Riviera Maya: Need input!

steph4nu

My fiance and I have narrowed down our honeymoon options to three in the Riviera Maya.  The three resorts we are trying to decide between are:

-Valentin Imperial Maya
-Secrets Capri
-Secrets Silversands

These three fit within our budget for 5/6 nights.  Our must haves for our honeymoon are:
-Adults only
-All inclusive
-Nice beach
-Clear blue water
-Good food/drinks

Can you please offer any information to these three resorts?  We have been looking on tripadvisor at several reviews and pictures, but I also want information from you guys!  Any information would be helpful.  If you have reviews, I'd love to hear them.

Thank you!

Jells2dot0

I have stayed at Secrets Silversands and may go to Capri next year (It's between that or Zoetry). Silversands is not quite as romantic as some of the other Secrets properties. The crowd there is more adult singles or adult couples who want to be active and party. It was a very lively stay there, which was okay for me since I was with a group of girls. Also, the beach at Silversands is not that great. I know they have made some improvements to do since I was there in 2010, but I personally would lean toward Capri for a better beach, all preferred club amenities, and a more romantic-centric atmosphere.

Have you looked into the El Dorado Resorts? I thought they were in the same budget range as Secrets and they are also adults only.

steph4nu

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_riviera-maya-need-input?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:091ac27f-2c0a-44c1-8920-1ad05e630b2aPost:0f700c6e-5fe7-4739-914a-1ac6734e0887">Re: Riviera Maya: Need input!</a>:
[QUOTE]I have stayed at Secrets Silversands and may go to Capri next year (It's between that or Zoetry). Silversands is not quite as romantic as some of the other Secrets properties. The crowd there is more adult singles or adult couples who want to be active and party. It was a very lively stay there, which was okay for me since I was with a group of girls. Also, the beach at Silversands is not that great. I know they have made some improvements to do since I was there in 2010, but I personally would lean toward Capri for a better beach, all preferred club amenities, and a more romantic-centric atmosphere. Have you looked into the El Dorado Resorts? I thought they were in the same budget range as Secrets and they are also adults only.
Posted by Jells2dot0[/QUOTE]

Thank you for the information about Secrets Silversands.  FI and I are definitely wanting something more romantic (with a great beach), so you've helped us cross one off the list.

We looked into the El Dorardo Resorts.  They are in the similar price range but are more on the upper end of what we would like to spend.

Thanks for your input! 

hz80408

I have heard only bad things about Secrets Silversands.  We HMed at Secrets Maroma Beach and loved it.  Following our HM, we had friends HM at Capri and loved it.  Their pictures were really similar to ours.

My bro/SIL booked a package were the stay at Silversands but traveled to all 3 of the secrets resorts in the area.  They said the beach at Silversands was terrible and it was overall the worst of the 3.  Which is interesting to note because they visited all 3 the same week.

soontobehasrouni

We are going to Secrets Maroma for the beach. white sand and clear water, it seemed like the best choice and has everything we are looking for

SLC5885

We're going to the Excellence Riviera Cancun. Excellence also has another resort in Playa Mujeres. We're going for 5 nights and 6 days and it was the best value we could find. It's adults only, several pools, all inclusive food and drink and easy access to excursions if you choose. I actually know a few friends who went there and said it was amazing and very romantic. The  only real difference between locations is the decor... the Riviera Cancun location is a little more authentic Mexican and the Playa Mujeres one is more modern. But both offer the same packages. Also, if you book early enough you get pretty good discounts, we just booked a couple weeks ago for our May honeymoon and got 25% off.

MoonlightSilver

Valentin Imperial Maya! It's an awesome resort. Huge, beautiful grounds. The beach is nice and sandy on one side for swimming and relaxing, and the other side has big rocks which makes it beautiful for taking walks or wedding ceremonies. 

They definitely cater to couples at VIM. We had rose petals and towel art in our room. The staff is super friendly too. We loved it.

steph4nu

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_riviera-maya-need-input?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:091ac27f-2c0a-44c1-8920-1ad05e630b2aPost:649e72a6-152f-446a-a90c-1258b74b32d8">Re: Riviera Maya: Need input!</a>:
[QUOTE]Valentin Imperial Maya! It's an awesome resort. Huge, beautiful grounds. The beach is nice and sandy on one side for swimming and relaxing, and the other side has big rocks which makes it beautiful for taking walks or wedding ceremonies.  They definitely cater to couples at VIM. We had rose petals and towel art in our room. The staff is super friendly too. We loved it.
Posted by MoonlightSilver[/QUOTE]

Great to hear!  We are learning more towards Valentin Imperial Maya because the reviews are outstanding.  Secrets Capri has great reviews too, but it sounds like their beach has been eroding. 

steph4nu

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_riviera-maya-need-input?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:091ac27f-2c0a-44c1-8920-1ad05e630b2aPost:21fe3e99-bf12-46f7-a36b-bbff8000f8eb">Re: Riviera Maya: Need input!</a>:
[QUOTE]I have heard only bad things about Secrets Silversands.  We HMed at Secrets Maroma Beach and loved it.  Following our HM, we had friends HM at Capri and loved it.  Their pictures were really similar to ours. My bro/SIL booked a package were the stay at Silversands but traveled to all 3 of the secrets resorts in the area.  They said the beach at Silversands was terrible and it was overall the worst of the 3.  Which is interesting to note because they visited all 3 the same week.
Posted by hz80408[/QUOTE]

We would have loved to go to Secrets Maroma, but unfortunately it's out of our budget.  :(  Thanks for the info about Silversands.  We have officially crossed that off our list.  Did your brother and SIL metion anything about Secrets Capri's beach eroding?  I have seen some pictures on tripadvisor that show their beach is practically gone. 

kikmonster

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_riviera-maya-need-input?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:11Discussion:091ac27f-2c0a-44c1-8920-1ad05e630b2aPost:e9c31852-9fe3-4f74-8bc5-c5004a3c3ac4">Riviera Maya: Need input!</a>:
[QUOTE]My fiance and I have narrowed down our honeymoon options to three in the Riviera Maya.  The three resorts we are trying to decide between are: -Valentin Imperial Maya -Secrets Capri -Secrets Silversands These three fit within our budget for 5/6 nights.  Our must haves for our honeymoon are: -Adults only -All inclusive -Nice beach -Clear blue water -Good food/drinks Can you please offer any information to these three resorts?  We have been looking on tripadvisor at several reviews and pictures, but I also want information from you guys!  Any information would be helpful.  If you have reviews, I'd love to hear them. Thank you!
Posted by steph4nu[/QUOTE]

I have stayed at the Secrets Capri and it was absolutely wonderful. We were there as part of a mission trip with a group of girls and it was obvious that we were they only ones there who were not part of a couple. It seemed to be almost entirely honeymooners. The beach is nice... It's not Turks & Caicos by any means, but it's nice and the grounds are stunning. I would highly recommend the resort overall.