Pictures of Secrets

[taylorfamilytx]

We have seen all the great reports from different peoples Secrets trips. We really want to see some pictures. Does someone have some they can post? Please... :lol:

[Emi]

My husband and I returned from our honeymoon at Secrets on Dec. 20. I finally posted some pictures on Yahoo! Photos, and I hope you will be able to see them.
We had a wonderful time and didn't want to leave!!!
I will try to write a more detailed report when I get some time.
For those of you who like to snorkel, I recommend you to take a short trip to the town of Puerto Morelos. We took a snorkeling tour and even saw a sea turtle!!!
Well, enjoy the pictures!

http://photos.yahoo.com/lovetortugasmarinas

Emi

[taylorfamilytx]

Thanks for the photos! Looks great. I am really ready for this vacation.

[Emi]

I'm sure you will love it.
When we were there (from Dec. 13 to Dec. 20), we hardly had to wait for a table, and even if we did, it was only for a few minutes. When we did wait, we just went to a nearest bar and ordered a drink. Our table was usually ready before we could finish our drink!
As this is a new resort, you may find some things that are still not working. But whatever you need, you just need to ask for it.
When we needed something, they usually brought it over to us right away.
If you liked the view from our room, you might want to request it.
We had reserved an ocean-view deluxe room and requested it to be on a higher floor. We got a room on the 3rd floor, and there was nobody above us in that part of the building. We usually went to bed listening to the sound of the ocean (at night, you don't need air conditioning)!
Hope you will have a wonderful vacation!
My husband and I wish we could be there ... everyday!

[maackman]

Emi, thank you for the pictures. I see a picture of a night show. People have been reporting that there are no shows. Is there a show every night and people are just missing them. Please explain.

[Annie]

Emi,

How was the food? Most of the reviews I read were positive, but the last few over New Years said it was terrible. Anything else would be helpful. Thanks

[Emi]

While we were there, we went to two night shows. On both nights, we had no idea that there was going to be a show. We basically found out there was something going on as we were walking to one of the restaurants. I think there was even another one, which we missed. There was a bunch of people going into a banquet room, and we just assumed that they were having something like a company party ... but later, we found out that they use that space to have night shows. I think they still need to work on announcing people when these night shows are going to take place. What I would recommend is that when you check in, you might want to ask them when the night shows will take place.
As for the food, my husband and I both enjoyed everything we had. We particularly liked Capri and Himitsu. Capri is a Mediterranean (Italian) restaurant and Himitsu serves Oriental cuisine. We also enjoyed going to Oceana, which is a seafood restaurant. Oceana is small, but it's right by the ocean, so at night, you can hear the sound of water while enjoying your dinner. Just make sure that you take your long-sleeve jacket with you when you go to Oceana at night. If you decide to eat out on the terrace (they have some tables out on the terrace), it can be pretty cold, but at the same time, it's very romantic! They have Riviera open for dinner as well. We went there one night and decided that we liked it better for breakfast. So, you might want to skip that place for dinner.
If you have some more questions, I will try my best to answer them!
Emi

[Robino]

Emi - thanks so much for posting your photos. We have been searching for real photos of this place. It looks beautiful. Did you play tennis by any chance. There is suppose to be a tennis pro giving daily lessons. Any insight?

[Emi]

Glad you enjoyed the pictures. Yes, we thought it was beautiful there ...
didn't wanna come back.
About tennis, we talked about playing, but we never did. We spent too much time out snorkeling ... but we saw the tennis courts. They are located about 400 meters away from the main entrance of the resort. But if you don't want to walk there, you might want to ask the bell boy to give you a ride there on their golf cart. We often got a ride when we wanted to head out to the main gate to catch a collectivo on the highway. They were more than happy to give us one!
I'm not much of a tennis player, so I can't comment on how good those tennis courts are, but they did look good.
As for the tennis pro, I really don't know. But I think it would be good to check on it as soon as you get there as we didn't see anybody using them while we were there. When you ask for one, you should also make sure to tell them that you really want a pro, not just one of the employees to play with you. But you should have no problem playing tennis there!
Hope this helps.
Emi

[LIZLEWIS42]

Thanks for the information and pics of Secrets...We're booked for the end of April, celebrating our 20th and really looking forward to it!...

One of the reasons we chose Secrets is the smaller size...I'm a bit mobility challenged :cry: and prefer having all the amenities close to each other...

Are there any elevators in the areas of the rooms?...We're getting tired of always being on the first floor, it would be great to have a view for a change...Could you suggest any rooms or location that might be more convenient for me?...

Again, thanks for the info you've already shared... LIZ

[Annie]

Emi,
I don't know whether or not to try to switch to another resort. There are 8 of us booked for March 7th and the latest reports are making me nervous. We are each spending 1900+ per person, which to me is quite a bit if we are not going to get the service, food, and other amenities that they advertise on the web and in their brochure. Did you snorkel there at the resort? How is the foliage around the property as far as flowers, shrubs, palm trees, etc. Thanks for all your information. I have been to the Royal Hideaway and that is one reason why I booked here.

[seniorjim]

I am not switching - you will find negative reports on any resort. It's usually an individual thing. Just my opinion.
Jim in Winnipeg

[Emi]

Liz,
Yes, Secrets is smaller in size and is very easy to move around the resort. I had an opportunity to take a look at some other resorts, and they seemed to be huge! Our room was located on the 3rd floor, and it was a deluxe ocean-view room we had reserved. If you would like to take a look at the view, you can find it at the URL I mentioned earlier. They did have the elevator to get to the 3rd floor, but our room was not that close to the elevator itself. You will be able to find a room closer to the elevator, though. If you would like to enjoy a beautiful view of the ocean, but at the same time, would like to be on the first floor, I recommend you to look into the ocean-front junior suite. We didn't know that such room type existed until we went there. But it's located on both sides of the resort (the resort looks like there is a right wing and left wing with the main building in the middle), and it's right on the ocean!!! You would be able to literally walk out to the beach from your terrace! I don't know how much more it will be to stay there, but I'm sure it's more than what you pay for the ocean-view junior suite. The best way to find out about this room would be to contact the hotel directly as travel agents don't seem to have any info. on this room type. Even though our room was a deluxe room, not a junior suite, it was comfortable enough for two of us, and we loved the view. But I would have loved to stay in that ocean-front junior suite, though. Maybe, next time.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions!

[Emi]

Annie,
I don't know what to tell you. If I am to say from my own experience at the resort, I would tell you not to switch it. I really think it depends on when you go there. As the time passes, the level of the service they provide would be more consistent, but it sounds like they are having a harder time keeping it consistent when the resort is at its full capacity. The week we were there, everyone seemed to be happy. We didn't hear anybody complaining, and a couple we met also told us that they didn't wanna leave! I was really satisfied with my decision. You might wanna check how busy they are going to be at the time of your visit and make your decision based on it. But trust me, the resort is beautiful. We had a chance to look at some other resorts (some good ones, I mean) while we were there, and we were really happy that we chose Secrets! Everything is new and clean there, and very nicely decorated.
As for snorkeling at the resort, we didn't do. We tried to once, but as the water was rough that day, they were not renting out the equipment. It depends on the condition of the water, I guess. But if you are into snorkeling, I recommend you to take a short trip to Puerto Morelos. It's a small beach town about 15 minutes away from Secrets, and you can see so much there just by snorkeling. We took a 2-hour boat tour, and it cost us about $22 each person including the snorkeling gear and Marine National Park fee. If you are interested, I can give you the name of the shop we used as well.
About the foliage around the resort, they have palm trees and other plants, and I saw people working on them everyday when we were there. I would say that it's not as full as some other resorts, which have been around longer. I guess it just takes time for things to grow. It was beautiful enough for me, though.
Hope this helps.
Emi

[winnie w]

Emi,
A couple questions,Could you see the ocean from the pool like it shows in the picture (their picture)also,could you walk to Iberostar Lindo from there,what other resorts did you check out?
Thanks