Romance in Riviera Maya: Iberostar Grand Paraíso

Location:

The Iberostar Grand Paraiso Hotel is located centrally in Riviera Maya, providing guests with easy access to both the beautiful beach and cultural attractions. The resort is approximately 30 minutes south of Cancun International Airport (CUN), and free airport transfers are included with all bookings of three or more nights! We enjoyed a nice air conditioned ride to the resort by ourselves and our driver was happy to provide recommendations for some of the best scuba diving sites in the area.

Butler Service

We opted for a room that included Butler service and highly recommend it! Our Butler really leveled up our stay, helping unpack luggage, assisting with custom minibar stocking, spa recommendations, etc.

Activities

This was my partner’s first experience at an all inclusive resort and the Iberostar really showed the best of what you can access without leaving the resort. We were impressed with the large fitness facilities that also included group fitness classes like bootcamp and yoga. We took a break from the pool for some midday archery, and then attended a guacamole making class in the afternoon. The resort also offers unlimited access to the Playa Paraiso golf club. When you want to explore the area, the resort is only an hour drive from Tulum and just over two hours drive from Chichen Itza Mayan ruins.

Spa

We booked spa treatments immediately upon arriving at the resort, and then enjoyed it so much we scheduled a second round of appointments. We really enjoyed the infusion of local inspiration in the treatments offered, including the Mayan Escape massage. The spa facilities include Turkish and Roman baths and a juice bar. You can also opt to have your massage by the pool.

Scuba Diving

The Riviera Maya is a scuba diver's paradise, and the Iberostar Grand Paraiso Hotel offers access to some of the most breathtaking underwater landscapes in the region. The Great Maya Reef just off the coast is home to an abundance of marine life, including colorful coral formations, schools of tropical fish, and sea turtles and rays. You also have access to diving in Playa del Carmen in Cenotes, unique natural sinkholes connected by a vast underground river system, which were two of the most unique dives we have ever done. If you are not an experienced diver, the resort offers a dive school.

Dining

One of my main requirements when selecting an all inclusive resort is a swim up bar, and there is a large one in the main pool. We also enjoyed trying all five of the a la carte restaurants on site, and didn’t have any trouble making reservations. We did not choose to explore the restaurants in the other parts of the resort complex but there are many more options to choose from!

I recommend the Iberostar Grand Paraiso hotel for couples who love luxury for a great value, diverse culinary experiences, and a mix of relaxation and activity in their vacations. The Grand Paraiso is great for a romantic getaway, in fact It would also make a great location for a beautiful destination wedding. The resort offers access to the whole Paraiso resort complex that offers more dining and activities at different price points for your whole guest list. I’d love to help you plan your next trip!

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Mexico. In need of further inspiration? Check out Kelly Jeanmaire’s guide, Site Inspection at Dreams Riviera Maya in Cancun, Mexico.