Andy James, co- owner of James TravelPOINTS, an American Express Representative office established in 1957, recently visited the Iberostar Paraiso Grand All-Inclusive Adults Only Luxury Resort located south of Cancun Mexico along the Riviera Maya.

The Iberostar Grand Paraiso, is a unique contrast among its other branded peer properties situated on the same complex.  As you enter the gates and drive past the other Iberostar resort properties (Paraiso Beach, Paraiso Del Mar, Paraiso Lindo, Paraiso Maya) you will notice this beautiful large complex.  The Paraiso Beach & Del Mar are aimed for the budget minded all-inclusive guest.  Both properties provide standard dining amenities.

The Lindo claims to be a 5 star property, but it’s my opinion to be more of a nice 3 ½ – 4 star family friendly hotel.  It appears to be a party atmosphere  with over sized pools and beautifully landscaped gardens. The main pool, the wave pool, the lazy river pool all connect  to a large swim up bar.  Music and entertainment is always “on-tap” with many activities available all day.  The pools are large and great to swim in, but it can be noisy and alive.

The Mayan, a nice intimate  property. I would consider this property to be a 4 star property. The Mayan  has its own unique features and is very family friendly but  seems to be quieter than the Lindo.  Both the Lindo and Mayan have a good selection of  restaurants and bars from buffets to ala-carte dining.   The hotel staff  is friendly, helpful and ready to serve you.

The Grand Paraiso, the “Parthenon” of the Iberostar complex,  is  a true 5 star adult’s only exclusive property, geared toward sophisticated quiet adult relaxation.   Guests staying at the Grand have multiple dining options and privileges at the other four properties as well.  Guests staying at any of the other three properties DO NOT have privileges at the Grand Paraiso it’s exclusive to  Grand guest only.

The Grand Paraiso is luxurious.  As you enter the lobby you will notice a large indoor terrarium in the center.   Surrounding the terrarium,  is a nice lobby lounge bar. This bar plays soft music during the evening hours, and is a nice quiet intimate  evening get-away.  Other guest amenities include a computer room, billiards/game room and a cigar bar.  As you pass through the lobby you’ll experience  modern spacious hallways en-route to your private room. Each floor  has its own concierge, who is ready to set up your dining reservations, excursions or activities.  The Grand Paraiso rooms are spacious and contemporary with a separate sitting room and outdoor patio.  In your luxury room, you’ll find a  comfortable bed with beautiful linens, a fully stocked mini bar with snacks which are included and stocked daily and  a nice flat screen T.V. with all cable channels you need.  To accommodate your clothing attire, there are  2 large separate closets and plenty of drawer space.  The bathrooms are large with a walk in shower, large whirlpool  tub, toilet and two separate vanity sinks.

The Grand Parasio has all the modern conveniences and exclusive privacy the resort touts.  It’s luxury and it is quite.   You’ll find a large Spa which includes  a 20 meter indoor pool and exercise room.  Other pools on the property include a large “quite pool” where lounge chairs and guests are spaced for intimate conversation and relaxations in a manicure  landscaped setting.   The largest pool approximately 100 meters in length is a “salt water” pool with a refreshing swim up bar.  This  pool has great views of the ocean with plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas.  The ocean is only a short walk away on a beautiful stretch of beach.  From your lounge chair under a palapa, on the beach you’ll find staff members ready to take your drink or snack order.   The ocean is a beautiful turquoise color and is a mild temperature. Swimming is a must and quite refreshing.  The ocean surf is mild and the bottom is sandy.  Snorkeling is not great in this area, you’ll need to go to Akumal for some this.

For all Iberostar guests who want more than sitting on the beach or lounging around sipping a tropical drink, there is a 18-hole golf course, 8 tennis courts, miles of walking paths and a shopping complex on site.  Most guests are content spending their vacation absorbing the sun and relaxing.

The Grand Paraiso has 6 restaurants on the property and all are very good.  The service is top notch and dining reservations are recommended.  There are 5  ala carte restaurants and 1 international buffet.  A nice house wine selection is included with the meals in all the restaurants.

How would I rate the Grand Paraiso.

It’s exceptional, a true 5 Star property with originality over conformity. This luxury all-inclusive resort has a refreshing array of character and ambience and it is big.  The Grand Paraiso  brings the highest standards without being standard.  They have a nice variety of dining and guest service amenities which are unique and distinctive.  This is the kind of hotel you can lavish and pamper yourself and guest with, if you can afford it.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Secrets Maroma, Riviera Maya, Mexico is truly a slice of heaven on Earth. Everything about this resort is there to spoil, pamper, and awe you.  All of the rooms are beautiful suites.  Each one equipped with canopy beds, Jacuzzi tubs, balconies, and privacy boxes (this is where your 24hr room service will be delivered if you are too “busy” to open the door).  Do not forget to tell your concierge which pillow you desire from the pillow menu. Since this is an adults only resort, you never need to worry about your pool time being interrupted by splashing children.  On the contrary, you will be lulled into a state of calm by the tranquil spa music that you hear throughout the resort.  As you lay by the pool, gazing at the turquoise color of the ocean, don’t be surprised if you are interrupted by a man with a platter of sushi, asking if you care to try some. While you are busy working on your tan, the staff is busy bringing you food and drink.  The food is as good as any gourmet restaurant and the drinks are made with top shelf liquor.  Last but not least, the beach! It is a beautiful white sand beach that seems to stretch forever.  My husband and I were in disbelief of the quality of service, ambiance, food, and drink, from the time we arrived and well into the time we left (we are still in disbelief).  It was truly a romantic retreat, our second honeymoon. 

Call James TravelPOINTS to book your escape 1-800-274-0436/303 442-2340, www.travelpoints.com

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Mauna Lani Bay is a luxury resort located on the Big Island in Hawaii.

The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows are a mecca for golfers, a treat for the gourmets and wonderful hideaway to relax and a nature preserve for rare green sea turtles.  The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows is an oceanfront paradise on the Big Island’s sunny Kohala Coast that has a list of accolades as long as its white-sand shoreline. 

This AAA Five Diamond-rated property on the Big Island of Hawaii, is an award-winning combination of sophisticated luxury and Hawaiian style hospitality.  Guestrooms are spacious and tastefully furnished all feature private lanais.  Ninety percent of the rooms have magnificent ocean views, the other overlook lush tropical garden’s.  The resort’s five restaurants include the widely hailed Canoe House.  Its Pacific Rim fare has received recognition in such prestigious publications as Gourmet, GQ, Esquire, Bon Appetite and Departures. 

Seafood specialties include Nor9-Wrapped Tempura Ahi with tomato-Ginger Relish and Fresh Seared Mahi Mahi with Chinese Black Bean Sauce.  The resort is renowned for its cuisine.  The Mauna Lani tradition of fine food began centuries ago when Hawaiian Ali’i (royalty) first settled on the Kohala Coast, creating the fishponds that are now the heart of this luxury destination. 

If you’re seeking up to the minute, non-stop activity, you will find that the Mauna Lani features the award winning Tennis Garden and Racquet Club, a comprehensive sports center, a wide range of watersports and a picture-perfect 36 hole championship golf course.  In 1991, golf course architects Nelson and Haworth reconfigured the 18-hole Francis H. I’I Brown Golf Course, doubling the number of holes and creating Mauna Lani’s now-famous North and South.  The recipients of six “Golf Medal Awards” from Golf Magazine.

The North Course is built on an older and smoother pahoehoe lava bed.  It features rolling terrain and kiawe tree forests.  A 230-acre protected archaeological district lies on the northern boundary; consequently, herds of feral goats frequent the entire North Course, providing a unique neutral hazard.  James TravelPOINTS 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com has the expertise to help you plan your next vacation to the Hawaiian islands. Give us a call, we look forward to helping you create the custom vacation to fit your needs.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Grand Canyon rail, traveling to the Grand Canyon in Arizona offers this great package for a romantic weekend or honeymooners.

If you are soon to be a newlywed looking for an adventurous honeymoon we would like to suggest: Arizona’s Grand Canyon Railway two-night “Rails and Wedding Bells package.

The itinerary begins with an evening at the Fray Marcos Hotel in Williams, AZ where couples will enjoy champagne, a romantic dinner, and dessert at Max & Thelma’s restaurant, right next to the train station.
Couples will spend the next morning on a rail excursion in a luxury parlor car where they will enjoy a continental breakfast and strolling musicians.  Once at the Grand Canyon the honeymooners are whisked away on an exciting guided motorcoach tour of the most spectacular viewpoints along the south rim.  Couples can also chose from either a Sunset or Sunrise Tour of the canyon during their stay.  Guest then spend night in the canyon and return in the afternoon, enjoying appetizers and champagne in their luxury parlor car.  Call us for this or other Grand Canyon Rail adventures, James TravelPOINTS 1-800-538-7461, www.travelpoints.com.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!