Wife and I are planning a trip for our five year anniversary. We went to Puerto Vallarta for our honeymoon, I would like to go back, but she wants to go to Cancun, compromised on Playa. I have heard Playa is a little more laid back, we have not been. Anyways, looking for resort suggestions and if Playa is more relaxed than Cancun.

Playa is a much better choice than Cancun.

If you want all-inclusive, Royal Hideaway is a great spot. A little pricey, but the food and booze are good and it keeps the riff-raff out.

There are plenty of places to go eat/drink in town, so not going all-inclusive is also a great approach.

Secrets Maroma Beach

I'll second Secrets Maroma Beach!

Gran Porto for All-inclusive.
Xaman-Ha Condos for non All-inclusive.

Just curious, where did you stay on your honeymoon?

El Dorado Royale!

Price point would help with my recommendations to you b/c there is a wide range. I have been to Playa area 11 times and we just returned from Now Jade. Thoroughly enjoyed it and you can get some screaming deals on the resort now since it was just rebranded. Email in profile if you have specific ?s

My wife and I went to Secret Silversands Cancun and I will nominate Secrets Maroma beach or any Secrets resort as well. Never been anywhere like it, so cool.

El Dorado Royale

been to El Dorado Royale and Barcelo Maya Beach

i would recommend either.

El Dorado Royale was more formal, and about 30 minutes closer to the airport, but Barcelo had a better beach.

Just went to Playa for my first Mexican trip. Some friends got married down there at the Royal Playa Del Carmen. I don't have any other all-inclusives to compare to, but I was blown away. Food was great, drinks were top notch and plentiful, and the service was amazing.

I'd recommend Xplor down there as well for zip-lines and river/cave floats. Had a blast there.

Royal Hideaway, been there twice, going back next year! Well worth every penny!

Riu Palace Riviera Maya
http://www.riu.com/en-us/Paises/mexico/playa-del-carmen/hotel-riu-palace-riviera-maya/index.jsp

Secrets Maroma Beach and El Dorado Royale are considered the two best in the playa area. The resturants at the el dorado usually get higher reviews by a tid bit but the pool at secrets is spectacular. The room choices are a bit different but you will be happy with both.

The staff at secrets tries to stay hidden which is nice for that exclusive type of feel while the el dorado usually is a bit more outgoing and really help the guests enjoy themselves.

El Dorado Royale

We stayed at the Melia in Puerto Vallarta.

wife and I went ot El Dorado Royal on honeymoon...cant wait to go back one day.

Iberostar

I'll second the iberostar recommendations. For me they are far and away the best bang for your buck down there.

You should try the Dreams Riveria Cancun Resort. Not exactly the location you are looking for but very nice.

The wife and I went the day it was opened and had a real good time. The private plunge pools on your balcony help also.

http://www.dreamsresorts.com/drerc/index.html

just got back from El Dorado Royale, was there Aug 14 - 20th and would highly recommend it.

Pros
- rooms are very nice and comfortable, large shower, jacuzzi tub in room with chilled champagne when we arrived.
- food was spectacular: fondue, japanese, caribbean, buffet breakfast, 2 italian restaurants. lunch and dinner are always sit-down with a menu, ordered appetizers/salads/soups/entrees and desserts because portions were small. Candlight dinner on the beach was the best meal. roomservice was included in all-inclusive and was very good.
- staff was very friendly, even groundskeepers smiled and said "hola!"
- main pool was normally the party pool, but you can visit any of the smaller pools around the resort and all have a swim up bar (minus the health bar pool)
- every bar had top shelf alcohol, I drank mostly crown, and beer on tap was dos equis.

Cons
- beach was ok, ocean was rocky, hard to swim in.

Overall, I would give it a 9.5 out of 10 because of the water, but cannot wait to go back.

Anyone been to Valentin Imperian Maya?

Royal Playa Del Carmen. Just as nice as all the others mentioned on this thread, plus it's a 2 minute walk into town vs. a 5-7 mile cab ride.

Third for Iberostar, but go with the Grand. No kids, great food, top shelf liquor. Amazing place.

Im actually getting married at the Royal in October and if there are any other personal experiences that you guys can share I'd appreciate it.

For those who have been to Secrets Maroma Beach, is the Preferred Club upgrade worth the ~$500 premium?

I stayed at the sister hotel to the Royal a couple of years ago, Porto Gran Real......Best hotel/location combo in playa. IMO, playa is all about the town and 5th Ave and Porto Gran Real/Royal are 2 blocks from it.

The other all inclusives are nice and all but you are confined to their property. Some may like that but not for me.

dodger...they upgraded me for free upon our arrival...ymmv

+1 to Iberostar Grand.

Just booked Secrets Maroma Beach for late April.

I struggled to find someone who didn't have glowing reviews of the place.

We're looking forward to it.

Stayed at The Royal for a week and it was awesome. Had a great time and you also get free access to the restaurants at it's sister hotel next door.

We are heading to the Secrets Capri in a couple weeks. Anyone stayed there? If so, how was it?

pops2215,

My wife and I did and we really liked it a lot. Plus we had got a ridiculous deal on it.

Durden,

All the reports I've read coming from PDC have been incredibly positive.

Post a report when you return.