I probably shouldn’t confess this but a tiny, sugar-coated-almond-sized part of me was looking forward to my Mexican honeymoon more than my actual wedding day.

The only decision we wanted to make on our week-long break was whether we ordered champagne at the swim-up pool bar or sipped cocktails on the beach.

That’s why we chose the five-star Excellence in Playa Mujeres, Cancun.

With a personal concierge and 24-hour room service, this adult-only all-inclusive hotel was one wedding plan we did agree on.

Lapped by the Caribbean Sea, it offers the same calibre of soft white sand beaches and bath-warm blue sea as the Maldives or St Lucia, at a snip of the price.

Relaxation certainly comes easily here. There are hammocks big enough for two in the pool and double beds that swing gently under palm trees.

Just a 10-minute taxi ride away from Cancun city, it only cost a few pounds to get to the main strip.

By day, it’s great for shopping and water sports. At night, the bright lights sparkle and the place really comes alive.

We escaped from it all, on board the Columbus Lobster Dinner Cruise. Leaflets promised it was the most romantic experience in Cancun — and they didn’t disappoint.

The Spanish galleon set sail as the sun was going down, before a dinner of succulent steak and meaty lobster was served.

Like all the lovely couples we’d made friends with during our stay in Cancun, we would go back for our first anniversary too.

  • Rachel Williams was a guest of Sovereign Luxury Travel, who offer seven nights at the Excellence Playa Mujeres, Mexico from £1,539 pp on an all-inclusive basis, departing on March 19, 2013. Call 0844 415 1936 or visit www.sovereign.com