My husband and I visited Maroma for three nights after spending two nights in Akumal for a friend's wedding. I don't think words could ever describe the true essence of Maroma. It is out of this world breathtaking.

When we turned onto the long dirt road off the highway we had no idea what to expect! But we truly pulled up to paradise. We were kindly greeted by the general manager, and a woman named Gabriella, who was part of the hospitality staff, offered us Maroma margaritas (very potent!) and led us on a tour of the property.

What I loved most about Maroma....lush landscaping, gorgeous flowers, refreshing, hidden pools, the iguanas/peacocks/& parrots, the hundreds of candles lit each night throughout the grounds, and of course the fact that it is all set on one of the top beaches in the world.

We were in a garden-view room (#15, Las Rosas). When I entered the room I thought, "If this is the garden-view room then what could possibly be better in the higher room categories?!" We had a spacious porch with a sofa, hammock, and table/chairs. I loved the fact that had a door to the porch, which we could close for privacy. Each morning room service delivered coffee to a ledge outside our room, and we also enjoyed room service breakfast on the porch. It was very relaxing to sit outside each morning and listen to all of the birds.

Our room looked like it had been recently renovated. The bed was very comfortable and had mosquito netting, which we pulled back (not needed for bugs, just romantic effect). Every night housekeeping lit candles in our room and turned on the Maroma CD. We commented on how much we enjoyed the music, and on our last day there Gabriella brought us a CD that she had made for us to take home!

The staff were the friendliest and most genuine people I've ever met. They learned our names within 30 minutes of arrival and continued to call us by name the whole time we were there. For example, at dinner each night they would say, "Hi, Jennifer! How was your day? What would you like for dinner this evening?" When we were at Maroma we felt like we were staying at a friend's hacienda. The atmosphere was warm and intimate.

One day we hopped on the motorboat that takes you out to the reef for snorkeling (only a 5-min. ride). We saw a variety of fish and would definitely recommend going (two trips a day--11am and 2pm). We also enjoyed a couples massage (ancient healing) at Kinan Spa. It was amazing! Other than that we just relaxed on the over-sized beach beds, where we could have stayed for days and days!

Maroma has two entertainment rooms where you can watch TV and check your email. We prefer not having TV in our room on vacation, but it was nice to be able to check our email after we had checked out of our room and were waiting on airport transportation.

I could go on and on about this magical place, but I think my pictures will do it more justice than my description :)

All in all, Maroma is the ultimate luxury hideaway. We can't wait to return!

Arriving at Maroma was exactly what I needed to recharge after a long work year. It's not in Playa del Carmen as listed above but in the Riviera Maya area which was not that known until a lot of recent developments in the area. The property is a bit remote, but sits right on the most gorgeous beach... and was only about 30 minutes from the airport. The airport transfers were included in the price along with a couple of other goodies like a potent welcome margarita, full yucatan breakfast and a snorkel trip to the barrier reef which is right off of the property. I loved our ocean view room, and noticed even the lower category rooms were just a stone's throw away from the beach. It was paradise! The food was amazing, 2 restaurants, plus plenty of outdoor seating. And 2 pools, which were a nice change even with the ocean just steps away. The Kinan Spa was gorgeous and I only wanted to take my mexican therapist home with me as the lomi lomi massage was one of the best and most relaxing massages I have ever had! I tried the Temezcal, mayan steam bath, which I surprising enjoyed (wasn't sure about sitting in a dark sweat lodge with strangers, but it was a wonderful experience). This is definitely a place to go if you want to splurge a little. You can find cheaper options in the area, but I wouldn't have chosen a different place. I hope to return again... and again!

We just returned from 6 nights at Maroma. This was our third trip here so you can tell we think it's over the top. The Cancun airport has received some upgrades in the baggage claim area and this improved the quality of that aspect of the trip. Be sure you go all the way outside of the airport to meet your driver who will be holding a Maroma plaque. There will be dozens of people trying to offer you a ride (and a look at a timeshare) so you need to just ignore them and get to your Maroma driver.

The drive is about 30 minutes and it will scare you initially as it is not a particularly pretty drive. Once you get to Maroma you'll see the lush jungle like vegetation and the place is simply beautiful. The beach is to die for, as are the beach beds, chairs and palapas at the beach.

We stayed in a garden room, number 16 which appeared to us to be the room closest to the hospitality room, but you would never even know the room was there due to the jungle plantings. We were just to the right of the parrots. The room was nice. Pretty rustic. The bed was great. Water pressure was great. We got them to bring a chair to our patio so we could both lounge comfortably there.

The resort itself is fairly small. But you never have trouble getting a spot on the beach or by the pool or at any of the eating establishments.

The spa was great too. Massages and facials both were great.

The food was very good. We left the property only for two meals, one in Playa del Carmen (Casa del Agua, which was very good) and one at Pavo Real (the peacock, which incidentally there are a pair on the property which roam about periodically)

Be sure and accept their offer on the menu to cook you what you want. We had quesadillas for breakfast, french fries. sliced tomato, grilled fish and shrimp, a BLT with egg.

Generally you will pay $50.00 for a bottle of wine that retails $15.00 in the states. The entrees will set you back about $30.00. This place is expensive. We spent about 3K after we got there on everything from food, wine to the spa. That was after we paid for the hotel and air fare.

I think what's really so special about this place is the people who work there. From the housekeepers to the head guy they all smiled and greeted you by name. They seem genuinely happy to be there and to be helping you. If they aren't they are pretty good actors. They are smiling always and laughing, even when they don't know you are looking at them. They will move chairs from the beach to the grass if it's too windy, bring you whatever you want whereever you want it. The place is drop dead fabulous and they make it that way.

So, Claudia, Camilla, Belin, Abraham, Marco, Gregorio, Alberro, Daniel, Juan Jose, Elena, Mario, Hector, Naomi and all you guys whose names I have forgotten and who make this place so great, muchas gracias from Kim y Rafael.

Four years ago we stayed at this resort that had just been taken over by Orient Express Hotels and had had a horrid experience. What capped it off at the end was arranging a private romantic dinner on the beach and getting food poisoning. I wrote to the hotel and they offered me three free nights. Reluctant to go back I left it four years. It certainly has changed in that time. The food and service were impeccable. The one thing that still needs to change is the lack of privacy in most of the units. They do have a couple of very upscale suites that are private. This is an old property and although their rooms are pretty they certainly can not compare with The Tides or Rosewood's Mayakoba in River Maya. Be prepared for high prices in their restaurants and their spa is off the charts. And remember that they add 15% tax and 15% gratuity on tip of everything and you don't see any of your charges until you check out. However, the location of this resort on a stretch of beautiful white sand and Caribbean ocean is spectacular and that would be the reason to return.