(Emer)  Last week Neal and I got to spend 5 days in the beautiful Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya Mexico.  We stayed at the Iberostar Grand Paraiso resort.  This is our second time staying at this particular property and we certainly were not disappointed.

Iberostar Group is a Spanish based group with corporate offices in Mallorca, Spain.  They operate over 100 resorts throughout Europe, Africa, and The Americas (Brazil, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica)  and they specialize in Beachfront 4* and 5* properties.

The Iberostar Grand Paraiso is an adult only all inclusive resort.  They have a range of rooms available with the top level being the Ocean Front Suite with Premium alcohol and butler service.  The property is luxurious with lush grounds, coconut trees, colorful flowers and they have some strange animals called Coatis running around the property (see photo below).   The Ocean view suites have a walk out balcony complete with swing and couch (this was one of my favorite spots to hang out, read and nap.)  The rooms are really rich and comfortable with turn down service.

         

    

Amenities:

Spa:

Paradise Beach Resort Spa right on property is a complex of 9.843 sq. ft., where you can enjoy various treatments and massages, Jacuzzis, solarium, sauna, Turkish and Roman baths, thalassotherapy pools and the extraordinary Temazcal of Mayan origin.  Also available to our hotel guests are couples  treatments and massages by the sea. Specialized personnel, attentive service, locker rooms and personal hygiene areas, with all the necessary details, make up one of the best spa in Playa del Carmen.   It also features a heated indoor/exterior with sliding roof and a third with a panoramic view.”

Golf:

The IBEROSTAR Playa Paraíso Golf Club welcomes seasoned golfers and neophytes looking for learn this sport during their all inclusive vacations. Therefore, residents of the hotel can go out and play, hit balls on the practice field or spend time on the putting green to improve their strokes (18 holes free per person for stays of 3 and 4 nights, and two rounds for stays 5 days or more, with food and beverage service included during the game; equipment separate).

Shopping

Souvenirs, fashion, media or staples are easy to find in stores that our unforgettable Playa del Carmen luxury resort offers its guests. A small, select commercial area where you can browse, sample and purchase Mexican products as well as products from the best international companies.

         

Lobsta   Lobsta and more  Lobsta !!!

Restaurants:

“The hotel offers a variety which includes all types of meals and drinks in any of the venues served by skilled chefs and bartenders: international cuisine with a large variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, succulent main dishes as well as delicious desserts; a la carte American steaks grilled, broiled or barbecued; Italian, Japanese and Mexican cuisine among others.”

• Venezia Italian Restaurant

• Haiku Japanese Restaurant

• Latelier Gourmet Restaurant

• Toni’s Surf & Turf Restaurant

Bella Vista Buffet Restaurant (Breakfast) and La Brisa Restaurant (buffet lunch)

We tried each specialty restaurant in the evenints – all delicious.  The food was excellent with plenty of variety.  Breakfast each morning was a wonderful buffet and al a carte menu if desired.  Daily lunch, consisted of a huge buffet featuring fresh seafood, crab legs, shrimp and grilled lobster, in addition to hundreds of other items including salads and desserts.  Unlimited premium wines and cocktails were available all day.

          

Entertainment

The all-inclusive model of the IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Paraiso, includes a comfortable room, delicious full board accommodation in a la carte restaurants and buffets, national and international snacks and beverages as well as 24-hour room service. Also, daytime activities, nighttime entertainment and sports activities such as aerobics, outdoor shooting, archery, basketball, beach volleyball, billiards, catamaran, dance lessons, darts, gymnastics, kayaking, putting green, scuba clinic, snorkeling, table tennis, tennis and tennis lessons, volleyball, water sports and water polo as well as the use of the fitness room.

Meeting and Conventions (great for a corporate off site vacation/meeting)

The Grand Hotel Paraíso has a convention center of 4826 sq. ft., seven halls and the capacity to accommodate up to 1,200 guests, served by a team of specialists with extensive experience in organizing events.  Private rooms, public address systems, screens, connections, catering, desk, we only need a list of what you need.

      

All in all, this resort is top notch.  Each evening there was a show in the theater, various different bars including a cigar bar.  Trivia and music entertainment.  There was the perfect blend of relaxing, eating and entertainment.

I would highly recommend this property and look forward to (hopefully) going back some day.

All the best