Senator Ted Cruz will probably never win any awards for compassion. He abandoned his home state of Texas during the middle of a crisis when thousands are suffering, jetting off for a beach vacation on the sunny shores of the Mexican Caribbean — and only changed his plans and expressed regret after he got caught.
The ethics and optics of an elected official abandoning his constituents during one of the state’s greatest disasters are inarguably bad. I’ll leave the full judgment on Cruz’s hypocrisy and self-indulgent actions to political pundits. Since this is a travel blog, let’s focus on the hotel he’d chosen: The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun. Since he cut his trip short, the self-indulgent Texan missed out on a bunch of noteworthy aspects of this lovely Mexico beach resort, which is one of the top luxury hotels in Cancun. The property offers an array of amenities and experiences that appeal to a variety of sun-seeking vacationers — not just elected officials who are looking to escape serving the people who elected them.
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(Pandemic travel note: Not everyone should be traveling during the pandemic, and if you decide to travel, you should be aware of the hygiene and safety protocols in the destination you visit. The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun follows guidelines from parent company Marriott International as well as from the state of Quintana Roo. You can also check out the multiple posts I’ve done on this travel blog about how to travel safe during the pandemic.)
Here are 6 things that Ted Cruz missed at the Ritz-Carlton, Cancun hotel since he left early (poor boy. If you go, be sure to stay longer — and don’t go if there are people at home who need your support).
- Gourmet cuisine. The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun is home to a variety of restaurants, including the Club Grill and Fantino, which were recently recognized as some of the best restaurants in the world by LA Liste 2020, a Paris-based roundup of 1,000 of the planet’s best restaurants . The Club Grill offers delicacies like filet mignon and soufflés, and its champagne bar serves a range of Tattinger Nocturne cocktails and a signature champagne margarita. Mediterranean cuisine is the big draw at Fantino, which offers a six-course tasting menu among its tempting options.
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2. Luxurious accommodations. I’m not sure which type of room the selfish senator chose for his abbreviated stay, but the Ritz-Carlton, Cancun has plenty of swanky options. The Ritz-Carlton suite has a fully equipped kitchen, private living room, king-size bedroom, luxurious dining room for capacity for eight people, private terrace with Jacuzzi and floor-to-ceiling windows with beach view.
3. Spa treatments. If you’ve already abandoned those who need you back home, why not treat yourself to a sumptuous spa treatment? The Ritz-Carlton Spa features an array of experiences inspired by ancient Mayan traditions, including body scrubs with essential oils and a Mayan Sanctuary Ritual performed with seashells on the spa’s private beachfront terrace.
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4. Fun for the kids. Cruz supposedly fled to Cancun just to please his daughters, right? Well, the little ones can certainly find lots to love at this Mexico luxury hotel. Ritz Kids, the on-site children’s club, offers supervised activities for kids age four to 12 — including a kids camp, treasure hunts, and a “kids night out” program (complete with dinner, arts and crafts and a party) designed to give parents an opportunity to enjoy some much-needed time alone.
5. Unique culinary experiences. The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun offers more than just great restaurants. Its also home to a Culinary Center, where guests can sign up for interactive experiences like cooking classes and tastings. It’s an interesting way to immerse yourself even more in the flavors of Cancun.
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6. Engaging excursions. There are lots of reasons to leave the hotel property to explore the wonders of Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Among the must-see attractions are the Mayan ruins of Tulum, Cobá and Chichén-Itzá, while beautiful cenotes — natural sinkholes that dot the Yucatan peninsula — offer one-of-a-kind experiences for exploring, swimming and snorkeling.
COVER PHOTO: Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, courtesy of the hotel.