I think that Cinco de Mayo is the perfect occasion to post my Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita review. I certainly wish that I was in Mexico’s Riviera Maya sipping on a skinny margarita right now!
(photo Zoetry Resorts)
We traveled to Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita back in February for our annual Y2 Yoga retreat. This was our fifth year hosting the retreat and we always alternate between various Zoetry resorts because they offer amazing food, accommodations and service and they are always extremely easy to work with if you have a group. This was our second visit to Zoetry Paraiso. We were here in 2014 for eight nights for another retreat.
We have also visited Zoetry Agua Punta Cana three times, two for retreats and one for a wedding, as well as Zoetry Villa Rolandi in Isle Mujeres Cancun. They also recently opened a location in Jamaica and have two more properties opening in Aruba in Mexico in 2018.
A little more about the Zoetry brand of resorts since I’m such a fan…Zoetry is part of the AMResorts group that also includes Secrets, Breathless, Dreams and NOW. Zoetry seems to be their more boutique and wellness-focused option. Zoetry resorts feature “Endless Privileges” that include the following…
- No check-in or check-out time
- Gourmet à la carte dining options with an assortment of organic food and beverage selections
- No reservations required at resort restaurants
- Bottle of sparkling wine and fresh fruit daily
- Limitless international and domestic top-shelf spirits
- Graciously appointed and luxuriously equipped suites
- Complimentary in-suite mini-bar refreshed twice daily
- 24-hour concierge services
- 24-hour private in-suite dining
- Maid service three times daily
- Complimentary, unlimited worldwide calling
- Luxurious Bvlgari® bath amenities (<– most amazing smell ever!)
- Welcome bottle of tequila or rum
- Complimentary 24-hour laundry service
- Daily afternoon tea time with live plant infusions
- Complimentary 20-minute wellness or fitness consultation
Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Review
I’m going to do a full Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita review in this post but if you want to skip the review and get my summary recommendation…it’s perfect if you’re looking for a smaller all-inclusive resort that has great food, is quiet and wellness-focused. It’s ideal for couples who are looking for a relaxing and romantic getaway or for a small groups looking for a more chill group vacation. I would not recommend it if you like more of a party scene or need a kid-friendly environment.
Getting There
Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita is super easy to get to. You fly into the Cancun International Airport which is easily accessed by so many cities across the U.S. and around the world. We have a direct flight from Charlotte that is just around three hours. Your stay at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita includes private airport transfers. As soon as you clear customs and make your way out to ground transportation, you are whisked into your transportation and offered cold towels and your choice of water or champagne. Just 20-25 minutes later, you arrive at the resort and take in this view.
Pausing to add a few quick notes about traveling to Mexico, navigating the Cancun airport and getting to your resort because I’ve been asked about this a ton. I think I’ve traveled to the Cancun-area of Mexico four times in the last 3-4 years. First, the Cancun airport is huge and very nice. It honestly feels like a U.S. airport. There are tons of food and shopping options. Second, getting to your resort is easy if you are staying in Cancun or somewhere along the Riviera Maya. If you’re heading into Riviera Maya, you take a four lane highway with a divider in the middle. Traffic moves quickly and it feels a lot like the Interstates in the U.S. One of the first things you see leaving the airport is a Starbucks. Cancun is definitely very Americanized. Last, I’ve always felt safe at all of the resorts I’ve visited in Mexico as well as getting to them.
Again, only adding this because I’ve been asked these questions so much! Don’t sweat it if you’ve never traveled to Mexico before.
Okay, back to Zoetry Paraiso…if your suite is not ready, the front desk will hold your luggage and you are free to enjoy all the resort has to offer until it is.
The Guest Suites
I think my number one favorite thing about Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita is that all of the guest suites are ocean front. And I’m not talking ocean view but ocean FRONT! It’s amazing. The resort only has 90 guest suites and they are all divided into separate buildings.
Each suite has a name rather than a room number, which is a fun touch.
Another unique touch is that every room is decorated a little differently. The photos you see here are a mix from two different suites that we stayed in on our 2014 and 2017 trips. When you walk in the front door you come into your living area. It leads you into an office area that has a sliding door out to the patio.
Welcome bottle of tequila.
Welcome bottle of sparkling wine.
Mini-fridge.
The in-room coffee is Nespresso. Perfect for when you need a little pick me up. If you want a pot of coffee, order from room service.
The bedroom is large and has big sliding wood doors so that you can close it off from the living area if you wish. It also has a sliding door to the patio. I love that Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita always gifts you a beach bag. I always seem to forget to pack one and theirs are huge and great quality.
Here’s our bedroom from our 2014 stay.
The bathrooms are really big and beautiful. You have double vanities and sinks.
Along with this ginormous tub. I think you could fit 3-4 people in here!
The bathrooms have walk-in showers and I love the greenery and natural light.
This year we were on a ground floor so we had a private plunge pool and direct access to the beach.
In 2014 we were on the third floor (top level). I’m a view girl so I have to say I’d trade the plunge pool for this stunning view any day!
Another photo of the view from our third floor suite.
The maid service is so thorough. They do such a great job keeping things neat and tidy and their turndown service is always really special. They leave flowers on the bed and your slippers by the bed. I smiled one day to come in and find my jewelry beautifully arranged on a washcloth.
The Grounds
The grounds are extremely manicured and well taken care of. You’ll never walk around the resort without seeing someone tending to the grounds.
There is one main walkway that takes you along the backside of the guest suites from which you enter your suite. There is all sorts of nature and beautiful scenery to look at while you walk.
I think the resort path is just shy of a quarter of a mile. I clocked it one day while I was jogging. It’s easy to walk and it doesn’t take forever to get anywhere.
The Pool
Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita has one main pool that is ocean front and kind of central to the three restaurants and the main bar. We were always able to get chairs when we wanted them and it was never overly crowded. You can order food from any of the restaurants to be delivered to the pool and drinks are refreshed quickly!
There is no music, games or loud activities at the pool, which I appreciate. There is not a swim up bar but the pool attendants will bring you anything you want when you want it!
The Beach
Since the entire resort is ocean front, Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita sits on a nice stretch of beach. I will tell you that this area of Riviera Maya is prone to having seaweed wash up on the beach so they are constantly raking it up and cleaning the beach.
If you’re facing the water and walk to the left off the resort grounds you pass by private houses and some sort of nature preserve. You can see how much the seaweed would build up if it were not regularly raked up.
If you’re facing the water and walk to the right you can walk for quite a long ways and you will pass several other resorts.
Back on the Zoetry grounds, there is a stretch of beach with lounge chairs and beach attendants. They are quick to make up your lounger for you and I love that the loungers hold two people and are comfortable.
Just like the pool, there is full food and drink service out on the beach and you can order anything you want and they will happily bring it to you. They have always been super friendly to our groups and they allow us to pull chairs up together and are quite good at remembering everyone’s favorite drink order and keeping the cocktails coming.
Water Sports + Activities
Your Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita stay comes with a complimentary catamaran sunset sail along with a boat tour over to Isla Mujeres if you choose. There are also a variety of water sports.
When it comes to physical activity, there are daily yoga, meditation, wellness and fitness classes.
The gym is small but equipped with a few treadmills and cardio machines as well as free weights and benches. Can’t beat this view on a treadmill!
(Photo Wanda Koch)
One very unique and special experience that Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita offers is a Temazcal Ceremony. It’s an ancient Mayan healing practice. It’s complimentary with your stay. Read all about it on the Zoetry blog.
Spa
I’ve actually never had any spa services at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita but they do have a full spa that specializes in special native Mayan Thaalassotherapy treatments as well as skin care, massages, body wraps and more. They have this outdoor saltwater pool with hydrojets that’s open during spa hours that anyone can take advantage of.
Wildlife and Resort Pets
Of course you’ll find iguanas all over the place…it’s Mexico!
Can you spot the iguana here? This guy hung out and watched our yoga practice.
There are also all sorts of exotic birds around the resort. There are quite a few peacocks roaming around. This one was on our patio on the day we arrived.
Just another walk to breakfast!
Makita is Zoetry Paraiso’s resident pet and she’s full of personality.
She is super interactive and always asking for you to hold her. She likes for you to scratch her neck when she’s in her cage and she loves to say hola and to drink water and say agua over and over.
The Food
There are three restaurants at the resort in addition to 24-hour room service. Please check out this post for a full recap of the food at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita.
The most casual restaurant is the El Chiringuito Beachside Grill. It’s open for lunch and dinner. It features meats, seafood, pizzas and veggies grilled on a Zapote and mesquite wood fire.
(Photo Wanda Koch)
The second restaurant is Kaxx. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It specializes in international cuisine with a Mexican twist. It includes a sushi and ceviche bar that is open for lunch.
(Photo Zoetry Resorts)
The final restaurant is La Canoa. It’s the most upscale dining experience offered at Zoetry Paraiso. It’s a AAA Four Diamond restaurant featuring Cuisine de los Soles, a gourmet fusion of styles based on spices and chilies. Check out this post with a full experience of dining at La Canoa.
The Drinks
Drinks at all-inclusives can range from undrinkable to passable to really good. Zoetry definitely falls into the really good category with top-shelf liquor selections as well as beer out of cans and bottles instead of draft in a plastic cup. It’s also worth noting that the house wine is solid. I wouldn’t say it’s “the best ever” but it’s definitely not the stuff that tastes like sweet juice. They also have a wine list if you want to purchase a special bottle to go with your dinner.
In Conclusion
I love the Zoetry family of resorts and Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita is a truly special place. I would HIGHLY recommend it for the following…
- Couples looking for a quiet, romantic getaway
- Destination weddings
- Anniversaries, honeymoons and babymoons
- Low-key girlfriend getaways
- Yoga retreats
- Small group vacations
- Anyone looking for an all-inclusive with truly good food, drinks and healthier meal choices
Please let me know if you have any questions about this Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita review or about Zoetry resorts in general. I am happy to answer them. I can’t wait to go back!
Have you ever stayed at an all-inclusive?
Favorite tropical destination?
Have you traveled to Mexico?
