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 Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun - Mayan Riviera —  Location: Beachfront - 35 minutes from Cancun International Airport Description from resort website: — Adults Only - All- Inclusive Sophistication and distinction have arrived to the Riviera Maya. Come visit the all-suite Secrets Silversands a modern marvel in contemporary design. This resort presents Unlimited-Luxury® in an innovative way featuring suspended beds, chic modern fabrics, alluring décor and captivating lighting. Eight gourmet restaurants—seven of them á la carte—plus eight posh bars are the perfect places to enjoy a quiet romantic dinner, catch up with friends, or meet new ones. Savor authentic Mexican cuisine at El Patio; enjoy Asian delicacies and hibachi specialties at Himitsu; experience delectable Italian cuisine at Portofino; dine on the flavors of the Mediterranean at Ratatouille; sample fine French specialties at Bordeaux; or just enjoy the striking ocean views at Oceana and the Seaside Grill. Get your heart-rate going at the state-of-the-art fitness center, and then slow it down at the full-service Secrets Spa by Pevonia. Fill your days with endless daytime activities from snorkeling and sailing to kayaking and scuba diving. If you would like to experience the ultimate in luxury and relaxation, in modern elegance and style, then book your next getaway at Secrets Silversands today  ~ Reviews posted on this page — 2  ~ Mexico Resort Reviews Index
 ~ Mexico Travel Forum 
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| Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun | Harvey ~ Toronto, Ontario |
Arrival: Dec 14-23/08
As we arrived without any luggage due to the inemptness of Delta Airlines, we wre processed (not greeted) by the front desk personel
Rooms:
The rooms were were more than adequate, but not specaculiar. The bathroom sink taps splashed you whenever then were turned on. This was due to the positioning of the faucet. The whirl pool tub was quite deep with no hold rails to assist older people in and out. We locked ourselves out onto the balcony as the patio door automatically locks when closed, leaving us stranded for approximately 20 minutes. As we were a anniversary couple, a very nice floral arrangement, champagne, 2 rosy red apples and a letter welcomed us, which was a nice touch. There was also a storage closet which allowed you to place glasses and room service items in, which were picked up on a timely basis. The only negative to this storage area was that it did not even have an inside latch on it, which allowed the staff to open the door into your room. A very good view could have been had as this door was adjacent to the bathroom. The shower stall was quite large. Sufficient closet space was available. The King Bed was quite confortable as was the loveseat.
Restaurants and Bars:
The 7 or 8 restaurants, were quite adequate, due mainly to the fact that the occupancy rate for this property was only 27% full. The property could accomodate over 800 people. We had dinner at all the various restaurants, at various times, and counted a maximum of 22 guests dining. The buffet was quite good with an array of breakfast and luncheon specialties and the usual fare.
We can honestly say that none of restaurants were great. The one that was quite good was called the Seaside Grill. It was open on occasion for lunch and dinner. The draw back to this restaurant was that it was outside. It did not have any type of a windbreak, and therefore, it was cool at night because of the excessive winds that we experienced for 9 days. It was a welcome breeze during the daytime. The staff was friendly for the most part and Language was not much of an issue. The 5 bars were situated to accomodate most everyone. As is typical, if you wanted the "better" alcohol, you had to ask as it was usually concealed under the counter.
Due to the few number of guest, commencing Dec. 21, they only opened 4 restaurants daily, rather than 5 or 6. They also closed 2 bars, including the swim up bar. The next topic explains the swim up bar situation. There is a small sports bar inside , where they have a pool table, games area and a big screen to watch TV . I dropped in about 9 P.M. Sunday night to watch a bit of the football game, and was greeted by 2 other lonely guests who were watching the game. The bar appeared at the back of the room to be self serve, as I did see a bartender. I didn't see anyone else either.
Beach/Pools/Grounds:
If anyone has read other forums on this property, they will know about the beach. We booked this resort, before it was opened and were unaware of the beach problem. If we knew then, what we know now, we would have booked the Secrets Marona, which was being built the same time as this resort. The beach deepth was quite small, but adequate. The groundskeepers were racking and cleaning the beach, non stop, attempting to keep up with the seaweed that rolled in constantly. Beyond the seaweed into the water, you were greeted with mud and sand, beyond that, and only 30 feet from shore you now met "Mr Coral Reef" who liked to chew on the soles of your feet. No, the beach was not one of the draws to this resort. They did have about 7 pools. One large central one and the others scattered throughout the property. This should have been adequate to pacify the water lovers amongst us, but behold -----NONE WERE HEATED and not even the 2 large Hot Tubs. We used one of the small pools to dip our toe in to cool off. A few brave diehards, used the swimup bar, but for the most part, the bartender could have taken a part time job cleaing the pool. The grounds were typical of a new resort, everything was trying to grow and needed some TLC.
Activities on and off the Resort/Hotel:
The usual activities at the resort, were available, but mainly due to the lack of guests and a cold pool, the particpation was quite limited, at best. They had the usual nightime shows and of course, Monday Night Football at the beach. This was also poorly attended as we were there for a short while, with only 8 others.
We have done all the outside activities in the area, (this is our 5th visit) but still managed one; the Jungle Tour. Quite a name for a boat,snorkel excursion. We were on the tour with 3 other couples into Cancun, where each couple had their own boat with a 30 hp motor being led by a guide into the mangroves to a snorkeling area, where we spent about 50 minutes. The whole trip out and back lasted about 2 1/2 hours. It was enjoyable. We did know before hand that it was not really a Jungle Tour, so we were not surprised; just the name was odd.
The Spa part of this property was poorly attended due mainly to the high prices for their services. The resort seemed to be trying to cater to the younger crowd (25-40 yrs) and attemped to solicit spa users from around the pool area, with very limited success. My wife usually takes 2 or 3 spa services, when available, when we vacation, but not this time.
Other Comments:
I befriended one of the bartenders, who filled me in about the 27% occupancy and the need to close down the bars and restaurants, due to non support (I tried to support the bars as much as I could, but I guess it was still insufficient). He advised that some of the employees were sent home. I had heard from a travel agent and on line sites, that this property was not taking any new reservations until April/09. I asked my bartender what the reason for this was, and he just looked at me with a puzzled expression on his face. I guess possibly, I opened a "can of worms", as I'm sure management would not want their present employees to know this until they, themselves, told the employees.
To summarize, I would not be at all suprised, if this property is in the hands of new ownership, in April, or at least, not under the "Secrets" banner, as it is not in the same class as other Secrets that we have visited. So, be aware that until the pool and hot tub situation, gets addressed, and if you are there for water activities, they will be quite limited. Unfortunately for ownership and guests, the beach problem will always remain. This property should not be rated as a 5 Star, but will be a good 4 Star property when problem areas are addressed.
| Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun | Bernhard ~ Canada |
Arrival: Dec.5.-20 /08
Sunwing was on time but pick up at the Airport was not on time mixup with the Minibusses.Check in at Resort was excelent and where guided to our room .
Rooms:
The rooms are very spacias & exactly like in the brochure very clean & comfortble.32 inch flatscreen,mp3,DVD.Player,Phone.sitting area,jetted tub,fantastic walk in showers,2 sinks,firm beds,Save,suntan lotion,shampoo,body soap,lots of towels.& bathrobs.'' But moskitos.''
Restaurants and Bars:
Restaurant are 8 all exellent ,food very tasty and exellent service Bars are also very well stock with international spirits.We where disapointed from the Dress code of the Males ''very slopy'' ,woman are always elegant dressed.
Beach/Pools/Grounds:
If you like to run into the Ocean from your lounge? ''this is noy the resort for you''lots of weeds & dirty water & coral cleaning goes on all day.The grounds are nicely kept everything is young 8 pools all not heated good for 80 deg.weather we had a few days of 70 deg.then the water is cold.Towels are plentyfull no need to reserve a spot on the pools or beach,personal objects will be removed after 2 hrs.from lost & found.
Activities on and off the Resort/Hotel:
Everything they say in the bruchore is available .Resort is perfect for one week vacation not 2 weeks !Did not go on any tours ,to exspencive .
Other Comments:
Bigest drawback NO ocean swimming , Moskitos [no seem]cold pools,no courtesy bus Cancun or Playacar,nothing to do at nights ,Entertainment 3 stars, make sure to take after bite & Anti-Itch Lotions.
Last updated: March 7, 2009