By Jeff Bollig —
Thomas Helbig loves his hometown of St. Louis, but every once in a while, he feels the need to get away.
After hunkering down for months during pandemic, it was time for Helbig to seek a change of scenery. So, on the advice of his brother, he contacted Acendas Travel Advisor Maisoon Barghouty. Usually, his trips are domestic – New York, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Las Vegas and the like. But Barghouty offered an alternative — Mexico.
“Thomas was looking for a property for adults and where he did not have to wear a mask the whole time,” Barghouty said. “Mexico is very popular right now because the resorts have done a good job with sanitization and distancing. Plus, there are some very good values.”
Barghouty arranged for Helbig a four-night stay in late July at the Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun. Tucked away on one of the iconic beaches of Mexico, it is the perfect destination adults who want a relaxing atmosphere and to be pampered.
“It was wonderful,” Helbig said. “It was a beautiful resort and the staff was friendly and took great care. They were constantly cleaning and wiping down surfaces. Even the TV remote was sealed with a plastic cover. The staff wore masks, but the guest did not.”
Helbig said the resort was less than 50 percent full and some of the restaurants and bars were closed. He utilized the pool, beach, restaurants and the spa. At no time did he feel crowded or uncomfortable. Likewise, he said the airports in St. Louis and Cancun were without hassle and special efforts were implemented for health and safety. He did take private transportation while in Mexico.
“I went to Cancun 40 years ago and this was the first time I had been back. I was blown away by the quality and the amenities. It’s really a beautiful property. I would definitely recommend the property and absolutely will return to Mexico. It was great to get away.”
Barghouty said that in the past few months Mexico has ramped up as a popular destination for those looking to leave the country. She attributes that to the service, the efforts made to enhance safety and excellent values being offered by travel partners.
