roxyD

Hello! We've decided to honeymoon in Playa del Carmen. Trying to decide between the Iberostar Grand or The Royal Playa.

We'd like an ocean front room, adult only resort, great beach, quiet/romantic, but with activities for day & a couple bars/restaurants for night.

Which resort would be best? Open to other suggestions as well.

Thank you!

shirleyk

Have stayed at the Iberostar Grand Oceanfront room and it has everything on your wish list. It is not in Playa Del Carmen but you can take a cab into Playa if you so desire. The Royal is in Playa Del Carmen. Also, take a look at Secrets Maroma. It is about one mile south of the Iberostar and another good option for a honeymoon.

schmerl

The Iberostar Grand is even more luxurious than the Royal. Food and service at the Grand are fantastic. It has all you are looking for and the beach is not as crowded as it can get at the Royal since the Royal is right in town.

roxyD

thanks for the responses. So the Iberostar grand is just outside Playa? Is it walking distance to shops/restaurants? Is the beach better than the Royal too? And i thought Secrets Meroma was in Cancun.

I appreciate the responses!!

schmerl

The Iberostar Grand is not JUST outside Playa. It is about a twenty minute ride from the Grand to Playa. They have a shuttle to Playa that runs four times a day and costs $4 per person each way. They have a Commercial Center at the Grand which has some shops, the disco, spa, and additional eateries which are part of the all inclusive.
The beach at the Grand is more private than that of the Royal. Beaches are all public property and the Royal is right is town so people can just come and use the beach (but not their chairs or palapas). The Grand is more secluded, so people don't just walk on by and decide to sit on the beach there.
Secrets Maroma is on Maroma Beach which is just a little further south than the IB Grand. It is certainly not in Cancun. Maroma is one of the best beaches in the area, but the pools at the Grand have it beat. Secrets Maroma has only one pool and it's not all that big.
Go on the websites for these resorts for more info.

Clooney

I know this blog was back in December but thought i would ask a question anyway. I have been thinking about the Royal..but am now worried about it being too close to town. I am going for the beach. So wants lots of space and a nice long long beach front to walk on. What do you think??? I stayed at the Rui a few years back. it was nice but a lot of the beach front had been lost in a storm and walking was just not fun..lots of big huge sand bags.

I am afraid of being disappointed again.

schmerl

The beach at the Riu and all of the Playacar went through a total beach restoration last year. No more sandbags.