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.