Looking to go to Rivieira Maya in March 2008. Want to stay in a very nice hotel with a beautiful beach, shade area (with huts/umbrellas), few or no children and great service. Like a beach where you can take long walks and water to swim in with no rocks or seagrass. Does anyone have any suggestions.
Thank you

For adults only with a good beach, the Royal Playa del Carmen would be good. Great service, good food, good beach.

Maroma has a great beach and no kids allowed.

I would agree with frankie for Maroma. You are wanting "long walks" which you can't get in Cancun or PDC without encountering kids and groups of people. The setting at Maroma is lovely with beautiful palapas and and a gorgeous white beach.

www.maromahotel.com

I recommend Aventura Spa Palace. They have a lagoon instead of a beach, but it offers nice calm swimming with tons of fish. Compared to swimming in Cancun, etc - it can be rough.

If you are interested, my review -
http://www.epinions.com/content_163589099140

Feel free to e-mail me for pics.
(my e-mail is in the review).

Maroma Beach is beautiful. Aventura Spa Palace has not real beach. Just man made lagoons.

Hi,

go to Las Palapas">http://www.divemex.net/html/palapaen.html in Playa del Carmen. The hotel is located at the end of the town and you can walk at least 5km north without seeing any hotel. On the other hand you are just 5 minutes from the center away so you can enjoy also the night life or go simply shopping. Las Plapas is a great place for relaxing and very romantic place.

Check it out.

I love Las Palapas. Depending on the time of year, the children issue wouldn't be a problem. I don't consider it the same level of service or lodging as Maroma but it's a fraction of the cost of Maroma and has a beautiful beach.

Here is an aerial shot of Las Palapas:

http://www.locogringo.com/maps/tour/149a-t.html

and Maroma

http://www.locogringo.com/maps/tour/161a-t.html

Thanks for all your replies. We have chosen Esencia. Maroma did not take arrivals Thurs to Sat.

Hi,

Visited Mayan Riviera in May. Great place! I thought some of the best beaches (less erosion and beautiful water) were at the Iberostar resorts. The Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso is elegant, adult only and new. Check out tripadvisor.com for traveler's reviews. The resort has palapas (sp) grass covered umbrellas, get up early and save one. This is an all inclusive resort--first time I stayed in one. It was great. We plan on going again. You do share the beaches with other resorts in most of the Riviera.

Have fun!! Bring sunscreen!