Iberostar Selection Paraiso Maya

The Iberostar Paraiso Maya is a sprawling,
family-friendly resort whose style embraces the culture of the
ancient Mayans through Mayan motifs, artifacts, and
architecture inspired by the nearby ruins at Chichen Itza. Two enormous stone sculptures
flank the entrance to the lobby, which is decorated with terra-cotta-red walls, copper columns, and intricate marble floors. There are cushioned benches, tropical flowers atop ornately carved tables, and pools and fountains, whose flowing water sets the tone. The lobby bar -- with its many tables for guests to lounge at -- sits in the center of a
pyramid structure, with a copper light fixture suspended from above, an
enormous carved snake wound around it; from the outside, the
structure looks like the ruins of the Mayan pyramid Chichen Itza.This pyramid theme is echoed in the massive
pool complex, where a bright stucco “pyramid” borders the wave pool. With its many options -- a water park for kids, an activity pool where sports and games are held, a main pool with two swim-up bars -- there's something for every kind of sun-seeker, and the pools are lively throughout the day. Similarly, the sun-lounger-lined white-sand beach has plenty of spots to while away the hours, with or without a cocktail in hand. In the evenings, the entertainment moves indoors to the theater, where there are nightly shows, or to one of the discos (there's one for teens and one for adults). There's a wide variety of dining options, but it's recommended that you book your tables in advance or upon arrival, as they can get busy. Dress code in the a la carte restaurants is 'casual elegant': men over eighteen are asked to wear long pants and shirts with sleeves.

The Iberostar Paraiso Maya is centrally located on the Riviera Maya, near one of the Yucatan Peninsula’s most beautiful white-sand beaches, Playa de Punta Maroma. In addition, the resort has its own private white-sand beach, Playa Paraiso. The property is surrounded by mangroves and rainforest. Native wildlife occasionally wanders through, including mischievous coati mundis. There is an 18-hole golf course on the neighboring property, and hiking and biking trails nearby. There are several eco-parks nearby, including Xcaret, where families can spend a day exploring the jungle and caves, swimming the park’s underground river (or cenote), visiting the butterfly pavilion, swimming with dolphins, and more. Xplor Park, also nearby, is a more adrenaline-fueled day trip, with zip-lining, ATVs, underground rafting, and night-time adventure activities. The Mayan ruins at Tulum are an easy day trip as well; they're located an hour south. Scuba divers may also want to head to the nearby island of Cozumel, where the diving is legendary. The popular tourist city of Playa del Carmen, with its nightlife and shopping, is a 20-minute drive south of the resort. Cancun airport is 30 minutes north of the resort.

Rooms at the Iberostar Paraiso Maya are simple, clean, and comfortable -- if a bit worn around the edges -- with separate sitting areas and private balconies. The walls are a cheerful yellow, and red Mexican textiles adorn the beds,
pillows, and windows. Artwork and decor is Mayan-themed, with
reliefs, carvings, and sculptures that evoke the area’s ancient history. Floors
are tile -- cool in the hot tropical summer -- and there is air-conditioning for
hot days and nights. Most rooms have balconies with ocean, pool, or garden views. Bathrooms
are done in marble and stone, with jetted bath tubs and walk-in
showers. Some guests complain of old, hard mattresses.Rooms near the beach tend to be quieter; buildings
60 and 61 are the closest to the ocean. Entertainment runs late in the
evenings, and rooms near the main buildings often get the noise. Those with mobility issues may want to request rooms
near the restaurants and lobby. There are golf carts available to ferry guests
from place to place, including the Paraiso Maya’s sister hotels.Presidential Suites are large and more
elegant than the standard rooms, with large balconies that include hottubs, sunbeds, hammocks, tables, and chairs. All rooms have safes, flat-screen TVs with
satellite channels, DVD players, video game consoles, and minibars that are
restocked daily with free soda, beer, and bottled water.

The Iberostar Paraiso Maya offers a wide variety of activities for
kids and adults, most notably the massive pool complex, with a slide-equipped
pirate ship, mini slides for little tykes, a lazy river, a wave pool, an activity pool for sports and aqua zumba, and a sprawling main pool with a pair of swim-up bars and plenty of loungers. The beach, Playa Paraiso, is wide and lined with sunbeds and thatched palapas. The surf can be rough, and there are rocks under the water; guests may want to pack water shoes.The resort offers two buffet restaurants with international theme nights and eight a la carte specialty restaurants. La Geisha, the Japanese restaurant, has five tepanyaki grills, and is a favorite among visitors. L’Etoile serves French-inspired cuisine in a dining room reminiscent of Belle Epoque Paris, with crystal chandeliers and wall-sized reproductions of Toulouse-Lautrec paintings. La Marina specializes in seafood, served under light fixtures that look like stars, comets, and abstract rocket ships. El Fogon, one of the buffet restaurants, has a high, palapa roof and a dedicated kids buffet. Other a la carte options include Italian, Mexican, Cajun, and Brazilian cuisine. In addition to the restaurants, there is a coffee shop with pastries and a full coffee menu, as well as a taco stand in the shopping area. The beach grill serves fresh-cooked paella in the afternoon.The kids' club includes a kids' pool and playground, as well as
careful supervision so parents have some time to themselves. Bikes are available to rent, and there are good bike trails nearby. Golfers can take advantage of
the 18-hole golf course next door. There is a PADI dive center on the
property, run by Dressel Divers International, which offers basic (free) scuba
lessons in the pool, and off-site dive excursions for more experienced divers.
Family snorkel expeditions can be arranged with instruction so that even the
youngest guests can enjoy themselves safely. Yoga classes are available, as
well as gymnastics, aerobics, target shooting and archery, tennis, ping pong,
billiards, basketball, beach volleyball, soccer, bocce ball, bike tours, and
much more. There's a 32,000-square-foot spa complex with a full menu of spa
services, as well as a sauna and steam room. Evening entertainment includes dancing, live music, and professional shows. There is a conference and event center, and weddings are big here; 2,000 were performed in
2013, so the wedding planning service has experience. Valet and self parking
are free, but the lot holds only about 20 cars.A free shuttle runs between the Paraiso Maya and three of its sister properties, where there are plenty of other activities, pools, and beaches.