Iberostar Grand Paraiso

Hello everyone, Just back yesterday from stunning JOIA Paraiso by Iberostar in the glorious Riviera Maya. This was our second visit, and this is a follow up review to my April 2025 review which I invite you to read for additional details, as I'll try to keep this one shorter! GROUNDS, POOLS In a word, stunning. Okay, two words - still stunning. This resort is still as beautiful and well-kept as it was a year ago. Very impressed with that. SEAWEED Ah, the dreaded seaweed. We arrived on April 6 and had none for about three or four days. Then it showed up, but it wasn't as horrible as some spots. The resort did a great job scooping it up. They really do their best. Mother Nature has been pretty rotten to us in this area. BEACH Soft, white, powdery sand. Just beautiful. SEATING AROUND BEACH AND POOL As always, no issue finding a lounger or Bali bed. And you don't have to get up at 6 in the morning to secure your chairs! Plenty to go around. ANY DIFFERENCES FROM LAST YEAR'S VISIT? We didn't notice any major differences at all. There were a couple of very small issues, none life altering by any means. First, we'd initially booked an upper suite and they'd put us in a first floor room. No problem, we explained at check in and he changed it right away (actually gave us our original room, which was nice. Apparently they keep track of repeat guests and mean it when they say "welcome back.") The food was 99% perfect. Really. One night we had a meal that kind of missed the mark, but hey, it happens. Maybe the chef had a bad day or whatever. I've had bad meals here in Toronto! So it was one off night. And being all inclusive, what should you do? Moan and groan? No, just go to another restaurant! It's all there for you. I mention these two things not to criticize the resort but to please ask everyone not to go haywire if something goes a little wrong. Nothing in life is perfect, but the people who work at this resort work very hard to make our vacations special. SPEAKING OF PEOPLE ... I should say that EVERY staff member was, as before, friendly and seemed to genuinely enjoy working there. To me, that says something. I should take names down but I keep forgetting. I'm sorry, but if JOIA management is reading this, please know that they all shine. I did remember two names, though .. --- Jonathan (Entertainment Team) who made my day by telling me I won a prize for getting their questions of the day right. Keep smiling, Jonathan! You are just the nicest person with a terrific career ahead of you in this industry. We hope to see you again (and I hope to win the prize again!) --- Christian (server at breakfast and lunch buffet) - thank you for your cheerful demeanor and teaching me a little Spanish. Class act! A FEW ADDITIONAL NOTES - They are undergoing some construction on one of the buildings facing the beach (I think it's the north end of the beach). You may hear some hammering and drilling and such if your room is there. Perhaps request a room in the other building if the noise will bother you. My suggestion would be to email the resort prior to your visit and inquire if the work will be finished when you get there. - The spa pool is free for all to use. It has hydrotherapy, a juice bar and it's simply gorgeous. A quiet oasis. - Men can wear Bermuda shorts in the restaurants. Bonus, right? ;) And NO reservations for any restos, save for the Japanese teppanyaki table. - Unlike most resorts, JOIA does another thing right: Bali beds are NOT an additional charge here, like they are elsewhere. First come, first served. Thank you JOIA. - There is a quiet pool and believe me, it's QUIET. They play very soft spa-like music. If you're like me and you need a very quiet pool, JOIA has you covered. - You may want to bring water shoes if you go in the ocean. There are small rocky parts here and there. But once you're in it's heaven! - There's a hotel environmental tax that you pay upon arrival (it's minimal, something like 3 bucks a day ... hubby handled that so not my job to pay such close attention to these details!) - You'll get an envelope in your room saying "Sorry we missed you." This is an invitation to speak to staff about their hotel membership. To be clear, it's nothing nefarious! We met several people who were members and loved it, but just know that is what it's about. You do not have to go. - PLEASE, PLEASE, tip these wonderful people. They work so hard. I was somewhat dismayed to see a group of eight in a restaurant one evening leave at the end of their meal without leaving so much as a buck. C'mon, folks. Be kind to the workers who work so hard. They deserve it. SPEAKING OF FOOD ... Honourable mentions (I can't resist): -- The guacamole boat, loaded NY nachos, tenderloin and chicken enchiladas at the Mexican restaurant. -- The spicy rigatoni, tenderloin and beef carpaccio at the Italian restaurant. -- "On My Way" cocktail in the lobby bar. IS THIS RESORT FOR YOU? If you like peace and quiet, classy music at the adult pool and a beautiful environment, yes it is. If you crave loud obnoxious music, foam parties and drunks walking around all day, no, it is not. I understand we cannot reach out to each other on Trip Advisor anymore so instead of saying "feel free to contact me if you have questions" I'll end this by saying I hope I helped you make a vacation decision. If you've booked already, you made a good choice. If you're sitting on the fence, just do it! You will really enjoy this beautiful resort. I have attached some photos and I hope you enjoy them. Final thing: I always answer the question "Would we return?" ABSOLUTELY. We will be back to JOIA Paraiso next year for our 3rd visit, and I can't wait. I wish you happy travels, no matter where your passport takes you! Sue

Mala, viri, Pedro, alma, Cassandra, Jonathan from the entertainment staff are amazing people. The shows are great and activities, the last night show delirya so professional and entertaining, thanks for everything Mexican friends. We really like the fire show at the quiet pool way better than the lobby.

Another great trip to this amazing property. Favorite restaurants this time were the Japanese - both the regular restaurant & hibachi, Italian restaurant, and the buffet. The food is phenomenal and some of the best meals ever! We had a large group last week of 12 and the resort went out of their way to make this an unforgettable trip. The following people really made the experience more than amazing and fulfilled even our unexpressed needs: Star Prestige Beach Concierge & Pool Concierges - Mirna, Ellie, Manuel - Phenomenal and remember everyone and their preferences. The resort wouldn't run without these 3. Grecia, Daniella, Anselmo, & Diana (Star Prestige Office), and Servers - Emilio (French), Guadalupe (Buffet), Monti (Star Cafe), Luigi (Rhapsody Bar), Leticia (Pool), Frida (Lobby Bar) & Felix (Italian restaurant manager), Entertainment hosts Mala & Pedro (who killed me in chess!). Spa host Luis and spa attendants Arturo (the BEST!), Yolandra, Yoli, & Camas. All of these people really make the experience more than amazing and fulfill even our unexpressed needs. We cannot wait to go back. See you all in December!

KAROKE is amazing I highly recommend it, they need more

This was our second stay here and it was like returning home. It is still such a beautiful, well-maintained property that we have grown to love and compare all other resorts to. The food is wonderful, the rooms are big and beautiful, the grounds are immaculate and gorgeous, and the service is top notch. Leticia and Lenin took great care of us at the pool and we enjoyed our daily lunches at the beachfront taco restaurant with Jesus’ efficient and friendly service. Our hibachi meal was one of our favorites and Daniel did an excellent job as our hibachi chef. The first time we were here it was May, and this was during the lobster mating season where they don’t serve it to help maintain ethical fishing practices so we were excited to enjoy lobster at dinner most evenings this time. I also loved having the opportunity to take an outdoor yoga class every morning with Cynthia. We will for sure be back and will continue recommending this resort to others.