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    JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar

    3.7 (84 reviews)
    PriceyHotels
    Open • Open 24 hours

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    Recommended Reviews - JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar

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    Outdoor dining
    Monica B.

    My husband and I just spent a week here celebrating my birthday and it was one of the best vacations I have ever had in my life. The rooms are gorgeous and well appointed. The amenities are ample and amazing, and the service is top tier. Our butler service that came with our room, shout out to Karolina and Angel, was so thorough we wanted and needed for nothing. Ice delivery to the room, a birthday cake, and beautiful floral arrangement along with top shelf liquor and everything we needed to make this a special trip. They even ran an amazing bath for me filled with rose petals. Luis who sold us brilliantly on the Club and was so very generous in our offerings. It's a great value, please listen and take advantage if you want to return. It's worth every penny. The restaurants and food was great too! We can't wait to come back soon.

    Brittany C.

    Iberostar Hotels and Resorts is a family-run, leading hotel chain based in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, with more than 100 four- and five-star hotels and resorts in Europe, Africa, and America (North and South). With more than 65 years of hospitality industry experience, Iberostar is known for the beauty and scenic nature of its locations and a strong commitment to service, quality, and sustainability. IHG and Iberostar's Beachfront Resorts brand formed a strategic alliance in 2021, enabling guests to access benefits from the IHG One Rewards loyalty program. The Playa Paraíso complex is made up of five all-inclusive resorts. The other resorts are family-friendly: Iberostar Selection Paraíso Maya Suites Iberostar Selection Paraíso Lindo Iberostar Waves Paraíso Beach Iberostar Waves Paraíso del Mar The hotels in the complex share a golf course, convention center, shopping center, spa with wet and dry areas (and a must-visit), nightclub, and fitness center with indoor fitness classes. Joia Paraíso guests have access to the shared and individual amenities of all the hotels in the complex. The Selection resorts are sister properties, and guests also have access to the amenities at the Waves resorts. The Waves resorts are sister properties, and guests have access to each other's amenities. The resort complex is midway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen and about thirty minutes from the Cancun International Airport. The Joia Paraíso is an all-adult (at least eighteen years old), all-inclusive luxury hotel right on Mexico's Riviera Maya beachfront. It is an AAA Four Diamond and is consistently voted a TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Best of the Best, whose traveler reviews place them in the top 1% of properties worldwide. Joia Paraíso is all about R&R, high levels of comfort, and enjoying the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Amenities include: spa & fitness center (in addition to the resort complex's amenities, the spa features a full retractable glass roof and a large swimming pool that is a must visit) 5 themed restaurants and buffet (with 24-7 room service) 24-hour concierge services comprehensive daily entertainment calendar (classes, experiences, shows, special dinners, games) 24-hour butler services with oceanfront suites and villas poolside Balinese beds are available at no charge. non-motorized aquatic activities (Hobie Cat, kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing) available at no additional charge The on-site restaurant options include: Legado (Mexican) L'Atelier haute cuisine (dinner, gourmet) Venecia wine cellar (dinner, Italian) Haiku (dinner, Japanese) Ember (dinner, steakhouse) La Brisa beach bar (breakfast and lunch al fresco dining) Bella Vista (breakfast and lunch buffet) Snacks are available at the Lobby Bar and Coffee Shop. Brazilian, Mediterranean, and French dining options are available at Joia Paraíso's sister resorts. Reservations are required only for the the Hibachi tables at Haiku With that said, expect to eat really early or late if you visit with a party greater than four guests. Dress codes range from informal/casual for breakfast and lunch to smart-casual for dinner, where men should wear "nice" pants or shorts with their shirts. The food is delicious. During my last stay, we ate at Venezia (Italian) and Ember (Steakhouse). We didn't have a bad bite at Venezia and recommend the seafood dishes at Ember. Make sure to squeeze in time to visit The Bella Vista Buffet - it features daily spreads and stations you have to see to believe! In general, the dining at Joia Paraíso is top-notch, and the customer service is even better. If you ask, they will make it happen, and with a smile! I have visited this resort three times over the past 10 years and could easily make it an annual visit. I think I have convinced my friends that we should visit this resort every couple of years (my husband is already convinced), so there will be more pictures to come!

    Melanie B.

    4 stars for the fun memories made here. If I could write about my entire trip I would. It took me maybe a month to bounce back from my vacation at Iberostar in Riviera Maya. My girlfriends and I planned a trip to celebrate all of our 30th birthdays collectively. I couldn't say no! Here are some of the basics that you need to know before booking: The reservations were very affordable. Among the 5 of us, we shared an adjoined family suite which included 2 bathrooms, one king sized bed, and two full sized beds. The rooms were spacious and we even had a patio. Cleanliness was decent and they came to change linens! The grounds are huge! Maybe 15 minutes on foot from our rooms to the main dining hall/front desk. Very thankful for their golf cart shuttle system on days when walking just didn't feel like an option. But because grounds are large, you have many places to explore. On our first day alone, we encountered so many different animals. A group favorite were the Coati, which looked similar to raccoons. We also got to see iguanas, macaws, swans, flamingo, and peacocks. The food was repetitive but a lot better quality Mexican food served than on the west side of Mexico. As part of your stay, you can make one reservation per room. Since we had two, we got to try 2 different special dining experiences. If you're thinking about get sushi here, I just don't think it's worth it haha. You won't be getting the same quality that you are used to. Try the Mexican food or maybe even the Greek restaurant. Something to note: This resort has its own purified water system and no plastic water bottle policy. Like all resorts, you get beach access and pool access. The variety of pools here made each day super interesting. We stayed near the wet bars so we could enjoy mas tequila during our dips. We spent a day on the beach and rolling with the tides in the Gulf! The water is so warm, a lot of seaweed, but tolerable because the temperature was nice. Everyone who works at Iberostar is so kind and accommodating. I have definitely already recommended this place to others and would love to visit again someday. The location is only an hour or so from tulum and the Mayan ruins, so if you are making plans, that's something to consider! We didn't get to venture out much due to the length of our stay, but I'm looking forward to the next opportunity. Thank you for a good time!

    Inside the Grand's lobby area. Evening shows were performed here.
    Correy H.

    Outstanding Outstanding Outstanding - This is one of my favorite and best run resorts I have been to. The property, dining, amenities, rooms and best of all STAFF makes this a top choice. First off -- this trip was taken in the Fall of 2020. Therefore, there were extra protocols taken for safety and health. Indoor restaurants required masks, social distancing was enforced and the entire staff wore masks (whether inside or outside). Additionally, when arriving to the resort, they had a kiosk that scanned your temperature. Plus -- All gyms required temperature checks too on every visit. Iberostar went to the nth degree to make sure we stayed healthy. As for the experience... WOW! There was never a reason to leave the resort --- everything was there and taken care of. Food wise, the specialty restaurants had unique dishes and great atmosphere. But the buffets were the big shocker! The variety and customization of food was amazing. The neighboring resort (Lindo) probably had the most amazing breakfast buffet with food type from around the globe --- including a 'doughnut station.' All of the pools were amazing (both at the Grand and Lindo resorts). The staff was always making sure you were taken care of --- with your beverage of choice and fantastic snacks. There were several contests and events too where you had the chance to win prizes and get to know the staff and other guests. Every night the resorts had entertainment and shows that were outstanding -- both for adults as well as families. I honestly was not interested in going --- but was dragged along. By the end of the first night, I was hooked and planning future evenings. Now for the most important ingredient at Iberostar.... the staff. I just can't say enough great things about each and everyone. They really made the entire vacation a most memorable experience. Specifically... Sailin, Oscar, Adrian and Angel. This team members must never sleep because they would greet us in the morning and wish as well as we ended the evening. Their attitude, professionalism and friendliness was unmatched. Shortly after returning back to the states, we booked a return trip for the following year. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes an annual event.

    Coffee bar
    John M.

    One of our favorite Adults Only resorts. Only 35 minutes from the airport. Greeted with a cocktail while checking in. We had a Superior Suite located on the top floor in the middle of the resort. Great location. Resort does have elevators. After you checkin you can make all of your dinner reservations. Resort offers a quiet pool as well as a livelier pool with daily activities Beach is long and wide and no seaweed! Some areas tho are rocky. Breakfast is buffet style with many choices. Lunch is either buffet or the beach grill. Dinner can be buffet which is casual or Steak House..Japanese...Italian..Mexican or French gourmet. We liked the steak house the best. Staff super friendly . Nightime entertainment is in the Martini bar with singers..guitarists..duos etc. They also offer about a .30 minute show outside . Mexican heritage..fire or LED show. All very good. Room service available till 11pm. Not a party resort but a fantastic resort for special occasions or for couples to reconnect. This was our 7th time at this resort and there will be an 8th!

    Rhonda W.

    I am very late at writing this review but wanted to mention it and add some pics. These properties are like several huge resorts in a row. The highest level and price is this one ... so the All adult Grand guests can use the other Iberostar resorts pools, restaurants ect. You can go to their restaurants and bars but i doubt you will want to. They can not use yours. So the service and food is better here. The beach is the worst though .. it's very rocky. The food is ... hit or miss. the service was hit or miss but some were excellent. the drinks and alcohol selection was great. I'd say they had the best selection for drinks of any resorts we went to. I even downloaded a drink app because if they don't know how to make it ..the app will give the recipe. I like to walk about and explore. I like to play with my camera and this resort was excellent for that .. I went to all the Iberostar resorts and looked around. Lots of birds and wildlife. I really enjoyed that. Some are wild. they have golf carts that take you around and the grand get special care .. you go to the front and they have carts just for the Grand. I like to walk but all the resorts are huge so it was helpful to have the carts to get to the resorts. The other resorts allow children. The resort is gorgeous but the marble floor and wet feet make for a dangerous situation. Several fall and you don't want to get injured out of the country ..it's expensive and the care isn't great. Was this my fav all adult .. I'd have to say no but we did have fun. The room was great but didn't love the beach being rocky and the food was not up to my standard. go in lobster season if thats something you want. you need reservations for some of the restaurants so make the reservations as soon as you can..

    Room for a family of four connected to another room for grandma
    Mazal S.

    We go twice a year go an all inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico. We been to many high end resorts and have many points we like and some we don't. This was a wonderful place we were able to create great memories in. The good... lots of water activities. Like the lazy river, adults water slides, kids water park, big pool, pool foam party and on and on. Food wise, I wouldn't say this was the best resort we've been in. Some restaurants were not available for us since they were fully booked. Which was odd!!! Since we weren't able to book ahead but when landed and checked in, no spots available the whole week we were there. Very disappointing to say the least. The concierge at the front hotel Check in was horrible and was not at all welcoming upon arrival. As in all of these hotels, they always try to sell you on timeshares we learned to say harshly NO to. But he kept insisting we reconsider. Until I just got up and left. It's like a façade of hotel to a sham of selling timeshares. After that fiasco and me not sparing my opinion about it, we dealt with the building concierge that was lovely and very accommodating. We are gluten free and dairy free family but we managed to eat most of what was available to accommodate our food sensitivities. The best restaurant in the facility was only available at lunch time and it was the Mexican restaurant. We enjoyed that one the most. The beaches were pristine with no piles of seaweed and endless activities to roam around the complex. We enjoyed our time here immensely.

    Welcome to the tropical atrium with the soothing sound of the fountain
    Annette M.

    We are regular visitors here so it always feels like home. Some staff have been here since the grand opening. Lots of new staff with fresh energy are being trained so a very welcoming mix. We love to walk the beach observing the shorebirds. The restaurants offer a great variety of creative dishes and take great care of those with food allergies. Nightly live music in the lobby bar is enjoyed by a crowd mostly in their 40's and above. There is a dance/karaoke bar that is open late for the younger crowd. Great resort for relaxing having a large pool with pool bar and a quiet pool and spa.

    Outdoor walkway
    Kayla Z.

    We were happy to see the resort was not at full capacity and had no trouble finding a seat at the pool and restaurants. The place is older and falling apart in many areas. Pieces of stone missing from balconies, wobbly railings, weathered shower tile and the discoloration of the jacuzzi tub in the room was not inviting. However the resort was large and open and easily accessible. Most staff was friendly and excellent. Pool side waitstaff were awesome as were the entertainment promoters. They were Super chatty and friendly and outgoing. Bartenders by the pool were also great. We didn't see or hear from our butler much. They also called our room at inopportune times, waking us at 9am etc. we ended up unplugging the phone from the wall. Enjoyed the breakfast buffet variety with made to order omelette and other tasty pastries as well as drink options. Burger setup near the pool over lunchtime was also tasty and convenient. Used the spa almost daily but the women's steam room was out of order for our entire stay. Hot tubs were not hot, just semi warm, both at the spa and outdoors. Hallways were quiet, beds were comfy and you can order extra pillows using their ap. We were disappointed their website says airport transportation was included but it was not. We were told we had to take taxi for $50+. The shopping center was also disappointing and run down. Wait staff at the restaurants in the evening were great. Menus very limited, and sometimes out of things if you dine later (we always ate at 8/8:30.)

    Beware if you stay at this resort; the electrical code is not followed and you could be at risk of electrocution. The management of the resort always tends to fall short in how they handle problems and issues of importance. We have stayed at the Grand Paraíso resort 3 times, and every time it has been in a villa room with a private swimming pool. On Tuesday, April 16 we had a major issue at this resort with the villa private swimming pool light not working. I communicated the issue with Star Prestige. The maintenance crew was sent the following day around lunchtime to swap out the light. Luckily, I had to go back to the room and caught them installing the light wrong. The maintenance crew cut the cord of the light under water and tapped the new light back to the old light cord, which was a completely wrong installation. The light and cord should have been replaced as a whole with no splices. Splicing the wires underwater and taping them back together is a potential risk for electrocution in the swimming pool if the tape fails over time since water is a major conductor of electricity. I have been an electrical engineer and also a swimming pool builder for 15 years in the US, and that is completely wrong. I would be out of business if I was wiring my swimming pools this way. At that point, you are endangering the lives of anyone that gets in the pool. I communicated what I saw with Star Prestige management and they sent the maintenance crew back to try to explain/justify how the installation was done right in their mind. The light installation was done completely wrong in all aspects of electrical code in any part of the world. Splicing wires under water is completely wrong and deadly. I spoke to Saray Trevino manager at Star Prestige after the incident and she was still taking the side of the maintenance crew and bad installation process. Due to this incident, we were unable to ever use the swimming pool in our villa for our stay. I was not about to put my wife, unborn son, and myself at risk of electrocution. This upsets me the most because that was the number one reason we stayed at Grand Paraíso again so my pregnant wife could tan and use our pool in private. The staff never offered to replace the light the right way since they knew I was upset at the situation and knew what I was talking about. They left it as It was and tried giving us the speech of how it was done right and they had procedures in place they always followed. Knowing what I know about electrical code a speech was not going to give me peace of mind to use this pool under any circumstances. This was way too risky for me to play with our lives and my unborn son. The maintenance crew and Ms. Treviño are far from knowing how to wire a pool light the correct and legal way. I am attaching pictures and a video to this review to prove what I saw and happened. I am certain I will never return to this resort ever again since I am now concerned about how everything is wired all over the resort.  I waited this long to write this review because I was told that this would be escalated to upper management since this was such a serious problem. I assume this issue got swept under the rug by management at the resort because I was never contacted by anyone, even more so because I am a member of this hotel chain, which in reality does not mean anything to them. I am also posting about this issue now since I learned about the tragic incident that just occurred at Sonoran Mexican Resort, where a Texas couple got electrocuted in the spa and one of them lost their life. I am seriously concerned about the electrical code enforcement Mexican resorts follow and how the hotel I trusted handles this type of issue. We pray everyone at this place is always safe with this type of procedures.

    Our room was terrific!
    Don B.

    This is by far the BEST resort we have ever stayed at. The accommodations were terrific. The hospitality reminded us of Disney. The staff was extremely friendly. The food was top notch. The variety of food, entertainment and amenities was perfect. We will return for years to come. Anyone who reads this must ask for Oscar, the pool concierge at the main pool. He smiles all the tome, remembers the guests by name, is hospitable and goes above and beyond to help with anything. Our housekeeper, Elvira always made returning to our room special with many nice things she did for us. At the lobby, in concierge was the first representative we met, Jenny. She was by far one of the most personal and friendly associates in the entire resort. We were truly BLOWN AWAY with this amazing experience and look forward to our next visit!!!

    Beach
    Charlene S.

    Fabulous vacation spot away from the dreariness of the northeast in January. A bit windy but who care! Nothing but excellent things to say about this resort. Beaches are prestige with butler service. It's can be a romantic get away or a fun filled family vacation.

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    Kudos to Luis and Manuel the Butlers at the Grand. Very attentive and fun. Lobster every night and the beachfront view were amazing.

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    Everything! Food was amazing and the staff was very attentive. The grounds were breath taking. I would definitely go back!

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    Page 1 of 3

    Review Highlights - JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar

    “A major shout out to the entertainment team, specifically Bidi Bidi Bum Bum (her nickname), who kept us relaxed and busy during the week.”

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Valentin Imperial Maya - Restaurant seating

    Valentin Imperial Maya

    (211 reviews)

    $$$

    This all-inclusive adults-only resort is top-notch. We did book during hurricane season, so the…read morecost was cheaper than average peak summer prices. However, despite the cloudiness here and there, we had sunny days! The light rain was during our sleep time and truly brought a great breeze to the evenings and mornings! The service, food, and activities were planned for relaxation, good health, and fun! The staff were very sweet and accommodating; all are Spanish and English speakers, so there is no language barrier. The staff learn your name, are always friendly, and continuously check on you for whatever your in need of. It doesn't matter if your lounging by the bar or jist passing them by along a walk way. The food was phenomenal. Apart from the average buffet, they had an assortment of restaurants and food that would meet anyone's needs. They are careful to ask about allergens at every host and server experience. The activities included exercises, fun, and entertainment ranging from fire shows and singing to dance performances. The rooms were beautiful and spacious! They have a collection of wildlife who live on property and leta just say adds a special charms as you walk along the way. Oh don't let me forget there is a continuous spa music playing throughout the resort too. You are meant to relax and they've figured out just how to do it. I am excited to rebook and return. If you have yet to book a trip to Cancun or an all-inclusive adults-only experience, this is your sign to book it at the Valentin Imperial Maya!

    My wife and I travel a lot, and I must say this place is definitely at the top of our list. She's a…read moretravel agent, and I travel around with her, trying the resorts so she can recommend them to her customers. From the time we got here, with the ease of the check-in, to the rooms, the food, the amenities, and just the overall service, this place is run like a well-oiled machine! This is an older resort that still has the older Mexican Hacienda feel, with all of the modern upgrades and additions. You can tell they've put a lot of work into keeping this resort as authentic as possible. There was clearly a lot of thought put into every change and upgrade that was made to this resort. Our room was a corner suite at the end of the resort overlooking the ocean, the Dunas Suites. We thoroughly enjoyed getting up every morning to watch the sunrise, drink our coffee, and start the day! We had our own private pool, which was great to come back to and just soak and talk at the end of each day. The room and accommodations were absolutely top-notch! The food was absolutely amazing! We typically don't do the buffet, but we tried it, and it was the nicest buffet we have ever been to. We tried a variety of the different restaurants, and they were all absolutely amazing! For anyone that is a foodie, this is probably the best food I've ever had at an all-inclusive resort. They have three pools here: the Silver, which is a smaller pool in more of a natural setting; the Golden Pool, which has a lazy river and goes from Building 6 to 8; and then the main pool, which is one of the largest pools we've ever seen at a resort. It's HUGE! What I liked about it is they had two different bars there, and they have rafts available, which is super convenient as we usually bring our own. And yes, they have a lot of high-end booze and make some really good drinks at the pool bars! Each night after dinner, we would end up at the Plaza España! On our way, we would stop and get a churro at the churro cart, which I highly recommend, and then we would finish with a few drinks from the La Plaza Bar and live entertainment, which was usually a DJ or a live band! The later it got, the livelier it became, as the dance floor was a pretty hot attraction! A must-stop is Café Sisal, which offers hot and cold coffee drinks, fruit drinks, a variety of different sandwiches and pastries, and of course, their ice cream! This is a big resort, and if you are staying toward the oceanside, I would strongly recommend utilizing the golf cart services. We would at certain times, but a lot of the time we found a shortcut by the big pool that cut the walk in half. They have so much to offer, with a variety of different daily activities. Overall, this place is absolutely amazing, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone looking for an all-inclusive resort in Riviera Maya.

    Grand Luxxe Residence Club - This was delicious, I can't remember the name. First meal at the resort in Salum.

    Grand Luxxe Residence Club

    (54 reviews)

    $$$$

    Vidanta World is an expansive resort experience -- nothing my husband and I have ever seen before…read more Like any vacation, there were definite pros and cons. Pros Staff: The staff was kind, hardworking, and really knowledgeable about the resort and nearby cities. I want to shout out Fabian Eustaquio, the first friendly face we met during check-in. He gave us great recommendations, drove us several times, and was just an overall pleasant person to see throughout our trip. Another great experience was with Lydia, who kept our room clean, refreshed, and feeling taken care of. Room: We stayed in the Grand Luxxe Jungle in a very spacious 1-bedroom with two bathrooms, overlooking the literal jungle. Once we checked in, we were greeted by a whole family of animals heading somewhere (lol). The blend of wildlife, nature, and human design is impressive, and I have to applaud what seems like a nice marriage between the two. Food: There are so many options. We didn't make it to every restaurant, but none of the spots we tried disappointed. We kept going back to Salum -- the tacos, cheeseburgers, and guacamole were favorites. Other delicious picks were Burger Custom Made (get the grouper ceviche -- you will thank me) and Havana Moon. Cons Not all-inclusive: You pay for everything. This is not an all-inclusive resort, and they prefer you charge everything to your room. It gets tricky because you really don't know how much you're spending unless you keep track yourself. We did the timeshare/owner presentation and got 10% off our entire bill, which helped. We also left the resort a few days for excursions and local activities. Timeshare presentation: It is NOT 60 minutes. It is the entire day, and it is exhausting. Marríame did a fantastic job, and she recommended amazing local activities. She also put us onto Key Lime Pie Oreos (omg so good). But besides the 10% discount, they weren't selling anything different from what we've seen before. The offer didn't match what we were told, and people online weren't speaking highly of their customer service or some of their products. Size of the resort: This place is huge -- you can get easily lost. Definitely download the app. We had to request our car 30 minutes before, and our transport from the room to the central lobby was about 20 minutes. We stayed in one of the Jungle buildings, which seemed far away from everything. The hustle: Everyone we met on and off the property expected a tip. It got annoying. I understand the hustle, and you gotta do what you gotta do, but geez. The company should pay their staff better or distribute gratuities more clearly. We enjoyed the resort and the very kind staff, but it's an expensive vacation -- and not one we'd want to return to.

    We stayed for a week as guests of a family friend. The…read morejunior villa was more than enjoyable space for me and my husband and we could've easily had another couple stay in the living room / pullout bed. The room was well equipped with toiletries , refrigerator, and microwave. Good ideas to bring your own Nespresso tablets. We used the Vidanta app and walked almost everywhere. We booked 2 excursions before the vacation and they met us in central lobby, which was a shuttle ride away. We went to Joya, I would recommend doing seats only and having dinner at Nektar beforehand because that place was delicious. Loved the Beach Club - free cabana, happy hour special. The best mimosas I've ever had. Platinum guest gets access at 930am.

    Iberostar Waves Paraíso Beach

    Iberostar Waves Paraíso Beach

    (92 reviews)

    $$$

    My first-time experience staying at the all-inclusive Iberostar Cancun was absolutely amazing! We…read morewent during the off-season when the sargassum was high, so we couldn't enjoy the beach, but the huge pools and incredible scenery more than made up for it. The highlight of our stay was the staff's attention to detail. I was recently diagnosed with Celiac disease, along with an egg allergy, lactose intolerance, and minor intolerances (turkey, kiwi, banana). They are incredibly aware of cross-contamination for an all-inclusive. A chef safely prepared my meals from scratch in a dedicated kitchen to keep me safe. I requested breakfast a day in advance, and they offered safe, delicious suggestions. I highly recommend this resort to anyone with Celiac or food allergies--they take your well-being seriously and truly make you feel seen and heard. The food and overall vibes were fantastic. The daily buffet had a different theme every night (Asian, Italian, Seafood, etc.), so we never ate the same thing twice. Breakfast was excellent, especially the huge platters of tropical fruit. We also loved the specialty restaurants (Italian, Hibachi, Brazilian meats). When they found out it was my birthday, they went above and beyond with a surprise bottle of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries! The property itself is massive and gorgeous with multiple themed hotels; we even toured and ate at two. There are tons of photo ops, an amazing spa, and a central mini-outlet area for souvenirs. They even have a sweet shop with crepes, ice cream, and cookies fully included in the package! Customer service was phenomenal across the board--from the front desk to the cleaning crew, waiters, and chefs. Words cannot fully describe how great my stay was. I am already planning to come back for my birthday next year (during the right beach season next time!). I can't wait! ¡Mi primera experiencia hospedándome en el resort con todo incluido Iberostar Cancún fue absolutamente increíble! Fuimos durante la temporada baja cuando el sargazo estaba alto, así que no pudimos disfrutar de la playa, pero las enormes piscinas y los increíbles paisajes lo compensaron con creces. Lo mejor de nuestra estadía fue la atención al detalle del personal. Recientemente me diagnosticaron enfermedad celíaca, junto con alergia al huevo, intolerancia a la lactosa y otras intolerancias menores (pavo, kiwi, plátano). Son increíblemente conscientes de la contaminación cruzada para ser un todo incluido. Un chef preparaba mis comidas desde cero de forma segura en una cocina dedicada. Pedía el desayuno con un día de anticipación y me daban excelentes opciones. Recomiendo encarecidamente este lugar a cualquier persona con celiaquía o alergias: se toman muy en serio tu bienestar y realmente te hacen sentir escuchado. La comida y el ambiente en general fueron fantásticos. El buffet diario tenía un tema diferente cada noche (asiática, italiana, mariscos, etc.), así que nunca comimos lo mismo dos veces. El desayuno fue excelente, especialmente las bandejas de frutas tropicales. Nos encantaron los restaurantes de especialidades (italiana, hibachi, carnes brasileñas). Cuando se enteraron de que era mi cumpleaños, me sorprendieron con una botella de champán y fresas cubiertas de chocolate. ¡Un detalle muy especial! La propiedad en sí es enorme y hermosa, con varios hoteles temáticos; incluso visitamos y comimos en dos. Hay muchísimas oportunidades para tomar fotos, un spa increíble, y un área de mini tiendas para recuerdos. ¡Incluso tienen una tienda de dulces con crepas, helados y galletas totalmente incluida en el paquete! El servicio al cliente fue fenomenal en todos los aspectos: recepción, conserje, limpieza, meseros y chefs. Las palabras no describen lo maravillosa que fue mi estadía. Ya estoy planeando regresar para mi cumpleaños el próximo año (¡esta vez asegurándome de reservar en la temporada de playa correcta!). ¡No puedo esperar!

    It was a short stay of 3 days. The employees were great and they were always very helpful in terms…read moreof providing information and super friendly. The activities were decent and the bedrooms were nice. Some things that my family didn't like about was the food. It didn't seem fresh and it was worrisome to eat as raw fish or milk or yogurt wasn't cold. We were also very excited with the selection of restaurants but all the food wasn't good and the wait for food was too long especially in the 90 degree heat with no air con. As well, we got coax into attending a 90 mins tour from Iberostar which was fine and willing to a point until the tour got very hostile from the tour guide who was quite rude. They were quite unclear of what was intended in the tour and when the 90 mins begun as it took way over 90 mins which was a waste of our vacation time. They will take you to breakfast and make a sales pitch but the hour it takes for that doesn't count towards the 90 mins. I think that was the worst part of this experience for us as we felt like we would have been verbally attacked by this tour guide and we didn't feel comfortable to stay. We consistently asked him to let us leave but he wouldn't. They didn't take a no from us and it seemed like they were trying to force us to say yes to whatever they were selling.

    Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun - Lobby interior

    Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun

    (210 reviews)

    We had a wonderful time at this resort! I loved every single minute we were here!…read more Beautiful grounds and a wonderful place on earth to be. As long as you are behind the gates that is.... Outside of the gates is a whole different story. It's pretty intense out there with the police being fully militarized. They have machine guns mounted to trucks they stand on and ride around just for the presence, there are tons of people wanting to take advantage of dumb Americans at every turn. Watch yourself if you travel alone in Cozumel. It's designed solely to attract tourists. That draws out some colorful personalities in my experience. Traveled with ease from the oh so lovely Cancun International Airport. Interesting spot to say the least. We were warned not to communicate or accept anything from anyone except our driver. We arrive to the hotel really excited, somewhat cautious, and ready to have some fun. We were greeted at the front door and we handled a little paperwork, and then we were taken to our room by a wonderfully helpful chap. He showed us around the room, gave us a quick run down of the grounds, described the amenities, food situation, and some other pleasantries. He talked about the dining situation and gave us a map tour so we're would know how to navigate the grounds. They have a cool locker system in each room. The service folks just leave your anything in the locker and you don't have to interact with them at all. They just let you know it is there. Nice feature. The grounds themselves are absolutely gorgeous! It is so well kept, the attention to every detail goes so far beyond a normal resort. They comb the beach every morning. I kid you not. They seriously rake the entire shoreline before dawn. They also run a tractor to clear the seaweed from the beach. Insane dedication to making your stay great. The restaurant situation is so fucking rad. They have just about any food you might want covered between the what seemed like a dozen restaurants at the resort. I ate and ate and ate and ate.... I ate between meals, I ate between those meal and snack times. We had so much food!! Every dinner was 5-8 courses. I'm positive I could stay right here forever and never leave. Food heaven!! Spa is great too! It's a lovely relaxing oasis of self care. That's another review, but it's great. Don't take my word for it. Go for yourself! Cold plunges are good for the soul! They have shows every night in the theater and there was some sort of event being held every night in the common area. Some were private, others public. They construct stages, eating areas, weddings, happy hours with bands, and even corporate conferences. It's pretty wild the amount to building and tearing things down the do here. We rented a cabana bed one day and at the end of the day the built and transformed the beach into an elaborate engagement spot with candles everywhere, flowers, and a table for two. Very nice touch! All in all a fantastic experience. My only gripe was that the room smelled of mildew and/or too music moisture. C said something about it when we got there but it wasn't that noticeable to me. When I got home and unpacked my suitcase is when it hit me. There were clothes that I did not wear, just sat in the drawers and repacked, they all had to be washed as they smelled terrible after being packed and transported back home. I would come back monthly if possible. Nice place. '26 - 74

    Extremely Disappointing Experience at Secrets Maroma Beach…read more We checked into Secrets Maroma Beach on Sunday with very high expectations, especially considering the reputation of the resort and the premium price we paid. Unfortunately, our experience has been extremely disappointing. From the moment we entered our first room, there was a very strong smell of humidity and sewage. We were unable to sleep comfortably, and during the night we could hear what sounded like water leaking above the ceiling. We reported the odor and humidity on Monday morning, but the problem continued. Then, on Tuesday night at approximately 1:35 a.m., a significant amount of water began leaking from the ceiling. We immediately reported it. We were asked whether we wanted to change rooms, which we found surprising considering the condition of the room. At that point, moving us should have been an immediate necessity, not simply an option. We were moved in the middle of the night to another room. After using the toilet, we discovered that there was no running water to flush it. We had to spend the rest of the night with human waste sitting in the toilet and without running water to properly wash our hands. It gave us the impression that this room may not have been ready or should not have been part of the available room inventory. The next morning, we encountered even more problems. Access to the building was difficult, and when we attempted to shower, we discovered that the shower drain was completely clogged. The water would not drain properly, creating another very unpleasant and unhygienic situation. The water flow from the faucets was also not functioning normally. We reported the entire situation to the front desk and were told that we would once again have to move to another room. After dealing with sewage odors, humidity, a major ceiling leak at 1:35 a.m., no running water, an unusable toilet, a clogged shower, and the stress and inconvenience of repeatedly packing and changing rooms during our vacation, the only compensation offered to us was a beach bed. That response was extremely disappointing. We paid considerably more to stay at Secrets Maroma because we expected a higher level of accommodations, maintenance, service, and guest care. When a guest experiences this many serious problems, simply saying "we're sorry" and offering a beach bed does not adequately address the disruption and stress caused. A vacation at a resort of this level should not involve repeatedly changing rooms because of serious maintenance and sanitation issues. Based on our experience and, especially, the way our concerns have been handled, we cannot recommend Secrets Maroma Beach and we do not plan to return. We expected much better from a resort with the reputation and price point of Secrets Maroma Beach

    The Grand Mayan - Room

    The Grand Mayan

    (163 reviews)

    The Grand Mayan needs a refresh. The property is located in Vidanta Resort. It looks as if it…read morehasn't been updated since it was built. The furniture is outdated, the plunge pool doesn't hold water. The kitchen was not equipped with basic items. There was one knife for cutting large items, no steak knives, no cutting board, no tupperware or containers for storage. The transportation around the property is clunky, Disneyland type trams. Give yourself an extra 25 minutes to go anywhere. Some of the resturants are ok, however Salum is your best option. It's appears to be the newest. If going to Vidanta, stay in the Vidanta proprty.

    The Grand Mayan is located at the Vidanta Resort in Riviera Maya (south of Cancun). This is one of…read moremany 'hotels' on the resort. Our room was spacious and even had a small pool plunge on our deck. We ordered room service a lot which was convenient in between meals. The resort is huge. Lots of walking. The staff were so so nice and accommodating. Super clean and so many wild animals and plants call it home, I can see why! The Coatis are the cutest and the iguana / lizards are huge and just hang out by the pool sunbathing. They had a water park on site, a huge PGA golf course, and also cirque's de soleil - "Joya" - the only one on the east coast of Mexico. The show was outstanding and highly recommended doing the dinner before the show! There are shuttles from place to place, but there is still a lot of walking. My favorite was the flamingos, and crocodile tour! The easiest way to navigate around is the Vidanta app. It was fun checking everyday to see the daily activities and where to eat (I also planned ahead before the trip). They had a lot of evening festivities and loved getting dressed up and having all the local food. All the pools have a bar which was so convenient. The main pool was near the beach and easy access to the water! They have a grocery mart with the best crepes, along with a gift shop and some snacks and food and alcohol. We went during Halloween week and they had everything set up for Halloween and also Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). It was gorgeous with the decorations. This resort is for time-share holders only! They had a lot of security to get in and out which made us feel safe that no one was wondering around. Your room key is a wristband which was good because we never lost our room key! Really have to give it up for the staff. Everyone was awesome & great!! Made a great memorable trip!!

    Mayan Palace - Double bed room

    Mayan Palace

    (128 reviews)

    $$$

    ITS A TOURIST TRAP!…read more ACCOMODATION: Mayan Palace building 3 has a broken mirror in the elevator, chipping paint in the hallways, and construction noise waking us up at 9am daily. In our room, the TV, lamp, and fan were broken. Bathroom has no vent or window. The room was spacious and clean. ELECTRICITY: With no notice, our power went out for 6 hours while we were in the middle of cooking breakfast, because they were doing maintenance on the elevator. Our metal countertop became electrified if there was water on it. We literally got shocked multiple times a day. Maintenance couldn't figure out/fix the problem. ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE: Took 1.5 hours to check in. Upon check out there are lots of hidden fees & taxes, which we were able to negotiate off. We were promised the shuttle to & from the airport would be paid for. On the last night learned we had to pay our own shuttle back to the airport, $15/person. They make it difficult to leave (20 minute shuttle to the entrance lobby, then 1/2 mile walk to the main road for a normal priced taxi). Or you can pay double for their taxis. FOOD: Food & drinks are as expensive as airports in the USA. Tastes pretty good, not worth the prices. No free water or coffee in the lobby, or in your room. WATER: Drinking water is not provided. You have to buy jugs of over priced drinking water at the main store & haul it yourself back to your room. THE POSSITIVE: the grounds are beautiful and the nature is lovely. The staff are friendly... Honestly so friendly it feels fake. I liked the beach, ocean, pools, and wildlife. If you don't want to leave the tourist trap and you're happy to pay a fortune for subpar services, this is the place for you. I will never be back.

    This resort is completely disorganized and feels like a scam. There are at least five different…read moreentities operating within the property, yet none of the staff seem to know how they connect or how to navigate the endless maze of walkways. Worse, the ticketing is entirely fragmented--buying a ticket to the water park has nothing to do with the hotel, the main park, or the high-pressure timeshare pitches you're forced to dodge. Navigating both the physical property and the customer service is an absolute nightmare. Save your money and avoid this place.

    Grand Bliss - Poolside cabana

    Grand Bliss

    (27 reviews)

    While I had reserved a king bed for the week, getting 2 doubles and just pushing them together must…read morebe something people do regularly because the maids made up the bed for us that way every night after we did it. Room itself was very nice but when staying at a Time Share and not having a kitchenette at least was disappointing. Shower pressure gets 2 out of 10, while there is a soaker tub that looks like it's meant for 2, it's really not. Also, the AC worked at night but I think they turn it off during the day. The biggest let down was exchanging for Mexican $ while there. My experience was bad enough. If your money from other countries isn't PRISTINE, they will not exchange it. I had one $20 with a piece missing smaller than 1/2 a grain of rice and they wouldn't take it. I also had 5 or 6 bills that had a minuscule out of ink on the edge of a bill and it wasn't until the manager could sense my frustration that he stepped in and did exchange those bills for me. Do look up exchange rates before coming to Mexico, I saw the rates anywhere from $15-20 Mexican to American. The airport was the lowest and some retail shops were the best. THE ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE exchange came when my SO tried to get pesos for $400 American. He his $200 under his keyboard and then came back to her and said "here's your $3200 for your $200." She had handed him 4 $100 bills and tried to give her change for just 2 it wasn't until she called him on it and lifted up his keyboard that he said "oh, not sure how that happened". We filed a report with management and left it at that. They may have sent a fruit bowl and chocolate strawberries to apologize but that was not sufficient seeing that Management never even apologized to us. That's all we wanted. They have central parking and a team service here because it's 5 hotels in one resort. Advantages and disadvantages to both but the tram drivers and bellmen were the stars of the shows here. My SO broke her ankle halfway thru our trip and they lent us a wheelchair and they have a special tram to haul them around. The VALET service sucked! While being told to call ahead so they were there when the tram brought is good in theory, we still waited upwards of 30 minutes longer than they said it would take. Not once was our car ready when they said it would be. Also, having the car just sit in the hot sun when not in use makes it very uncomfortable during the summer when you get in. If you're going to the beach club you can't bring food or drink and their prices are very steep. Pro level cheat is to bring a Hydroflask filled with whatever adult beverage you want for the day and just get your water from them. Also, if you want a Cabana at the club and aren't Platinum, go to the reservation booth there at 11am and let them know you'd like to wait for an unclaimed Cabana at noon. Also, the sand on the beach is nice and you can lay there but the shore at the waters edge in all rocks for quite a way and makes it very difficult to enjoy the ocean waters. Overall, this place has some great qualities but I think coming here for just a meal will be the way to go when I come back at Christmas time.

    This place was well worth the trip there is 4 different resorts inside. They offer great food and…read moremy favorite night was the Mexican show night that they had. Let me just say there food was really good but completely different from what I am used to in southern California and Tijuana. The place itself is just magical swimming in the clear coral blue waters is just something amazing.

    Catalonia Playa Maroma - Buffet, pajaro

    Catalonia Playa Maroma

    (43 reviews)

    $$

    Big and spacious hotel. Everything that you need is on site. The staff is extremely friendly and…read morewilling to accommodate all of your needs. Special shout out to Citali, Laura, and Yazmin for all that they did to make our stay special. They constantly checked with us to make sure everything was perfect. Buffet food was good. Better than many I've had. Beloved and The Grill had very good food. The Gold member room was nice and updated. Just minor overlooked details here and there. The spa was great. The staff there are very nice. The facilties are clean and functional. Just beware of the coatis everywhere. Don't leave your food unguarded outside or you won't have any. The beach is nice. Wide with trees and soft sand. The perfect place to relax.

    We had our wedding at this amazing resort and I couldn't be more happy with how everything turned…read moreout. From the moment we walked in to check in, to the moment we checked out, the staff was fantastic. They are the nicest and most accommodating staff ever and that's what drew us to the resort in the first place. I'm also so impressed with how clean everything was. This resort is unique in the sense that there was also wildlife living on the property and despite the number of Coati, raccoons, boars, and other animals, the resort was nearly spotless! The restaurants were also clean and had really delicious food. Big shout out to Karen Baez, Erika Varela, and Alejandra Arceo for helping us finalize the details of our wedding. All three ladies were so great to work with and so accommodating with everything. They were all very communicative, thorough, and helpful to make the planning so easy. There was no pressure or stress at all, even in the day of the wedding. Overall, I would recommend anyone to work with the Hotel Catalonia staff for a wedding or even just to stay for leisure. All the guests for the wedding were so happy with the stay at the resort and cannot wait to come back. I'm grateful for the staff to make this the most unforgettable experience. This truly was a dream wedding!

    JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar - hotels - Updated September 2026

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