Now Jade Riviera Maya Mexico

[gancan]

Hi -

 

I am going to Mexico in a few weeks for an all inclusive vacation.. a bit nervous about how I will be - with the food and all. Has anyone had experience with this resort in Mexico? Or this resort (Now Jade) anywhere else?

 

I have NO tolerance for gluten - the tiniest bit can make me very sick and all the food will be inclusive, the travel agent said it should be fine and just to let them know.. but I am nervous!! (and yes, excited too!!)

 

Thanks!

 

[srall]

I cannot believe you just posted this.  I'm going to this resort for a week in January for my sister in law's wedding.  I researched their website yesterday and it looks like they have 7 restaurants (including a couple that would be out for us)...I do remember one restaurant had seafood which I thought was a pretty good sign.  We cannot be the first celiac people to visit especially when they must have a international clientele.  Let me know if you want me to share my links from the travel agent.  Also...let me know how it goes.  I'd love to hear.

 

Edited:  I guess we are at the Sapphire Resort...which is not the same as the Jade resort.  But I wonder if it's the same owners and type of experience.  I'd still be interested in what you find when you're down there.   Hopefully you can be accommodated.

[gancan]

Oh wow! I will let you know how it goes. I would love to see any links so I can find out some info.  We booked our vacation in October which was really far in advance and thats when I found out I had celiac disease and I never thought about my vacation - until now that its SO close!!

[gancan]

Actually GOOD NEWS! I just saw on their website for both our resorts "All restaurants include gluten-free menu options. Please notify your server prior to ordering."

 

We will be ok!

[kareng]

Report back after your trips! PLEEEEEEZE?

[srall]

That is great.  I didn't see that when I looked at the Now Sapphire website.  That is a huge relief.  We are not going to be there until January 2014. 

In the meantime I have Manhattan this summer.  Pretty easy I'm guessing.  Then Colorado which is my hometown.  So I can report back on Riviera Maya Mexico in a few months!  I'll be watching for your report Gancan.

[gancan]

So I am back from my trip and I have great news! They were absolutely AMAZING at that resort. They honestly treated me like a princess at every restaurant there, the buffet (which I only went there for egg white omelettes and bacon anyways) and room service. My only advice is to make sure when you order anything the specify that you HAVE to eat gluten free or you will be very sick to your waiter - the managers were excellent and I met the food director as well (he actually found us in a restaurant one of the first nights!). The reason I say to specify is because there were some instances when I ordered what was labeled as "gluten free" and when the waiter double checked to make sure it was ok, he would come back and tell me, No actually it does contain gluten and they would make me something else.  So just be careful of that!!

 

I went the entire time without getting sick AT ALL - I actually miss that place! Make it known when you get there that you MUST eat gluten free and they will label your room number with that special request - also normally you are not allowed to make reservations at the restaurants but we were because that way they would be prepared when we showed up of my needs. They also did let me know that they offer gluten free pasta, pancakes, breads, etc... I didn't try any of those, I basically just stuck to my usual eating habits anyways (eggs, meat, vegetables...) The guacamole was awesome and they would toast me corn tortillas to have with it instead of the fried tortilla chips they usually serve. Alot of their sauces contains flour so just be aware of that if you eat at the buffet - which I generally stayed away from except for breakfast.

 

But don't worry - the food was SOOOO flavorful I couldn't believe some of the dishes were gluten free - and if they came back from checking with the chef about my order and I couldn't have what I ordered they would make me "something very special" which was nice. Just be patient, be nice to the staff because they really do try to make your experience a great one and I am sure you will love your vacation. The language barrier is a little hard so if your waiter doesn't seem to understand your questions just have him get the manager or ask the chef.

 

Enjoy your vacation! (I wish I could go back asap!!!)

[Barbara Weis]

Jjust read your report on the now jade, have plans to go Aug. 4, but have just been diagnosed with celiac. I emailed them and they sent me their menus, it looks like there is one gluten-free meal at each place. Would you know if you did not like that, are there other things you can get. And could you tell where and what you ate for lunch, there seems to be only one offering at castaways...sorry to bother you but I can't decide if I should cancel my trip, this is only my second week and I still have a lot of nausea , Hoping it clears up by then. Thank you so much for any info you can give me.

[srall]

Well, I realize this is bringing up an old post but I did promise to come back with my review.  We got back Saturday from Now Sapphire Resort Riviera Maya.   My report isn't quite as glowing as gancan's but it was okay.  I think if you are extremely sensitive to cross contamination, or even just pretty sensitive, you may find it difficult to navigate eating at this resort.  My daughter and I have been gluten free for over 3 years, (me almost 4) and I think had we taken this trip 3 years ago it would have made us very sick.  In the past few years we've been able to get some dairy back including butter which was great for this resort.  All our gluten free foods were dripping with butter.   I sort of found some safe things to eat at the beginning of the week and stuck with those.  In situations where we did have to pull out the allergy cards I thought the staff was very helpful, and the chef would prepare special meals, but usually without any sauce or seasoning whatsoever so the food was pretty tasteless.   I'm getting pickier about this as I'm learning more about cooking and making healthy foods that still taste good.

 

My daughter (age 10) did stay home from school yesterday because she wasn't feeling well.  She couldn't tell me if this was a food reaction or actual sickness (virus) but sometimes it is hard to tell the difference.  I came back with a tiny little dh rash and I think some eczema on my back (although my husband insists is looks like a bug bite?)   So…a little recovery time.  I have made my peace with traveling.  I know that I must be getting some gluten when I travel or eat out, but I am not willing to give it up so I do the best I possibly can when I eat outside of my control.   I know I got some this week just because of the rash, but honestly I felt pretty good and had minor joint pain and stomach issues.  To me I'm okay with that (to travel) but I can see where this might really hit someone else very hard and ruin the trip.  Hope this helps.