TomTravel2

South Beach Meets the Riviera Maya

On my five day whirlwind FAM trip to the Riviera Maya I toured 3 Secrets Resorts along with 10 other travel agents. Secrets Silversands was named as the favorite of most of the other agents. If one were to pick a favorite based on design, style, and uniqueness it would be the clear winner. Our host on the trip, Connie Levang from Amresorts, prepped us by saying “Get ready for South Beach on the Riviera Maya!” That description turned out to be very apropos.

Every detail in this resort says look at me I’m modern and oh so hip! They turned loose the design team to create an impact and an effect, and the results are striking. This is the entryway from the drive into the lobby.

From the abstract sculptures in black, blue, and white to the clean white walls and omnipresent glass features, Secrets Silversands is a feast for the modern design oriented eyes. The open lobby features modern furnishings to compliment the artwork. The two story floor to ceiling windows facing the sea flood the area with light. The whole look and feel of this resort is vibrant, and will be very appealing to the twenty and thirty something set in particular. Our group with mixed ages from twenties to sixties all felt it was unique, attractive and very well executed.

This is the circular stairway leading from the lobby into the lobby bar area (which comes next) on the lobby floor is a mirror which creates an infinity effect when looking down from above. Very clever and stimulated oohs and aahs from my group.

Now we move to the signature feature of Secrets Silversands, the enormous, suave, and very popular lobby bar. By day light floods this area from outdoors and views of the gardens and pool lie beyond. By night, I am told, this area is lit by multi-colored lights that all the hotel’s staff and management were very proud of. I bet it looks pretty cool. We did not have the opportunity to visit by night. This bar is the gathering place at this resort.

I really just sat around enjoying the scenery the whole trip, not! I did have a lot of fun schlepping through all these nice resorts and decided to pose as a guest for a few pictures.

One of the great things about a Secrets vacation is the absolute freedom to enjoy oneself without carrying a wallet or credit card around at all times. Speaking of “Absolut” that is one of the many premium brands of liquor that is carried and available at multiple bars or via waiter service on the beach or at the pool. Premium tequilas included Herradura, 1800, Don Julio, Sauza Tres Generations, and Cabo Wabo. The same is true for other types of booze, and very good wines are always available as well. A good selection of US domestic beers, Mexican beers, and European beers are available by the bottle while Corona de Barril is on tap for draft lovers. Friendly bartenders will mix all your favorite cocktails as well.

The focus on design carries into all of the dining venues at Secrets Silversands. This is the entry to Himitsu Japanese restaurant. This is one of seven unique dining options, and features hibachi cooking at tableside and sushi.

Even the spa makes a bold modern statement. We all loved the glass feature framing the waiting area in the spa lobby. Colors were striking and the effect was very cool.

I think this is a great place to sit down for a pedicure, don’t you? These treatment cabanas were scattered around a water feature and the hydrotherapy pool.

A very nice venue for a couples massage in the open-air spa garden. I could really use a good massage right now. I may have to splurge in LA this weekend.

Thoughtful thatched roof walkways connect many of the main buildings letting guests avoid the tropical sun.

The rooms feature a lighting effect of their own in this cool room divider. The suites at Secrets Silversands are spacious and open as are all of the Amresort properties. Here, the furnishings have a more contemporary look. Simple elemental blacks and whites are accented with bold and bright colors.

I liked the bedside lamps, and many other details at the “cool” Secrets.

We all loved this peek-a-boo building. This infinity pool goes through the building and leads the eye to the Caribbean sea beyond. I am more of an ocean view kinda guy, but I think these garden suites offer a really awesome alternative. Step outside and sit by a pool with the sea beyond.

So if everybody on my trip loved this resort, what was my problem? It sure is not the look of the place! I think it was very cool, and they went for South Beach on the Riviera Maya and pulled it off. I liked the layout of the resort with a main pool and several snaking narrow pools for each wing of rooms. It surely is not the dining and entertainment options, as this resorts main lobby bar is the gathering spot of choice. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Secrets Silversands, a lot! I would stay there any time. It just was not my favorite for one reason: it fronts a mostly rocky beach. There is fine white sand on the beach proper, but the shallow water has many rocks with the exception of one are which is on the left of the above picture.

Now if I did stay here despite my preference for powder sugar sand beaches that are easy to step in and swim in, I would surely bring my mask and fins. The upside of rocky shores is fish and other sea creatures are found in abundance. For casual snorkeling this is a prime location! This is the view from the pool side bar and restaurant where we had lunch. As you can see from this photo, there are other resorts fairly close to Secrets Silversands. This is my other slight objection to this property. The other two Secrets, Maroma Beach and Capri, offer a more private and secluded setting.

I think this was a very creative and attractive way to serve a Caesar Salad.

Unique to this resort was the chef’s homemade icecream. As lovely as it looks, it tasted even better!

The blue and inviting waters of the main pool, looking back at the dining venue.

One of my fellow agents was a honeymoon and destination wedding specialist. When she saw this ultra-modern take on the wedding gazebo, she said “Wow! This is perfect!” On this point we were in complete agreement. What a striking setting for a wedding. Picture the lovely bride in white and colorful flowers framing it all. Secrets, Dreams and Zoetry do a great job hosting destination weddings. Each resort has a unique venue for weddings. This one was the most unique of all.

As you will see in my future blog on Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita, we were hosted on a sunset sailing trip. We passed by Secrets Silversands as the sun’s fading light turned the sky orange and pink. It even looks cool from a distance.

This resort is perfect for lovers of the modern, design buffs, younger couples, girlfriend getaways, and all those who prefer style. Maybe not the best choice for those who must have a soft sand sea bottom, or a secluded jungle setting.