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    The Grand Mayan

    2.3 (161 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

    The Grand Mayan Photos

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    Bad rocky beach full of sargassum seaweed
    Sue R.

    Our paid transportation voucher from the airport was not honored because we were delayed and the shuttle service they use doesn't go after 11 PM. Had to pay $95 cash for a taxi . Took us 30 minutes to check in only one person working this after a 16 hour journey .We enjoyed our stay more after they got rid of the mildew smell in room, extra cleaning and dehumidifier. Replaced the broken coffee maker. Everybody was nice. The food was OK very overpriced. We had fun with the games and earned a lot of free drink tickets. The mosquitoes weren't bad but bring repellent. We got bitten by ants. Bring good walking shoes we got in 10,000 steps a day. huge carbon footprint here they use too many single use plastics, plastic cups, and all the air conditioning is at highest level. Need water refill stations.

    We loved the coatis
    Tessa H.

    I got a deal through work to stay at the Grand Mayan for a week, and while my experience wasn't perfect I still had a great time! It's likely the nicest resort I've ever stayed at, but it's not without its issues. Pros: - lots to do! On site water park (go after 3pm for 50% off), cirque du soleil show - beautiful, LARGE main pool and many other smaller pools - great 2 for 1 happy hour deal at all the pool bars 12-2, wine bar 5:30-6:30, Salum 6:30-8:30, and beach bar 10-11pm - nice fitness center overlooking the ocean - tram system to get you around the large grounds - the app is super helpful in navigating and figuring out hours/menus/etc -cheap shuttle to and from airport ($15 USD per person) Cons: - the BIGGEST con is that the walls are paper thin in the rooms and the doors don't go all the way down to the ground so you hear EVERYTHING. I sleep with earplugs and was still woken up throughout the night from people talking outside/walking by. Our final night we had a party or something going on above us until well past 11 pm. We heard every stomp, laugh, shout, etc. so unfortunate, especially because we had to be up early to catch a shuttle to the airport. - construction in the room next to us. We were next to a room that was having construction done. This construction started at 7 am every morning (banging, drilling, dragging, hammering -- all the construction noises you could think of). Similarly, staff would be outside the room around the same time, speaking so loudly I could hear them over my earplugs. When I called to complain one morning, someone came up and construction stopped for 10 minutes. Literally 10 minutes, then just started back up again. Later that day, they started PAINTING the room and the fumes leaked into our room of course. It was so ridiculous and not something to overlook. Why would you put someone in a room directly next to a construction zone? - pretty expensive. Upon check in, they place a $1,000USD hold on your credit card, then proceed to charge a made up 15-1 exchange rate. So your deposit is USD, they charge everything in pesos and don't allow cash so that they can charge you their exchange rate. So so so frustrating. TIP: ask them to charge you in pesos upon check out to avoid their exchange rate! - no microwave in room. We had dinner at one of their fancier restaurants on site and had TONS of leftovers, but no microwave in our room to heat them up with. When asking staff, they were pretty confused and assumed all rooms had a kitchenette. Ours didn't. They told us they would "find" a microwave to send up, and someone ended up bringing us one hours after we gave up hope. This was a customer service win, but I'm putting it as a con because it was a big hassle. - no 24 hour around the resort transportation. You're kind of at the mercy of these shuttles to get you from place to place. We had an early flight to leave and they told us we needed to hire a bell boy to get us and take us to the main lobby. When we suggested walking, they told us "no it's unsafe" and we have to use a bell boy. - so many hidden fees at check out: a resort tax daily, an additional fee when translated seems to be some sort of natural disaster help?, and a donation to their "foundation". We were able to remove the donation, but no luck with the others

    Ora J.

    Vacation time is valuable--don't waste it at Vidanta Riviera Maya. From the moment we arrived, our experience was plagued by frustrating issues that overshadowed our family vacation. The check-in process was painfully slow. Upon arrival, they took our luggage and directed us to wait for a tram or golf cart to another lobby, where we waited in line for over 45 minutes. We were then ushered to another desk and pressured into committing to a timeshare presentation. After a long day of travel, all we wanted was to get to our room. Begrudgingly, we agreed to the timeshare pitch (promised to take only an hour) just to get things moving. Unfortunately, that presentation took a grueling four hours--far longer than we were told. The promised discounts for attending were also difficult to redeem, making the whole process feel like a waste of time. When we finally reached our room, it reeked of cigarette smoke. We immediately informed the front desk, but they assured us it was a non-smoking room. While we were eager to swim and escape the unpleasant smell, we had to wait an additional hour for our luggage to arrive. By then, everyone--us and the kids--was cranky, and the vacation was off to a rocky start. To make matters worse, we discovered that this Vidanta location doesn't have the Santuario experience like the Vallarta property. This meant no nightly shows, which was a huge letdown. Instead, the entertainment offered was extra-cost activities that we hadn't anticipated. We grabbed dinner, and I ordered an Aperol Spritz, only to be served a flat Prosecco cocktail with barely any Aperol in it. When I pointed this out, they shrugged it off, claiming it was a new bottle. I also ordered the crispy cheese appetizer, which the menu clearly stated would come with tortillas. When it arrived without them, I was told that of the four items listed as "served with tortillas," this was the only one that didn't. I was baffled. Back in the room, the smell persisted. I called the front desk, and their solution was to douse the room with an overwhelming amount of air freshener. The stench was so strong, it made my eyes burn and left a chemical taste in my mouth. When they checked in later to ask if the smell had improved, I told them it had only gotten worse. Please, no more air freshener. The next day, they sprayed again. By the fourth day of our trip, they finally moved us to a room that didn't smell like smoke. But by then, the damage was done. Additionally, my husband ended up getting food poisoning from the salsa at the water park, which was the only thing he ate that the kids and I didn't. I immediately called the medical office, where I was told to get Pepto-Bismol. I also called the front desk for help, and they gave me the same advice. At check out he told them of this experience and they said "we have no record of this" and that we should have filled out an incident report. My husband told them that I called and was not helped or offered an incident report to fill out. When we went to buy Cirque du Soleil tickets, we were told to go to the concierge. After waiting for 20 minutes while the woman clicked away on her computer, I took the kids back to the room and left my husband to finish the purchase. Almost an hour later, we started to get worried, so I called the lobby to check if my husband was still there. Tomas went to check, and apparently, he found it amusing enough to laugh at my concern. He came back to tell me my husband was still down there. I was incredibly frustrated and wanted to know why everything at the hotel seemed to take so long. Tomas then hung up on me. This was the final straw--no customer service skills, and such a lack of hospitality. The show was wonderful, however the show time was 7pm and when we arrived they said "oh sorry if you were mis informed but it starts at 8". This I imagine is a ploy to get you to spend money at the bar while you wait an hour. Staff around the facility are very friendly and the grounds are beautiful and tropical. I liked the amount of walking you have to do to get around but my kids were at times not happy about it. I also think for elderly and disabled this would be a big downside. Overall, this was not the vacation we had hoped for. From poor service and subpar amenities to the room issues and unexpected costs, Vidanta Riviera Maya left us feeling more frustrated than relaxed. We will not be returning and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a pleasant family getaway.

    Atmosphere
    Daniela B.

    Vidanta Hotel is a beautiful property with staff that made our stay memorable. The food at restaurant "El Lago" is fantastic. The breakfast buffet was fabulous every single day. The quality and variety of the food made of breakfast our favorite meal and our server Andrew made us feel at home. The property is designed for outdoor activities mainly; so when we faced unexpected weather conditions (non-stop rain in December), our experience changed dramatically as all guests ended up staying in their hotel rooms for most of the time. TIP: Download your streaming content as a plan B! The TV in room has very poor signal and you can barely watch a few channels. There is no option to watch your our own streaming account in the room, either. In a good day, Vidanta and its people will make of your vacation a fabulous one.

    Onsite male lizards Resort photos
    Phillip R.

    Worst resort I have been to in Mexico yet! Let's start off with how confusing the place is. Almost everything is named similar and the staff lacks the ability to assist. Transportation takes long periods of time and wastes most of your vacation. If you bring a car it takes 20-40 minutes to get the car even though the parking lot is super close they are kept in. They charge you to keep a car at the resort $6 a night and the staff begs for tips the entire time when it comes to getting in the vehicle or leaving it (but they claim to be a cashless resort). Walking in they spend hours at check in asking for credit cards, identification cards and passports over and over again. They require a $1500usdm deposit to even check in. They want all your information so they can force you into time shares and deal pitches. We tried to be nice and just go so they would stop harassing us. They claim it takes 1hr..... that was extremely embellished, we never got our free meal for going. They told us we were scheduled for Friday morning we showed up left us sitting in the lobby for an hour asking for passports and credit cards again. Only to tell us they were over booked we came back the same day to do it all over again. They single people out try to separate people in the group to manipulate them alone. Still never got the free breakfast as promised. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME! The beach, resort, and pool are breath taking. The ocean front property to this resort is full of very very scarp rocks and you can't swim in it (there are tons of dangerous eels). Food is decent on the resort but way over priced. This is your typical trap the tourist at the resort and cashless property that tries to get you to spend on your room number. With no access even on their app to how much you spent onsite or being charged. Leave the resort and get the real experience. This place is far from worth a 2nd chance.

    Gotta love how well this place is kept (completely kidding)

    My honest review for Vidanta Riviera Maya. My bf and I had a tripped planned to visit Vidanta Riviera Maya for 6 days 5 nights. Our first 2 days were spent switching rooms. We first ended up in Maya Palace in a room with two double beds when we had asked for king. They then moved us after we complained to a king room in a building that was completely under construction and unmanned. Half the building didn't event have doors on the rooms or even windows!!!! We were the only people in the whole building. We tracked around drywall dust that ended up all over our clothes and shoes. For $980/ night plus a $100/ resort daily fee you get the absolute bare minimum. This room should be $90/night MAX, they are out of their minds for charging such high rates. We are from Santa Barbara, California where we are used to high prices but this was completely unacceptable. Our second room with the king felt dingy and dirty. It looks like a 5 year old painted the walls with drips of paint everywhere. I'm not sure they have ever done a deep clean on this room. The shower handle didn't work, the "balcony" was about a foot wide and slanted, there was no fitted sheet on the bed, the lights in the room were fluorescent blue (I felt like I was in an old hospital room.) I'm not a bougie person, I've done a lot of dispersed camping in my life (no bathrooms or running water just nature) so I can handle roughing it out but when you're paying such high prices these conditions are UNACCEPTABLE. If you're staying at the Mayan Palace you practically get access to slim to none. If you want access to the nicer pools and restaurants get ready to pay $1,400-$3,500/ night plus your daily resort fee. A majority of the staff is just as lost as guests staying at the resort. EVERY conversation we had with other guests was consistent of how lost (physically) everyone was and how frustrated they were by the lack of communication. We had no idea the resort had an app until a staff member told us 3 days into our stay. We were never given a map of the grounds upon check in. You spend half your time there getting from point A to point B. Salum was the most promising place to get food and drinks, even then the quality of both food and drinks were not up to par with the prices. We spent more money in 4 days on basic low quality meals than we do in a month of grocery shopping at high quality grocery stores here in Santa Barbara. After a few days of complaining and switching rooms we finally got "upgraded" to Grand Maya which was nicer and bigger than Mayan Palace but not worth $1,500/ night. The walls are paper thin so get ready to hear your noisy neighbors. Unfortunately our neighbors had a toddler that would scream at the top of their lungs every morning around 6:30am and a woman who would scream at her husband. The ONE positive experience we had was with a staff member named Rodolpho, he was constantly helping us out and always a pleasure to see. If I could give this resort zero stars I would.

    Taylor S.

    I am shocked at the bad reviews this place is amazing! What I love most: The property is huge you could explore for a week and still have stuff to see The staff is so nice and attentive The food at all the restaurants is amazing The market prices were very reasonable The room and bed were so comfortable and we had 2 turn down services a day The pools were gorgeous The beach was like a post card What I love less: They hold 1500 at the beginning of the trip for you to charge stuff to the room. That surprised me Sometimes the wait for the shuttle was long but the walks were beautiful The beach is rocky and the piers were closed so we couldn't snorkel at the hotel They didn't fully explain activities so we did miss a few thing Things to note: you are in the jungle, there are bugs , that's just how it is that's not their fault The trip would not have worked without the app, it has the map and restaurant hours We will be going back it was the best!!!

    Grand Mayan Lobby
    Diana P.

    I am so surprised people had negative things to say about this place. The staff was the sweetest and totally on top of everything! They all remembered me and gave me the best hospitality I've ever received and I love that they put their hand over their heart. It felt genuine every single time. The beach, the pools, the spa, the decor and ambiance, the restaurants all 5 stars. The place is so big you have to take a tram and sometimes the gas smells strong but that's the only somewhat negative thing I have to mention.

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    Page 1 of 5

    The Grand Mayan Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - The Grand Mayan

    I truly enjoyed the nightlife at Salum (live music or dancers) on different nights and restaurants.

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    Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun - Lobby interior

    Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun

    4.0(207 reviews)
    3.5 km

    We chose this resort for our honeymoon expecting a romantic, stress-free experience. Unfortunately,…read morewhat we received was misleading, disappointing, and poorly handled. We paid for a Junior Suite Ocean View, clearly confirmed in our reservation. What we were given instead was a Junior Suite Tropical View with no ocean view at all -- not even partial. This is not a matter of interpretation; it is a clear mismatch between what was sold and what was delivered. From the beginning, the hotel was aware this was our honeymoon. We did not expect special treatment, but we did expect honesty and follow-through. Other honeymoon couples received gestures and attention; we received none -- and more importantly, we didn't even receive the room category we paid for. After reporting the issue, we were told the hotel was "fully booked" and that management would "look into it." Days went by with no resolution. Eventually, a supervisor explicitly offered a partial refund for the room category difference and a one-day beach cabana as a gesture. We accepted this in good faith. At checkout, the supervisor was suddenly "in a meeting." We provided our card details to another staff member so the refund could be processed. After departure, we followed up multiple times and received absolutely no response. No confirmation, no email, no refund, nothing. To be clear: * The food and general service were fine * The beach is beautiful * But selling an Ocean View and delivering a Tropical View is unacceptable, especially for a honeymoon * Offering a refund and then going silent is worse This experience seriously damaged our trust. A resort that markets itself around romance and special occasions should do better -- or at the very least, be honest and responsive. We would not return and cannot recommend this property based on how this situation was handled. Español Elegimos este hotel para nuestra luna de miel esperando una experiencia romántica, tranquila y bien cuidada. Lamentablemente, lo que recibimos fue engañoso, decepcionante y mal gestionado. Reservamos y pagamos una Junior Suite Ocean View. Sin embargo, la habitación que nos asignaron fue una Junior Suite Tropical View, sin vista al mar en absoluto -- ni siquiera parcial. No es una opinión: no coincide con lo contratado ni con lo que el hotel promociona. Desde la reserva y al llegar, el hotel sabía que se trataba de nuestra luna de miel. No buscábamos privilegios, solo que se cumpliera lo pagado. Mientras otras parejas recibían detalles, nosotros no recibimos nada -- y encima, ni siquiera la habitación correcta. Reportamos el problema y nos dijeron que el hotel estaba lleno y que "lo revisarían". Pasaron días sin respuesta clara. Finalmente, una supervisora nos ofreció explícitamente un ajuste/reembolso por la diferencia de categoría, además de una cabaña de playa por un día. Aceptamos confiando en su palabra. Al hacer el check-out, la supervisora "estaba en reunión". Dejamos los datos de nuestra tarjeta para que procesaran el reembolso. Después de salir del hotel, hicimos varios seguimientos y nunca respondieron. Ni confirmación, ni correo, ni reembolso. Para ser justos: * La comida y el servicio general fueron correctos * La playa es hermosa * Pero vender Ocean View y entregar Tropical View es inaceptable, más aún en una luna de miel * Prometer un reembolso y luego desaparecer es aún peor Esta experiencia dañó completamente nuestra confianza. Un hotel que se vende como resort romántico debería actuar con seriedad y responsabilidad. No regresaríamos y no lo recomendamos, especialmente para lunas de miel o celebraciones importantes.

    We had the most amazing vacation at Secrets Maroma Beach. The service was off the charts…read moreexceptional. From the coffee shop to the breakfast buffet to service by the pool (thank you Ana!), to the entertainment team-everyone was friendly, helpful, and efficient. Our concierge Francia was excellent! The beach was beautiful and well-kept. The water was a beautiful bright teal! We reserved a comfy Bali bed for one of our beach days and highly recommend! The swings beach bar was so cute and the bartender was super. The grounds were really well maintained. There were lots of little spots to sit from hammocks to swings to cozy chairs. The food was fine. My husband enjoyed it more than I did. I think it's hard to make amazing food at an all inclusive for that many people but of all the all inclusives we have been to, this one had consistently decent food. If I return, I will eat more meals at Himitsu. The teppanyaki and sushi was really fresh and delicious. The Chilaquiles at breakfast were excellent! The lunch food by the pool was also a favorite, especially the freshly grilled burgers and tuna steak. The drink selection was great. Try the fresh cucumber! They had a decent range of spirits, and we really liked the tequila selection. The daytime activities were fun. We loved walking the mile paved perimeter of the property a few times every morning. We played Bingo by the pool, did an ice bath ritual on the beach, did aqua aerobics, and enjoyed hydrotherapy at the spa. We sang karaoke and went to the silent disco. The constant extra touches made this place special-evening vendor fair, live music at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, charcuterie by the piano, fresh crepe cart, tuna snoring, elaborate photo op backdrops before the evening shows, smoked old fashioneds in the Italian restaurant, and so much more. Amstar airport transfers were easy and efficient. The Amstar rep was fantastic and helped us book a fun cenote snorkeling excursion. Our room was clean and we loved the bathroom layout. The patio had a little loveseat and a table and chairs. Room service breakfast was excellent and arrived exactly at the requested time. You had to get up by 8 if you wanted a good spot at the pool, and some of the evening shows were average. But overall it was an outstanding week, and we hope to go back!

    Photos
    Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun - Lobby art

    Lobby art

    Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun - Me at the bar.  lol.

    Me at the bar. lol.

    Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun - Heart lock sign

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    Heart lock sign

    JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar - This the beach in front of the oceanfront rooms

    JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar

    3.7(83 reviews)
    1.4 km
    $$$

    This was my first ever all inclusive resort experience. I can honestly say I feel like my life has…read morebeen changed for the better after this vacation. We ventured here with my partner and his family for his 40th birthday celebration, and the entire week didn't disappoint. First, the staff is incredibly kind and hospitable. Each morning you are greeted with smiles and they always make themselves available or attentive to your needs. I barely could open a door during the entirety of my stay. A major shout out to the entertainment team, specifically Bidi Bidi Bum Bum (her nickname), who kept us relaxed and busy during the week. Bidi is incredible. Next, the overall hotel esthetic is quite nice. It certainly has its own unique design decisions, but the accommodations in your room are amazing. Each suite has its own mini fridge stocked with beer and wine that they will refill each day. Every room has a coffee machine and a large bathroom as well. They have three pools, one of which is indoor and the other is a quiet bool. The main pool has a massive bar where cocktails are poured every day from 9 - 7. Not only that, the five restaurants and the buffet have so much food I think I could not eat for a whole week after the large amounts of steak and seafood I ingested. Overall, the price and experience are definitely worth it. I highly recommend this hotel if you're looking for an adults only, vibrant food and drink experience.

    This was remarkable! Unclear how it has been rated this low but I am here to say this was a…read moreworld-class experience. The level of customer service was top notch. As someone that has been to 10+ resort experiences across Mexico, Jamaica, DR, St Marteen and other Caribbean this is up there as one of the best. The price is incredibly reasonable 2 people for 5 days was around $1900 for all inclusive. There was 5+ restaurants, 1 beach restaurants, 1 buffet option on the resort. The Mexican dining restaurant was sensational, the steakhouse was my least favorite. A ton of different bar options around the resort. The liquor options were not bottom shelf, good mid tier options. And direct beach access, the most impressive part was it was seaweed season yet they were pretty clear. The grounds were very pretty and ton nature The room was spacious and the views from the balcony was gorgeous. Be mindful of the nature there are lemurs. They offered shows and night entertainment every night. My favorite was the fireshow and karaoke bar which is open most night. There were various pool options. There was a quiet pool option and a large more lively pool with a swim up bar. It was good vibes and entertainment. BEWARE of the time-share pitch. They will sell you on spending your morning doing this. We got out of it. Its a bit annoying.

    Photos
    JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar - Mezcal

    Mezcal

    JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar - Night time entertainment

    Night time entertainment

    JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar - 2 Tacos to Paradise

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    2 Tacos to Paradise

    Iberostar Selection Paraíso Maya Suites

    Iberostar Selection Paraíso Maya Suites

    3.3(96 reviews)
    1.1 km

    I'd give this a 4.7 overall. This was one of the best all inclusive hotels I've been to. It isn't…read moreas luxurious as others I've been to but it has a bunch of positives. First off, I love how they have your room key attached to your band so that you aren't ever having to look/remember to bring your key because it's always on you which makes it super easy and convenient. Wish every hotel did this. 2 - The food was truly exceptional and not average like most other places. It's not 5 star quality like at a true restaurant but very very good for it being an all inclusive. For dinner I had the Mediterranean, the seafood and tepanyaki. Seafood was my favorite and was surprised the lobster was pretty good size and the steak tasted great. It's not as perfect as if going to an upscale restaurant but still very very good. Mediterranean had great variety. For the tepanyaki I wish they'd remove the fruit, veggie and Philadelphia roll from their sushi lineup (if I want sushi I want some sort of fish/seafood as I'm sure others prob want too). Also wish I'd gotten a salad along with the soup. For breakfast always went to the buffet and has so many options without losing the quality aspect. Was pleasantly surprised because I'm not a huge fan of buffets typically. 3 - The people who work there are incredible and always greet you with a smile and truly look happy to be working at this resort. 4 - The pool area is incredibly large and have many options on where to go and the beach is good size also. (I was shocked how busy the beach got). In the pool area they constantly have activities for all ages. 5 - The shows at night were pretty good with my favorite being the 80s night singers (Adams groove was just ok and Caribbean wasn't as engaging cause all the lyrics were in Spanish). 6. The slide park is small but imo it's perfect and we had a lot of fun going down them. Didn't go down lazy river but loved that that option was available. 7. The gym not only has almost everything you need for a good workout but also offers multiple classes. I did the kickboxing one and loved it 8. Everything seemed very clean and was always seeing people making sure the premise looked nice. The overall value for the rooms was great but there are some things I hope they work on 1 - The water in the pool was ice cold! Not just cold. Ice cold. It def needs to be a little warmer. 2 - They have a water filtration system where you get your water from but if you want bottled water you can buy but they charge $12. There's no need to be price gouging a basic necessity because even though the filtration system works to make it clean it does have a slight taste to it 3 - The place is absolutely ginormous and wish they had better signs in the front because it's easy to get lost 4 - They put a 2 hour time limit if you check a ball out and find that kind of absurd. I don't wanna have to pay attention to what time it is if I'm out having fun 5 - The room service menu is very limited and definitely needs more options 6 -They have some $25 environmental tax have to pay on checkout. Not sure why they don't just have that when you check in so that it doesn't feel like being nickeled and dimed Overall, it was a great stay and would definitely come back

    By far the best resort I have ever been to! It's like six resorts in one. So many great food…read moreoptions including hibachi and Italian. A coffee shop open any hour you need it. And gelato!!!! The Lobby Bar was fun and bartenders were great. Entertainment was fun although short. Our room was comfy and perfect size. Bed was probably the most comfortable I've ever slept on in a hotel Highly recommend this resort!!

    Photos
    Iberostar Selection Paraíso Maya Suites - The room- very comfortable, quiet and clean

    The room- very comfortable, quiet and clean

    Iberostar Selection Paraíso Maya Suites
    Iberostar Selection Paraíso Maya Suites - One of the pools

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    One of the pools

    Iberostar Selection Paraíso Lindo

    Iberostar Selection Paraíso Lindo

    3.0(46 reviews)
    1.1 km

    I just got from a 6 day stay at Paraiso Lindo, along with another family. Together we had two 4…read moreyear olds and an 11 month old. I must say - we had a fantastic time. The pools are great and the lazy river was a ton of fun for the kids. There are so many options of things to do both inside and outside of the resort. One of my favorite things is that activities just kept coming to us! There's water Zumba and a water fitness class. There's a fun competitive sport in the pool every single day. They set up a really cool obstacle course in the pool for kids. We had a dance party, a foam party, and most importantly for the adults - a swim up bar with bar tenders that made excellent margaritas, daquiris, pina coladas and caipirihnas. The staff here were super friendly and that goes for every part of the hotel. The service at the restaurants. the towel person, the entertainment. Everyone was friendly and attentive to our kids and to the adults in our party. The only negative I would say is the food. But honestly, Ive never had good food at an all inclusive resort so thats just something that is par for the course. There's a grill where you can request freshly grilled meats and fish, and if you stick to that, you'll be good. Otherwise, it was all subpar food. I didnt take a star away because I dont expect food to be good at a resort, and this is based on my experience. how relaxing it felt, how much fun the kids had. the cleanliness of the beach and pool and resort in general. the fun and entertainment, and of course, the well made and delicious drinks. A 5 star experience all around. We will definitely be back!

    I am going to do my best to provide a fair and honest review. However, this resort is a classic…read more"lipstick on a pig" situation. If you value any of the below, reconsider booking here. - Customer Service - Value for your money - Food Quality I will touch on the aspects of all below. First I must say, with customer service, if a tip is expected or you are in a situation where a tip is appropriate your service will be exceptional. However, if it is simply an issue you are having, they do not care. For example we are 1 week in to our 2 week (12 day) stay, and the internet died In our room. Not really a big deal, but when brought to their attention they assumed we simply didn't know what we were doing, and didn't know how to connect. They made us feel like idiots for an hour, before they finally looked into the issue. Despite multiple screenshots being sent that we were indeed connected, but had no internet connection. It's so wonderful to pay $35,000 to stay here and be treated like a moron. For my next example, the "service" at the buffet. Breakfast service is fantastic, never have we had poor service at breakfast or lunch in fact. However we have been through now 3 dinners where a server never appeared. I had to get my own water canisters from the serving stations so that my family and I could have a drink, and our plates were never cleared. Once we were sat with 6 place settings for 7 people, and they actually argued that there were 7 there. I am not blind, and I can indeed count to at least 10 regularly. Finally the host set down a single fork, knife, and spoon and tossed a napkin at our 7th guest. Again, merely two examples of continuous bad experiences. - Value for your money ties into service and food. The food on the buffet is subpar, and always cold. It appears there is a lot of options, but they repeat frequently and a lot of the time dinner is what's for breakfast. For example the day before yesterday I had mushroom stew, which wasn't bad, but then it was what was for breakfast the next day. Not many fruit options, in particular for a tropical destination. We have more variety in the middle of winter in Canada on a fruit tray from the grocery store than what they offer here. - The food ... ah the food. I chose to write this now because my daughter seems to have gotten food poisoning from here. Initially I was going to wait until the end of our stay but I am done. All of the seafood has been overcooked and dry, while items like Lamb and Pork are undercooked. Due to the humidity the cereals are not edible, as they are completely soggy. You can't bite through it even, again we're talking cereal here. Proper storage is for sure not happening in my opinion. Things are readily available here, which is nice, however it does not make up for everything else. We also wanted to plan a beach dinner, and despite the friends and family dinner being listed at 1500 pesos on their own app, they will only offer us the Romantic option, which is over 4000 pesos per person. We were quoted $2300 USD for a dinner for 7. We have had their food, and service so this price is quite laughable. *** Edit to add*** They have now given my full name and room number to total strangers. This is a major safety issue for my family. We are also up to two people with food poisoning now. Just found out accidentally that you need to have a reservation to be able to eat on the 24th, then they told us that we also need one the 25th. So I go to guest services and I am once again told I am stupid (Alfred literally spelled open out like O P E N to me like I'm dumb) because apparently you do not need a reservation to eat the 25th. I am apparently just supposed to take their word for it. ***Second Edit*** The hotel is insistent on doubling down that they are perfect. Please do not waste your money and stay here. We were seated at their Christmas dinner, to a table that quite literally had dirt on it. The food was disgusting as well. Mashed potatoes tasted like smoke, the cranberry sauce (yes labelled was cranberry sauce) was made with Apples. On top of the lack of food safety here, they are going to cause someone to die of an allergic reaction, if not just food poisoning. The room above us continues to scream and move furniture back and forth all night and day (I really want to know what they're doing?!) and the hotel won't do a thing. It took us 2 hours to get bedding and a cot for our son, and then when it arrived it was disgustingly dirty. Now we are trying to finally leave this craphole, and we have private transfers booked. The bell man took it upon himself to come and scream and argue with me that we need to be on the bus, despite us telling him we have a transfer. Please use caution before booking here.

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    Iberostar Selection Paraíso Lindo
    Iberostar Selection Paraíso Lindo
    Iberostar Selection Paraíso Lindo

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    Valentin Imperial Maya - Restaurant seating

    Valentin Imperial Maya

    4.2(206 reviews)
    0.6 km
    $$$

    My wife and I travel a lot, and I must say this place is definitely at the top of our list. She's a…read moretravel agent, and I travel around with her, trying the resorts so she can recommend them to her customers. From the time we got here, with the ease of the check-in, to the rooms, the food, the amenities, and just the overall service, this place is run like a well-oiled machine! This is an older resort that still has the older Mexican Hacienda feel, with all of the modern upgrades and additions. You can tell they've put a lot of work into keeping this resort as authentic as possible. There was clearly a lot of thought put into every change and upgrade that was made to this resort. Our room was a corner suite at the end of the resort overlooking the ocean, the Dunas Suites. We thoroughly enjoyed getting up every morning to watch the sunrise, drink our coffee, and start the day! We had our own private pool, which was great to come back to and just soak and talk at the end of each day. The room and accommodations were absolutely top-notch! The food was absolutely amazing! We typically don't do the buffet, but we tried it, and it was the nicest buffet we have ever been to. We tried a variety of the different restaurants, and they were all absolutely amazing! For anyone that is a foodie, this is probably the best food I've ever had at an all-inclusive resort. They have three pools here: the Silver, which is a smaller pool in more of a natural setting; the Golden Pool, which has a lazy river and goes from Building 6 to 8; and then the main pool, which is one of the largest pools we've ever seen at a resort. It's HUGE! What I liked about it is they had two different bars there, and they have rafts available, which is super convenient as we usually bring our own. And yes, they have a lot of high-end booze and make some really good drinks at the pool bars! Each night after dinner, we would end up at the Plaza España! On our way, we would stop and get a churro at the churro cart, which I highly recommend, and then we would finish with a few drinks from the La Plaza Bar and live entertainment, which was usually a DJ or a live band! The later it got, the livelier it became, as the dance floor was a pretty hot attraction! A must-stop is Café Sisal, which offers hot and cold coffee drinks, fruit drinks, a variety of different sandwiches and pastries, and of course, their ice cream! This is a big resort, and if you are staying toward the oceanside, I would strongly recommend utilizing the golf cart services. We would at certain times, but a lot of the time we found a shortcut by the big pool that cut the walk in half. They have so much to offer, with a variety of different daily activities. Overall, this place is absolutely amazing, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone looking for an all-inclusive resort in Riviera Maya.

    It had been many years since I'd stayed at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, so I wasn't quite…read moresure what to expect at the Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya. I was very pleasantly surprised with everything! From the food to the staff, to the activities and variety of spaces, it was really a wonderful experience. I also LOVED all the wildlife we saw! Especially the coatis. Once you arrive, you are greeted with a welcome drink and they take your luggage to your room. Our rooms weren't quite ready but we were able to head to the buffet and get some food. We had the deluxe junior suite, which was the cheapest room option. It was very spacious, with two double beds, a small couch, table and chairs, and a large bathroom with a jacuzzi tub and separate shower. We loved the location of the building as it was near the pools and all the restaurants. It's a bit further from the beach, but we didn't spend much time there. The resort features several restaurants: French, Italian/Mediterranean, sushi, Mexican, Thai/Asian, a buffet, and a surf & turf restaurant. There is also a coffee shop that's open late, and food trucks at the pool areas. The food was quite good, with lots of options and incredible care when it comes to food allergies. I loved the Petite Alsace experience (a private dining experience at the French restaurant), and at $59 per person extra it was totally worth it. The only food I didn't love was the room service - it was almost always cold. But the wings were tasty! The staff at this resort make it so fun - they were always smiling and friendly, and so entertaining. Sonia at the main pool bars was the best, mixing up all the best drinks! Speaking of drinks... they have everything you could possibly think of (except aperol). The specialty shots are very fun. The afternoon pool events were a blast - we watched the mechanical bull competition, participated in aqua yoga at the pool, learned about Mexican produce at the cooking class, and more. They have nightly entertainment like DJs and karaoke in the courtyard, as well as a show every night. We loved the magic show! We also did a yoga class and the bike tour - I highly recommend the bike tour on your first day as it helps get an overview of the layout of the resort. The Golden pool area is super quiet and calm vs. the main pool area. It was nice to switch it up mid-week with a more restful afternoon on the "lazy river." Tips: -Bring an insulated mug/cup for the pool (and a larger straw for frozen drinks) -A waterproof holder for your phone/tipping money at the swim up bar is nice to have -I went back and forth on bringing inflatable loungers... I didn't pack them but wish I had. You can find the resort's blue floating pads pretty easily but they are not very versatile (I prefer ones where you can sit more upright) -Bring a game/deck of cards to play while waiting for dinner. (There is a lot of entertainment too, but it was nice to have) -Large groups (more than 8) will likely have to split up for dinner at the restaurants I'm so glad I got to experience this resort. Some of the guests we met have been there 20+ times!

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    Valentin Imperial Maya - Christmas tree in the lobby

    Christmas tree in the lobby

    Valentin Imperial Maya - Till the next time!

    Till the next time!

    Valentin Imperial Maya

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    Catalonia Playa Maroma - Buffet, pajaro

    Catalonia Playa Maroma

    3.5(43 reviews)
    3.2 km
    $$

    Big and spacious hotel. Everything that you need is on site. The staff is extremely friendly and…read morewilling to accommodate all of your needs. Special shout out to Citali, Laura, and Yazmin for all that they did to make our stay special. They constantly checked with us to make sure everything was perfect. Buffet food was good. Better than many I've had. Beloved and The Grill had very good food. The Gold member room was nice and updated. Just minor overlooked details here and there. The spa was great. The staff there are very nice. The facilties are clean and functional. Just beware of the coatis everywhere. Don't leave your food unguarded outside or you won't have any. The beach is nice. Wide with trees and soft sand. The perfect place to relax.

    We had our wedding at this amazing resort and I couldn't be more happy with how everything turned…read moreout. From the moment we walked in to check in, to the moment we checked out, the staff was fantastic. They are the nicest and most accommodating staff ever and that's what drew us to the resort in the first place. I'm also so impressed with how clean everything was. This resort is unique in the sense that there was also wildlife living on the property and despite the number of Coati, raccoons, boars, and other animals, the resort was nearly spotless! The restaurants were also clean and had really delicious food. Big shout out to Karen Baez, Erika Varela, and Alejandra Arceo for helping us finalize the details of our wedding. All three ladies were so great to work with and so accommodating with everything. They were all very communicative, thorough, and helpful to make the planning so easy. There was no pressure or stress at all, even in the day of the wedding. Overall, I would recommend anyone to work with the Hotel Catalonia staff for a wedding or even just to stay for leisure. All the guests for the wedding were so happy with the stay at the resort and cannot wait to come back. I'm grateful for the staff to make this the most unforgettable experience. This truly was a dream wedding!

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    Catalonia Playa Maroma
    Catalonia Playa Maroma - Privileged beach area

    Privileged beach area

    Catalonia Playa Maroma - Orchid Garden

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    Orchid Garden

    Grand Bliss - Poolside cabana

    Grand Bliss

    3.2(27 reviews)
    0.6 km

    While I had reserved a king bed for the week, getting 2 doubles and just pushing them together must…read morebe something people do regularly because the maids made up the bed for us that way every night after we did it. Room itself was very nice but when staying at a Time Share and not having a kitchenette at least was disappointing. Shower pressure gets 2 out of 10, while there is a soaker tub that looks like it's meant for 2, it's really not. Also, the AC worked at night but I think they turn it off during the day. The biggest let down was exchanging for Mexican $ while there. My experience was bad enough. If your money from other countries isn't PRISTINE, they will not exchange it. I had one $20 with a piece missing smaller than 1/2 a grain of rice and they wouldn't take it. I also had 5 or 6 bills that had a minuscule out of ink on the edge of a bill and it wasn't until the manager could sense my frustration that he stepped in and did exchange those bills for me. Do look up exchange rates before coming to Mexico, I saw the rates anywhere from $15-20 Mexican to American. The airport was the lowest and some retail shops were the best. THE ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE exchange came when my SO tried to get pesos for $400 American. He his $200 under his keyboard and then came back to her and said "here's your $3200 for your $200." She had handed him 4 $100 bills and tried to give her change for just 2 it wasn't until she called him on it and lifted up his keyboard that he said "oh, not sure how that happened". We filed a report with management and left it at that. They may have sent a fruit bowl and chocolate strawberries to apologize but that was not sufficient seeing that Management never even apologized to us. That's all we wanted. They have central parking and a team service here because it's 5 hotels in one resort. Advantages and disadvantages to both but the tram drivers and bellmen were the stars of the shows here. My SO broke her ankle halfway thru our trip and they lent us a wheelchair and they have a special tram to haul them around. The VALET service sucked! While being told to call ahead so they were there when the tram brought is good in theory, we still waited upwards of 30 minutes longer than they said it would take. Not once was our car ready when they said it would be. Also, having the car just sit in the hot sun when not in use makes it very uncomfortable during the summer when you get in. If you're going to the beach club you can't bring food or drink and their prices are very steep. Pro level cheat is to bring a Hydroflask filled with whatever adult beverage you want for the day and just get your water from them. Also, if you want a Cabana at the club and aren't Platinum, go to the reservation booth there at 11am and let them know you'd like to wait for an unclaimed Cabana at noon. Also, the sand on the beach is nice and you can lay there but the shore at the waters edge in all rocks for quite a way and makes it very difficult to enjoy the ocean waters. Overall, this place has some great qualities but I think coming here for just a meal will be the way to go when I come back at Christmas time.

    This place was well worth the trip there is 4 different resorts inside. They offer great food and…read moremy favorite night was the Mexican show night that they had. Let me just say there food was really good but completely different from what I am used to in southern California and Tijuana. The place itself is just magical swimming in the clear coral blue waters is just something amazing.

    Photos
    Grand Bliss - Beach Club pool

    Beach Club pool

    Grand Bliss - Coati wanting a ride on the trams

    Coati wanting a ride on the trams

    Grand Bliss - Guacamole at Tacos N Beer

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    Guacamole at Tacos N Beer

    Iberostar Waves Paraíso Beach - View from the beach

    Iberostar Waves Paraíso Beach

    3.3(90 reviews)
    1.4 km
    $$$

    The property is trash. Staying here this week and customer service is terrible. Can't get a drink…read moreat the pool because there is one bartender with 50 people waiting. Room ac does not work, toilet overflows, rooms are dated. Can't get a dinner reservation at the restaurants and eating buffet for 7 days. Would highly recommend staying away from that place! Trash resort and they don't care in the least. I am staying in room 3250 - Mike Arndt- michaelarndt502@gmail.com 515-802-7086. Place should be leveled! Customer service is horrific!

    ***I was electrocuted by a lamp in my room and hospitalized due to the effects it had on my…read moreheart*** 1. Room Safety & Air Quality Issue (Day 1) Upon check-in, I was placed in a room that had a strong smell of floor varnish or chemicals. The odour was so overwhelming that it affected my breathing and made my lungs feel irritated. I had to request to be moved to another room due to these unsafe conditions. I had an hour or so of day 1 wasted on my balcony waiting for another room while friends and family were already enjoying the resort. This was my first indication that the hotel was not maintaining a safe guest environment. 2. Electrical Shock & Injury On February 13th, I suffered a severe electrical shock while turning out the light in my room. The shock travelled through my left arm and into my chest, causing significant pain and distress. I was immediately taken to Hotpiten Cancun where I was hospitalized overnight, monitored for potential heart complications, and given blood pressure medication due to dangerously high readings following the incident. 3. Suspicious Removal of the Lamp After my release from the hospital, I returned to my hotel room and discovered that the lamp had been removed without any prior notice or explanation. I was told that the hotel had "checked the wiring" and that everything was fine. However, if the wiring was truly safe, there would have been no reason to remove the lamp. The removal of a key electrical fixture after my injury raises serious concerns about the hotel's accountability and transparency. This suggests that the hotel was aware of an issue and attempted to cover it up, rather than taking proactive steps to ensure guest safety. Fun fact: If the hotel replies to this review, it will be with their copy-paste generic statement about 'commitment to safety' and 'excellence' while failing to acknowledge the severity of what happened. I wouldn't stay here if I was paid to. It's not worth risking your life.

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    Iberostar Waves Paraíso Beach - Pool side

    Pool side

    Iberostar Waves Paraíso Beach - Bar ...poolside

    Bar ...poolside

    Iberostar Waves Paraíso Beach - The first thing you see when you arrive - fountain only turned on at night SOMETIMES.

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    The first thing you see when you arrive - fountain only turned on at night SOMETIMES.

    Iberostar Waves Paraíso del Mar

    Iberostar Waves Paraíso del Mar

    3.2(46 reviews)
    0.8 km

    12/25/23 - 1/1/24…read more This was my first time staying at an all-inclusive resort and it did not disappoint. My fiancé and I met up with his family at Iberostar Waves Paraiso on Christmas day of 2023. The service is impeccable, it is very clean no matter where you look. The fragrance they use to scent the lobbies and hallways really put you in a relaxing mode. The pools are large, clean and clear of debris. The beach is also clean and so relaxing to watch either the sunset or the sunrise. The property has many restaurants with different cuisines, a shopping area, a pristine gym (you have to pay extra to rent equipment though like tennis and pickleball rackets; and pay extra for certain classes), and there are other resort buildings that you can access as well. The staff are very friendly, polite and will ensure you get the best service possible. They have a huge buffet and room service is available 24 hours a day. There are activities planned all day and during the night as well. Thank you for the hospitality Iberostar!

    The breakfast buffet was amazing. I had two, tasty, orange yolked eggs cooked to order. I also ate…read morea hotdog on the beach accompanied by perfect fries. All of this was included with my day pass while on the island during a Carnival Cruise. Unfortunately, it was difficult to find bottles of water- which I expected to happily overpay for. You see, I'm a five star girl and the cranberry juice and ice are just different than I'm used to-not bad- just different. What I mean: The juices aren't Ocean Spray, the coke isn't Coca Cola Classic. It happens. The vodka was Sky or Smirnoff and I couldn't choke it down. I suggest Fire Ball shots and call it a day. There were many fish in the water, a swim up pool bar, and fresh towels if you show your ID. There are bottles of water at the lobby store. Most of the hotel is outdoors like many Iberostar hotels around the world so the lobby store A/C is a nice reprieve.

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    Iberostar Waves Paraíso del Mar
    Iberostar Waves Paraíso del Mar
    Iberostar Waves Paraíso del Mar

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    The Grand Mayan - resorts - Updated May 2026

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