"Welcome Home"

From the moment you enter the lush grounds of Secrets Capri Riviera Maya the worries of the world are left behind. "Welcome home" is the greeting that awaits you. I don’t recall being met at the door with chilled moist towels and a glass of champagne at home. So welcome to home as you might wish it to be is more like it!

The resort is set on 71 acres of tropical paradise. The design reflects the charm and history of the place. Your Mexican hacienda is one lovely and elegant abode just outside of Playa del Carmen and about 35 minutes drive south of the Cancun international airport. Did I mention cold champagne awaits you on arrival?

Garden Spa

New this season at Secrets Capri is the Spa by Pevona which is now housed in it’s own separate building. Moving the spa allowed for the dramatic expansion of the lobby area and restaurants. The new spa has a private lush garden setting that only enhances the relaxing treatments to found within.

The dramatic decor of the new spa takes a more modern twist than the classic styling of the main resort. I found it to be chic yet subdued enough for a relaxing spa visit. Secrets does a great job of incorporating water features throughout the property to enhance the relaxing vibe. This fountain in the spa is one of many to be found at Secrets Capri.

Manicures and pedicures are just the beginning of the many luxurious treatments available. There is also a full service beauty salon offering facials. A full menu of massage treatments including Mayan inspired experiences are available. I could really use a good mani-pedi or massage about now.

State of the art hydrotherapy is available in a lush spa garden setting. Vichy and Swiss showers, Jacuzzi baths, steam room, sauna, and a relaxation lounge are available. This new spa and the resulting expanded lobby area will probably make Secrets Capri even more popular in years to come. The indoor meets outdoor setting sure tempted me to check in for a long series of treatments, but I had people to meet and more of the resort to see.

Reader’s Choice

Secrets Capri has often been high on the readers’ favorites list from Travel and Leisure Magazine. In 2008 it was named as the #9 resort in Mexico. The smaller size compared to other Secrets and Dreams resorts is only one of the reasons. The resort prides itself on high standards of service. The mature landscaping and lovely grounds are another. We will get to the sensational beach later. Do they always save the beach for last on these site inspections?

There are 290 guest rooms and suites available. Most of the rooms offer full views of the azure Caribbean Sea. There are a limited number of ocean front suites. The rest offer jungle views of the Yucatan peninsula’s natural wonders. All suites are either king or double bed suites with separate seating area, balcony or patio, large Jacuzzi tub, and spacious full bath with luxury amenities.

This water feature is one of the many additions to the lobby which took advantage of the room gained by building a separate spa facility. The picture doesn’t do it justice as the light was fading when I arrived. The decor, art, and architecture of the new expanded lobby area is absolutely solid. If there had been more light…

Fine Dining

Portofino Italian is one of five dining choices at Secrets Capri. Each is designed and decorated in a unique style fitting to it’s cuisine. Himitsu pan-asian cuisine (including hibachi dining), Seaside Grill steak house, Oceana seafood, and La Riviera continental buffet and 24 hour room service round out the offerings. All of the meals I enjoyed at Secrets were fresh, and of the highest quality. A great variety of entrees are available including nightly specials. Beach-front themed dinners occur each week along with live entertainment. We had a great Mexican buffet with an emphasis on mariscos (Mexican style sea food). I love my mariscos! We were also serenaded by a lively Mariachi Band.

There are five bars throughout the resort including pool side and swim up service. There is a beach front bar and cabana service all included. Desires night club and La Habana Piano Lounge and Cigar Bar round out the offerings. A fully stocked complimentary mini bar awaits you in every suite.

It’s The Water

The large swirling pool dominates the central part of the resort tying it all together. Activities include kayaks, snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing. water aerobics, yoga, dance lessons, billiards, volleyball, and much more.

Wasn’t that a nice sunset? Like other Secrets Resorts, Secrets Capri is perfect for honeymoons, anniversaries, romantic escapes, and girlfriend getaways. This is an adults only resort (18 and over), so no children are allowed. A great choice for curmudgeons for this reason.

The beach at this resort is one of the nicest beaches on the Riviera Maya. This is a good choice for beach lovers. White sand beach and few rocks make for easy swimming and the barrier reef prevents waves most of the time. The beach at Secrets Capri is like butter, I tell you! It is also a good choice for water sports. Not bad for sitting in a chaise lounge under a cabana or palm tree and sipping the premium beverage of your choice as well. You like beachfront cabana service don’t you?

The fading light did not do the azure color of the Caribbean Sea at Secrets Capri justice. I have stayed at this resort and the water is a stunning palate of blue and turquoise. Mind you, I’m not complaining as the sunset wasn’t bad at all.

What are the down sides of this resort? The smaller size offers fewer dining options (5 versus 7) than other AMResorts properties. The interior hallways can be somewhat gloomy when the sun isn’t out, as opposed to the open hallways at Secrets Maroma Beach and Secrets Silversands (reviews coming soon now that I am getting the hang of WordPress!). They do offer a cozy hacienda feeling with interior gardens between the rooms.

On the up side? The layout brings the sea and the pool into the center of things. Most rooms have a sea view and the whole resort points your way to that wonderful beach. You are never far from the large pool or the beach no matter where your room is.

Not a bad spot for a destination wedding either. I would love to stay here again, and so would my wife. We love the "luxury included" approach. Leave the wallet in the safe, eat well, drink well, and be merry! That’s what I call a vacation! Go this summer! There are some great deals (in some cases less than half what it was a year ago). If you don’t call Alliance Travel, please consider using another travel agent. You will probably save yourself time, money and guesswork. Ask someone who has been there, like TomTravel2!

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