Please help!..Iberostar Del Mar or the Adventura Spa Palace?

hannah32 · 08-05-2003

Help! I am trying to plan our honeymoon (with no help from my other half) and I'm overwhelmed with which resort to choose from.
We were originally booked at the Paradisus Riveria Cancun, but then heard bad things about it and realized it seems kind of far away from town.
I have been looking into the Iberstar Del Mar, or the Adventura Spa Palace, can anyone tell me their feelings between the two. We want a great pool, nice beach, fun nightlife, lots of people our age to mingle with (30-ish), all in a beautiful, clean resort with great food. Oh, and we'd like to be close to town to do some exploring the local bar scenes and shopping. Does it all exsist in one place, or am I expecting too much?
Any help would be wonderful because we're suppose to be leaving in 2 months!!! :o

08-09-2003

After doing a lot of research myself, we are spending our 10th wedding aniversary at the ASP, mainly due to it being adults only. Keep in mind, they do not have a real beach, but that is ok. It still has lots of sand and a wonderful lagoon area. You also have access to the other Palace Resorts. Take a look at www.tripadvisor.com, you will find some great review on the resort. If you have any other questions, email me at debbie@YourTravelService.com......Whatever the choice, you will enjoy the Playa del Carmen area.

celeste c. · 08-12-2003

I feel your pain, Hannah! I am pretty much doing all the research on my fiance and I's upcoming honeymoon (oct. 26) and can not decide between the myriad of resort choices. However, I am strongly leaning toward Aventura Spa Palace. For one, as Debbie mentioned above, it is adults-only. I have read other reviews about how kids (albeit wonderful) are not the most pleasant to have running around the resort, in the restaurants, at the pool, when you're trying to have romantic couple-time, even if that just means enjoying your cocktails and socializing by the pool. I am also drawn to the ASP (aventura spa palace) over some of the others because of the wonderful reviews I've read, and the high marks it's received in independent catalogs I've reviewed from my travel agent. Not to mention, one side of the resort is a SPA, so you can get some amazing spa packages for less than what you'd likely pay in your local town (it's not included in the all-inclusive). So you've got the best of both worlds, the fun side on "aventura" and the relaxing side on the "spa" end.

I had asked someone who stayed there recently about its proximity to the city, Playa Del Carmen, and he said it was close enough for a cab ride, that he and his friends often went into town just to enjoy the night-life and have a change of pace from the resort. Also, even though the beach is a "lagoon," you have access to other Palace resorts nearby, and can take advantage of their beaches, if a long stroll is what you'd prefer. Anyway - those are just my thoughts! Keep me posted on what you decide - I'm still debating everything, myself - and congrats on your upcoming wedding.

celeste

**Shammy** · 08-12-2003

Have you girls checked out the Royal Hideaway? It's more expensive but without a doubt, the best honeymoon-ing resort in Playa. (IMHO)
Having said that...
Hannah, the Iberostar is a very nice hotel and the pool is something to see! The beach is very nice as well. I just had clients come back from there a few weeks ago and they were very pleased. But if price wasn't an issue then the ASP would be a better choice because there are no kids allowed. The Iberostar isn't over run with them and most all kids will be in school when you go but they are there. As it has been said, there is no real beach at the ASP, it's a man made beach with a lagoon so if you're looking for powder-white sand to run your toes through, this isn't the place for you! But the food is good and the pools are fantastic.
If you have any other questions, I'll try to answer them for you.

celeste c. · 08-12-2003

I have heard nothing but WONDERFUL things of the Royal HideAway. My brother and his wife went last year with his company and had an amazing time (hence my decision to go to Playa Del Carmen for OUR honeymoon). However, it was a little more than we wanted to spend. There's a lot of little extra's that we want to do that aren't included in most all-inclusives, so I'm afraid it will all add up. I've heard the Rui Palace is also nice. Do you know anything about this particular resort? It's not in the main "palace" brochure I received from my travel agent, but it DOES have that regular beach that I would miss if we do decide to go with ASP. Any scoop on Secrets Capri?

celeste

**Shammy** · 08-12-2003

Celeste,
The Riu Palace is a VERY nice hotel. Wonderful service, beautiful surroundings, very good food, GREAT beach. Of all the Riu's in Playa, it is the most expensive, although less than the Royal Hideway. One note: men have to wear pants to dinner, even in the buffet. That's just the kind of atmosphere there is at the Palace.
As for Secret's Capri, it's supposed to open around Oct. '03. Since I think I saw you're looking for your honeymoon around Oct. 26th, if they do open, it might be taking a chance booking there as sometimes resorts don't open when expected. Then again, if it didn't open on time, you would be able to choose another resort. The price is approx. $400 less per person than the Royal Hideaway for a 7 night stay.

kathyb · 08-13-2003

I have been going back and forth with the same two resorts for our trip iN October. We are celebrating an anniversary. My biggest reason to shy away from ASP is the Lagoon - I really enjoy the beach and like to walk it. I hear the Lagoon has a thin layer of sand - can't even sink your toes? Otherwise ASP has everything else I want. The ala carte rest is the biggest plus. We are leaving our kids home but have been told there are few children in the area in October.

We are currently booked at the IBP - I just upgraded to a Jr. Suite as someone returned and posted pictures that they had cut into the vegetation and now have ocean view rooms - this was also important to me). Even after upgrading to the Jr. Suite I am still saving $200 from the price of ASP.

My TA also told me that ASP is quite far from Playa - IBP provides free shuttle service back and forth.

Good luck with your decision and I will be following this post with interest!!

Kathy

Lizzie · 08-13-2003

Hi there, I am also trying to choose between the ASP and maybe the Secrets Capri but won't be going until March 2004. The ASP has everything I want except the beach. I don't know much about the Riu Palace, is it adults only? I prefer that also, don't want the screaming kids running around. Someone mentioned on another thread that a new resort may have some growing pains at the beginning so that might be risky but the beach looks great and it's adults only. I don't know anything about the Secrets resorts, except that it is a little cheaper than Royal Hideaway which is out of my price range. I will be curious to read trip reports from the Capri once it is opened.

Have a great day. 8)

Lizzie

kathyb · 08-13-2003

Lizzie

I too looked into RIU Palace -I decided not to book this hotel because they have two dinner seating times - 6:30 and 8:30 I think. You have the same seating each night at the same table with the same waiter - sort of like a cruise ship. I don't want to have such a structured holiday so I did not go any further with this hotel. NOt sure it this matters to you or not but figured I would post info.

Kathy

celeste c. · 08-13-2003

I have heard great things about the Rui and have exhausted myself last night looking through all the reviews and such. But like Kathy, the regimented seating etc. didn't thrill me, so I'm not leaning towards it as much.

And I think I will hold off from the Capri this year and wait til possibly next year when they've had a chance to get all the details down pat.

Ah! but I still am torn. That darn beach/lagoon thing at ASP is still looming! I went through all the pros and cons of the ASP with my fiance hoping he could offer some insight. He said he'd actually rather the lagoon since we never really get into the water at the beach anyway. This way, we might actually use it. Still, the idea of just walking along the beach or letting it run through my toes is still so appealing to me, you know? I don't know. maybe just going to the beach on tours or visiting Xpu-Ha Palace will give me my beach "fix."

the bottom line is, my fiance and I are both very social people who like our cocktails. I'm wondering, are we going to be too far out from Playa to be able to go into town to enjoy the night life, or if we stay somewhere closer (like Iberostar) will we be uncomfortable with the whole family vibe? although if IS unlikely that there will be a whole lot of kids at that time due to it being the end of October. But is staying closer to the local bar scene really worth it, anyway? I don't know. I'm just thinking out loud - and, as always, still debating!!!

celeste

08-14-2003

Celeste-

ASP is a great resort. We stayed there twice in the last year. There is a daily free shuttle (5 minute ride) to their sister resort Xpu-Ha Palace, which has a beautiful beach. The movie the Blue Lagoon, was filmed on their beach. The ASP is not that far from PDC. In terms of heading into town, a short 10 minute cab ride puts you right in downtown PDC. I prefer it to the Rius and the other resorts in the Playacar subdivision. While they all have baches, they are extremely crowded!

Lizzie · 08-14-2003

Yes, the beach at the Xpu Ha is supposed to be nice so that's why I'm still leaning towards the ASP. Not sure I want to try a new resort like the Capri until they work the logistics out.

Lizzie

tralin · 08-14-2003

Celeste,

The ASP is very romantic and relaxing. Perfect for a honeymoon. It may be October, but don't forget about the Europeans. Playa del Carmen is a huge draw for them too.

I was quite surprised by the lagoon and quite enjoyed it. It is beautiful and in my opinion adds to the intimacy of the resort. We got endless enjoyment sitting just watching and listening to the waves crash against the rocks. Also, people seem to think that because it's not a "beach" you can't walk. We walked from one end of the resort and back and it was SO romantic. Of course it wasn't completely straight line like a beach.

Bottom line is that you need to decide what it is about the beach you like so much and how much will it affect or how much will you use it on your vacation.

There are so many beautiful resorts there. Good luck.

celeste c. · 08-14-2003

Yeah, I'm thinking that the lagoon thing will be more of a plus for us than a setback. I have been to the beach three times already this summer, and about to go again at the end of the month with the girls for a little bachlorette party (it's only about 4-5 hours to get to a nice beach from Baton rouge), so I don't want the fact that ASP not having a "traditional" beach to be a reason NOT to stay there. There's just too many other pluses about it, I think. Hopefully, we can meet a lot of other fun couples going at the same time, who'll be up for a cabride into PDC if we want a little nightlife or just other people to cut up with when jon and I are in the mood to socialize! But I like the idea that we can be romantic and laidback when we choose. It seems like ASP has the best of both worlds.

IBChillin · 08-14-2003

I too am going CRAZY trying to decide if the "lagoon" thang IS or IS NOT
a big deal to me. I like the fact that more rooms are ocean-view @ Adv
Spa Palace. Does anyone know how many, if any, rooms @ ANY of
Iberostar properties can the ocean be seen.

08-05-2003	#1 (permalink)
hannah32 sandflea Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: California Posts: 1	Please help!..Iberostar Del Mar or the Adventura Spa Palace? Help! I am trying to plan our honeymoon (with no help from my other half) and I'm overwhelmed with which resort to choose from. We were originally booked at the Paradisus Riveria Cancun, but then heard bad things about it and realized it seems kind of far away from town. I have been looking into the Iberstar Del Mar, or the Adventura Spa Palace, can anyone tell me their feelings between the two. We want a great pool, nice beach, fun nightlife, lots of people our age to mingle with (30-ish), all in a beautiful, clean resort with great food. Oh, and we'd like to be close to town to do some exploring the local bar scenes and shopping. Does it all exsist in one place, or am I expecting too much? Any help would be wonderful because we're suppose to be leaving in 2 months!!! :o

08-09-2003	#2 (permalink)
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Honeymoon Choice After doing a lot of research myself, we are spending our 10th wedding aniversary at the ASP, mainly due to it being adults only. Keep in mind, they do not have a real beach, but that is ok. It still has lots of sand and a wonderful lagoon area. You also have access to the other Palace Resorts. Take a look at www.tripadvisor.com, you will find some great review on the resort. If you have any other questions, email me at debbie@YourTravelService.com......Whatever the choice, you will enjoy the Playa del Carmen area.

08-12-2003	#3 (permalink)
celeste c. lost on fifth Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 11	honeymoon destination I feel your pain, Hannah! I am pretty much doing all the research on my fiance and I's upcoming honeymoon (oct. 26) and can not decide between the myriad of resort choices. However, I am strongly leaning toward Aventura Spa Palace. For one, as Debbie mentioned above, it is adults-only. I have read other reviews about how kids (albeit wonderful) are not the most pleasant to have running around the resort, in the restaurants, at the pool, when you're trying to have romantic couple-time, even if that just means enjoying your cocktails and socializing by the pool. I am also drawn to the ASP (aventura spa palace) over some of the others because of the wonderful reviews I've read, and the high marks it's received in independent catalogs I've reviewed from my travel agent. Not to mention, one side of the resort is a SPA, so you can get some amazing spa packages for less than what you'd likely pay in your local town (it's not included in the all-inclusive). So you've got the best of both worlds, the fun side on "aventura" and the relaxing side on the "spa" end. I had asked someone who stayed there recently about its proximity to the city, Playa Del Carmen, and he said it was close enough for a cab ride, that he and his friends often went into town just to enjoy the night-life and have a change of pace from the resort. Also, even though the beach is a "lagoon," you have access to other Palace resorts nearby, and can take advantage of their beaches, if a long stroll is what you'd prefer. Anyway - those are just my thoughts! Keep me posted on what you decide - I'm still debating everything, myself - and congrats on your upcoming wedding. celeste

08-12-2003	#5 (permalink)
celeste c. lost on fifth Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 11	honeymoon destination I have heard nothing but WONDERFUL things of the Royal HideAway. My brother and his wife went last year with his company and had an amazing time (hence my decision to go to Playa Del Carmen for OUR honeymoon). However, it was a little more than we wanted to spend. There's a lot of little extra's that we want to do that aren't included in most all-inclusives, so I'm afraid it will all add up. I've heard the Rui Palace is also nice. Do you know anything about this particular resort? It's not in the main "palace" brochure I received from my travel agent, but it DOES have that regular beach that I would miss if we do decide to go with ASP. Any scoop on Secrets Capri? celeste

08-13-2003	#7 (permalink)
kathyb ruined Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Methuen, MA Posts: 84	ASP-IBP I have been going back and forth with the same two resorts for our trip iN October. We are celebrating an anniversary. My biggest reason to shy away from ASP is the Lagoon - I really enjoy the beach and like to walk it. I hear the Lagoon has a thin layer of sand - can't even sink your toes? Otherwise ASP has everything else I want. The ala carte rest is the biggest plus. We are leaving our kids home but have been told there are few children in the area in October. We are currently booked at the IBP - I just upgraded to a Jr. Suite as someone returned and posted pictures that they had cut into the vegetation and now have ocean view rooms - this was also important to me). Even after upgrading to the Jr. Suite I am still saving $200 from the price of ASP. My TA also told me that ASP is quite far from Playa - IBP provides free shuttle service back and forth. Good luck with your decision and I will be following this post with interest!! Kathy

08-12-2003	#4 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,480	Have you girls checked out the Royal Hideaway? It's more expensive but without a doubt, the best honeymoon-ing resort in Playa. (IMHO) Having said that... Hannah, the Iberostar is a very nice hotel and the pool is something to see! The beach is very nice as well. I just had clients come back from there a few weeks ago and they were very pleased. But if price wasn't an issue then the ASP would be a better choice because there are no kids allowed. The Iberostar isn't over run with them and most all kids will be in school when you go but they are there. As it has been said, there is no real beach at the ASP, it's a man made beach with a lagoon so if you're looking for powder-white sand to run your toes through, this isn't the place for you! But the food is good and the pools are fantastic. If you have any other questions, I'll try to answer them for you.

08-12-2003	#6 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,480	Celeste, The Riu Palace is a VERY nice hotel. Wonderful service, beautiful surroundings, very good food, GREAT beach. Of all the Riu's in Playa, it is the most expensive, although less than the Royal Hideway. One note: men have to wear pants to dinner, even in the buffet. That's just the kind of atmosphere there is at the Palace. As for Secret's Capri, it's supposed to open around Oct. '03. Since I think I saw you're looking for your honeymoon around Oct. 26th, if they do open, it might be taking a chance booking there as sometimes resorts don't open when expected. Then again, if it didn't open on time, you would be able to choose another resort. The price is approx. $400 less per person than the Royal Hideaway for a 7 night stay.

08-13-2003	#8 (permalink)
Lizzie ruined Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 97	Hi there, I am also trying to choose between the ASP and maybe the Secrets Capri but won't be going until March 2004. The ASP has everything I want except the beach. I don't know much about the Riu Palace, is it adults only? I prefer that also, don't want the screaming kids running around. Someone mentioned on another thread that a new resort may have some growing pains at the beginning so that might be risky but the beach looks great and it's adults only. I don't know anything about the Secrets resorts, except that it is a little cheaper than Royal Hideaway which is out of my price range. I will be curious to read trip reports from the Capri once it is opened. Have a great day. 8) Lizzie

08-13-2003	#9 (permalink)
kathyb ruined Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Methuen, MA Posts: 84	ASP Lizzie I too looked into RIU Palace -I decided not to book this hotel because they have two dinner seating times - 6:30 and 8:30 I think. You have the same seating each night at the same table with the same waiter - sort of like a cruise ship. I don't want to have such a structured holiday so I did not go any further with this hotel. NOt sure it this matters to you or not but figured I would post info. Kathy

08-13-2003	#10 (permalink)
celeste c. lost on fifth Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 11	honeymoon destination I have heard great things about the Rui and have exhausted myself last night looking through all the reviews and such. But like Kathy, the regimented seating etc. didn't thrill me, so I'm not leaning towards it as much. And I think I will hold off from the Capri this year and wait til possibly next year when they've had a chance to get all the details down pat. Ah! but I still am torn. That darn beach/lagoon thing at ASP is still looming! I went through all the pros and cons of the ASP with my fiance hoping he could offer some insight. He said he'd actually rather the lagoon since we never really get into the water at the beach anyway. This way, we might actually use it. Still, the idea of just walking along the beach or letting it run through my toes is still so appealing to me, you know? I don't know. maybe just going to the beach on tours or visiting Xpu-Ha Palace will give me my beach "fix." the bottom line is, my fiance and I are both very social people who like our cocktails. I'm wondering, are we going to be too far out from Playa to be able to go into town to enjoy the night life, or if we stay somewhere closer (like Iberostar) will we be uncomfortable with the whole family vibe? although if IS unlikely that there will be a whole lot of kids at that time due to it being the end of October. But is staying closer to the local bar scene really worth it, anyway? I don't know. I'm just thinking out loud - and, as always, still debating!!! celeste

08-14-2003	#11 (permalink)
Guest Guest Posts: n/a	Celeste Celeste- ASP is a great resort. We stayed there twice in the last year. There is a daily free shuttle (5 minute ride) to their sister resort Xpu-Ha Palace, which has a beautiful beach. The movie the Blue Lagoon, was filmed on their beach. The ASP is not that far from PDC. In terms of heading into town, a short 10 minute cab ride puts you right in downtown PDC. I prefer it to the Rius and the other resorts in the Playacar subdivision. While they all have baches, they are extremely crowded!

08-14-2003	#12 (permalink)
Lizzie ruined Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 97	Yes, the beach at the Xpu Ha is supposed to be nice so that's why I'm still leaning towards the ASP. Not sure I want to try a new resort like the Capri until they work the logistics out. Lizzie

08-14-2003	#13 (permalink)
tralin way into it Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 134	Celeste, The ASP is very romantic and relaxing. Perfect for a honeymoon. It may be October, but don't forget about the Europeans. Playa del Carmen is a huge draw for them too. I was quite surprised by the lagoon and quite enjoyed it. It is beautiful and in my opinion adds to the intimacy of the resort. We got endless enjoyment sitting just watching and listening to the waves crash against the rocks. Also, people seem to think that because it's not a "beach" you can't walk. We walked from one end of the resort and back and it was SO romantic. Of course it wasn't completely straight line like a beach. Bottom line is that you need to decide what it is about the beach you like so much and how much will it affect or how much will you use it on your vacation. There are so many beautiful resorts there. Good luck.

08-14-2003	#14 (permalink)
celeste c. lost on fifth Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 11	aventura Yeah, I'm thinking that the lagoon thing will be more of a plus for us than a setback. I have been to the beach three times already this summer, and about to go again at the end of the month with the girls for a little bachlorette party (it's only about 4-5 hours to get to a nice beach from Baton rouge), so I don't want the fact that ASP not having a "traditional" beach to be a reason NOT to stay there. There's just too many other pluses about it, I think. Hopefully, we can meet a lot of other fun couples going at the same time, who'll be up for a cabride into PDC if we want a little nightlife or just other people to cut up with when jon and I are in the mood to socialize! But I like the idea that we can be romantic and laidback when we choose. It seems like ASP has the best of both worlds.

08-14-2003	#15 (permalink)
IBChillin very sparkly Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Nashville Posts: 31	Iberostar or Adv Spa Palace I too am going CRAZY trying to decide if the "lagoon" thang IS or IS NOT a big deal to me. I like the fact that more rooms are ocean-view @ Adv Spa Palace. Does anyone know how many, if any, rooms @ ANY of Iberostar properties can the ocean be seen.

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