Huatulco, how would you enjoy your stay?
Would you mix & mingle (hint hint) or steer clear of everyone except your bartenders and your spouse as you sit uncomfortably together on a boulder?
-- Ken Hegan
Bing: the world's best luxury adults-only resorts
Read more of Ken’s MSN travel stories here
Follow Ken on Twitter: @KenHegan
Photos supplied by Secrets Huatulco
Comments
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Posted by: Louise | 2013-01-05 1:03:24 AM
Yeah that all sounds nice, but just dont get robbed killed down there !
Posted by: suzie | 2013-01-05 2:01:00 AM
i would love adult only resort but i dont want to worry about getting hit on or my husband ! i dont think i want to watch other poeple making out ethier but it would be great to not listen to kids and party all night !!
Posted by: Gary | 2013-01-05 2:32:33 AM
I would not be that worried about the swinging or "orgies". I've been to resorts like these and they are perfectly fine, nothing for you to worry about on that front.
The resorts want their guests to feel comfortable and return, they will inform you of how things work there in terms of "swinging or the lifestyle". Don't be in such and such an area after 10pm that's where people who want to swing hang out for example. Swinger or Lifestyle clubs will usually block out a week at a resort where average joe cannot get in otherwise known as a "Hotel Takeover" That'd be about the only time an orgy would happen.
As for the location I would research it a bit, the trouble spots in response to Louise's comments are in the boarder towns in the north and south where the drug trade is. Where this resort is located is relatively close to the Guatemala border but a little west so it could be safe. Plus the "resort areas" in the country are pretty well protected see if there are other resorts in the area and that should give you an idea if it is well protected. A resort with no others around for miles I would skip or stay on the resort the whole time.
Posted by: Kevin | 2013-01-05 3:37:54 AM
This article is written like it's an advertisment for the resort. Is this the level of journalism that we can expect from now on? What is the real issue at hand here? What is the point of this article?
Hegan, you live in Vancouver, you're going to the resort... great. How about writing an article that's actually written for others to follow along to. I would guess reading this article is like reading your 'Dear diary' entries.
Posted by: Spike | 2013-01-05 5:36:03 AM
What a boring let down of an article. No continuity, no excitement, and not a heck of a lot of fact checking. There are soooo many things to talk about in the Huatulco area, it's truly one of the "last" paradises on the continent. There are many things to do, for both singles and couples and couples with kids, and yet all you talk of is swinging beds and big boulders on the beach, and Canadian tequila and vodka brands. And, no, it is not a "new resort", the area has been slowly developing since the early 70's. That's probably older than the writer is. It does not have the mega towers of other Mexican destinations, but it does have clean water, clean rivers, clean air and the most amazingly friendly local population. And the only venue mentioned outside of Secrets is Senor Pucks? Seriously? What, did they buy you a cervasa, or is the Canadian owner a friend? There are numerous places in the neighbouring towns of Santa Cruz and Crucecitas that any single person would enjoy. C'mon, MSN, I'm sure you can do better, this article is a load of crap, the only well written parts are what is plagiarized from the resort's brochure. If you are going to headline a destination on your (my) homepage, then please, have the writer put some effort and skill into it, and maybe do a little research before sharing his tourista brochure based information with us. What a let down.
Posted by: Spike | 2013-01-05 5:47:41 AM
Louise @: "Yeah that all sounds nice, but just dont get robbed killed down there!" NICE. Not very original, though. Here's an idea... why don't you visit, instead of pre-judging? We feel safer at night in the Huatulco area than we have ever felt in ANY Canadian city or town, and we love Canada. If you are planning on getting stupido drunk and falling down and attracting attention on the street or in your resort compound, you can PLAN on getting robbed and beaten and maybe killed, but, hey, you can do that, well, ANYwhere. You don't need to spend the money on airfare. Just buy more tequila than you should probably drink in a year, chug it down at your own local pub in your own home town, and then wander through the streets singing Los Lobos songs badly. How's that beating going for ya? Louise, come visit. It is a wonderful place, it would do your heart, soul and attitude some good! :)
Posted by: Warren | 2013-01-05 6:28:16 AM
my wife and I were there last year (end of March) its a beautiful resort weather is very warm no rain for the 2 weeks we were there.This resort is some what remote so beaches have very few vendors.down side is the water has a strong current and we weren't allowed to go swimming.
Posted by: Gerry | 2013-01-05 9:04:16 AM
My wife and I just got back from two weeks at Villa Premiere in P.V., which is also an adult only resort. All that meant was no screaming kids. The bar shuts down at 11p.m. This was a different resort that the one in the above story. We loved how great it was and had full access to a very close resort that allowed kids if we wanted to stay up later. P.V. seemed very safe for us, as we walked around many evenings till very late along the malecon and side streets as well. Fells much safer there than walking around Edmonton at night, which we would not try. This was our fourth time there since 1999, and sure hope we can go back again.
Posted by: Rob | 2013-01-05 9:25:11 AM
Spike - There is a reason that Louise and many other Canadians have an image of Mexico that makes us want to avoid going there. Mexico depends on tourist dollars, and a few drug lords and assorted criminals have destroyed their economic bonus. It may be a beautiful place and there may be only certain places where criminal acts take place to people who aren't "careful" but we shouldn't have to be on our gaurd when we travel to a place to enjoy ourselves. The Mexican government would do well to clean up the corruption and put a plan in place that makes it safe for tourists once again. If the residents of a country want to attract tourist dollars then they need to learn how to make them feel welcome. When I am bombarded by vendors to buy this trinket or that souvenir the minute I step off the plane, then guess what - I am not coming back a second time. I understand that some of these people live in extreme poverty and for them preying on tourists, be it selling trinkets or robbing them at gun point is their only way to survive, but it just chases away visitors to a safer destination.
Posted by: Herry69 | 2013-01-05 9:34:59 AM
too expensive. must be for the 1%.
Posted by: Atticus | 2013-01-05 9:35:35 AM
Talk about mailing in your job. You read a website about a prize your girlfriend won(apparently a better journalist than yourself). You insinuate a non-stop orgy of beautifull people because they don't allow children. What are you 16? I have stayed at many resorts. The lack of children at adults only resorts is a very nice bonus. If the resort caters to swingers and desparte lonely people they don't mess around in thier advertising (see Hedonism for example). Go to the resort. Write a story about doing something. Go back to school and learn that in order to tell others about what is out in the world you must leave your parent's basement.
Posted by: laur | 2013-01-05 9:48:25 AM
adults-only does not mean swingers. How would one even come to that conclusion? Sandals resorts are adults-only, but not for swingers. Its nice to not have to worry about kids. Theme nights included a white night, Jamaican night...not sex night. Obviously you need to get out more.
Posted by: Angie | 2013-01-05 10:03:53 AM
I've been to a couple 'adults only' resorts, Mexico, Cuba,Domenican Republic,,,, they were just free of screaming kids. They were alot quieter and more relaxing resorts.
There may be some tourists with public affection towards eachother but that is everywhere, and I have Never seen any 'swinging' going on.
I believe those types of resorts are the 'hedonism' resorts which are for the more 'wild' adults.
And I know a very 'Reserved' professional mature couple who have been to the Secrets resort in Mexico a couple times and would NEVER go to a resort of swinging or wild sex nightlife.
Posted by: Cin | 2013-01-05 11:11:47 AM
Umm, I am not sure why you would think Secrets is a swingers club or that adults only refers to that type of resort. My husband and I go to the Excellence (old secrets chain) every year and not once has there even been a slight miniscul indication that this is the type of resort that offers swinging. I think that you are hoping it is this type of resort oryou are just completely immature...your SG should rethink bringing you and bring someone who has higher intellegence.
Posted by: john | 2013-01-05 11:17:14 AM
I agree this article was written in a lazy fashion, not really bothering to check facts etc
The sleepy towns of Santa Cruz and Crucecitas are very nice to visit but hardly the whole picture. South of those areas, a 6 dollar c b ride away, is the town of of Copalita and an ecological park/museum. Well worth spending the day exploring.
And a few small towns on the beach where you can get a drink, meal and some handmade crafts.
My wife and I stayed at the Crown Pacific twice, and while there the first time, a couple we both knew were staying nearby and had drinks with us our second night there and told us they were in an place where they organized swinging evenings and they invited us. They said we could leave any time, just watch, be watched or mix it up with other couples
Not much happened at first: drinks, dinner and some dancing before things started happening.
The couples were mostly like us: older mature couples who'd been together a while, not like the young couples in the article. Once 9PM arrived, people made the rounds to others they knew or people like us who they'd never seen before.
Some hammocks were being commandeered for sex swings and the four of us watched an few couples having foreplay. Once things got a bit more interesting, the couple who invited us took their turn in the swings.
This was my wife's first time watching others like this and she felt comfortable enough to let other watch us but not to otherwise interact. We left around 1130PM and stayed up late satisfying our urges.
We did go farther the night we were invited and even did some touching of other people in public before retiring to their rooms to actually swap. We still meet with this couple every few months to continue this and plan to go back as their guest for an entire week of this with them
We only watched the first night but accepted a invite for a few other evenings over there
Posted by: dissapointed... | 2013-01-05 11:26:35 AM
How about writing an article after you've actually taken the vacation and have something real to write about instead of just guessing???
Posted by: Linda | 2013-01-05 11:33:48 AM
I've been to the resort right across the bay from here and you have nothing to worry about. The location is fantastic I have never been anywhere better than this for the heat! The pools are like a bathtub..People we know went to the Secrets and there is no swinging going on that they saw. Adults only resorts I have been to in the past are more for people that don't want lot's of kids running around. It is supposed to be very safe to travel out of the resort here but I'm still leary about going anywhere in Mexico.
Posted by: Angie | 2013-01-05 11:43:04 AM
The ignorance of people in this day and age is amazing to me. The people that comment about getting killed or robbed in Mexico are the one's that have never been there. I travel to Mexico at least once a year and feel 100% safe and protected. If you act like an drunk and ignorant idiot......you may be looking for trouble, but that is the same anywhere isn't it? If you consider the thousands and thousands of Canadians travelling to Mexico on a daily basis and that tiny percentage that has some trouble, I think thats a pretty good number don't you? I'm glad those uneducated people stay home anyways because they would be the one's drunk and making asses of themselves anyways!
Posted by: Ashley | 2013-01-05 12:01:03 PM
Most of the previous commenters need to pull their heads out of their A$$. Secrets is not a swinger resort, its a 5 star resort line that is stunning that just does not allow kids. The only adults only swinger resorts in mexico are Desire Resorts and Hidden Beach and even then they are actually AU Natural. Secrets is so not that. Actually most people there are too stuffy to even talk to one another. And Mexico is very safe. I have to remember not to go to America cuz of the sandy hook thing now too.
Posted by: Mamacita | 2013-01-05 12:16:33 PM
what kind of joke is this article??
Posted by: Eric | 2013-01-05 12:39:02 PM
Hey Ken... great article.... totally shows your understanding of..... Oh. Wait... wrong Ken...
What a load of crapola.... You know nothing of travel and resorts.... I have been to numerous "adults only" resorts and they are nothing like what you are trying to insinuate .... Your "wink winks" only solidify the extent of your true journalism ability and lack of any maturity...
Your superfine girlfriend really should have left you home and taken her Craigslist lover.... surely he couldn't be as much an uninformed idot as you portray yourself to be. Did you also win the opportunity to write for MSN? Perhaps in a Drink til you're Stupid game?
Like others here, I have been to Huatulco several times and find it totally safe and the people extremely friendly. I also agree that it doesn't matter where you go, be it downtown Red Deer, stay street smart and enjoy a wonderful tropical holiday.
Posted by: Vancouver | 2013-01-05 1:40:26 PM
I just came back from a different Secrets Resort in Mexico with two of my girlfriends. While I'm sure at every resort there is a certain amount of Hanky-panky it is NOT a swingers club. Resorts that cater to that crowd are out there (think Hedonism Jamaica) but from my experience Secrets really is just a luxurious "adult only" resort.... as in people who don't want kids crying during dinner, splashing them while they are sunbathing ect....
Posted by: Lucy | 2013-01-05 2:00:33 PM
What a waste of space your article has taken up. For those of us who take our vacations seriously, what an absolute letdown. It really goes to show, if you wish to be taken seriously you actually have to experience the experience. I hope you plan to be a more gracious and avid companion, cause you sound like a real ignoramious. Perhaps your SP should consider taking someone who would not interpret an alduts only resort as something else, and actually appreciate the experience. We just spent a week @ smaller Secrets resort in Mexico (only 180 rooms) and it was wonderful. What an amazing strategy. No screaming or whining kids. No exasperated parents. We never ran across any cranky people. This resort name knows how to extend every comfort. The beds were comfy, rooms were easy to share with your spouse, The food choices were not only excellent but delicious. We left relaxed, restored, and felt very pampered. We'll go back. Oh, and this was our first visit to Mexico.
Posted by: Jule Rright | 2013-01-05 2:02:32 PM
I have also been to Huatulco many times as well and familiar with this resort.. At no time, did I see anything going on like the author states..Yes, it is an adults only..which means just that..no kids crying or swimming in the Adult pool when they shouldn't be there..This place is heaven on earth and I hope it stays that way..
Posted by: cudabeen | 2013-01-05 2:07:49 PM
I went to the website from the link on this article, and i don't see a "swingers" thing at all. My wife and i went to a Secrets adult only resort in the Punta Cana region of the Dominican Republic a few years ago and i assume this resort is the same version. All that these resorts are is higher end kid free all inclusive resorts, and i would go back in a flash except they are more expensive. I have no idea what this article is about and other than the geographics i think the writer didn't do his homework! I getting tired of this cheesy stuff on msn, im thinking i will change my hompage to a higher end kid free homepage!