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It's been A BIT since I last posted in my Iberostar review series (and I'm so sorry), but there is also a reason why. I also mentioned this would be a series of three posts, but because I have so much information to cover, this series will be four posts.
Without further ado, here are the sections below that I'll be covering:
SPA Sensations
I'll be honest, my husband I did not choose to visit the Spa but we seriously considered a beachside couples massage. SPA Sensations is located in the Shopping Mall complex and is an adults-only area of the resort.
You'll find an extensive menu for hair and beauty treatments, pedicures and manicures, massages, sauna and steam room, Thalassotherapy pool, jacuzzi, and more. Some room categories and upgrades may include some complimentary spa access.
Tip: You'll receive a locker, bathrobe, and sandals to wear in the Spa. I recommend you wear a swimsuit due to the nature of some of the treatments.
Fitness Center aka FIT & FUN Gym
Again this is one area of the resort that my husband and I did not utilize. My husband and I prefer to skip our workouts while on vacation, but some of my clients require an extensive fitness center.
Iberostar Paraiso Complex's gym is one of the best I've ever seen. All guests must be at least 16 years of age or older and they provide towels. The FIT & FUN Gym features state-of-the-art exercise equipment and machines, a cycling studio with daily classes, and two multi-sport rooms featuring a variety of classes led by certified instructors. Try out yoga, body pump, kickboxing, boot camp, HIIT Training, and more during your stay. Nearby tennis courts offer even more exercise options. Instructors even lead sunrise yoga on the beach, a must-do activity.
Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club
Just one more great thing about the Iberostar Paraiso Complex is an 18 hole onsite golf course designed by renowned golf course architect P.B. Dye. The golf course is set lush, tropical vegetation and nature and has previously hosted events like World Amateur Team Championships 2016, Big Break Mexico, Iberostar Riviera Maya Open, and an 11-time host of classification round of the Mayakoba Golf Classic OHL PGA TOUR, and host of Bupa Match Play – PGA Tour Latinoamérica 2018-2019.
A few more course details:
Type of golf course: World Class Championship
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Slope rating: T: 136/72.4 B: 130/69.7 M: 121/67.4 F/Lds: 120/67.7
Course length: 6,800 yards
Type of grass: Paspalum
Tee-off time: 06:30 in summer and 07:30 in winter.
Tee-off intervals: Every 10 minutes.
Twilight: 14:00 and from 15:00 in summer.
Approximate time of round: 4 and a half hours.
Tip: Green fees include a golf cart, appetizers, and unlimited drinks during the round,
including beer, wine, spirits, bottled water, and soft drinks.
Star Camp
I decided to save the very best for last...Star Camp. Iberostar's Star Camp is their kid's activity club, chock full of activities and fun for your children from ages 4 to 17.
Iberostar separates Star Campers into three different age groups: 4 to 7 years old, 8 to 12 years old, and 13 to 17 years old. For all age groups, there are scheduled activities ALL. DAY. LONG. The oldest Star Campers can sign themselves in and out, but the youngest two groups have to be signed in AND out by a parent or guardian.
Your kids can join the Star Camp group any time during the day. Check the activities calendar on your Iberostar App (more on that next time) or the Activities TVs located throughout the resort. Find where the appropriate Star Camp age group is within the resort and go join them.
When I say these Star Camp counselors take care of and entertain your children, I mean it. They have them constantly moving all day long. Every day is a little bit different, but each day typically starts off with a craft at Star Camp, moving on to water activities between the lazy river, either the Lindo/Maya pool or the Beach/Del Mar pool, the wave pool, or the water slides. The counselors aren't just taking your kids to these spots and letting them play. They also incorporate games and fun activities. Many activities concern teaching kids about the environment, recycling, animal conservation, etc. Iberostar corporate is dedicated to reducing their impact on the environment and Star Camp teaches your kids these principles too.
In addition, kids get to participate in the resort's evening show. During afternoon rehearsal, kids learn the evening's choreography and at 7:00pm, they perform at the Maya/Lindo theater, with full choreography, music, and costumes. This show happens around 7:00pm each night before the main show.
If that's not enough, Star Camp also takes your kids to lunch AND dinner at one of the resort's buffets.
Our experience with Star Camp was almost TOO good to even consider going to another resort next time we travel. It was beyond amazing and my kids will tell you the same.
On their first day at Star Camp, they decided they would try the morning craft activity and we would check on them at the second location. Well, we kept coming back pretty much every hour or so to check on them and they would wave and say "hi Mom and Dad," and go right back to playing.
We were astonished and found ourselves with some completely unexpected kid-free vacation time. That's pretty much how the rest of the week went. My kids adored their new friends and counselors and didn't feel like hanging out with Mom and Dad. Our day would culminate by picking them up after the evening kid's show, watching the adult show, and then dragging them off to bed (via the golf cart shuttle).
I would come to Iberostar Selection Paraiso Maya Suites again for Star Camp alone. Adding in all of the other amazing features makes this family resort a no-brainer.
Next week in part three I'll cover the resort's restaurants, bars, and the Iberostar App.
Until then, if you and your family are ready to book this amazing resort or would like help with any other vacation planing, contact me today. My turnaround time is approximately 2 business days and I have my clients booked within a week.
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