Aventura Spa Palace or Secrets Capri - need help!!

holly1of3 · 06-22-2004

Hi- I have booked a trip for this coming October for our first wedding anniversary to Aventura Spa Palace. We stayed at Couples Negril for our honeymoon last year & loved it - the food, the service, the atmosphere, the staff - it was all great. I have been reading the reviews on trip advisor & anywhere else I can find them and now I am not sure if I booked the right choice, the reviews on Aventura seem a bit shaky. We like good food, a nice pool area, and a nice room, a nice VIEW of the ocean ( not much of an ocean swimmer).Has anyone been to both the Spa Palace as well as Secrets Capri? I am just wondering which is the better resort & if I should switch from Aventura to Secrets - any help is much appreciated!!

geraldh · 06-22-2004

Check out my website for pictures of ASP. We've been there the last two years.

www.haakman.ca

I too asked for comments from anyone who had stayed at both but haven't received any feedback yet. We loved the room at ASP and are not beach peopole either so no beach at ASP works for us.

holly1of3 · 06-22-2004

The pictures were great, thanks! What did you think about the food?

geraldh · 06-22-2004

We all thought the food really good. You have to remember where you are but we never went hungry. We tried all the restaurants but our favourites were Mundaca steak house, Italian and Oriental. We were there for two weeks this year and never went hungry. The breakfasts are all pretty much the same in the three restaurants that are open (great omelettes) and when we were there they had an outdoor BBQ set up near the southern most part of the freeform pool.

The drinks flow freely and the people there are the best. We got to know our bartender and pool waitress really well. We even sought out another waiter we'd met the first year there.

I know I may be biased in my opinion because we've had two great vacations there but I can't say a bad thing about the resort other than maybe it's isolated but you can walk or bike to Puerto Aventuras.

holly1of3 · 06-22-2004

Honestly I was mostly worried about the food & that is what is making me second guess my choice - I know some people will complain about anything, it's just that a lot of the reviews said the food was bad, and that made me nervous because we like a nice dinner. When we went to Couples we had no need to leave the resort & that's what I'm hoping with this vacation, although shince they include excursions we may check those out. Did you see Secrets at all while you were at AVentura?

geraldh · 06-22-2004

I think Secrets is on the other side of PDC so we never saw it. We stayed on the resort the whole two weeks except for two afternoons when we went into PDC to meet some friends from the first year at ASP at Carlos N' Charlies and do a little shopping.

I'm not sure about the rooms at Secrets. We really liked the rooms at ASP. This past year we were on the third floor with a partial view of the sea and by being on the 3rd floor we were able to keep our patio door open all night.

Scot · 06-22-2004

I think you made a great choice. We just got back last Friday from ASP. The service and the surroundings were fantastic. There are six or seven places to eat at the resort, all different. You have to find what you like and work with it. I liked La Hacienda for dinner and the buffets for breakfast. It took me two or three days to realy see what was available at each location.

The no kids is great. I love my kids, but it was nice to only be around adults. My wife and I went to Xpu-ha for a day to see a "real beach" and swim. We only stayed there for three hours before going back to ASP.

By the fifth day everyone in the group I was with, said that they WERE (not would, but were) coming back to ASP.

It was interesting, we landed when the storm was starting on 6/10. Over the next three days I was told they received over 20 inches of rain. Everyone we met in town or on excursions talked about leaks in their rooms or storm related trouble at the resorts. We had weat floors in the halls and no power for a few hours on Monday, but that was it. We still swam and had a blast even in the rain.

No mater what happons, make it fun and have a blast.

Scot · 06-22-2004

Boy I must still be on vacation by the looks of my spelling in that last post.

Have fun.

geraldh · 06-22-2004

Scot, glad to see someone enjoys ASP as much as we do.

Taterpatch · 06-22-2004

Hey Scot-I am also glad to hear of another person pleased with ASP-my husband and I have had our trip booked from Vacation Express for a couple of months now. This is a trip for just my husband and I (leaving the three kids at home-hehe) and we really want to make the best of our days there. Since there are tours included in the package-what do you suggest that we go on? Did you go on any while you were there? We are considering Tulum/Xhu-Pa, Isla Menjaures, and maybe a day trip to Cozumel. This is our first trip to Mexico so we are so very unsure of what we want to do. Thanks for all your help-By the way we loved geraldh's pictures too!

Sloane Kettering · 06-23-2004

I, too, had a fantastic time at ASP last July--I've attached my review from last year--and I am getting ready to head back on July 8 for a week...cannot wait!!!

I returned from a week at ASP last Wednesday and had a fantastic vacation.

Stayed on the Aventura side and loved being there--the pool, the lagoon, Mundaca, the place where we ate breakfast every morning--all wonderful. Our room was in "Accordion"--did anyone else notice the buildings are named after musical instruments?--and had an ocean view. And robes and filled mini bar!

Ate at Mo Mo No Hana 3 nights--the sushi was very good, as were the entrees. Ate at La Hacienda one evening--had shrimp and filet--both were really nice. Ventanas, the Italian restaurant with the pool in the center (random!) was pretty good as buffet goes, especially as they would prepare fresh pastas and steaks for you. Hung out at the Q Bar and played pool quite a bit--they always had munchies such as popcorn and chips and salsa. Went to Karaoke night in the disco and sang! Also went to Casino night and "Any Thing Can Happen" night--goofy but fun.

As for the spa treatments, opted for the 80 minute aromatherapy massage and the hot stones--set you free! One of the best massages I have ever had. Though the prices were reasonable and worth the splurge.

Thought 99.9% of the staff was fabulous--the only person with whom I had a problem was "Susy" at the Spa side lobby front desk. Luckily, it was as I was checking out, so her lack of customer delight did not affect my view of the resort. Maybe she was just having a bad day, who knows.

All in all, it was one of the best vacations I have had, and I travel a lot for both work and pleasure. I did notice toward the end of the stay it got much busier--the day after we arrived, the Question of the Day, (a trivia game with prizes at the Aventura pool) was "How many people are staying at ASP?", and the answer was 1100, so maybe it was really slow when we first got there. Perhaps the service is not as good if they are really busy, because we did not have to wait in line for anything except check out (with rude Susy).

Much more to say than what is in this post, so I would be more than willing to answer any questions. Bottom line: I will be returning, hopefully sooner rather than later!

holly1of3 · 06-23-2004

I am going to stick with my original arrangements to go to ASP. It sounds like everyone that has been there recently has nothing but rave reviews, so I am sure we will love it.

geraldh · 06-24-2004

Keep us posted and definitely let us know what you think when you return.

Have fun.

holly1of3 · 06-25-2004

I am still nervous - I am afraid that we'll be lost in a "mega resort" - is it that large? When we stayed at Couples we saw the same people every day.

Sloane Kettering · 06-25-2004

When we went to ASP last year, we rode in the shuttle from the airport with two couples from Texas and when we got to the resort we joked that it was nice meeting them, since we would never see them again.

I swear we saw them everyday, even though they were staying on the other side! At the disco, at the gift shop, at the Asian restaurant--you get the idea.

We also saw an really obnoxious couple that we wished we wouldn't see. ALL THE TIME.

So, even at ASP, it is a small world after all!

But it is also big enough that if you aren't interested in what is happening at the Spa pool, you can head over to the Aventura side. Or if you are tired of the disco, you can go down to Q Bar and play pool. And of course the myriad choices at the restaurants...

So I wouldn't worry about the size. I thought it was a defininte plus.

13 more days!!!

06-22-2004	#1 (permalink)
holly1of3 very sparkly Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 29	Aventura Spa Palace or Secrets Capri - need help!! Hi- I have booked a trip for this coming October for our first wedding anniversary to Aventura Spa Palace. We stayed at Couples Negril for our honeymoon last year & loved it - the food, the service, the atmosphere, the staff - it was all great. I have been reading the reviews on trip advisor & anywhere else I can find them and now I am not sure if I booked the right choice, the reviews on Aventura seem a bit shaky. We like good food, a nice pool area, and a nice room, a nice VIEW of the ocean ( not much of an ocean swimmer).Has anyone been to both the Spa Palace as well as Secrets Capri? I am just wondering which is the better resort & if I should switch from Aventura to Secrets - any help is much appreciated!!

06-22-2004	#2 (permalink)
geraldh way into it Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 190	Check out my website for pictures of ASP. We've been there the last two years. www.haakman.ca I too asked for comments from anyone who had stayed at both but haven't received any feedback yet. We loved the room at ASP and are not beach peopole either so no beach at ASP works for us.

06-22-2004	#3 (permalink)
holly1of3 very sparkly Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 29	The pictures were great, thanks! What did you think about the food?

06-22-2004	#4 (permalink)
geraldh way into it Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 190	We all thought the food really good. You have to remember where you are but we never went hungry. We tried all the restaurants but our favourites were Mundaca steak house, Italian and Oriental. We were there for two weeks this year and never went hungry. The breakfasts are all pretty much the same in the three restaurants that are open (great omelettes) and when we were there they had an outdoor BBQ set up near the southern most part of the freeform pool. The drinks flow freely and the people there are the best. We got to know our bartender and pool waitress really well. We even sought out another waiter we'd met the first year there. I know I may be biased in my opinion because we've had two great vacations there but I can't say a bad thing about the resort other than maybe it's isolated but you can walk or bike to Puerto Aventuras.

06-22-2004	#5 (permalink)
holly1of3 very sparkly Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 29	Honestly I was mostly worried about the food & that is what is making me second guess my choice - I know some people will complain about anything, it's just that a lot of the reviews said the food was bad, and that made me nervous because we like a nice dinner. When we went to Couples we had no need to leave the resort & that's what I'm hoping with this vacation, although shince they include excursions we may check those out. Did you see Secrets at all while you were at AVentura?

06-22-2004	#6 (permalink)
geraldh way into it Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 190	I think Secrets is on the other side of PDC so we never saw it. We stayed on the resort the whole two weeks except for two afternoons when we went into PDC to meet some friends from the first year at ASP at Carlos N' Charlies and do a little shopping. I'm not sure about the rooms at Secrets. We really liked the rooms at ASP. This past year we were on the third floor with a partial view of the sea and by being on the 3rd floor we were able to keep our patio door open all night.

06-22-2004	#7 (permalink)
Scot into ruins Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tied to a Desk Posts: 62	I think you made a great choice. We just got back last Friday from ASP. The service and the surroundings were fantastic. There are six or seven places to eat at the resort, all different. You have to find what you like and work with it. I liked La Hacienda for dinner and the buffets for breakfast. It took me two or three days to realy see what was available at each location. The no kids is great. I love my kids, but it was nice to only be around adults. My wife and I went to Xpu-ha for a day to see a "real beach" and swim. We only stayed there for three hours before going back to ASP. By the fifth day everyone in the group I was with, said that they WERE (not would, but were) coming back to ASP. It was interesting, we landed when the storm was starting on 6/10. Over the next three days I was told they received over 20 inches of rain. Everyone we met in town or on excursions talked about leaks in their rooms or storm related trouble at the resorts. We had weat floors in the halls and no power for a few hours on Monday, but that was it. We still swam and had a blast even in the rain. No mater what happons, make it fun and have a blast.

06-22-2004	#8 (permalink)
Scot into ruins Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tied to a Desk Posts: 62	Boy I must still be on vacation by the looks of my spelling in that last post. Have fun.

06-22-2004	#9 (permalink)
geraldh way into it Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 190	Scot, glad to see someone enjoys ASP as much as we do.

06-22-2004	#10 (permalink)
Taterpatch lost on fifth Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 23	Hey Scot-I am also glad to hear of another person pleased with ASP-my husband and I have had our trip booked from Vacation Express for a couple of months now. This is a trip for just my husband and I (leaving the three kids at home-hehe) and we really want to make the best of our days there. Since there are tours included in the package-what do you suggest that we go on? Did you go on any while you were there? We are considering Tulum/Xhu-Pa, Isla Menjaures, and maybe a day trip to Cozumel. This is our first trip to Mexico so we are so very unsure of what we want to do. Thanks for all your help-By the way we loved geraldh's pictures too!

06-23-2004	#11 (permalink)
Sloane Kettering sandflea Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 9	I, too, had a fantastic time at ASP last July--I've attached my review from last year--and I am getting ready to head back on July 8 for a week...cannot wait!!! I returned from a week at ASP last Wednesday and had a fantastic vacation. Stayed on the Aventura side and loved being there--the pool, the lagoon, Mundaca, the place where we ate breakfast every morning--all wonderful. Our room was in "Accordion"--did anyone else notice the buildings are named after musical instruments?--and had an ocean view. And robes and filled mini bar! Ate at Mo Mo No Hana 3 nights--the sushi was very good, as were the entrees. Ate at La Hacienda one evening--had shrimp and filet--both were really nice. Ventanas, the Italian restaurant with the pool in the center (random!) was pretty good as buffet goes, especially as they would prepare fresh pastas and steaks for you. Hung out at the Q Bar and played pool quite a bit--they always had munchies such as popcorn and chips and salsa. Went to Karaoke night in the disco and sang! Also went to Casino night and "Any Thing Can Happen" night--goofy but fun. As for the spa treatments, opted for the 80 minute aromatherapy massage and the hot stones--set you free! One of the best massages I have ever had. Though the prices were reasonable and worth the splurge. Thought 99.9% of the staff was fabulous--the only person with whom I had a problem was "Susy" at the Spa side lobby front desk. Luckily, it was as I was checking out, so her lack of customer delight did not affect my view of the resort. Maybe she was just having a bad day, who knows. All in all, it was one of the best vacations I have had, and I travel a lot for both work and pleasure. I did notice toward the end of the stay it got much busier--the day after we arrived, the Question of the Day, (a trivia game with prizes at the Aventura pool) was "How many people are staying at ASP?", and the answer was 1100, so maybe it was really slow when we first got there. Perhaps the service is not as good if they are really busy, because we did not have to wait in line for anything except check out (with rude Susy). Much more to say than what is in this post, so I would be more than willing to answer any questions. Bottom line: I will be returning, hopefully sooner rather than later!

register to remove these adverts

06-23-2004	#12 (permalink)
holly1of3 very sparkly Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 29	I am going to stick with my original arrangements to go to ASP. It sounds like everyone that has been there recently has nothing but rave reviews, so I am sure we will love it.

06-24-2004	#13 (permalink)
geraldh way into it Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 190	Keep us posted and definitely let us know what you think when you return. Have fun.

06-25-2004	#14 (permalink)
holly1of3 very sparkly Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 29	I am still nervous - I am afraid that we'll be lost in a "mega resort" - is it that large? When we stayed at Couples we saw the same people every day.

06-25-2004	#15 (permalink)
Sloane Kettering sandflea Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 9	When we went to ASP last year, we rode in the shuttle from the airport with two couples from Texas and when we got to the resort we joked that it was nice meeting them, since we would never see them again. I swear we saw them everyday, even though they were staying on the other side! At the disco, at the gift shop, at the Asian restaurant--you get the idea. We also saw an really obnoxious couple that we wished we wouldn't see. ALL THE TIME. So, even at ASP, it is a small world after all! But it is also big enough that if you aren't interested in what is happening at the Spa pool, you can head over to the Aventura side. Or if you are tired of the disco, you can go down to Q Bar and play pool. And of course the myriad choices at the restaurants... So I wouldn't worry about the size. I thought it was a defininte plus. 13 more days!!!