F. Scott Fitzgerald found his place in the sun on the French Riviera; and a young Virginia Woolf found comfort in the seaside village of St. Ives, Cornwall. I, on the other hand, discovered paradise at the adults-only, all-inclusive Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso in Riviera Maya, Mexico. If you aren’t familiar with the property, part of Iberostar Hotels & Resorts’Grand Collection resort, or the four other properties that make up this complex—Iberostar Paraiso Beach, Iberostar Paraiso del Mar, Iberostar Paraiso Lindo and Iberostar Paraiso Maya—you’ll want to click through the photo slideshow below to see how I made the most out of my stay by the pool, in the gym and at the dinner table.
The path to the Ocean Front Suites at Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso is lined with palm trees and cozy cabanas.
The picture-perfect view from my Ocean Front Suite looks like a painting.
My Ocean Front Suite came with this comfy nook overlooking the beach.
What better way to unwind after an adventure-filled day than with a warm bath.
The lush lobby at the resort brings nature indoors.
Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso’s Venezia Italian restaurant features the flavors and sights of Italy.
Each and every public space at the resort features thoughtful decor such as the chandeliers in this hallway.
The gym offers refreshments, including a surprisingly tasty chlorophyll-infused water.
The Starfit & Fun Gym offers a broad choice of fitness classes, including boot camp and kickboxing.
The Iberostar Hotels & Resorts complex in Riviera Maya is quite the menagerie with swans, flamingos, parrots and wandering peacocks.
The main pool at the Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso was the spot for mixing and mingling.
Guests can request a romantic beach dinner set-up for special occasions.
The 9,843-sq.-ft. Paradise Beach Resort Spa offers various treatments and massages.
Nightly entertainment at the resort includes theater shows—this particular night it was circus-themed.
The shops at the Iberostar Hotels & Resorts complex in Riviera Maya set up for a Mexican-themed dinner party.
I found this colorful carousel at the complex’s shop while searching for tacos.
In this tiny restaurant they served the best made-to-order tacos. The “choriqueso” (garlic sausage with cheese) was my favorite.
Scenes from our day excursion to the Rio Secreto denote, which made National Geographic’s Top 10 Maya-Themed Family Activities list.
Rio Secreto features thousands of dramatic stalactites and stalagmites.
Visitors to the 3D Museum of Wonders in Playa del Carmen can step inside the paintings.
