I need to make a quick decision between Paraiso de la Bonita on the Riviera Maya and Casa Las Brisas in Punta Mita for a weeks getaway in early May. Logistics are a little more complicated for the Yucatan as I'm coming from California. It's been years since I've been in the Yucatan and, although I understand the resort is lovely, I hear the beach is rather full of seaweed. My husband has never been to this part of Mexico.
We love Palmilla but the cost is prohibitive for this vacation (I've got a very good rate at Paraiso). Everything I've read about Casa Las Brisas has been extemely posative. We've stayed at the Four Seasons Punta Mita before and enojoyed all but the large number of small children we found there last time (having been throught this stage enough years ago we're enjoying the quiet!)
What's a girl to do? And I wish all my problems were like this!

This is the beach at Paraiso...looks like you have about 8 feet of clear water before you're engulfed in seagrass.

http://www.cancunmap.com/assist/presidente_paraiso.html

There are other resorts similar to Paraiso; although smaller... along the coast with better beaches.
*Ikal del Mar (no kids;better than Paraiso, a little rocky though).
*Maroma (no small kids;the best beach).
*Esencia (kids are allowed; the next best beach).

Look on differentworld.com.

I would say if you have already been to Punta Mita, try something new. If the beach aspect of Paraiso issue a big issue, what about trying somewhere else on the Pacific Coast? La Casa Que Canta in Zihuatanejo is my absolute favorite hotel in Mexico & no kids allowed. Maroma is great too and you can't beat the beach there. We decided against Paraiso (and Ikal) for the beach issues. It's no fun to be at a beautiful beach and not be able to swim! Of course I found most of Cabo to be that way. I guess that is why pools were invented! Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be a great trip!

Thanks for the information. I wonder when the aerial picture of Paraiso was taken?
Because of the line of work I'm in, I have been offered very good rates at these two resorts (and the air prices are also very good). I'd love to visit La Casa Que Canta but my budget won't allow. If there is a less expensive resort that would be great, I could consider it, but not full price of another in this range.
I was uncertain as to what Wilma had done to the water (I understand the beaches are wider) in the area of Paraiso. It is just reopened so there is no "new news" that I've found.

There are plenty of resorts along the coast - large all-inclusive resorts to small boutique hotels/cabanas. It all depends on what you're looking for. The others mentioned are comparable to Paraiso de la Bonita, with spas, etc.

The beach still has the seaweed in it; Wilma would not have changed that.

A good site to look at the beach aerials is here:
http://www.locogringo.com/maps/map-index.html

Our favorite area is Tulum, but it may be too rustic for you...although there are a few nice places: Ana y Jose, Coqui Coqui, Suenos Tulum.

Thanks so much, Pepper!
I was born in the Bahamas so I'm not unfamiliar with a range of "rustic"! Tulum sounded wonderful and I don't like a/c but do need a fan at night so it would have to be a property that had electricity all night. I wasn't able to find much information on Coqui Coqui but thought it looked nice, as did Suenos. Ana y Jose seemed to have quite a number of rooms that weren't ocean view, a big priority.

if I were offered a great rate at Paraiso, I'd go for it! Looks awesome!

It does look beautiful, but would be very frustating if I couldn't swim there!
The properties I've looked at in Tulum aren't available for my week in May. Sigh...

There's a very small place next to Esencia called Al Cielo. I haven't stayed there, but would like to...we just can't get out of Tulum .

Anyway... Al Cielo has 4 rooms - all oceanfront. They are on differentworld.com and locogringo.com.

I've heard of a place called Mi Hotelito near Maroma - should have an awesome beach.

I know what you mean about wanting to actually swim at the beach where you're staying. If we can't get in the water all the way; it isn't a beach vacation. As simple as that.

Al Cielo is sold out for the week we'd be traveling- but it was a great suggestion!
I think we may swing back to Casa Las Brisas for the ease. We spent 2 weeks in St. Barth last summer and I'm very spoiled when it comes to Caribbean beaches. I've stayed in pricey resorts, but if they're not the "right" place for me they aren't worth it, even if discounted.
On a trip to Jamaica a few years back we left an AI we were staying in because the water wasn't swimable. It cost a fortune to move to Round Hill which was lovely, but isolated. I've had a stressful time in my life recently and need this to be a no-brainer!

A no-brainer is much easier than trying to figure out a new area...have a peaceful vacation...