Any body have any advice!! I am looking for an all-inclusive in Riviera Maya. I am going March 10-16 2006. I am going with my boyfriend and one other couple. Are ages are 23-26. Was looking at the El Dorado Royale or the seaside suites. but am afraid that it will be mostly older people. We are looking for something far away from the whole Spring break thing. We want a nice big beach, good food, room-service, nice pools. Also something that has outdoor bars and restaurants. Something with some nightlife. We don't want to feel out of place because we are all in our 20's. Oh and something with not a lot of kids. Please please help! I have been researching for months now and am so confused!

The Iberostar Resorts in the Riviera Maya sound like what you're looking for. They have a "no spring breakers" policy, but it is a family resort, so there will be some children. Most public schools have vacation time the week before or after Easter though, so you should be OK with a lot of children not being there.

Which one's have you been to? What one has the better beach? Aren't they all connected?

There are six Iberostar Resorts in Rivier Maya. Thre is the IB Tucan and Quetzal. They are connected and are close to Playa Del Carmen. Then you have the IB Lindo and Maya which is next to the IB Del Mar and Beach. The Lindo/Maya are the "top of the line", but all are great resorts.
If you want adults only, you could try Secrets Capri of Secrets Excellence in Punta Cana. We had a great time there.

Best family vacation we have had by majority voting was PDC and the Riu Palace Mexico ( not the Riu Yucatan, not the Riu Tequilla, not the Riu in Cancun) March 2005. Riu "Palace" brand is their high end "label". Plenty of shade trees, great beach, great service and just ask for a courtyard facing room. If they assign you one that faces elsewhere or is not on floors 2 or 3 ( 3 story complex), just go back to the front desk and request a switch. You may have to wait a day for people to leave but no tipping/bribes are needed to get what you want.Also, you get privileges/passes by way of your bracelet to go to their other properties and enjoy all inclusive rights. Go to Riu.com for more info.

Look at the Palace Resorts web site they have a number of really nice resorts in the Riveria Maya. The Moon Palace, the Adventura Palace, the Xpu Ha Palace,etc,etc. Think it is www.palaceresorts.com

Can anybody tell me how the beach at the El Dorado Seaside Suites is. I want to be able to walk on the beach and in the water without wearing shoes. Also, is the beach at the Iberostar Paraiso Maya usually crowded. Is it a beach you can actually walk for some distance on?

Julylee, the major thing I have read/seen about some of the Palace Resorts in this area is the beach is not very good ( by Playa Del Carmen and Cancun standards). That issue has come up with Moon Palace. Just need to be careful to check that out.

Sun -

You can see from this aerial there is only a small section of beach at EDSS that looks nice and sandy into the water. The rest looks like it could hurt your feet.

http://www.locogringo.com/maps/eldo-hidn.html

Sun_65,
I went to the Iberostar Lindo in mid May with my husband. It shares the same complex as the IB Maya, Beach & DelMar.
We're 32 & 34 and the place has a nice mix of people of all ages. We spoke to many people in their mid-20s/early 30s. It's definitely NOT a spring break atmosphere. You would not feel out of place AT ALL at any of the Iberostar resorts. I think it's a great choice for you!

All of the above-named IB resorts face the same beach. The water was great when we went. There were plenty of water activites available like parasailing, banana boat, wave runners, etc. You could definitely walk along it.

The pools in the complex are also good. There's a quiet pool and an awesome pool with a swim-up bar where the staff interacts w/the guests for poolside activities.
The staff puts on a show at night, which is kind of cheesey, but it's fun after a couple of drinks!