Hi Miggs, thanks - checked out the site and couldn't get the virtual tour to work but the picture of the wedding part is good 'nuff for me right now.
Is the water not absolutely indescribable? When we were staying at the RIU Yucatan, my husband (we're common law right now) used the dive shop next door at the Iberostar - he got a few of his dives captured on video and when we brought it home and viewed it, I was ever so happy to see shots of the divers getting into the boat because then I could see that gorgeous water again. I know people complain that there is no good snorkelling in front of the resorts here but you can't have reefs for good snorkelling and shallow sandy bottom all at the same time....with so much great snorkelling down Akumal way and Xcaret, I'm glad of that sandy bottom and gorgeous blue-green water.
Looking at the picture of the resort and that great beach out front, it's hard to believe that the beach had eroded away all the way up to the steps to the dive shop, and has now been put back.
they say if you stay at this resort they give you a day pass to visit Iberostar paraiso but transportion is not included. has anyone did this? did they take a taxi or can you catch one of those mini buses that run up and down the road to playa and back?
Hi Miggs thanks for asking!
We were at the IB* Quetzal from 06/14 - 06/21. We liked the resort but didn't love it like we have other resorts. The beach is beautiful and believe it or not there was no hoarding of palapas early in the morning on the beach - all of that happened over by the pool area. If you are a pool person, it is true - you will have to be down to the pool area with towels to stake your claim by 6:30 - 7:00 a.m. to get a palapa for shade. I thought the pool was beautiful but it was far too crowded for my taste. Luckily we are beach people so we were happy as clams that we could sleep until 8:00 am and then go out to get our palapa. I didn't love the jungle atmosphere of the resort and because of it, I felt there was no easy way to get anywhere at this resort. We had great meals at the Mexican and Steakhouse specialty restaurants but found their buffet dinner restaurant boring after about the 2nd day (it was great for breakfast, however!). The beach bar was for great drinks (recommend a Miami Vice - half strawberry daiquiri/half pina colada with the rum drizzled down the side - delicious!) Lastly, I will say the resort is spotless and the service people at this resort are beyond compare - everyone just wants to make you happy during your vacation.
So we did have a nice, relaxing vacation but when we return to Playa we will probably choose the Riu Yucatan or the Riu Playacar. We've stayed at the Riu Yucatan before and for us we prefered the Riu over the Iberostar.
If anyone has specific questions, I'll be happy to try and help.
Why do you like the riu's more?
Hi Ellene - I just had a better vacation all around at the Riu Yucatan. I liked their rooms better, their food better, the set up of their resort was much easier to navigate, their pool area was easier to walk around. It's just a personal preference, I guess. Like I said, the Iberostar was nice; we just prefered the Riu Yucatan over it.
Hi Linda. Glad you enjoyed youselves most of the time. We also have stayed in the Riu's at the Dominican Republic. First the Merengue in the north and then the Bambu in Punta Cana. The Merengue was fabulous but the sea is very rough over there and then the Bambu which was ok but I didn't like the food. The thing I like about the Iberostar is that you can just go down to dinner when you feel like it but with the Riu's it is 6- 30 or 8-30. But thats just me. What is the swim up bar like now it's finished? Anything else new there. I will definately try a Miami Vice when I go. I have heard a lot of people talk about them.
Hi Miggs - the swim up bar is lovely. I didn't go down there but I saw many couples enjoying themselves. We really didn't spend much time up by the pool areas at all - the beach is just so breathtaking and it wasn't half as crowded as around the pool. My daughter begged me to try the pool the last day and I'm glad I did. It was like bathwater and it's so large that when you are in it, it's not crowded at all (the crowds are on the outside of the pool area).
Is the swim up bar only for adults? We're trying to settle on a vacation spot for Thanksgiving and remember that our kids LOVED the swim up pool bar in Jamaica. I wouldn't let that decide our destination but it does figure into the equation.
Hi Tess - Yes, I believe the swim up bar is for adults only. It's actually in a rather funny place, away from the main pool area. You have to walk down a flight of stairs. I didn't go down there, however, as I always had my 14 year old daughter with me.
What did your daughter think of the resort? We also have a 14 year old (plus an 11 year old) so I'm curious.
It's funny because the swim-up bar was put in as an after thought. I was there in '98 and there was no swim-up bar.
They actually listen to what their customers want at the Iberostar and many requested a swim-up bar so they built one.They really can't do enough for everyone.
Occidental Royal Hideaway (Playa Del Carmen) or Occidental Grand (Cozumel) for work incentive trip? Help!!!