Casa Zorro review Akumal, Mexico

This place had a lot riding on its Mayan shoulders.
Seven people invading one villa for four nights.
We were hoping for a house where we could be as we wanted to be. We wanted a pool and also we wanted to be near water. Would Casa Zorro pass the Travel Invasion
challenge?

Typically I travel alone or in a small group when reviewing properties for this website. This time though, I was invited to bring along my friends to see if Casa Zorro offered something to please us all. Eventually the guest list grew to seven. An odd number for a somewhat odd group. Three guys & four girls.

Heading through the entrance to the Akumal Village which is about 60 miles south of Cancun, my sensors were running on high. We passed by many homes which I had remembered from researching rental villas in the area. Soon we had passed the majority of the homes and were now heading towords the Yal-ku
Lagoon and Casa Zorro.

Back down the stairs and out the rear doors was where the visual overload began to creep up on me. There is an open courtyard style patio with a table, chairs and a fountain. Passing by this area you come up on the larga palapa patio with a both a conversation and dining table, This patio proved to be the ultimate relaxing center with its three hammocks and wet bar. Beyond the palapa area was a raised swimming pool which was level all the way across. The pool was the highlight of the trip, as we all seemed to spend more time inside of it than outside of it.

On past the pool you head through a small jungle area to reach the first private Cenote. For some reason the stagnant water kept us out of this area during our visit. Beyond the cenote you reach the small palapa fronting the Yal-ku Lagoon. This lagoon is open to the public until 5:00 PM although it appeared to be rarely used. The clarity of the water was shocking. This fish included various sized parrot fish as well as a few unidentified black ones who took joy in hiding below the rocks waiting to nibble on the ankles of the unsuspecting poor souls who ventured near. The lagoon also proved to be a great snorkle training ground for some in our group who had never experienced the thrill of snorkling before.

Luck also seemed to be with us during our visit to Casa Zorro. The homes on both sides were vacant during our stay allowing for the ultimate privacy. Also the weather which had been predicted to be wet and rainy actually turned out to be dry and sunny. Our group had many pre-arranged plans which seemed to be become less and less important as the seduction of this unique villa grew on us. We skipped a highly recommended beachside BBQ down the road at Casa Cenote the first day in favor of an afternoon pool party being played out right in front of us.
Another day after seeing the Tulum ruins, we skipped a further trip onto the Coba ruins in favor of another poolside party. Casa Zorro seemed to be winning the battle.

The villa is said to be over 4,000 square feet. Sleeping areas include a second floor master suite with a full bathroom and large private sundeck overlooking the jungle landscape. The first floor has two large bedrooms with two large beds on the ground and another two singles in a raised loft area accessible by a wooden ladder. One of the bedrooms had an enclosed bathroom while the other large bedroom shared a bathroom with the childrens sleeping room. Ok, now will be the only negative part of this entire review of Casa Zorro. The childrens room sucks! The unlucky one in our party who had to sleep in it for two nights considered it to be worse than a prison cell. Approximately 4 to 5 feet wide, with drab concrete block walls and a small bunk bed will begin to make you understand why. At least it gave us something to laugh about.

After dinner one night at a restaurant/hotel called Que Onda which was within walking distance, we began to realize a huge storm was developing in the distant northeastern sky. When we arrived backed at Casa Zorro we took some drinks and headed for the rooftop deck over the third floor observation room. Within minutes we were treated to a huge electrical storm. We watched the lighting bolts as they crashed down into the water. Other long horizontal style bolts were like none we had ever seen before. Eventually the winds began to increase and we knew we better head inside before we got fried.

As the days wore on, the reality began to sink in. We would be leaving soon and nobody seemed to be too enthused about the idea. Had we found paradise?
Actually it was becomming increasingly evident that this villa had it all going on. Our last night was spent eating a delicious shrimp and chicken fajita meal prepared by Miquel and his family who are the caretakes of the property. They are extremely helpful and seem to enjoy the job they are doing.
Casa Zorro had passed the Travel Invasion group challenge with flying colors.

Pulling in to the carport of Casa Zorro, the group scattered out the car doors like cockroaches. The architectural design was striking. All of us wanted to see what was inside. Entering through the front doors, we were greeted to a massive living and dining room with a dramatic vaulted ceiling. Some of us headed to the kitchen while others searched for the bedrooms. I headed for the stairway for a look at the second story master suite. It was spacious and all mine for the next four nights.