Avalon Reef Club, Isla Mujeres: hotel review
Shannon's Travel Bag: travel tips for women
SHANNON’S TRAVEL BAG: travel tips for women
Shannon Skinner visits the Avalon Reef Club, Isla Mujeres, Mexico that’s an island unto itself.
I have visited Isla Mujeres, Mexico on three separate occasions over the past two years. It has a wonderful energy and beauty that keeps calling me back. One of the other reasons I love returning is because the locals are so “sunny” — they smile A LOT. It was no exception with the staff at the Avalon Reef Club Isla Mujeres, whose sunny dispositions and wide-open smiles did not disappoint.
Photo: Aerial view of the resort located on an enchanting private islet that is attached to Isla Mujeres by a small wooden bridge. I felt like I had my own private island. Courtesy Avalon Reef Club
Located on the secluded island of Isla Mujeres, (“Woman Island”), just a 20 mins. ferry ride from Cancun, the Avalon Reef Club, a luxury hotel, sits on its own private islet. After arriving on Isla Mujeres, I took a taxi from the pier to the hotel, which took all of five minutes through the town. We drove along a small wooden bridge across a shallow channel of water to get to the property. Once there, I felt like I had my own private island. Given the name, it is as enchanting as one might expect.
Surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, the property offers a spectacular view of the water, amazing sunsets, enjoyment of powdery beaches, rejuvenation of the spirit and romance for those looking for a getaway.
Photo: spacious and modern lobby, complete with a billiards table; courtesy Avalon Reef Club
The amenities are ideal for weddings, retreats, seminars and conferences. I had attended the We Move Forward 2012 International Women’s Day three-day conference (March 8-10 2012) that was held in the property’s event centre. I attended representing my web TV show, Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner, that was the event’s media partner. The event centre itself was located outside the main building, and is circular in shape and bright with lots of windows. (Considering Isla Mujeres means the “Women Island,” I thought it was the perfect setting for such an event.) We were well taken care of by the staff. So if you run retreats or seminars for women, I highly recommend this venue.
Photo: the event centre; courtesy Avalon Reef Club
The hotel offers standard hotel rooms and suites, and also Spanish-style studios that have a few alcoves and a gazebo situated next to the water with a breathtaking view. All rooms in the tower have an ocean view. My room was a standard one. It had everything I needed for my five night stay, including the soothing sound of the rolling waves underneath my window. For small groups, the studios might be an ideal choice.
To me, a hotel’s staff can make or break a stay. The staff at the Avalon Reef Club were friendly, courteous and helpful. In fact, one of the staff at the desk graciously went beyond the line of duty to help me book transportation to the airport from the ferry.
Photo: the Spanish-style studios along the water; courtesy Avalon Reef Club
There are a few restaurant/bar options on-site offering tasty Mexican and international food, although the service was a bit tardy. However, I was in no rush so my patience was not tested.
The hotel’s natural swimming pool looked so inviting, though I did not have time to dip my toe in it, let alone enjoy it, sadly.
The only drawback about this venue to me is that it is quiet at night (especially if you enjoy nightlife). But, depending on your values, this may be a benefit. The hotel is only a 10 mins. walk to bars and restaurants, and the benefit is you can retreat to peace and quiet after a night out.
Photo: the beaches are sugar-white and feel great under the feet, especially on early morning walks; courtesy Avalon Reef Club
The hotel manager, Diana Arriaga, speaks English and is highly resourceful and eager to ensure you enjoy your stay.
For solo women: consider not wearing the wristband that the hotel supplies and instead keeping it in your wallet and showing it when you are required to, rather than walking around the town with it on your wrist. Just be aware the town is small and the wristband does identify where you are staying.
And a note about safety: while there is fear about traveling to Mexico, I have felt perfectly safe traveling solo as a woman to this island on three occasions now. When I asked many of the locals why they live on the island, they all said they felt “safe.” A contributing factor, I learned, is the presence of the Mexican navy base.
Price From: $95-120+ Cdn (inquire about rates and specials)
Who goes? Singles, couples and families.
Style/Character: beach-resort, bed & breakfast/European plan
Service/Staff: Friendly, resourceful, helpful, English-speaking staff – and they smiled a lot.
Rooms: Standard, suites and studios.
Food/Drink: A few restaurant and bar options.
Value for Money: yes
Women traveling solo-friendly: Yes. Consider not wearing the wristband and instead keeping it on your wallet and showing it when you are required to. Inquire about single supplements for hotel rooms.
Family-friendly: yes
Amenities: great for holding weddings, seminars, retreats or conferences, especially for women. There is an on-site spa/salon.
Disabled Access: yes
Local shopping: Lots of shopping is walking distance, in the town’s center.
Where to eat: In the town’s centre, check out Como-No (“Why Not?”), an inviting restaurant/bar that is owned/operated by Canadian Penny Deming, which has a terrific roof patio and entertainment. Barlito offers healthy, inexpensive food. La Luna is a spacious bar/restaurant (Canadian owned/operated).
What not to miss: The Mayan temple to the goddess Ixchel, on the south end of the island.
Nightlife: Check out La Luna Bar and Como-No (rooftop patio) in the town’s centre.
Reservations: http://avalonvacations.com/hotels/avalon_reef_isla_mujeres/
Location: north beach, Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
© Shannon Skinner 2012
special report International Women’s Day We Move Forward 2012, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
I recently attended the We Move Forward 2012 International Women’s Day event, which took place March 8-10, 2012 on Isla Mujeres (“Woman Island”), Mexico. I asked a number of the speakers and participants this question: What does it mean to be a woman?
Here’s what they had to say:
The wind proved to be somewhat of a challenge for recording (hey, it’s an island after all!).
Most of the footage was shot on location at the Avalon Reef Club Isla Mujeres, and also at the island’s north end at the Mayan ruins of the temple Ixchel.
My show, Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner, is the proud media partner.
Moving forward, using all my breath…
This past week, I was in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, attending the We Move Forward 2012 International Women’s Day event. The reason this event was so significant is its location: Isla Mujeres means “Woman Island” in Spanish. The event brought together dozens of women from across Canada, the United States, Mexico and other destinations, to hear some incredible speakers and storytellers, share their visions, and celebrate being a woman.
I attended representing “Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner,” the event’s media partner. When I first heard about this event several months ago, I wanted to be involved, since I had been to Isla Mujeres and fell in love with it, and resonated with the concept of bringing women together for IWD.
The event, which had a spiritual retreat flavour, took place at the wonderful Avalon Reef Club resort and focused on the central theme: moving forward.
(photo: courtesy of Avalon Reef Club Isla Mujeres, Mexico)
It was a success! So many people involved deserve a special thanks — far too many to be named individually in one blog post. So I will say KUDOS to ALL involved. And one big round of applause for Janeen Halliwell, who conceived and spearheaded the event.
(photo: Janeen Halliwell)
The event kicked off with cocktails at CoMoNo (“Why Not?”), owned and operated by Canadian Penny Deming. Each day started with a mindful movement session conducted by wonderful practitioners, followed by a yummy, healthy breakfast (sponsored by Barlito’s), then a day filled with speakers and storytellers.The featured speakers really touched hearts – thanks to: Monica Parker, Kristin Crowe, Judith Jenya and Elizabeth Mahon.
The facilitators were amazing: Janeen Halliwell, Christie Andrus and Cathy & Ed McKenzie.
(photo: Janeen and Katie, closing ceremony dinner)
The storytellers added another layer of depth and entertainment – kudos to: Alison Sawyer Current, Molly Fisher, Pamela Maddox, and Lorna Tychostup. One of the highlights was a special ceremony conducted by Mayan Elder, Mary Coba, who took us through a traditional Mayan ceremony, honouring the earth and elements.
(photo: Mary Coba, Mayan elder, conducting traditional Mayan ceremony)
(photo: the room where the event was held at the Avalon Reef Club Isla Mujeres)
There was a fiesta in the town square, dancing and a wonderful closing ceremony and dinner. And, of course, a little time to enjoy the sights.
(photo: the waves are soothing)
Hats off to the Avalon Reef Club for outstanding service, and especially the hotel’s general manager, Diana Arriaga.
Many women had breakthroughs during the event. I gleaned some of my own personal insights that I will share over the next while, but in the meantime, here’s something to whet your appetite:
1. It’s not always about business, even when it is business: Even when we attend events to network and potentially land business for ourselves, sometimes the gift you get from a business association may not business-related at all. Sometimes it is as simple as an idea of a way of life for yourself, or a new friend.
2. Everyone is needed: No matter what your background is, what clothing size you wear, what preferences you have, or what job or career you have, everyone has a role in society and we need everyone to make it happen.
3. Sometimes you just need to rest: Unfortunately, I caught a nasty cold mid-way through the week on Isla Mujeres. I did something unusual while traveling: I rested, so I could let my body heal.
Overall, my personal take-away from the event is this: I’m moving forward, using all my breath (as sung by Modern English) … I have a bigger dream and vision for myself, and having attended this event and gleaned some extraordinary insights, I will put all my energy into those forward steps.
Give this a whirl: so what steps will you take this week to move forward with your dream?
Stay tuned for more to come in the series.
© Shannon Skinner 2012
