More about Iberostar Paraiso Maya
Gorgeous!!!
by TripAdvisor Member danandtami
We just returned from a fabulous trip to the Iberostar Paraiso Maya. We booked just 10 days before the trip and really needed a relaxing getaway.
We went through Applevacations for everything. The flights and transfers went well. One note, at the airport, walk right past the time-share and taxi people. Head directly out of the building to the awaiting buses and look for your representative.
The Maya is without a doubt the most beautiful, ornate resort that we have ever visited. The lobby just takes your breath away. The resort is huge. The attention to detail is amazing. We walked around with our mouths hanging open! The colors, lighting, grounds, pools etc. are breathtaking. We have never seen such an extensive pool system!
Take some time to study the map or you'll be walking around in circles.
Our room was so beautiful. The bathroom is all marble with a large whirpool tub and a glass, corner shower. Do not drink the water from the faucet. The maid stocks the mini bar with bottled water, beer, and soda each day. On the other side of the mini bar, she stocks a large container of drinking water.
The food was really good. We have been to a lot of all-inclusives and generally the food was average. The Maya really goes above and beyond even with their buffets. They have the traditional buffet items, but also feature mexican favorites as well. My husband was in heaven with the variety. I basically lived on the guac and chips!
We loved the steak house. They have a fabulous "appetizer buffet". We also enjoyed the Maya's gourmet restaurant and the Lindo's gourmet restaurant.
Each building at the Maya has its own concierge(sp?). Make dinner arrangements with this person right away. You need to make reservations for all of the ala carte restaurants.
Because we were only there for 4 nights, we decided against any excursions. We have been to the area before and have done most of them anyway. We were content to lay at the beach, lay at the pool, lay in the lazy river, and eat and drink to our hearts content. Our big exercise was walking/jogging down the pool to the swimup bar!
The drinks are a little weak - but still fun! Try a "drunken monkey" while you are there. I kept calling it a "stinky monkey" to irritate my husband.
You will not be disappointed at the Maya! We were thrilled with the resort and the service is absolutely outstanding. Enjoy!
Dan and Tami
Appleton, WI
The Best !
by TripAdvisor Member Jane-H-2004
2 couples in late 30's early 40's stayed at the Maya Jan 21-26.We have
all travelled to nice places in the past but the Maya blew the rest of them away ! We were in Mexico for relaxation and that is what we got.
Hotel-Grounds and courtyards in each building are beautiful. Each building has a different courtyard theme. Jacuzzi tub is great. This resort is extremely clean (they even have a groundsman sweeping the leaves out of the jungle areas). Tip the maid service and you will be surprised each day with the towel decorations and flowers in your room.
Pool-cool. Ocean water was warmer.Pool was cleaned each evening.
Bars-they put plenty of alcohol in the drinks. The Mojito's and the Miami
Vice were good.The Lobby bar at the Lindo was great.Tip the bartenders, waiters and maids. They work 14 hours a day and do a great job.
Food-Can't figure out why others complained about it. We love to eat and found all the food good. The Gourmet at the Maya was excellent.
Patterson (our waiter) was fun. He even sent a bottle of red wine that we liked home with us. Don't pass up the Lobster salad, it is the best.Grouper and beef tenderloin were excellent. We are from the Midwest and still thought the beef was great.Steak House was good.
Japaneese at the Maya was good but our chef was new and did not put on a good show. Cajun restaurant was good. Everyone was right, the coconut shrimp were great.We ate the breakfast buffet at the Maya and it was excellent. Better than over at the Del Mar. Lunch we ate each day
at the pool restaurant and we never ran out of new and good things to eat. Ordered room service 2 times for snacks. It was good and came within 30 minutes.
Beach was beautiful. Yes there are some rocks in the water. Just swim where there aren't any rocks!!!
This was the best vacation we have had. We were upgraded from the Lindo to the Maya. It is well worth it. We are already planning our next trip back to the Maya.
The Maya has beautiful, clean grounds, plenty to do and great food.
What more could you want....
Just got back from paradise.
by TripAdvisor Member Frenchpoodle7
Just got back from a glorious week at the Maya. My first trip to Mexico. I found the resort very luxurious and yes you need to love to walk and yes there were alot of kids there but there were lots of areas to go to get away from it all. Several different pool areas, great restaraunts, great staff especially Jose the bartender at the Snake Bar. They catered to your every whim. We stayed in room 6066 which was closest to the beach and had a magnificent ocean view and very private extra large baclony. We also had the opportunity to view the presidential suite next to us which was breathtaking and ideal for wedding couples. The presidential had a large terrace with a private hot tub, hammock and large chaise lounge for two.
large living room and a dining area with a table for 6. All the rooms at the Maya are junior suites and whether or not it has a view doesn't matter much because no matter where you stay there is something beautiful to look at. The Japanese/ Geisha Room was our favorite eating place.
I have already contacted my travel agent to keep an eye out for a deal cause I can't wait to go back to this lovely resort.
Great but not on the beach
by TripAdvisor Member WinterEscape
This was our second trip our first we stayed at the Iberostar Tucan/Quentzal. This complex is one of the only ones in the Mayan Riviera that is not on the beach. It has a beach but is not on the beach. You can not see the horizon or the water from any point on the resort. The beach is beautiful but you must walk along a nice boradwalk through jungle/swamp to get to it. We have staryed at a lot of resorts and love that the others like the Tucan have included the Sea in the resort. When at the Tucan you can see the beautiful water and horizon from the pools, rooms and even some of the restaraunts. There is nothing better than seeing the cruise ships on the horizon while eating dinner. The resort was great but isolated from the beach and water. There are better resorts.
The Maya beats all others hands-down!
by TripAdvisor Member Mainiac
We returned from the Maya 2-12 (having stayed at the Lindo last year). We somehow received a free upgrade to a Sup. Jr. Suite, which was lovely. Our room in bldg. 60 looked out over trees, then towards the swim-up bar. Nice and peaceful with the tree block. As return Iberostar guests, we got our free welcome back t-shirts (ask your concierge). Check-in was a breeze, so we settled in, then headed to the pools.
Playa-del-carmen was unseasonably cool while we were there, in the high 70's, but it was just fine for hanging out around the pool or beach. Our 8-year-old spent all his time in the water, but we found the pools a bit cool for our taste (were fine last year when it was in the 80's).
Ate at the Japanese (prob. our favorite - make sure to request the veggie tempura), Cajun at the Lindo (close second - love the coconut shrimp and blackened grouper), Gourmet - wonderful, Steakhouse (El Ranchero) - they had card trick performers, mexican traveling guitar group who sang an entire song to us alone - we had the steak, which was done to perfection; seafood - get the combo meal for 2 - gives you a taste of everything (lobster was a bit tough, but we're from Maine), Italian (prob. our least favorite, although the wine was great).
Watched the superbowl with one complaint. The Maya side had small tv's with blaring spanish (how many superbowl fans do they think understood the commentators words in spanish, anyway?), and endless smokers. I can handle smoke, but they really need better ventilation. We headed to the Lindo side, where the air was blowing through and they had a big screen. Only problem was that they shut off the tv 9 seconds before the end of the game (guess we were eating into their evening entertainment time). Now, we already knew who won, but it was a weird ending to the evening. They had a small buffet - hot dogs and nachos. They really needed mustard for the hot dogs, but oh, well.
Didn't see much evening entertainment. Was too tired after playing in the sun all day.
Alcohol was great - drinks are strong and provided quickly, no matter where you are. Pool-side service was great. Lots of name-brand alcohol.
Experienced the clinic first hand when I twisted my ankle. The doctor was kind and wrapped it up (only cost $13) and sent me on my way. X-rays in the US showed a small fracture, but I'll heal. They really ought to get some crutches, however; I would have paid for them to have them.
Can't really complain at all about this wonderful vacation. Will no doubt head back next year to the Maya.
I've seen them all
by A TripAdvisor Member
This resort was really exceptional. The food, the service, the rooms, the beach, everything was fabulous. We have been going to all-inclusives for years and found this to be really outstanding.
I just want ot mention, there is also internet availability in the rooms. For just $10USD you get 5 hours. It was more than enough for one week's stay. They will even lend you a network cable if you forgot yours.
Absolutely Wonderful!
by TripAdvisor Member Looking
What a great place to get away ~ great food & drinks, service, accomodations. We spent 5 days at Iberostar the first week of February. The Maya & Lindo share the same pools, beach, restaurants... so you may think it too crowded. Not so. In fact, we always found a chair, place by the pool or beach. And they don't overbook the restaurants in the evening, so you have a lovely meal with wonderful service. The hotel is beautiful ~ lobby, restaurants, walkways, gardens, pools. As a family of 5, including 3 children aged 10, 14 & 15, we found that we all enjoyed every moment. There is always something to do for everyone. On a short trip you may not even want to leave the resort. But if you do, there are so many cool destinations. We visited the Mayan ruins in Tulum (using the Apple Tours, which has a booth in the lobby) & were blown away ~ the history, the ocean, the beach ~ all overwhelming. Great tour guide too. The resort will be even better when the golf & shopping plaza open this year.
One surprise for us ~ the hotel does not have an ATM or ability to provide a cash advance. So you have to go outside the resort. You can get pesos for dollars at the front desk. They do provide a free shuttle into Playa del Carmen, too. Go ~ enjoy!
Best Resort 5 Star resort Ever Seen!
by A TripAdvisor Member
Returned Feb 14th 2005 back to Edmonton Canada....took our two kids that are 3 and 7. They were able to accomadate us with two rooms ajoining...not all places do this. If you are looking for a place that is 5 star all the way this is it! Not cheap..but nothing is like it that we have ever seen.
Marble all the way, wave pool, ice cream shop, amazing beach etc...5 star plus food at all 12 restaruants and a different Vegas style show in the evenings. We allways seemed to make the 8:15pm kids show and the staff are great at getting all the kids involved. Carlos and his Scuba Team are amazing with many great dives. Vist them at the end of the beach.
You can lay low or be involved in so many things that a week is not enough...Charlie the bartender @ the main evening show is the best..even made Canadian Ceasars for us. The web site does not do this place justise...This place is Big and the rooms are all suite on the Maya side.Lots of walking but they will take you on a golf cart if you ask.
I find that once you have been to one particular all inclusive there is really no need to go back....kind of like ground hog day...not this place...I will take the family next year for sure!
First Trip With Small Children
by A TripAdvisor Member
I'm writing this review to help people traveling with really small kids as I didn't see any such reviews before we left. We recently returned from one week at the Maya during February. It was our first major trip with the kids ages just-turned-4 and 5 1/2. The rooms were generous, beautiful and comfortable. The grounds, pools and beach were spotless and beautiful. The pools were quite cold and therefore not too many people in them (they should be slightly heated). The beach had pretty big waves every day so not very good for real swimming but good for playing around. Because we have small children we had to go into the water and hold their hands at all times in the ocean. The wave pool (which is only turned on periodically) and several inlets in the main pool are zero-depth, so perfect for little kids that can't really swim yet. There is kid-friendly food: i.e. hotdogs, fries, hamburgers, pizza, pasta marinara etc. always at the buffet restaurant in case you have picky eaters. We didn't try the specialty restaurants just because we didn't want to have to deal with waiting for the food to arrive, lack of choice for the kids, etc. The grounds are REALLY spread out. If you have a child under 4 BRING a stroller (we could have used one for our 4 year old). It takes a day or two to get your bearings with the layout as it is large and not well marked - also it seemed like none of the staff members were helpful or could give good directions, etc. and many don't speak any english. Service overall was spotty as other reviewers note but hopefully they are working on that. The rooms have DVD players which were helpful for us. The "kids show" starts at 8 but our kids go to bed a 7/7:30 and were super tired after a day in the water so we didn't catch the show. Conversely, they get up early and it was nice to pop in a movie for them while mom and dad shower, etc. We tried using the kids club one day (it is open 10-6 and they have activities including lunch throughout the day). My 5 year old stayed for the morning and enjoyed it but my 4 year old was crying/etc at being left in a strange place so we didn't leave her there. The kids club is simply "OK." There is a lot of down time between activities and the room is pretty empty. It could be improved by having a real "playroom" setting with a bunch of toys and games to entertain between activities. There is also a nice playground for young kids. They have babysitting services which we considered using. To tell you the truth, we were as beat as the kids in the evening so turned in pretty early and thus didn't need one in the evening. Were going to use one during the day until I observed one of the hotel babysitters leaving a 6-year old in water wings UNATTENDED IN THE POOL for 10-15 minutes while she took his younger sister to the playground on the other side of the resort!!! Horrifying in my opinion. The day trip to Excaret nature park is great for kids and adults alike with an aquarium, animals, nice calm snorkeling/swimming inlets, etc. It is a large park and they have single and dougle jogging stroller rental. Also, the resort has a 1 1/2 hour snorkel trip that is good for kids 5 and up (they wear life-vests). All in all we had a great time, I wouldn't hesitate to go again or to recommend it for families with young children. The good things far outweigh any "negatives" I've pointed out here but wanted to mention everything I could think of. I would give it 4 1/2 stars out of five just for the few drawbacks I've mentioned.
BEAUTIFUL
by A TripAdvisor Member
Beautiful place (very big, you must like walking), lovely staff, great food, the only complaint I have is TOO MANY KIDS. They need to designate buildings/restaurants as families only.
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