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INTERVAL WORLD Summer 2015 IntervalWorld.com
s the airport shuttle approaches the grounds of Le Blanc
Spa Resort, I feel a growing sense of awe. Nestled between the
Nichupté Lagoon and the Caribbean Sea on an exquisite stretch of
beach, the AAA Five Diamond, all-inclusive, adults-only property is
known for its chic design, high level of service (the employee-guest
ratio is reportedly almost one-to-one), 19-room spa, four white-linen
restaurants, and multiple pools. Modern, flowing lines highlight the
property’s architecture, and soft accent lights play off an airy, off-white
lobby with diaphanous drapes that separate the check-in and waiting
areas. My wife, Kat, and I are given sweet coconut milk and intro-
duced to our butler, Israel. From arranging dining reservations and
outings to the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá and Tulum to perfectly
preparing bubble baths, each of Le Blanc’s butlers — there’s one for
every guest floor —attends to the needs and desires of visitors.
Israel welcomes us and shows us to our room, a corner suite
with two sliding doors overlooking the stunning turquoise sea
below. The 260 rooms throughout Le Blanc’s triangular tower fea-
ture a host of fabulous comforts, including two-person jetted tubs;
mirrors with embedded televisions; Bulgari amenities; dual side-
by-side showers with multiple nozzles; a replenishing minibar full
of water, sodas, snacks, and beer; and a pull-out bar featuring pre-
mium liquors including Johnnie Walker Black Label. Combine that
with unlimited, full-menu room service and the swoon-worthy views
of the water and beach below from our sixth-story balcony perch,
and once settled in, we decide this would be one of the best vaca-
tions of our lives — even if we never left the room.
“This is how rock stars live,” Kat muses, as a gentle ocean
breeze plays with the curtains in front of our open balcony door.
“I’m almost afraid to get used to this. Almost.”
True, at first we were a little uncomfortable with being treated
like royalty at every turn, but we quickly adjust. This is, after all, why
we keep returning to all-inclusive vacations: For an upfront price,
we don’t touch our wallets for the rest of the week. Every drink,
meal, amenity, and courtesy is included, with no extra expectation
of tipping or additional payment. It’s obvious Le Blanc takes excel-
lent care of its staff, and that they enjoy meeting people from all over
the world. Israel gets a kick out of helping me with my less-than-
perfect Spanish. He and all of the staff speak excellent English.
Soon we melt into the unstructured rhythm of living the life all-
inclusive at Le Blanc. Our biggest decisions include which room
scent to select for the day (vanilla or sandalwood) and whether to
go with a lavender- or chamomile-scented pillow for the evening.
Steve Larese
Travel writer Steve Larese shares his high-end