Secrets Maroma Beach or Iberostar Grand Paraiso

jennwolfe2

Hi all!
I've been searching this forum for a while on AI in the Riveria and have narrowed it down to these two hotels. Has anyone stayed at both or know a big difference btwn either? They both seem to be rather close/in the same area. I can't find any information on Secrets having a special honeymoon package, but Iberostar does.

Thanks so much!

kaos16

secrets should have a honeymoon package, included with certain rooms, optional with any.  Worst case, call the hotel.  Be aware though, you have to give them a copy of your marriage license to get it included.

jennwolfe2

Thanks! I've heard most places want a copy of that or the invitation.

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_secrets-maroma-beach-or-iberostar-grand-paraiso?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:5f51488e-03c5-4e6a-afea-3002b0a3e875Post:e4b4e45b-ec29-4aa1-bb2a-a0c5dd02525e">Re: Secrets Maroma Beach or Iberostar Grand Paraiso</a>:
[QUOTE]secrets should have a honeymoon package, included with certain rooms, optional with any.  Worst case, call the hotel.  Be aware though, you have to give them a copy of your marriage license to get it included.
Posted by kaos16[/QUOTE]

amymaysa

Secrets does have a honeymoon package available

Jells2dot0

I've been to both resorts. They are very different from one another. The Iberostar is HUGE!!! It's very opulent, kind of like a fancy casino in Las Vegas with a grand entrance and decked out rooms. Secrets is also large, but not as much. Secrets has more of a minimalist vibe- modern and chic, but not dripping in marble or rich dark colors. The rooms are bright and airy, while the Iberostar rooms are larger, but have richer tones The spa at Secrets is very old world- stone walls and floors and very intimate. I would say the beach at Maroma is better, though public. Having seen both and knowing my personal preference is for something with a more secluded vibe and something smaller, I'd go with Maroma.

hz80408

My brother was married on Iberostar Resort; they stayed at the Grand (and I stayed at Del Mar). Like pp said; Iberostar is huge because the resort includes several hotels.  The hotels have tiered level access; so staying at the Grand, you can access any of the hotels/restaurants on the resort, etc (but someone staying at Del Mar can't go to the Grand).

We HMed at Secrets Maroma and the beach there is definitely bigger.  The resort itself is a good size and still has plenty of options (7 restaurants, etc); but I guess it depends on the type of ambiance you're looking for. SMB does has a HM package too. We booked one.

In general, I also think SMB is cheaper than IGP.

jennwolfe2

Thanks for all the great advice!! I mixed up the hotels - I meant to say Secrets has a honeymoon package but Iberostar doesn't really - a special 'turn down service' with roses in the bath tub one night and an upgrade if they have availability. I was a tad bit disappointed in that because you pay more there than other hotels and yet the less expensive hotels have a dinner, spa treatment etc.

We're going end of May, around May 20th for 7 nights - did anyone go to either place and have an issue getting chairs by the pool or the beach cabanas? Thanks

hz80408

I think you're out of spring break season and certainly winter travel that you shouldn't have any issues getting spots!

jennwolfe2

Great, thank you!!
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_secrets-maroma-beach-or-iberostar-grand-paraiso?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:5f51488e-03c5-4e6a-afea-3002b0a3e875Post:b0e28a9e-9ddf-453d-9624-9b3f6c8a2ab0">Re: Secrets Maroma Beach or Iberostar Grand Paraiso</a>:
[QUOTE]I think you're out of spring break season and certainly winter travel that you shouldn't have any issues getting spots!
Posted by hz80408[/QUOTE]

GustieRx

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_secrets-maroma-beach-or-iberostar-grand-paraiso?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:5f51488e-03c5-4e6a-afea-3002b0a3e875Post:ab7397a9-f842-4375-bdbe-c48c4265dd27">Re: Secrets Maroma Beach or Iberostar Grand Paraiso</a>:
[QUOTE]\We're going end of May, around May 20th for 7 nights - did anyone go to either place and have an issue getting chairs by the pool or the beach cabanas? Thanks :)
Posted by jennwolfe2[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>We went May 21 of this year, and we had no trouble getting chairs each day.  The pool chairs seemed to fill up faster in the mornings than the beach chairs, but we would spend the day at the beach and then go for a swim in the pool in the late afternoon and found chairs everyday at both places.  We never did the beach cabana so I can't say if they were difficult to get or not.  For what it's worth, we loved SMB and would definitely go back!  I've never been to Iberostar, but I think the becah at SMB can't be beat :)

</div>

emilyjohnwedding

I've been to both resorts!I like Secrets Maroma better. The food is great & beach is awesome.Ibersotar is nice looking but so many people from other resorts walk on the beach. WE are going to Hawaii on our honeymoon

rsaleh84

We will be going to the IB Grand in 3 weeks (holy cow!), so I will post a review on here when we come back and let you know   Our travel agent had been there before and loved it, and one of my good friends was married at an IB resort next to the Grand and said she loved the atmosphere of the hotels and the beach.  Hope this helps!

jennwolfe2

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_honeymoon_secrets-maroma-beach-or-iberostar-grand-paraiso?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:11Discussion:5f51488e-03c5-4e6a-afea-3002b0a3e875Post:8a8d7811-db5b-4f26-a8c0-fa97626d1c29">Re: Secrets Maroma Beach or Iberostar Grand Paraiso</a>:
[QUOTE]We will be going to the IB Grand in 3 weeks (holy cow!), so I will post a review on here when we come back and let you know :)  Our travel agent had been there before and loved it, and one of my good friends was married at an IB resort next to the Grand and said she loved the atmosphere of the hotels and the beach.  Hope this helps!
Posted by rsaleh84[/QUOTE]

<div>Thanks, can't wait to hear!! Have a great time!</div>