The moment you drive through the private gates to this super private and casually elegant resort, you know that you have arrived in a special place. The mile long driveway through the palm trees and mangrove forests puts you into the perfect mental state for an unforgettable experience. You'll love the margarita that is handed to you when you walk through the doors. The attentive staff is well trained and really interested in making your stay an enjoyable memory.

If you intend to see any of the area, you should rent a car at the airport. You will be glad that you have the flexibility to visit some of the Maya ruins and some of the wonderful restaurants in Playa del Carmen which is about 10 miles south.

There are many wonderful, even spectacular, features to this hotel, but "paradiso" it is not. We go to Hawaii and South East Asia regularly and there you find paradise - if you choose the right hotel.

That being said, the sugar white beach with the most wonderful blue canvas beds we have ever found (see pictures) make your days lounging at the beach a remarkable delight. In all our travels we have never found such a comfortable and luxurious beach experience.Also, the view from our ocean front room was positively dreamy, and margaritas were the best we have EVER tasted.

On the less positive side, our room was quite small and the bath drain did not drain. All the rose petals scattered around each night did not make up for the fact that repeated attempts to get it fixed did not work. We ended up standing in ankle deep soapy water whenever we showered. Lots of smiles, and "Oh, so sorry" comments aside, they didn't get it to drain until our last day there.

Most annoying, however, was the hovering by the staff at lunch and the "ceremony of getting to know us by our first names". We were asked repeatedly by different wait staff what our names were. The first day when I attempted to say, "Mrs. ___", I was told, "Oh, no, I must have your first name so we can be friendly. Deliver me! My husband and I were in Cancun for a long weekend to reconnect and decompress from our hectic lives. Were not there to be chatted up by a zillion people wanting to make friends. A zillion is an exaggeration. At one lunch we counted 11 different times we were interrupted - being asked our names, wanting to know if everything was going well, whether we liked the weather, whether we liked the food. We smiled and were polite. What we really wanted to say was, "PLEASE, LEAVE US IN PEACE!...and, by the way, where is our lunch?"

The "harassment" continued on the beach. Just try to read a book when you are interrupted regularly to be offered various treats. Again, we smiled politely and said "No thank you" each time. About eight offerings , someone came by with ice cream. He did not take "No thank you" for an answer. He wanted to know "Why not?" Both my husband and I lived in Mexico as young adults and this reminded us of the vendors who never left you alone on the beaches in Acapulco. While all the treats offered here were gratis, the interruption was just as irritating. Maybe a "Do not disturb" sign for each lounge chair would be a good idea.

This hotel needs to rethink its approach to guests. At the Aman resorts you almost never see the staff. Somehow they keep an eye on you and when you need something, it (or someone) appears. That, in our minds, is paradise.

After coming to Maroma for many years, we knew that it was the only place on earth to invite our family and friends for a destination wedding. Not only were our hopes and expectations matched; they were exceeded. The staff is personal, kind and genuinely attentive. The management and planners are thorough, imaginative, resourceful and personable as well. Every event of our three day celebration went off without a hitch.
The area is romantic and beautiful. The resort is authentically Mexican and Mayan, and proud of their traditions. The beach is the best on Riviera Maya: what a great spot to be married outdoors. The landscaping and architecture is superb. The food and Chef are out of this world. The wine list is international and has depth. The name of the game is service, service and more service any time of day.
Then there are the beach beds, Freddy's Bar, the Kinan Spa (the cathedral ceiling here alone should not be missed, not to mention the services and staff once again) and .... This is as close to perfection as one can get here on earth. Every one one our friends and family left awed and transformed. Mi Casa es su casa is the password here in their little paradise. Here people do not just say it, but live it.
If you like big corporate impersonal monstrous resorts. This is not the place for you. If you are mean and angry, stay away because this place is our home, and the people who work there are our friends and family. We want it to stay that way for our next visit which cannot be soon enough.

Having been to Maroma 40 times; I wanted to respond to the comments about the expensive food. You have to remember that a lot of the ingredients that make up a meal are imported from the USA & other countries. This makes the end result expensive; Chef Juan Pablo makes your dining experience a memorable one.