Spring is the time when you start to feel you've never needed to book a holiday more. The odd blue sky reminds you exactly how amazing seeing some blue sky can be... just before a spring shower (or, yknow, actual April snow) rolls around to remind you you're a good while away from confidently leaving the house without a coat.
So, to the holiday search we go. Except the saying 'the world is your oyster' suddenly takes on a slightly more annoying meaning when it occurs to you how many potential holiday destinations there are to choose from... So, to take away some of that 'Where-Should-I-Even-Start? Booking Anxiety' (just me?) may we humbly suggest Mexico? Specifically a TUI resort holiday in Mexico?
Why Mexico? Well, if it's guaranteed sun you're craving then Mexico (situated as it is) is one of your best bets in the world. And if you're wanting some of the finer things in life, then Mexico is the place for you when it comes to luxe for your pound. Beaches? Yeah they've got the beaches..
Handily, you can fly to Mexico with TUI from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester and Gatwick airports next summer, all in around 10 hours.
But there are still a few choices to be made. A holiday in Mexico can team tropical beaches, ancient Mayan ruins and party towns - what is it you're looking for? Is it lie-down luxury (and perhaps a swim-up suite?). Or watersports and party nights? An all-inclusive break with the family with that little bit extra?
Luckily TUI has a range of incredible hotels to suit pretty much any and every need. And even more luckily for you, we've trawled the offerings and picked out some of our faves, with a handy guide to what kind of break you can expect.
Now all you've got to do is scroll through, click a few times... and maybe pour yourself a margarita? Lovely stuff. See you on the beach!
Seven of the best TUI resorts in Mexico for your summer holiday
1.
Riu Caribe
For a mixed group looking for something for everyone
A gorgeous resort that offers pool fun, beach life and a party atmosphere, the Riu Caribe is great for those looking for a bit of everything.
The hotel sites on the edge of a sugar-white beach, but is just a five minute taxi from the centre of Cancun, full of shops, bars, restaurants and parties.
All of the rooms are modern and boast a balcony with at least partial sea-view... and locally-branded spirits on tap, WiFi and air-conditioning.
Three huge pools and various terraces are dotted around, with hammocks and loungers available for a restful day in the sunshine. You might actually get some rest too, because the RuiLand Kids' Club is open daily for kids aged four to 12.
Tennis courts, pool tables, scuba diving and water sports are all on offer for those who want some more active times. Or hit the Renova Spa for hot stone massages and mango wraps.
For fans of the finer things in life
The beach-side Rui Palace Pacifico is for you if luxe is top of your holiday list. Based on Playa de Flamingos beach, this hotel includes junior suites as standard meaning each room includes in-room whirlpool baths and liquor dispensers. And if you upgrade to a Jacuzzi junior suite, you get a hot tub on the balcony. The adult-only pools include a swim-up bar, a whirlpool bath and sunbeds in the water. There's a children's pool too. And that's before you even get as far as the beach just a few steps away.
Kids clubs are available to help you out with children from four to 12 years old. The hotel and the nearby area mean you can try out everything from windsurfing to kayaking, as well as horse-riding and even a round of golf.
For more of a relaxing day, there's a spa, beauty salon and hairdressers.
In the evening, show off your tan and rested face in the hotel's nightclubs, bars and five restaurants.
3.
Riu Dunamar
For beach-life lovers
The Rui Dunamar sits on the Costa Mujeres, set on a wafer-thin peninsula called Isla Blanca, which stretches up from Cancun, which is 18km away. A newer location for tourists, most of the hotels in the area are modern and take advantage of the beautiful beaches. On the shore of the Caribbean Sea, the hotel sits on miles of unspoiled sand. If you drag yourself away from the beach, there's more for water babies to enjoy, with five swimming pools - and an extra number of kids pools with slides too. Bigger slides lovers will love the Splash Water World.
And there are five bars and restaurants too. Oh, and a spa if you manage to free up any time. in your busy beach/beer/beach schedule.
All standard double rooms at this hotel come with an in-room drinks optic – meaning you’ll have your very own locally-branded spirits on tap in your room. You'll get. a balcony or terrace, air-conditioning, a TV and a minibar too.
And if it's a party you're looking for, there are themed adults-only beach parties several times a week. Expect foam canons apparently...
For those looking for some grown-ups-only time
Four pools, a golf course, four restaurants, five bars, a weekly fiesta, an on-site casino... all dropped in the middle of 1.1.million square metres of tropical forest in Mexico's beautiful RIviera Maya. If you're looking for a unique adults-only getaway, the Bahia Principe Luxury Sian Ka'an should be topping your list.
Junior suites come as standard, with flatscreen satellite TVs, a minibar stocked with rum, whisky and vodka.
And there's a pool for every different vibe you might be feeling that day (or hour). A couple are sedate and surrounded by greenery, while there’s aqua aerobics and scuba lessons in others. Or jump the shuttle to and from the beach.
If you've got the energy, you can try everything from basketball to snorkelling on site.
Then in the evening everyone heads down to the Hacienda Doña Isabel, a Colonial-style building with a disco, sports bar and weekly Mexican fiesta. There's a casino there too. Be rude not to join...
For those who want to live that boujis life (and maybe some romance)
Based on a peaceful slice of beach in Riviera Maya on the Caribbean Coast, luxury comes baked in at the TUI BLUE El Dorado Seaside Suites. Gourmet food, stocked mini-bars and whirlpool baths in your room comes as standard. Waiter service is available by the pool. And for real water babies, upgrade to a SWIM-UP SUITE (we can't even) which opens out onto the pool. One of five pools, some of which boast THREE swim-up bars, a hotel waterfall and king-size loungers.
If you can bear to be parted with the lounger, there's load of sports, yoga and even coconut-painting to keep you occupied. Wind down at the spa, or enjoy a beachfront massage, or pop to the hair salon (after visiting one of two gyms?) The Naay Spa has a mud room, a suite for men’s treatments and a sprawling area with whirlpools and relaxation loungers.
There are 10 restaurants and 11 bars to keep your busy, but there's also a spa, cooking classes. We want to sit in Guacamayas and sip on tequila while sitting on a swing.
Sound romantic? Well, you can actually get married here too.
For those who swear by TripAdvisor
Are you the research Queen of your group, who loves to cross-check every hotel to get the best deal. Well, then let us save you one search, because the Akumel Bay Beach and Wellness Resort comes with 5 Stars on TripAdvisor, with a total of 9,537 reviews.
The hotel sits on the Riviera Maya, with a private ribbon of beach and the tropical vibes continue, with cushioned daybeds, palm trees and three pools. The restaurant line-up includes a beachside sushi bar.
Kids' clubs and pools a playground and a games room are all available - as well as a series of sports and the opportunity to scuba dive and paddleboard. The spa includes a hot tub and a list of treatments to choose from too.
The hotel also has Green and Fair Hotel status, meaning it's certified as sustainable.
For cocktail lovers and fun fans
We can't deny it, we're a sucker for a hotel where swim-up suites are on offer. And the stylish Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun scores top marks for luxury with gourmet restaurants, a rum lounge and a huge spa all on site. The white-sand beach on your doorstep (complete with plush daybeds) is midway between lively Cancun and the cosmopolitan Playa del Carmen. Both can be reached with a half-hour drive.
During the day there's everything from cocktail-making classes to Latin dance sessions. Over in the pools, you can give scuba diving and snorkelling a go. Down at the beach, paddle-boarding, kayaking and volleyball top the to-do list.
Entertainment-wise, beach parties, mariachi fiestas and karaoke evenings are all on the agenda - there's live music too. And, we're gonna say it, karaoke.
Kids are also catered for here, with a kids club for four to 12 year olds that's filled to the rafters with toys and games consoles.
The 8,000-square-metre spa's got everything you need for a head-to-toe pampering session, including hydrotherapy pool, a herb-scented steam room and a globe-trotting treatment menu.