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Hotel Review of Iberostar Grand Paraiso Riviera Maya Mexico Stay December 6- 16, 2007
One statement sums it up Horrible resort, dont go to the Grand .this way we have the place all to ourselves!!!!!
About Us
To give you perspective on our opinion, we are in our late 30s and take vacations approx 3 times per year. Europe/US & visited approx 7 Caribbean islands. We have gone the all inclusive route 6 times thus far and love the convenience of it. However, we expect to have a mediocre dining experience while vacationing. This was not the case with the Grand. More on that later.
Arrival
Arrived in the Lobby to roughly 10 other guests checking in. The day of our arrival 28 people checked in. Nice touch to have all of the new guests listed on a Welcome flyer posted on the Lobby desk. Hotel was at 85% occupancy. Received our cocktail and asked for a room overlooking the Tranquility pool. None were available however, she did ask if wed like a bottom floor room in Bldg 74. We passed and she placed us in Bldg 72 facing the Spa.
Room
As everyone before us has stated, the rooms are nicely appointed. Our home away from home was Rm. 7235, 2nd floor. We requested a non-smoking room but none were available. We were apprehensive when entering our room but, very pleased as there was not a trace of smoke in there. We were happy with this room and when we return, well request Bldg 72 again. Perfectly located in the middle of the resort easy access to restaurants, both pools, and the spa of course. I liked this feature at night as I didnt have to venture outside in the humidity for dinner.
Environment
Buildings are constantly being cleaned and manicured. Beautiful details. Just as all other board members have attested. Bathrooms are amazing attendant every minute cleaning, replacing towels, etc. And yes, I too ventured into the Mens room on one occasion
Food/Restaurants
We were very impressed by the quality/choice of food available, especially at an all inclusive. Lobster sometimes twice a day, high quality fruits, perfect presentation. Duck, Lamb, delicious beef and chefs were flexible with meal requests. Several of our meals were on par with some of the finer restaurants in the US. Lunch at La Brisa was wonderful. Room service was efficient and tasty great for an in-between snack before dinner. Our favorites were Tonis Surf & Turf and the Gourmet. We ate at all of the restaurants and service was friendly, efficient. We did have slow service at Haiku both times we were there one dinner lasted approx 2.5 hrs, we missed the Magic Show that evening. Really though, if thats the only complaint wow, what an experience overall.
Bars
Lobby Bar
Sometimes was bustling with activity while other nights very serene. Rigo did not disappoint with delicious espresso martinis and his friendly, warm demeanor. What a wonderful addition to the Iberostar family. He really works hard to service all guest with a smile. We enjoyed seeing him throughout our stay.
Sports Bar/karaoke Bar
Nice place to relax and watch a game or chat with friends. The two nights of karaoke were fun. Bar service was top notch there as well. In fact, my hubby wanted apple juice they had none at that bar. But 5 minutes later, delivered us a glass. The bartender went to another area bar to retrieve it for us. Great service!
Pool Bar
Norberto & Alonso keep that place humming. At times there were roughly 20 people around the vicinity. They also aim to please you wanted a stronger drink no problem!
Activities
Pool act ivies were fun if you wanted to engage. Otherwise the Star Friends were not pushy at all. The evening shows were entertaining they premiered a Boogie Nights show the week we were there. It was over an hour of non-stop dancing/singing/live music. Great production! Luri, the Entertainment Coordinator, brought us backstage and gave us a tour of the theater. Top notch equipment, great dancers, 10 piece band. We remembered Luri from the Maya and were glad to see him heading up the Star Friends at the Grand.
During the week we attended a cooking/wine tasting at Tonis. They demonstrated how to make Ceviche it was fabulous! There was also a cocktail class at the Sports Bar and b/c only two of us showed, we went behind the bar and made our own margaritas! It was a great time. We liked that they tried to include more adult activities to appeal to varied interests of their Grand guests.
Staff
Work extremely hard, long hours, always with a smile on their face! Very polite & professional. They deserve nice tips for going the extra mile. Warm & friendly and genuinely look like they enjoy working at the Grand. If only the rest of us could feel the same about our careers .
Spa
The spa services on-site are reserved for couples. If youd like a massage without your significant other, you will need to go to the Spa in the commercial center. Prices have increased since my last visit in December. My wife received a 20 minute marine exfoliation, $69.00 US, and a 50 minute sports massage, that she stated was awesome. Sports massage was $128.00 US.
The environment of the Spa on-site is wonderfully relaxing. The atrium feel contributes to a tropical meltdown felt by all who enter. There are spinning classes twice daily Jonathon was a pretty good instructor. He even arranged for a special 8:00am class, not on the schedule, for several guests. The various jets and 2 hot tubs were perfect after a long day sitting poolside in the main pool.
Dressel Divers
Not owned by Iberostar but on the IB Del Mar property. They are all about the money and getting people in and out of the water as quickly as possible, sacrificing the experience of a good dive. The only reason to use them is if you are a novice or dont feel like traveling off-site to a dive shop that can provide a good diving experience. If we could change anything about the Iberostar resorts it would be their dive operators. They even left a Dressel videographer stranded in the water. Who made it back on another boat.
We are really hard pressed to find major fault with this resort. The one thing I would suggest is having no-smoking in the theater or indoor bars. Two nights we were there we had to leave 15 minutes into the show b/c the smoke was too intense. Same is true of the Lobby Bar it is just not enjoyable to have a drink while smoke is filling your eyes and lungs. There is no smoking in the indoor areas of the restaurants; you would think the same policy would apply to their other indoor spaces.
We have already looked into booking again next year. We met great people, experienced good food, service with a smile and truly relaxed in an upscale environment.
One statement sums it up Horrible resort, dont go to the Grand .this way we have the place all to ourselves!!!!!
About Us
To give you perspective on our opinion, we are in our late 30s and take vacations approx 3 times per year. Europe/US & visited approx 7 Caribbean islands. We have gone the all inclusive route 6 times thus far and love the convenience of it. However, we expect to have a mediocre dining experience while vacationing. This was not the case with the Grand. More on that later.
Arrival
Arrived in the Lobby to roughly 10 other guests checking in. The day of our arrival 28 people checked in. Nice touch to have all of the new guests listed on a Welcome flyer posted on the Lobby desk. Hotel was at 85% occupancy. Received our cocktail and asked for a room overlooking the Tranquility pool. None were available however, she did ask if wed like a bottom floor room in Bldg 74. We passed and she placed us in Bldg 72 facing the Spa.
Room
As everyone before us has stated, the rooms are nicely appointed. Our home away from home was Rm. 7235, 2nd floor. We requested a non-smoking room but none were available. We were apprehensive when entering our room but, very pleased as there was not a trace of smoke in there. We were happy with this room and when we return, well request Bldg 72 again. Perfectly located in the middle of the resort easy access to restaurants, both pools, and the spa of course. I liked this feature at night as I didnt have to venture outside in the humidity for dinner.
Environment
Buildings are constantly being cleaned and manicured. Beautiful details. Just as all other board members have attested. Bathrooms are amazing attendant every minute cleaning, replacing towels, etc. And yes, I too ventured into the Mens room on one occasion
Food/Restaurants
We were very impressed by the quality/choice of food available, especially at an all inclusive. Lobster sometimes twice a day, high quality fruits, perfect presentation. Duck, Lamb, delicious beef and chefs were flexible with meal requests. Several of our meals were on par with some of the finer restaurants in the US. Lunch at La Brisa was wonderful. Room service was efficient and tasty great for an in-between snack before dinner. Our favorites were Tonis Surf & Turf and the Gourmet. We ate at all of the restaurants and service was friendly, efficient. We did have slow service at Haiku both times we were there one dinner lasted approx 2.5 hrs, we missed the Magic Show that evening. Really though, if thats the only complaint wow, what an experience overall.
Bars
Lobby Bar
Sometimes was bustling with activity while other nights very serene. Rigo did not disappoint with delicious espresso martinis and his friendly, warm demeanor. What a wonderful addition to the Iberostar family. He really works hard to service all guest with a smile. We enjoyed seeing him throughout our stay.
Sports Bar/karaoke Bar
Nice place to relax and watch a game or chat with friends. The two nights of karaoke were fun. Bar service was top notch there as well. In fact, my hubby wanted apple juice they had none at that bar. But 5 minutes later, delivered us a glass. The bartender went to another area bar to retrieve it for us. Great service!
Pool Bar
Norberto & Alonso keep that place humming. At times there were roughly 20 people around the vicinity. They also aim to please you wanted a stronger drink no problem!
Activities
Pool act ivies were fun if you wanted to engage. Otherwise the Star Friends were not pushy at all. The evening shows were entertaining they premiered a Boogie Nights show the week we were there. It was over an hour of non-stop dancing/singing/live music. Great production! Luri, the Entertainment Coordinator, brought us backstage and gave us a tour of the theater. Top notch equipment, great dancers, 10 piece band. We remembered Luri from the Maya and were glad to see him heading up the Star Friends at the Grand.
During the week we attended a cooking/wine tasting at Tonis. They demonstrated how to make Ceviche it was fabulous! There was also a cocktail class at the Sports Bar and b/c only two of us showed, we went behind the bar and made our own margaritas! It was a great time. We liked that they tried to include more adult activities to appeal to varied interests of their Grand guests.
Staff
Work extremely hard, long hours, always with a smile on their face! Very polite & professional. They deserve nice tips for going the extra mile. Warm & friendly and genuinely look like they enjoy working at the Grand. If only the rest of us could feel the same about our careers .
Spa
The spa services on-site are reserved for couples. If youd like a massage without your significant other, you will need to go to the Spa in the commercial center. Prices have increased since my last visit in December. My wife received a 20 minute marine exfoliation, $69.00 US, and a 50 minute sports massage, that she stated was awesome. Sports massage was $128.00 US.
The environment of the Spa on-site is wonderfully relaxing. The atrium feel contributes to a tropical meltdown felt by all who enter. There are spinning classes twice daily Jonathon was a pretty good instructor. He even arranged for a special 8:00am class, not on the schedule, for several guests. The various jets and 2 hot tubs were perfect after a long day sitting poolside in the main pool.
Dressel Divers
Not owned by Iberostar but on the IB Del Mar property. They are all about the money and getting people in and out of the water as quickly as possible, sacrificing the experience of a good dive. The only reason to use them is if you are a novice or dont feel like traveling off-site to a dive shop that can provide a good diving experience. If we could change anything about the Iberostar resorts it would be their dive operators. They even left a Dressel videographer stranded in the water. Who made it back on another boat.
We are really hard pressed to find major fault with this resort. The one thing I would suggest is having no-smoking in the theater or indoor bars. Two nights we were there we had to leave 15 minutes into the show b/c the smoke was too intense. Same is true of the Lobby Bar it is just not enjoyable to have a drink while smoke is filling your eyes and lungs. There is no smoking in the indoor areas of the restaurants; you would think the same policy would apply to their other indoor spaces.
We have already looked into booking again next year. We met great people, experienced good food, service with a smile and truly relaxed in an upscale environment.
