LOCATION: Playa del Secreto, Riviera Maya
VIBE: modern hacienda chic
USP: all-inclusive & adults only
An all-inclusive, 5-star, adults-only slice of Caribbean paradise. 11 bars, 7 speciality restaurants, 3 swimming pools, 2 buffets (with an à la carte breakfast option)…and a partridge in palm tree. Anyone else? It’s like Christmas come early with all the services on offer at Valentin. Intrigued? Read on…
The Vibe
The 540-room Valentin Imperial is set in an exclusive area of the Riviera Maya, known as Playa Secreto, famous for its long stretch of beautiful white sand beach. Color combos of cream and terracotta predominate in the common spaces, while rooms are traditionally decorated, each and every one boasting its own balcony or patio with lounge furniture. All suites are equipped with a hydro-massage bathtub too. Bouje! The vibe is marble, travertine, and granite, all washed with an earth-tone color palette and finished with the flare of a modern Mexican hacienda.
DON’T FORGET! There’s absolutely no need to bring your own shampoo and shower gel…that would be a waste of suitcase space ;) Valentin have their own brand of luxurious scented shower products. Thinking how many you can stash in your case on the way home? You’re in luck! They’re sold at the store at the resort, along with the lobby’s signature scent.
The footprint of this hotel is rather large…the grounds are sprawling, with palm trees and lush vegetation nestled between impressive archways, plazas, fountains and grand, vaulted ceiling walkways; getting from one side to another means a 10 to 15-minute walk, so you’ll definitely get your steps in!
Get this. The main pool, located a stone’s throw from the ocean, is one of the largest pools in the whole of the Riviera Maya! Their Golden pool is built ‘lazy-river’ style, accessible to guests staying on the ground floor from their terrazas.
Fancy cranking up the luxury notch a little? Privilege guests get reserved cushioned daybeds covered by palapas on the beach…maybe worth enquiring about that upgrade ;)
The Extra Touches
Now, there’s one platform that you can trust 99% of the time when it comes to picking the BEST spot for your vacation. Tripadvisor has been, is, and always will be, a travel holy grail. And Valentin receives rave reviews in every aspect. No surprises there then…
5* service is one thing that crops up again and again. No wonder why Valentin has such a sky high returning-guest rate! There is such a range of activities, live music, evening entertainment and watersports on offer, it’s ideal for those who go a little stir crazy if they spend the whole day on a sunlounger by the pool. From aqua zumba to beach side yoga, latin dance classes under the stars to enjoying a boogie to the in-house DJ at the famous Plaza España, Valentin’s Go Team are on hand to really maximize your days on vacation, from dawn to dusk.
Buuut, for those who really are after just a totally zen experience, visiting Valentin’s Aromance spa is a MUST. Featuring holistic therapies designed to enrich and detoxify, a trip to Valentin’s spa is a perfect way to enhance your paradisiac vacation.
Spa Speciality: if you’re after something a little more luxurious, treat yourself to the chocolate massage (you'll thank us later!) Remember that if you book through the hotel directly, you'll get spa credit to put towards your treatment!
The Food
All the hassles that can accompany an all-inclusive - uncomfortable plastic wristbands, watered-down drinks and long waits for dinner reservations - are totally absent at Valentin. The all-inclusive perk here is that you can enjoy unlimited dining at 7 luxury specialty restaurants with cuisines ranging from Italian, French and Steak House to Japanese, Mexican and Seafood grill. Mouth watering yet? Us too…
Valentin’s dining locations are just magical in the evening. Trees adorned with fairy lights dripping from the branches, tables arranged around the roman-bath-style pool in the centre. Utter tranquility.
TOP TIP: find booking a bit of a chore? Great news! No bookings are required at any of Valentin’s restaurants. Simply turn up (in dress code, of course ;)) and dig in! Having said that…if you’re after a bit of gastronomic theatrics, the only thing you CAN book for is the Teppanyaki cooking show. Trust us. It’s totally worth it.
Valentin spoils their guests with a couple of different bars in spectacular locations…well, its actually 11 bars to be exact. Here’s a couple of our top picks…
Both the Sunrise and Sunset Bars are positioned perfectly so you can enjoy your cocktail while watching the sun peep out first thing in the AM or melt drowsily into the horizon at the end of the day. Take advantage of the swim-up cocktail bar, aptly named ‘Heaven Bar’, or enjoy a hand-rolled Cuban cigar with hookah pipes at the Salón Partagas Cigar Lounge. If you’re after something a little classier and elegant, Don Miguel is a cocktail lounge with an atmosphere perfect for meetings of any sort. Grab your book and watch the world go by at the Martini Bar or while away a romantic evening at Plaza España, the main outdoor atrium by the lobby.
So, there you have it. Another hotel spotlight on a spectacular 5* hotel in the Riviera Maya.
Are you staying at Valentin soon? Or, you might now be itching to book your flights for a last minute vacay…whatever the reason, remember you can book your beach-side photoshoot with DreamArt to capture your dreamy weeks away with the ones you love.