*Shammy*

JenLN · 08-09-2005

Hey, I went to Playa del Carmen last year and loved it! I'm getting married next year and looking for a good honeymoon spot. (and a travel agent to book through) We are also inviting friends and family along just b/c we think it will be more fun. We're having a smaller weekend away right after the wedding (March 25), but we want to have this large 5-7 day trip in July.

I've looked at many of the resorts in the Riviera Maya area, but I'm still not sure which one I like best. We're leaning toward Iberostar Paraiso del Mar or Paraiso Maya (what's the difference?), but I also liked Grand Xcaret (occidental?) and Sunscape Tulum. And of course that picture of the bedroom with the hot tub at Moon Palace! So here's what we're looking for in order of importance:

Nicest resort for our money (meaning regardless of location, I would rather not pay extra money for proximity to Playa or other larger city)
Good swim up bar
More of a "tropical" feel vs. Americanized fanciness (chandeliers, etc.)

Bonuses: Honeymoon perks (somewhere had one day of breakfast in bed, that would be nice!), big pool w/ lazy river, a restaurant that serves sushi, adults only resort, free shuttle to Playa or Tulum available

Anyone else with recommendations? This would be a group of late 20-somethings, early 30-somethings, so we would like to have a relaxing atmosphere with the option to have a late partying night or two. And I don't know how this works, but if any of the resorts are running specials for the second week of July 2006, I'd love to know. Thanks!

JenLN · 08-09-2005

forgot to add that last time we stayed at Iberostar Tucan and we LOVED it! But it was our first trip to an all-inclusive resort ever, so it would have been hard to disappoint us....and it probably still will be next time!

Bbbethie · 08-09-2005

We're staying at the Sunscape Tulum next month. I'll make sure to post my feedback. It does have more of an authentic Mexican feel to it; it doesn't have all the marble and granite that other resorts have. The food is supposed to be excellent. However, it does not have any nightlife or a swim up bar. It may not be quite what you are looking for.

We've also stayed at Bahia Principe Tulum and the Copacabana. Copacabana had an absolutely beautiful beach but the food was less than stellar, no sushi either. Bahia was much larger with a disco in the evenings. Overall, we like Bahia better but the beach at Copa can't be beat.

A lot of people around here love the Barcelo Maya. Haven't been there myself, but it is on the list of places to try in the future.

Best of luck, I'm sure you'll get some great feedback here!

JWK · 08-09-2005

I'm not Shammy but the IB Del Mar and IB Maya is on the same property. There are 4 IB resorts right next to each other on the same beach. The difference is that the Maya is the most expensive and most elaborate of the IB Paraiso's. If you stay at the Maya, you can have use of all 4 IB resort pools and restaurants. You also have I believe 2 private pools. All the rooms at the Maya are jr. suites. The Lindo and Maya share the same facilities, pools (except the private ones). The IB Beach and Del Mar share the same facilities and are not allowed over to the Lindo/Maya side. For example when we stayed at the Lindo we saw people from the DelMar/ Beach get turned down at the beach snack hut at the Lindo/Maya side. Good luck on your search.

JenLN · 08-09-2005

Also, the review of El Dorado Royale sounds great, but I was flipping through Apple Vacations and didn't find a listing for them. Are they in the neighborhood of $1200 for 7 nights / $1000 for 5?

KevKaos · 08-09-2005

I'm willing to bet that Shammy will have Barcelo Maya on her list for you. I haven't been there myself, but I did research it extensively when it was recommended to me. I ruled it out because I realy did want to be closer to town this time around.

As for a TA. I recommend Shammy. Look back at the hurricane Emily postings and you will see how Shammy bent over backwards trying to supply information for people who were not even her customers. I was a part time TA at one point but I will admit that I was nowhere near as dedicated as Shammy. I like to think that I was as dedicated because I was holding down a full time job as well at the time. Most all TA's get the same commission, so they are a wash on that front. You are going to pay the same price no matter which TA you use as they get paid a commission off of the total price which the tour operators will not usually sell to you directly. The trick is to find an honest TA who will not try to keep upselling you out of your budget and one that is competent when things go wrong. Shammy seems to fit the bill on both counts.

TAPPY · 08-09-2005

Shammy may be in route to Calif. for her sons surgery..not sure of the day she was supposed to leave.......but she may be out of pocket for awhile.

KevKaos · 08-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenLN

Also, the review of El Dorado Royale sounds great, but I was flipping through Apple Vacations and didn't find a listing for them. Are they in the neighborhood of $1200 for 7 nights / $1000 for 5?

If they are not in the Apple book, they are probably listed with either Funjet or GoGo travel.

TAPPY · 08-09-2005

And I agree with Kev.....look no further for a travel agent...
Shammy is #1

**Shammy** · 08-09-2005

I'm still here...but not for long!

But I can answer some of your questions...........

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenLN

I've looked at many of the resorts in the Riviera Maya area, but I'm still not sure which one I like best. We're leaning toward Iberostar Paraiso del Mar or Paraiso Maya (what's the difference?)

The difference is the Maya is new, all junior suites and MUCH more expensive than the Del Mar/Beach. If you stay at the Maya, you can use all the facilities of the Del Mar/Beach, but not the other way around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenLN

I also liked Grand Xcaret (occidental?)

Ya gotta know that this resort does not have a "real" beach. It's a small manmade beach that fronts lagoon kind of thing, with no access to the ocean at all. If you're looking for a great beach, this is not the place for you. However, when you stay here, you do get one pass per person to Xcaret Park

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenLN

Sunscape Tulum

This resort is VERY south of the airport, the furthest of all the resorts. Beach is nice, some rocky areas and some sandy areas. It's very authentic Mexico in the design and decor. It's a laid back hotel and no swim up bar and just one big rectangle shaped pool. By the end of this year or early next year, it will become a Dreams property. Same ownership but more family friendly and no doubt, they'll raise the prices too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenLN

And of course that picture of the bedroom with the hot tub at Moon Palace!

I'd take this off the list. The quality of the beach leaves much to be desired. Lots of seaweed washing up here. It's a very large property with fantastic pools....but if the only reason you're interested in the Moon Palace is for the in room jacuzzi, there are several other resorts that would offer this that would be better choices....in my opinion of course.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenLN

So here's what we're looking for in order of importance:

Nicest resort for our money (meaning regardless of location, I would rather not pay extra money for proximity to Playa or other larger city)

Well, until you actually have prices in front of you, it's going to be hard to decide where to go. Once you can see a price and weigh the pros and cons, your decision should be easier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenLN

Good swim up bar

MOST resorts have swim up bars, only a handful don't (such as the Sunscape)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenLN

More of a "tropical" feel vs. Americanized fanciness (chandeliers, etc.)

Again, I would say that most of the resorts in the Mayan Riviera DO have that tropical feel...even if they do have chandeliers! You probably won't find anything MORE tropical than the Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal though...since they've got animals running all over the property!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenLN

Bonuses: Honeymoon perks (somewhere had one day of breakfast in bed, that would be nice!), big pool w/ lazy river, a restaurant that serves sushi, adults only resort, free shuttle to Playa or Tulum available

Most resorts will do "something" for honeymooners but....in order to be qualified for any kind of honeymoon perks, you need to show a copy of your marriage license upon check in. Sometimes if it's noted on the reservation, they'll do whatever it is they normally do for honeymooners without asking to see the license. But most of the time, they do ask to see it. It really just depends on the extent of what they offer. If you're talking a breakfast in bed thing, free spa service, private dinners on the beach...they're not going to give that to you without proof. But maybe you'd get a fruit basket and a bottle of wine/champagne. The problem is...the amount of time between the wedding and the honeymoon can usually be no more than 60 days, a few resorts might be 90 days. After that, they no longer consider you honeymooners. If you're getting married in March and not taking the trip until July, I don't think any of the honeymoon inclusions at most of these resorts will apply to you.

Big pools are fairly common, but the only resort with a lazy river is the Iberostar Lindo. They also have a wave pool.

Sushi...can't say for sure. I know the Secrets Resorts have it and I believe the El Dorado Royale might as well. I just don't know what's on the menu at all the hotels in the Mayan Riviera.

Adults only....these are your choices:

El Dorado Royale
El Dorado Seaside Suites
Aventura Spa Palace
Secrets Capri
Secrets Excellence

There will be a new section that is in the process of being built at the Palladium that is for adults only. But the rest of the resort accepts families.

Free shuttle to Playa = Secrets Capri/Iberostar Paraiso complex, and I'm not sure, but maybe the El Dorado Royale (but I don't think so). Can't recall if there are any others. Maybe someone else will know. This isn't common actually.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenLN

And I don't know how this works, but if any of the resorts are running specials for the second week of July 2006, I'd love to know

Right about now is the first time you can get pricing for July 2006. Air can only be priced and booked 331 days in advance of departure and they usually don't have hotel rates to match until about that time...and sometimes, depending on when the different tour operators get their contracts signed, you can't even get the hotels right then. As far as specials, with one year to go before departure, I don't think you're going to see anything in the way of specials. Specials are usually offered when it's low season (July is not for the AI's) and when a resort is having trouble selling rooms or a charter flight can't get rid of excess seats. None of this will be true right now.

**Shammy** · 08-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenLN

Also, the review of El Dorado Royale sounds great, but I was flipping through Apple Vacations and didn't find a listing for them. Are they in the neighborhood of $1200 for 7 nights / $1000 for 5?

No, Apple doesn't carry either of the El Dorado resorts. Funjet, WorryFree, Travel Impressions...and a few others do.

As far as the price...they have many categories of rooms, all with different prices:

Garden view jacuzzi jr. suite
Swim up jacuzzi jr. suite
Ocean view jacuzzi jr. suite
Oceanfront jacuzzi jr. suite
Casita suite
Swim up casita suite

The casitas are way more than $1,200 per room for a week, but they are the nicest rooms. You might be able to get into a garden view or perhaps even an ocean view for that price. Just depends in how much the rates go up for 2006.

08-09-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenLN

Also, the review of El Dorado Royale sounds great, but I was flipping through Apple Vacations and didn't find a listing for them. Are they in the neighborhood of $1200 for 7 nights / $1000 for 5?

Based on 2005 pricing, the lowest rate is $300 day for a jr. garden view suite for the time period (July) you want. $572 a day for a swim up casita. So we're talking $2100 - $4004 for a week depending on the room you piced. This is the quote from their website www.karismahotels.com We booked our trip thru FunJet, and we went end of April. Read my review .........

The place is great!! It has SEVEN swim up bars!!!

JenLN · 08-09-2005

OK then, when you get back, could you let me know what you think is the best value of these:

IB* Paraiso del Mar
IB* Lindo
El Dorado Royale
El Dorado Seaside Suites
Aventura Spa Palace
Palladium

If the price is slightly over $1200, that's OK, but definitely not over $1500. Also, which of the above do you think would be the best for my situation?

JenLN · 08-09-2005

Are the prices on applevacations.com the same prices you could get for me, or would you be cheaper/more expensive?

JenLN · 08-09-2005

OH, to clarify, I mean $1200 a person for the air + hotel package...not $1200 total.

08-09-2005	#1 (permalink)
JenLN toe in water Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 42	*Shammy* Hey, I went to Playa del Carmen last year and loved it! I'm getting married next year and looking for a good honeymoon spot. (and a travel agent to book through) We are also inviting friends and family along just b/c we think it will be more fun. We're having a smaller weekend away right after the wedding (March 25), but we want to have this large 5-7 day trip in July. I've looked at many of the resorts in the Riviera Maya area, but I'm still not sure which one I like best. We're leaning toward Iberostar Paraiso del Mar or Paraiso Maya (what's the difference?), but I also liked Grand Xcaret (occidental?) and Sunscape Tulum. And of course that picture of the bedroom with the hot tub at Moon Palace! So here's what we're looking for in order of importance: Nicest resort for our money (meaning regardless of location, I would rather not pay extra money for proximity to Playa or other larger city) Good swim up bar More of a "tropical" feel vs. Americanized fanciness (chandeliers, etc.) Bonuses: Honeymoon perks (somewhere had one day of breakfast in bed, that would be nice!), big pool w/ lazy river, a restaurant that serves sushi, adults only resort, free shuttle to Playa or Tulum available Anyone else with recommendations? This would be a group of late 20-somethings, early 30-somethings, so we would like to have a relaxing atmosphere with the option to have a late partying night or two. And I don't know how this works, but if any of the resorts are running specials for the second week of July 2006, I'd love to know. Thanks!

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08-09-2005	#2 (permalink)
JenLN toe in water Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 42	forgot to add that last time we stayed at Iberostar Tucan and we LOVED it! But it was our first trip to an all-inclusive resort ever, so it would have been hard to disappoint us....and it probably still will be next time!

08-09-2005	#3 (permalink)
Bbbethie toe in water Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 52	We're staying at the Sunscape Tulum next month. I'll make sure to post my feedback. It does have more of an authentic Mexican feel to it; it doesn't have all the marble and granite that other resorts have. The food is supposed to be excellent. However, it does not have any nightlife or a swim up bar. It may not be quite what you are looking for. We've also stayed at Bahia Principe Tulum and the Copacabana. Copacabana had an absolutely beautiful beach but the food was less than stellar, no sushi either. Bahia was much larger with a disco in the evenings. Overall, we like Bahia better but the beach at Copa can't be beat. A lot of people around here love the Barcelo Maya. Haven't been there myself, but it is on the list of places to try in the future. Best of luck, I'm sure you'll get some great feedback here!

08-09-2005	#4 (permalink)
JWK way into it Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 133	I'm not Shammy but the IB Del Mar and IB Maya is on the same property. There are 4 IB resorts right next to each other on the same beach. The difference is that the Maya is the most expensive and most elaborate of the IB Paraiso's. If you stay at the Maya, you can have use of all 4 IB resort pools and restaurants. You also have I believe 2 private pools. All the rooms at the Maya are jr. suites. The Lindo and Maya share the same facilities, pools (except the private ones). The IB Beach and Del Mar share the same facilities and are not allowed over to the Lindo/Maya side. For example when we stayed at the Lindo we saw people from the DelMar/ Beach get turned down at the beach snack hut at the Lindo/Maya side. Good luck on your search.

08-09-2005	#5 (permalink)
JenLN toe in water Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 42	Also, the review of El Dorado Royale sounds great, but I was flipping through Apple Vacations and didn't find a listing for them. Are they in the neighborhood of $1200 for 7 nights / $1000 for 5?

08-09-2005	#6 (permalink)
KevKaos añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mi hogar está en Baltimore Maryland Posts: 1,523	I'm willing to bet that Shammy will have Barcelo Maya on her list for you. I haven't been there myself, but I did research it extensively when it was recommended to me. I ruled it out because I realy did want to be closer to town this time around. As for a TA. I recommend Shammy. Look back at the hurricane Emily postings and you will see how Shammy bent over backwards trying to supply information for people who were not even her customers. I was a part time TA at one point but I will admit that I was nowhere near as dedicated as Shammy. I like to think that I was as dedicated because I was holding down a full time job as well at the time. Most all TA's get the same commission, so they are a wash on that front. You are going to pay the same price no matter which TA you use as they get paid a commission off of the total price which the tour operators will not usually sell to you directly. The trick is to find an honest TA who will not try to keep upselling you out of your budget and one that is competent when things go wrong. Shammy seems to fit the bill on both counts.

08-09-2005	#7 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 14,945	Shammy may be in route to Calif. for her sons surgery..not sure of the day she was supposed to leave.......but she may be out of pocket for awhile.

08-09-2005	#9 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 14,945	And I agree with Kev.....look no further for a travel agent... Shammy is #1

08-09-2005	#13 (permalink)
JenLN toe in water Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 42	OK then, when you get back, could you let me know what you think is the best value of these: IB* Paraiso del Mar IB* Lindo El Dorado Royale El Dorado Seaside Suites Aventura Spa Palace Palladium If the price is slightly over $1200, that's OK, but definitely not over $1500. Also, which of the above do you think would be the best for my situation?

08-09-2005	#14 (permalink)
JenLN toe in water Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 42	Are the prices on applevacations.com the same prices you could get for me, or would you be cheaper/more expensive?

08-09-2005	#15 (permalink)
JenLN toe in water Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 42	OH, to clarify, I mean $1200 a person for the air + hotel package...not $1200 total.

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