TomTravel2

Secrets Maroma Beach was our host resort for the first two nights of our too brief FAM trip, so I was able to get some great pictures IMHO. This was at sunset on the first night of our arrival. All of the AmResorts properties are unique. This lovely resort was designed as a homage to the indigenous limestone that underlies all of the Yucatan Peninsula. Some of the people on our trip felt is was bland looking or not colorful enough. I found that clean white look soothing.

In a number of places the design team has incorporated the native white limestone into the resort landscape. Massive limestone boulders are the center point of this water feature at the center of the resort’s circle drive entry. Some of my colleagues found it unappealing. I thought it was a very visually interesting statement. Sometimes an austere look stands out in such a lush green setting.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am a beach guy. Oh what a nice beach! Secrets Maroma Beach has powder soft white sand and just enough offshore rocks to create that dazzling Caribbean look of multi-hued blues. My only regret was that we were so busy touring properties that I was not here during the day to swim. The only time I was able to get into this lovely water was at 11:00 one night (I just had to take a dip at least once).

The other objection some people had with this resort was distance. The property is large and very spread out. The rooms are in two wings surrounding the pools and extending from this main building down to the beach. There was quite a bit of walking involved to navigate from the room to dinner, or to the beach. It might not be the best choice for those with mobility issues, or those who object to exposure to the elements on the way to a meal. As an avid walker myself I did not see it as a major issue for me personally. What comes with this layout is a sense of privacy and tranquility that can be missing at many large resorts. For this reason, if I were looking for a romantic cuddle with my honey vacation this would be my top choice among the Secrets resorts on the Riviera Maya. But only IF I had the right room!

Each suite comes with either a large private balcony like mine above, or a patio with swim out access to one of several pools on the property. If I had been on property more, I would have curled up here with a book.

One of the other objections most of the people on my trip had with Secrets Maroma Beach is one that I shared. The distances and the way the resort is laid out and landscaped means most rooms have either no ocean view or a partial ocean view such as the above photo taken standing up on my balcony. Gotta have that view? Secrets Capri or Secrets Silversands may better suit you, unless…

…you do what I would do if I were to return for a longer stay. Upgrade to one of these amazing beach front suites, Only the upper level suites have this view. As you can see in this picture there is a landscaped berm of sand between the sea and the resort. This is what blocks the sea view from most parts of the property, but not from this room! Look at that water and that beach, it’s like butter!

The suites are very roomy and well appointed. This is a luxury resort experience, with turn down and all the amenities. Each room comes with a fully stocked mini-bar, 24 hour room service all at no extra charge. The super-inclusive experience is a rather liberating way to vacation and Secrets provides high end beverages, and excellent cuisine in seven different dining venues,

Nothing says “Welcome home!” like the wonderful staff at a Secrets resort, or a chilled bottle of Champaign and a lovely fruit plate. The service is always courteous, prompt and available wherever one finds oneself on the property. No need to tip and the wallet and credit card can stay in the safe until check-out.

Our one hosted dinner at Secrets Maroma was at Portofino, the Italian dining venue. Like most of our meals it was a menu selected by our hosts. Having stayed at Secrets several times now, one of the great things about their concept is the variety of dining options. This resort features seven restaurants offering seafood, steaks, Mexican, Italian, French and Japanese (including sushi and hibachi service). The food is very good and very nicely presented. No reservations are needed and waiting is never an issue.

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Our menu came draped around a candle glass, which I though was a very artful touch. My photo does not do it justice.

There are two main pools that thread their way from the main building all the way to the beach, and small plunge pools fronting each wing of suites. First floor rooms are swim out throughout the property for those who like a private dip. If you hang in there to the slide show you will see that I loved what the sunset did that first night.

The Honeymoon suite and the Presidential suite were enormous and located on the beachfront wing of the resort. The also are part of the “Preferred Club". This is the concierge section of the resort (a feature at all Secrets and Dreams). Guests in this club have a private concierge desk for each building, and a club house with internet access, library, business center, beverages and hors d’oeuvres. I have found it worth the extra expense in the past. I would also upgrade to beachfront to take advantage of the amazing view of the Caribbean sea and the breezes it brings. Click the first image below to see a slide show of all my photos of Secrets Maroma Beach.