Description: VALENTIN IMPERIAL MAYA
During our 1st visit in February 2008, Valentin was experiencing "growing pains" – We could see that the resort had great potential but needed lots of "tweaking" before being considered a 5* resort as their ads proclaimed. I’m happy to say that it has emerged into a solid 4* Adults Only All-Inclusive resort.
Check-In was efficient - we were greeted with smiles, chilled champagne and cold towels. Our upgraded room – a
Silver Suite – was in building 1 (one of the newer buildings) on the second floor overlooking a forested area. The A/C worked well, no musty odor and were provided with all of the amenities that we needed for a comfortable stay. In fact, I liked the design of the room( although smaller), than the Golden Suites that we occupied on our first visit. The open design of the room made it more user friendly than the formal living room in the Golden Suites.
Service with a smile is provided by happy workers whose English has improved greatly over the past year. They are appreciative of tips and do deserve them although I never got the feeling that they were "expecting" them. Drinks are made with top shelf liquor. There is a guitarist or harpist at breakfast each morning and a marimba combo plays daily during lunch at the beachside restaurant. Night-time entertainment begins with a piano player in the lounge, followed by somewhat amateurish shows in the theater and later a terrific band and DJ at the plaza.
A mixed age international clientele enjoyed the nightly musical presentations later into the night than at other all inclusives that we have visited lately.
The rooms are comfortable with a king size bed, I-Pod docking station, flat screen TV, sofa, plenty of storage space, stocked mini-fridge and a large balcony. The large bathrooms have a Jacuzzi tub overlooking the bedroom area – sheer curtains on a curved rod provide some privacy if needed. A separate toilet and tiled shower are enclosed with frosted glass doors. The double sink vanity has large bars of oatmeal soap, shower gel and shampoo (bring along conditioner and body lotion if you are used to using it).
Vegetation has filled in beautifully – landscaping is well cared for and the curved walkways are a pleasure to stroll through day or night with music along the way and romantic lighting once it gets dark.
The two pool bars at the Main Pool are very active all day, while the one servicing the Golden Suites by the swim out pools is very quiet. There are now two beach bars – at the main beach there is waiter service – but it is slow - since they carry twenty or so drinks at a time. At the quiet beach, near the oceanfront suites, you must order your drink at the bar – but it’s very close by. This beach has fewer guests and palapas always seem available since it’s almost impossible to enter the water there because of the coral. Many use this as a "topless" refuge.
With all of these accolades, why didn’t I give it a 5* rating????? Only because of a few minor complaints that will not ruin your vacation……such as
1. Very limited internet access…Wi-Fi only available in the lobby (at times) or on one of the three computers in the business office. They do rent cables for you to use in the rooms, but we could not get access in Building #1.
2. Rooms were not available for check-in even though occupancy was ony at 40%. You are invited to use the facilities, but it is a nice feeling to be settled in before going to the beach.
3. Styrofoam cups are used at the beach and martinis are served in margarita glasses or wine glasses. I would much prefer either acrylic or plastic at the beach and a martini just doesn’t quite taste the same in a "wrong" glass.
4. Probably adding a 3rd or 4th beach wait-person would shorten the time to get a beverage – but that will likely improve as occupancy rises.
5. Towels: Room towels are of mediocre quality and beach towels are abominable…..thread bare, frayed and some even "holey" – one afternoon I did see newer towels –hopefully they ordered many more.
6. Floaties – not in very good condition-should be replaced.
These comments are not meant as a criticism of Valentin Resort but more as an explanation of the nuances that distinguish a 5* resorts from the rest.
Will I vacation here again??……………………………………Definitely
Will I recommend this resort??……………………………….Definitely
Is it good value??…………………………………………………….Definitely
Don’t hesitate to book your vacation to Valentin Imperial Maya…………you will certainly enjoy it. Contact me if I can be of help in planning your vacation or selecting a room category.
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