Hi, I have posted here before for honeymoon advice but we have changed our time of year travel and focused more into one location. We are pretty set on riviera maya and plan on staying for 2 weeks at an AI. We were trying to decide between secrets, either silversands or maroma beach, iberostar grand, or valentin imerial maya. Our budget is about $6k including airfare from pittsburgh. Our travel agent has found us a trip to the secrets silversands for a little over $5k but we don't know if we got such a great deal because it is sub-par to the rest of the resorts there. We don't need an oceanfront suite, just an nice room/suite and lots of relaxation!!! A few things that are necessary are great food, plenty of drinks , and a swim up bar. Please help us out with any information to help us decide, If it helps at all, we are going at the beginning of may. Thanks for all the help.

Of the resorts you mentioned I would go with either Secrets Maroma or the Iberostar Grand. They are both at least a step (if not several) above the other resorts you mention...especially if you want a nice swimable beach.
Have you considered splitting your stay between two resorts?

cancun.bookit.com Secrets Maroma or Capri for me

Congrats!

I like schmerl's idea of splitting your stay between two resorts. Two weeks is a long time to be at one AI - for me anyway. In that time you'll start repeating restaurants and the buffets will start repeating as well. Plus you'll get to see more than one resort!

Keep in mind that the Iberostar isn't Adults Only (is it??) if that's important to you.

I've been to Valentin Imperial Maya and it was very nice - it was only a few months after they opened. I remember their beach being nice. Big pools. Good food and many choices. If I remember, you don't have to make reservations, but get a pager. That is a nice system - you don't have to preplan your dinner choices, but can sort of "wing" it! I don't remember long waits for meals.

I don't think you'll be disappointed in any of your choices. They're all very nice.

Yes...the Iberostar GRAND IS adults only. The other resorts on the Paraiso property are not.

I agree that 2 weeks is a long time to be at an AI. Why not a week at Maroma, and then a week at a quiet little beach side cabana in Tulum, or a condo in Playa. Have you checked out locogringo.com ?

I'll also chime in and question staying at the same All-Inclusive resort for an entire 2 weeks. I think that could get old. Maybe split between a resort stay and a smaller hotel or condo? Or at least try to different resorts for a little more variety of scenery, food, activities?

I agree about 2 weeks being too much in an AI. Also consider a week and a small hotel in Playa Del Carmen. There's lots of excellent restaurants right in town, and you'll be near ruins, Cozumel ferry, and lots of night life.