7/25/09 Secrets Maroma Beach review

[beach2009]

Madalene & Jesse

Secrets Maroma Beach Resort & Spa

July 25, 2009

 

I'm back and it's time to share my review on our wonderful wedding. We chose a destination wedding to avoid the big traditional wedding, and we celebrated just the two of us! Hopefully this helps those couples out there considering a 'just us' wedding.

 

Getting There:

We flew with US Airways and I carried my dress onboard (with my purse and a carry on luggage). I stowed my dress in the overhead bin and it was fine. To get to the hotel we used Grayline Transfer, it was a collective shuttle included with our Orbitz package. The service was fine, but you have to meet with their representative at the hotel to obtain the voucher for your return transfer. They were busy twice when we tried to meet with them since they use these meetings to promote excursions. In future I would use a taxi (only $40 one way) or a private transfer.

 

Resort/Room:

We arrived at the Secrets Maroma Beach resort and were blown away by the lobby entrance. The bellboy gathered our luggage to be taken to our room and took us through the resort, pointing out the restaurants, spa etc on our way to the preferred lounge to check in. Our concierge quickly checked us in, then we went up to our room, Jr Suite Oceanview preferred club. It was fabulous! Double jacuzzi in the bath and a tub for two on the balcony. We loved our room, it was perfect! We miss the 4 poster king bed and double vanity.

 

Wedding Coordinator:

I had emailed with Cecilia a few times and found her replies to be clear and timely. We were scheduled to meet with her the day after our arrival, but she was unavailable so we met with her assistant Karla. We went over the details and picked out the flowers in a few minutes. I gave her the name of our photographers to ensure that their day passes would be left at the lobby and charged to our room. Then Karla took us to the beach to show us the ceremony location where the canopy would be erected and the path I would take to get there. Next we toured the spa and we were so impressed that we booked our appointment for a couples massage. Lastly we went to the Portofino restaurant to view the wine cellar where we would have our wedding dinner. We really appreciated the time that Karla took with us to plan our day. On the day of the wedding both Cecilia and Karla arrived at our room. Our photographers had a problem with getting into the resort because the WC didn't leave the requested day passes at the lobby. They had to wait for Cecilia in the lobby. To avoid this, I would suggest taking care of the day passes with the lobby front desk yourself. Lastly, after cutting our cake we had asked the WCs to have it delivered to our room or the wine cellar for our dinner. We never got the cake, I guess the delivery instructions weren't communicated to the waiter who took it away? Not a big deal really. We tried the tres leches cake at the Mexican Night and didn't like it.

 

Spa:

I had Alicia do my hair on the wedding day. I just showed her a picture and she did a great job. The morning after the wedding, hubby and I went to the spa for a couples massage. It was amazing, we arrived an hour before our appointment and enjoyed the hydrotherapy circuit. After the massage we could have gone back to the hydrotherapy but we were hungry so we had lunch instead.

 

Wedding Ceremony:

We had a non-legal beach ceremony under the canopy and blue skies at 4pm with Mr. Monroy officiating and our 2 photographers. It was initimate and everything we hoped for. After the champagne toast and cake cutting on the beach we continued the party with our TTD session.

 

TTD:

We found an abandoned mansion on the beach and took our TTD shots there and on Maroma Beach. It was awesome, we had such a blast and are super pleased with our pictures.

 

Wedding Dinner:

After cleaning up from our TTD session we went to the Portofino Restaurant at the resort for our private dinner in the Wine Cellar. The food and service was great and the romantic ambiance was perfect for sharing a bottle of wine. Upon, returning to our room the jacuzzi was filled with bubbles and rose petals, with the bed covered in more rose petals. So sweet, and chilled bottle of champagne waiting.

 

Photographers:

We had Lori and Lincoln of Moments that Matter Photography capture our ceremony and TTD. They were awesome to work with and we would highly recommend them to anyone looking for photogs in Riviera Maya. We had the chance to meet up with them a few days later in Playa del Carmen and it was great seeing them again.

 

Restaurants/Food:

The breakfast selection at World Cafe was huge, eggs/omlettes to order, pancakes, waffles, french toast, bagels, yogurts, sausage, bacon, fruit, fresh juices and more. Loved it.

The beach service is amazing. The waiters bring tasty tropical drinks to your palapa, and the beach chefs serve yummy tapas & appetizers. They also have a beach grill and stirfry buffet so you can bring your lunch back to your chaise.

We also enjoyed the lunch buffet by the pool, accompanied by the iguanas.

The dinner service is casual dress in the 2 restaurants by the pool and long pants required for the other air conditioned restaurants. We enjoyed room service a couple nights when we didn't feel like going out. All the meals were delicious, the best we've enjoyed in the caribbean.

 

Suggestions:

Footwear - I found it very difficult to walk in the sand in my 3 1/2" wedge sandals. They kept sinking and I was stepping on my dress down the aisle, which was annoying. In hindsight, for the beach brides I'd suggest getting your dress hemmed to barefoot length so you can enjoy the walk down the aisle

Tipping - We brought around 100 singles for tipping which made it easy. The service is outstanding and while tipping isn't required it's definitely appreciated. The hardworking staff are smiling and pleasant, which can't be easy when your fully dressed in the summer heat.

Anniversary nights- At checkout, don't forget to ask for your certificate for your free anniversary nights when you stay for 7 nights or longer, or book 5 rooms for 3 nights.

 

Overall we had an excellent wedding/honeymoon and wouldn't hesitate to return. We are super pleased with having chosen SMB resort and MomentsThatMatterPhotography.com

If you have any questions about SMB or MTM I'd be happy to help.

 

Now, for the goodies. Pictures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[beach2009]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[beach2009]

 

 

 

[KLaBate54]

Thank you so much for your review! Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! We are actually going to SMB for our honeymoon!

[*Nadine*]

Congrats and thanks so much for the review! YOU and your pics are absolutely gorgeous, your dress fit you like a glove! Just beautiful!

[YaelM]

Congrats and great review. Wow your pics are AMAZING!!!! You look gorgeous!

[purrfected]

I love the pics of the two of you in the abandoned house. The pictures are stunning. Congrats on being a mrs!

[JamieJ]

pretty!!!! thanks for the review!! thinking of secrets for our honeymoon!

[beach2009]

Thanks for all the lovely compliments ladies. For anyone considering Secrets, it's a great choice. The resort is well spaced out but not too big. During our stay most guests were couples celebrating their honeymoon or anniversary.

[erinleigh]

Congratulations! Amazing pictures!