José Patricio Moo Poot, Bartender, The Royal Sands

On Friday, July 11, we said good-bye to one of the best-loved team members at The Royal Sands. Patricio Moo, our head bartender. His teammates, members and guests gathered on the pool deck to give him a sendoff and he was presented with an engraved crystal plaque for outstanding service and achievements.

Originally from the village of Kaua near Valladolid in the state of Yucatan, Patricio moved to Cancun in 2007 in search of work after graduating from preparatory school. His family are craftsmen, carving wooden figurines to sell to the tourists who visit Chichen Itza and also keeping bees true to the Maya tradition. He decided he wanted to work in the hospitality industry and attend visitors.

Patricio always says it was the seagulls on the Royal Resorts logo that first caught his eye and drew him to the company. He started out as a kitchen cleaner at The Royal Sands and was then promoted to garrotero or assistant waiter at La Veranda. Positive, service-oriented and enthusiastic, after only one month on contract Patricio won the Employee of the Month award. He went on to win it three more times and in 2010, he was named Employee of the Year.

Patricio always set his own goals and one of them was to become a bar tender. After two years as an assistant waiter, he signed up to do cross training as a bar assistant. He liked it immediately and really enjoyed serving guests. He took English classes to improve his conversation skills and a year later he was appointed as bartender. With his friendly smile and engaging manner, he has been a favorite with our members and guests ever since, frequently mentioned on Tripadvisor and in guest satisfaction surveys for his exceptional service and the fact that he always remembered their names and favorite drinks and could recommend new cocktails for them to try.

His Patricio Special cocktail is legendary. A blend of coconut rum, coconut cream, a dash of lime juice, vodka, orange liqueur and Blue Curacao shaken and served on the rocks, it is the taste of the tropics: coconut, zesty citrus flavors and the blue of the sea.

Patricio believes that there is something new to learn every day and he is always studying. He took courses in Portuguese and plans to follow with French. He also speaks Maya, which he learned from his grandparents as a child. Several years ago, he also began to study business to support the honey company he founded in Kaua with his family, an example of sustainable development which will also bring benefits to the community. His honey is on sale in the Royal Market stores.

Patricio is part of the Royal Resorts family and we are very sad to see him go. However, he leaves to dedicate all his time to expanding his company and begin exporting his organic honey to Europe. Many of you are Patricio’s friends and we are sure that you will join us in wishing him the very best and every success for the future.