The first thing we notice is the water — not the Caribbean Sea — but the myriad of canal-like fountains that lace the resort, creating ponds. The staff welcomes guests with cold face cloths, sparkling wine and juice for the children. The second thing we notice is that at check-in, no one grabs our hands to staple color-coded bands around our wrists. It’s a small thing, but we’re glad not to wear one at Now Sapphire.

A former Paradisus hotel, Now Sapphire morphed into an AMR property in mid-2010. Set by beachfront in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the resort exudes a pleasing Mexican-Asian ambiance that combines thatched roof pavilions with Asian-style ponds edged with river rocks. Lobby furnishings display console tables and iron lanterns suggest Asian culture, under palapa shaped roofs.

Now Sapphire and Now Jade, another AMResorts’ Riviera Maya property, are beachfront, all-inclusive establishments — the first Now properties in the company’s chain. AMR already offers Caribbean visitors several types of vacations. Dreams Resorts offer modern rooms with flair. Our sense after staying at both the Riviera Maya’s Dreams and at Now Sapphire is that the Now properties aim to provide a trendy destination for those with and without children. That’s nice for families, especially those twenty-, thirty- and forty-something parents accustomed in their pre-progeny days to upmarket resorts with a bit of pizzazz.

At Now Sapphire, 14 low-rise, non-elevator buildings across the property offer 496 oversized rooms called "suites." Let's get picky for a moment. Traditionally, suite accommodations divide into distinct sitting and sleeping areas separated by a wall and/or a door. Not here. For parents, this distinction is key. The large room gives you plenty of space to share with your kids, but no privacy. Essentially, you and your children share one big room. Parents seeking some romance should consider two rooms. All accommodations feature marble floors, flat screen televisions, coffee makers and good-size bathrooms. All guests, no matter the room type, can take advantage of room service.

The tropical suites offer a garden view. They are a bit smaller than other rooms and sometimes farther away from the beach and dining areas. For those who want oceanfront rooms, the resort offers select deluxe junior suites that face the ocean and some oceanfront Preferred Club suites.

Preferred Club
Preferred Club suites are larger than typical suites and feature Jacuzzi tubs on the balcony. These are very relaxing. We recommend the oceanfront Preferred Club lodgings, but not the Preferred Club garden view suites, as most of these look out onto a main walkway. If you splurge for the Preferred Club, be sure to reserve an oceanfront room.

Beach and Pools
The long, sandy beach and the huge freeform pool, featuring a row of tiled underwater lounge chairs, are the big draws. More than 60 palapas shade the beach so you won't need to race to claim a shady spot before breakfast. In total, four pools are on the premises.

Kids' Club
At the Explorer's Club, kids' ages 3 through 12 enjoy a range of activities from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. They splash in the kiddie pool, perform plays on the stage, do arts and crafts, compete in sandcastle building contests and watch outdoor movies. As with most kids' clubs that group younger kids with older ones, Now Sapphire's program attracts more 5 to 9 year olds, than other ages.

Teen's Club
Near the Explorer's Club is the Core Zone Teens Club. The program proved a bit hard to find. The narrow lap pool with its kids' club view, supposedly just for teens, can't compete with the big main pool with its ocean view. The teen club has an outdoor Ping-Pong table, but it's not completely clear what equipment and what areas are teen-only. The best daytime activity for teens: the bungee trampoline jumping. This draws a crowd.

Sports
For sports, your family can play tennis, go kayaking, snorkel off the beach and sail Hobie Cats. The resort can arrange scuba excursions for certified divers for an extra fee.

Live Entertainment
Live shows in the evening take place in the indoor, air-conditioned theater. In the evening, there are free, family-oriented movies, too.

Excursions
If you and your kids can tear yourselves away from the pool and the beach, and you should at least for one day, the Riviera Maya offers much to enjoy. Explore Xcaret -- an eco-adventure park that offers snorkeling and swimming with dolphins, as well as exhibits of flamingos, scarlet macaws, sea turtles, jaguars, spider monkeys and other native animals. In the evening, the park puts on a reenactment of Pok-Ta-Pok, the ancient Mesoamerican ball game, complete with players adorned in traditional body paints. A lively folkloric show follows the game.

Also, Playa del Carmen is the region's shopping hub, offering blocks and blocks of pedestrian streets lined with stores and cafes.

Unlike at some all-inclusive resorts, the food at Now Sapphire is generally good. That's a big bonus for parents and also for fussy eaters. Besides buffets, specialty restaurants and a weekly beach barbecue spice up the dining. Unless you are part of a large family reunion, there's no need to make dinner reservations at theme restaurants. Families with young kids who prefer eating early won't have to wait for a table. For popular 8 p.m. dinners, there may be a bit of a wait. In that case, go to the restaurant, put your name down, obtain a beeper that notifies you when your table is available, and hang-out in the lounge with a cocktail while your kids drink Shirley Temples or any non-alcoholic beverages with a colorful umbrella. Everything considered, we like the food at Now Sapphire more than at the Dreams property we visited.

Another nice touch -- you don't pay extra for specialty meals. Also, there's no limit to the number of specialty dinners you may have.

The Market Cafe
The Market Cafe, the resort's main restaurant, serves buffet breakfast, lunch and dinners. Since the food stations are in an air-conditioned room off the main restaurant, the food remains fresher longer. This arrangement also makes the dining area feel less cluttered and less like a cafeteria. The casual Market Cafe is nicely laid out. From the wall of windows, we look out onto the beach and the blue Caribbean. High chairs are available for children.

For one lunch, along with a bread, chips and guacamole section, Market Cafe's ample buffet brims with a variety of salads as well as such hot entrees as pork, chicken and beef. In addition, a chef grills your choice of fish with the sauce you select while you wait. That goes a long way to eliminating dry and overcooked fish entrees that sit under heat lamps. For those with a sweet tooth, desserts include brownies, kiwi tarts and other pastries, fruit and ice cream with chocolate sauce and toppings.

Coco Cafe
For families who want even more of a causal and quick meal, the snack cafe serves a light lunch of salads, burgers and hot dogs that you eat at tables on the outdoor deck also overlooking the beach and the sea. The snack bar offers high chairs, too.

Lemon Grass
At Lemon Grass, the resort's Japanese inspired Teppanyaki restaurant, the chefs play with your food, twirling knives as well as flipping and grilling chicken, beef and fish. Kids tend to enjoy the showmanship, as well as the fare.

Cibu
Cibu serves Mediterranean cuisine. A la carte dishes offer a range of rich flavors, and the intimate atmosphere showcases gold drapery and delicate flowers. Only open for dinner, Cibu is one of the most chic restaurants at the resort.

Paramour
Paramour, the adult only (age 18+) French restaurant, could be considered the best specialty restaurant at the resort. Paramour offers couples a romantic, fine dining atmosphere. While eating, guests are surrounded by sculptures and flowers. The restaurant is only open for dinner.

Fresco
Fresco, the casual Mexican restaurant, is surprising. We expect mediocre tacos and burritos with greasy rice. Instead, options include tortilla soup, tequila shrimp, red snapper with dried chilies and chicken breast marinated in coffee. And everything is delicious. Our only complaint: the portions are a bit small for those with hardy appetites, particularly for teens.

Bluewater Grill
This restaurant serves some of the freshest seafood and fish dishes in the area. Open for lunch and dinner, Bluewater has a casual, yet elegant atmosphere, with a calming effect that matches the ocean view. Outdoor seating is available on the terrace.

Room Service
Now Sapphire offers 24-hour room service from a limited menu that features continental breakfast as well as burgers, sandwiches and pizza from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can get steak and fish for an additional charge.

All About the Extras
Wi-Fi
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort.

Babysitting
Babysitting is available for an additional fee. Request this service in advance.

Preferred Club
Preferred Club members check-in at an air-conditioned VIP lounge that serves hors d'oeuvres during the day, continental breakfast in the morning and desserts at night. Since the food at the resort is ample and the property offers room service, most families don't need the extra food.

Fitness Center
The Fitness Center, with cardio and weight machines, is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Art of Smart Timing
High season starts around mid-December and through mid-April. The low season runs from September to mid-December. Shoulder season is from mid-April through August.

Getting There
Cancun International Airport is about 20 minutes from the resort.

Getting Around
Families can easily navigate this resort.

For Mom and Dad
The Fun Pub, a billiard and sports bar, is open from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Preferred Club members also have access to their own, adults-only pool. It faces inland; however, the double-bed size loungers are a draw.