Resort Review: Azul Sensatori by Karisma | Puerto Morales, Mexico

Beachfront at Azul Sensatori

While staying at Azul Fives, I had the chance to visit a few other Karisma properties including Azul Sensatori in Puerto Morales.  This Gourmet Inclusive resort concept by Karisma is designed to allow couples, groups, wedding parties, families, and friends from all generations reconnect under the sun in Mexico.  Located only 20 minutes south of the airport in Cancun, a visit to Azul Sensatori is a destination in itself for this resort as there isn’t much to do in the surrounding area.  So if you’re looking for a beach getaway where you can relax, unwind, have drinks by the pool, and get a massage in the Spa, this is the place for you.

Lobby

When you enter the resort, you’ll know you’re in the right place immediately as your eyes pass from the seating to the stores to the front desk.  I was there in December and it was already decorated with poinsettias, angels, and Christmas trees.

ACCOMMODATIONS: With 435 spacious suites, there is absolutely something for everyone.  Buildings are divided into Azul, Family, Premium, and Adults-Only.

Premium has upgraded amenities and services, including pre-arrival concierge services, champagne, flowers and fruit basket in room on arrival, pillow menu, private area concierge and aromatherapy menu, rooms with ocean or pool views.  This building is smaller and has its own private pool and complimentary wifi in guest rooms.

Suites can accommodate from two people in the Junior Suites to four people (2 adults and 2 children or 3 adults and one child) in the Luxury or Family Suites all the way up to six people in the Connecting Suites (two oversized suites located in the Family section).  Suites can be Ocean View, Swim Up, or Jacuzzi.

View from a suite onto the beach

If you really want to splurge for a group of six, consider the Two Bedroom Presidencial Suite located on the 4th floor of the Premium Section complete with private check in, champagne and fruit basket in room on arrival, pillow and aromatherapy menu selection, wireless Internet access, Butler service, full bar, DVD’s, beach or pool cabana bed reserved, pool and beach butler, dinner reservations, in suite dinner by private chef.

Fisher Price Family Suite

Keeping with the Karisma brand, there is also the ever popular Fisher Price Family Suite, which comes with branded Fisher Price Little People robes, Little People CD’s and DVD’s, a customized welcome voicemail inviting them to meet the Little People for character breakfast or other fun events in Azulitos Play House, photo session with the Little People, Fisher-Price toys in room and Little People decorations throughout the suite.  Located in the Family Section.

You’ve probably seen the term “Gourmet Inclusive” several times in this post.  So what does Gourmet Inclusive cover?

  • Welcome glass of sparkling wine
  • Accommodations as selected
  • All local and selected international premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and juices.
  • All meals and specialty snacks
  • Daily activities program
  • 3 swimming pools, plus one for children
  • Azulitos, by Fisher Price program
  • Playhouse
  • Non-motorized water sports; kayaks and boogie boards (marine park federal tax may apply)
  • Scuba diving clinics in the pool
  • Spanish lessons, yoga, stretching classes, aqua aerobics, dance, cooking classes, and more.
  • Fitness center
  • Special nightly entertainment, shows, and live music
  • Two tennis courts.  Rackets and balls provided free of charge.
  • Beach volleyball, soccer, shuffleboard, ping pong
  • Table games
  • 24 hour Room Service
  • Once daily restocked mini bar with soft drinks, water, and beer
  • Concierge and vacation planner service
  • All taxes and gratuities

GOURMET INCLUSIVE RESTAURANTS: There are six Gourmet Inclusive restaurants on property serving world cuisine á la carte.

Le Chique restaurant – don’t let the bright pink exterior scare you away!

Le Chique Restaurant – Author’s Cuisine: Executive chef of Le Chique, Jonatan Gómez-Luna brings bold, fun, cutting-edge cuisine, full of memories based on the most innovative cooking techniques without forgetting essential culinary foundations and traditions. Le Chique is catalogued as one of the best restaurants in the Riviera Maya and, as one of the best restaurants in the country by some culinary critics.  Le Chique serves guests imaginative preparations designed to tease with the senses with astonishing presentations, from cocktails to appetizers and straight through to dessert.

Interior of Le Chique

The only adults-only restaurant at the resort, Le Chique offers an an upscale dining experience unlike any other with world class cuisine, premium cocktails, Buddha bar music, centered around the “Authors Dinner,” where each course creates a new memory. Transporting guests to an exotic paradise, the Le Chique experience begins with a range of flavors throughout eight courses, which are presented with the finest inventive techniques by Chef Jonatan with the goal of telling a unique story.  It truly is a restaurant like no other.

Spoon Restaurant

Spoon Restaurant – World Cuisine:  Located on the ground floor of the main building, this specialty restaurant boasts an open kitchen environment with interactive cooking stations where guests can watch as the chefs prepare their meal and still enjoy the lavish á la carte service and ambiance.  The layout of Spoon offers a unique dining experience for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Although I didn’t get to dine here and I certainly don’t eat meat, the food was beautifully presented and the restaurant itself was immaculate.  The food looked fresh and unlike buffets I have seen elsewhere, food was in constant rotation by the chefs.

Tapaz Restaurant – World Cuisine: This cutting-edge restaurant is open for dinner and invites guests to customize their meal. At Tapaz, the chefs not only cook the food but also personally present each meal to their guests. Tapaz is great for those in search of a family style setting as it has oversized tables. Here guests can enjoy their time with family and friends.

Siena Restaurant

Siena – Italian Cuisine: Savor the world of fresh, hand-made pasta, crusty pizzas cooked in a brick oven, sauce simmering with fresh herbs, and the aromas of garlic, basil and oregano. The authentic cuisine of Tuscany is presented in the ambiance of a bricked Italian wine cellar.

Zavaz Restaurant – Caribbean CuisineZavaz is a Caribbean bistro and lounge that has an array of tropical island flavors and refreshments to choose from. Here your taste buds will surely be delighted.  At lunch you’ll find the Gourmet Boutique Burger: The chef incorporates elements of fine dining with a creative and unique energy.  The Gourmet Boutique Burger offers chicken, fish, and meat options, creating the most delicious Gourmet Burgers.

Zocalo

Zocalo – Mexican Cuisine: I was incredibly pleased to see that the Azul Sensatori had a Mexican restaurant since Azul Fives did not.  This seaside Mexican restaurant is a vibrant celebration of food, energy and music. Refreshing and unpretentious, Zocalo has lush surroundings with enticing meals including an impressive kids menu.   You’ll also find inside Zocalo both Cantina Zocalo and Zocalo Swim Up Deck & Cantina (Enjoy Margaritas, international and domestic brands, and a wide array of cocktails.)

GOURMET INCLUSIVE BARS AND LOUNGES: What’s a trip to a beachfront resort without an abundance of bars and lounges?

Mojito Lounge (Adults Only 18+): Featuring 31 different mojitos and a premium cocktail menu and beautiful views of the Caribbean sea.

Roof Garden Lounge

Roof Garden Lounge: Marvel at the sweeping ocean views from this one-of-a kind rooftop lounge with cocktail service. You’ll enjoy the live entertainment show every night from 9:00PM to 10:00 PM with casual seating under the starlit Mexican sky.

Zavaz Lounge: International bar with tropical cocktails.

Zavaz Swim Up Bar: Serving mouthwatering piña coladas, international and domestic premium brands, this bar has spectacular views of the Caribbean sea.

Cantina Zocalo: International premium brands and spectacular views of the Caribbean sea.

Zocalo Swim Up Deck & Cantina: Enjoy Margaritas, international and domestic brands, and a wide array of cocktails.

Wave Bar & Swim Up (Adults Only – 18+): Serving tropical drinks prepared to order.

There’s an abundance of pools throughout the resort from swim up bars, to main pools, to private pools for specific buildings to even a family pool with kid’s area.

Pool right outside of Zocalo with the Swim Up Deck & Cantina

How can you possibly tire of all of the places to swim?  Some people complain that the beach isn’t great for swimming, but you should definitely read about your resort before you go to see what it’s like.  If you’re looking to lounge in the pool all week and never step foot near or on the beach, you’ll be fine with the number of pools at Azul Sensatori.

If you’re looking for privacy, nothing is better than the adult-only pool complete with cabanas.

Inside the Playhouse

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES:  Whether you have a baby or a teen, there’s something for everyone at Azul Sensatori.  Open from 9am to 5 pm and 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm for Azulitos and Playhouse ages.

Azulitos by Fisher Price: For children 6 months – 5 years with daily activities and mom’s morning for mom & baby
Playhouse: For children 4-12 years old with daily activities
Extreme Breeze Club: For 13-17 year olds with daily and evening activities.
Breeze Lounge: Located in the teen club and open from 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Vassa Spa (photo courtesy Karisma Hotels + Resorts)

SPA AND FITNESS CENTER: Enter a world of Zen inspired spaces in the 13,000 square-foot Vassa Spa and fitness center. Take in the soothing scents, the sounds of water fountains, the handcrafted tile mosaics and the shafts or light filtering down from the spa atrium dome. Many of the Vassa Spa treatment use local elements like obsidian, clay and honey. Have your body coated in chocolate or wrapped in a kiwi-mango mask. There are specific treatment for expectant mothers, men, and even children. If you prefer, you can have a massage in a beach or garden gazebo or in your suite.

Wedding on the beach

While visiting the property, I happened upon a wedding and decided to take a quick picture.  It was a beautiful day for a wedding and the resort does assist with all of the wedding arrangements.  Wish I had done a destination wedding — none of the problems of a traditional wedding and you’re already at your honeymoon destination.  Now I call that perfect!

When I visit a resort, I look at it in its entirety to determine if it is a place that I would want to go back to and visit for more than a few hours.  While this resort has great restaurants like Le Chique, enormous suites, an abundance of pools and beachfront, and above all else great service, I wouldn’t classify it as a quiet resort since there over 400 suites, which means a large number of guests.  I would definitely say that this resort would probably be ideal for people who enjoy plenty of company in the pool and around the resort.  It just might not be for everyone so don’t expect a week of blissful solitude unless you hide out in your suite.  Maybe Mexico isn’t for everyone, but if you love sun, sand, and relaxing, a trip to Riviera Maya is definitely the way to go and the Azul Sensatori is a resort that is definitely one to consider.

Azul Sensatori Mexico by Karisma
Carretera Cancún-Puerto Morelos Km. 27.5, Manz.37
Súper Manz. 12, Bahía Petempich, Puerto Morelos, Q. Roo
CP. 77580. Quintana Roo, México
Website: Azul Sensatori Mexico by Karisma