Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort, Mayan Riviera, Mexico
199.1 pounds.
That’s what the scale in my room at the Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera read when I bellied up to it.
And that was before I even ate a morsel.
I’m not telling you what the scale read after my stay, but let’s just say I’m grateful they splurged on a sturdy model — I developed an acute case of Resort Mouth while I was there.
So what exactly is Resort Mouth?
Synonymous with Gob Stuffing, Kisser Cramming, Muzzle Gorge, Beak Binge and the rather clinical-sounding All-inclusivitis (I think that may even be Latin), Resort Mouth is that propensity to eat (and of course drink) everything that’s laid out before you.
Ellen Degeneres used to do a stand-up bit about eating popcorn at the movies – buying a supersized bucket, shoving fistfuls of it down your gob, but then scrambling to find the smallest spec of popcorn that slips from your fingers onto your lap. It’s Gluttony 101.
Resort Mouth is like that, albeit much grander on the overindulgence scale. And here, you’re not limited to popcorn, the buckets are endless, and the fistfuls keep coming as long as you keep shoving. It’s heaven even for a non-foodie like me. Or hell if you’re on a diet.
But who here is on a diet? This is a resort. A place where people come to relax. Unwind. And if you have to undo a belt here, or unbutton a trouser there, well then you’ve paid for that right.
There is a stellar gym if you’re so inclined, and of course plenty of spa possibilities to soothe your guilty inner glutton, but let’s be realistic – you’re on vacation. Food is not a four-letter word here.
On a number of occasions I’ve mocked all-inclusives by saying, “Nothing says adventure like a neon wristband.” I may have to rethink my position on that one. At a resort like El Cid, the adventure you see, is in your mouth.
And that’s an experience everyone should have.
Disclosure: I was a guest of the Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort but they did not ask that I write a favourable review or gain untold pounds during my stay.
Oman 
I have had a few scales in resorts too but I never go on them because I don’t want to know the horrible truth. Besides who could pass up that food, especially the bacon wrapped shrimp.
The bacon-wrapped shrimp was so good I had it twice.
Wow–all that food looks amazing. And those watermelons are beautiful. Imagine how much time goes into those, only to go to waste?
The way people were eating, I doubt much of it goes to waste.
We’re in Miami right now for a little anniversary vacation, and no food is safe. Blue cheese mac and cheese just about killed me with happiness.
You can put blue cheese on cardboard and it would taste good. (Not that I have mind you…)
The way I see it is that at one point the scale *did* weigh in at under 200–so you’re good. That gives you free rein to eat all of Mexico, right?
And I attempted to do just that.
I’d do no different at a place like this – the food looks tops!
It was scrumptious!
Throw caution to the winds–just don’t try to get into a Speedo and lie on the beach afterwards. What amazing buffets. (Checking flights).
Perhaps a mu-mu, but never a Speedo.
Eric has Resort Mouth too, we just never had a name for it until now. And whose idea was it to put scales in the rooms at all-inclusives anyway? Masochist.
I think maybe it was a pre-emptive cost-saving measure — see how much you weigh, try to eat less. Smart thinking!
Looks delish, especially that dessert. I’ll gladly take unlimited chocolate.
And they’ll gladly give it to you!
I am a huge fan of Mexican food. It’s a good thing resorts like this have gyms because otherwise I don’t think my doctor would recommend me to go!
What the doctor doesn’t know won’t kill him. YOU on the other hand…
Oh, I’ve so been there… It’s the cheesecake that kills me every time. And the nachos. Oh – and the soft serve ice cream. But then there’s that amazing guy who makes your pasta from scratch. Well, you get the idea. Just happy that there’s never been a scale in my hotel room.
Cheesecake is my Achilles heel as well — gets me every time.
You got on the scale?! What a novice!
You have so much to learn.
I sense another blog post coming — “The Amateur All-Inclusivist”
Is that what they’re calling it these days lol. Personally, I just ballooned by taking the old adage “feed a cold, starve a fever” to heart. (You can guess which one I was stuck at home with.) Now I must fast…
Yikes! Hope you are feeling better. (Although I’m sure the food helped!)
I often suffer from a serious case of resort mouth when travelling. It’s not doing my waistline any good!
Too bad there’s not an app for that.
It does look delicious, that chocolate cake is mouthwatering!
That chocolate cake was one of many I had there.
Yumm! I should not have read this just before lunch. Great food photos!
Thanks Mary!
So glad it is dinnertime now because my stomach is rumbling! Love the term “resort mouth” too. Brilliant.
Thanks Cole — feel free to use it!
I actually lost quite a bit of weight in Mexico lol. >.<
But we also weren't at resorts…
You were missing out! It’s good to treat yourself every once in a while.
The food looks good; reminds me of the foods served on a cruise ship, nice post and pictures too.
Thank-you James — the food was spectacular.
I’ve only done one all-inclusive resort and I made up for the overeating to come by going on a diet for a month beforehand. Plus, I wanted to look good on the beach. Which I did.
If I were a smarter man, I would have done the same thing.
Same thing happen to us when we were on a cruise a few years back. I don’t even know why they bother to put a scale in the room.. such torture. Props for you getting on it. Haha
Would definitely need to pack elastic-waisted trousers if I was going there!