TL;DR: My partner and I spent four nights at Paradisus La Perla in Playa del Carmen in October 2026 to celebrate our anniversary. We booked The Reserve Suite Nature View room and absolutely loved our experience. The service was exceptional, the accommodations were spacious and comfortable, the food was generally very good, and the additional benefits of The Reserve were well worth the cost for us. While there were a few minor shortcomings, none significantly affected our overall experience. We would absolutely recommend this resort, especially to couples looking for a relaxing vacation rather than a party atmosphere.

I’ve seen quite a few people asking about Paradisus La Perla, particularly whether The Reserve is worth the upgrade, so I wanted to share a fairly detailed review of our experience. Hopefully, this helps anyone considering booking!

A Quick Note About the Weather

October is still part of the rainy season in the Riviera Maya, and we definitely experienced that. It rained almost every day we were there, and when it wasn’t raining, it was usually cloudy. We only had one full day of sunshine.

That said, the temperatures were still wonderful, and the weather really didn’t detract much from our experience. We were still able to enjoy the pools, restaurants, spa, and excursions. Obviously, everyone has different expectations for a tropical vacation, but we went primarily to relax and celebrate our anniversary, and we accomplished exactly that.

If you’re traveling during the rainy season, I wouldn’t automatically let the possibility of rain discourage you. Just be prepared for some less-than-perfect weather and plan accordingly.

1. Arrival and Check-In: 10/10

We arranged our airport transportation separately through Kalido, which I would also highly recommend. Their service was excellent.

Our driver dropped us off at the main Paradisus La Perla lobby, where we were immediately greeted by staff members who tagged our luggage and assured us it would be delivered directly to our room. We were also offered cold, scented towels to freshen up after our journey, which was a really nice touch.

Since we booked The Reserve, we were quickly escorted by golf cart to the dedicated Reserve lobby for check-in.

Once there, we were offered drinks while completing the check-in process. Everything was smooth, welcoming, and efficient.

A few things worth knowing about check-in:

• Environmental tax: There is a mandatory environmental tax collected at check-in. For our stay, it amounted to approximately $20–$30 USD, payable by cash or card. Just something to budget for.
• Wristbands: You’ll receive your resort wristband during check-in.
• WhatsApp: The staff will ask for your WhatsApp number so your personal concierge can communicate with you throughout your stay.
• Reserve lounge: The Reserve lobby has its own drink and snack bar exclusively for Reserve guests, which is convenient if you want to grab something while coming or going.

Our assigned concierge was Carlos, who turned out to be one of the highlights of our stay.

After check-in, another staff member personally escorted us to our suite, giving us a short tour of the property along the way.

Because we arrived later in the afternoon, we were informed that Carlos would formally introduce himself the following morning. However, he had already arranged dinner reservations for us at Tokimeku, one of the adults-only restaurants, so we wouldn’t have to worry about making plans that evening.

Within a few minutes of arriving at our room, our luggage was delivered.

Overall: An incredibly smooth arrival experience. We never felt rushed, confused, or left wondering what to do next. Everyone we encountered was friendly and welcoming, and we immediately felt taken care of.

Rating: 10/10

2. Our Room: The Reserve Suite Nature View: 9/10

We booked The Reserve Suite Nature View, which is listed at approximately 840 square feet, and were very pleased with our choice.

Our suite was located on the top floor, overlooking one of the pools and the quieter section of the resort, with the ocean visible in the background.

We thought the view was absolutely beautiful. Having the pool, surrounding greenery, and ocean in the distance made sitting on the terrace particularly enjoyable.

Layout and Comfort

The suite was very spacious, extremely clean, and well maintained.

Our king-sized bed was very comfortable, and there was more than enough closet and storage space for the two of us. The room also included an in-room safe.

The suite has a separate living area with a comfortable couch, television, and small dining table. There is also another television in the bedroom.

We particularly appreciated having the additional living space rather than everything being contained in a single hotel room.

The bathroom was large and nicely appointed. Our only minor observation was that the shower was somewhat smaller than we expected based on the photographs online. It was still very nice, just not quite as spacious as we had imagined.

Toiletries and Amenities

The resort provides a generous selection of toiletries, including:

• Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
• Exfoliating mitt
• Bath salts for the terrace hot tub
• Dental kits
• Plenty of bottled water

We appreciated that they provided ample bottled water, both for drinking and for brushing and rinsing our teeth.

The only additional amenity that would have been nice to have in the room was insect repellent. However, if you ask at The Reserve lobby or pool, staff can provide a natural bug repellent.

Kitchenette and Minibar

The suite also includes a convenient kitchenette area with a sink, Nespresso machine, electric kettle, mugs, and glassware.

The minibar was stocked with a selection of beer, soda, and juice, and there were also snacks available.

We found it convenient to have coffee available in the room, particularly in the mornings.

Terrace and Hot Tub

One of the main reasons we selected this particular suite was the private terrace with a hot tub.

We really enjoyed having this space, especially on quieter evenings. Sitting in the hot tub with a glass of wine was a wonderful way to unwind.

We did experience two minor issues with the hot tub: it took quite a while to fill, and some of the jets weren’t functioning properly.

Neither issue prevented us from enjoying it, but they are worth mentioning.

Housekeeping

Housekeeping deserves special recognition.

Both the morning housekeeping staff and the evening turndown staff were fantastic. Our room was consistently clean, everything was replenished, and they always made sure we had what we needed.

One afternoon, we returned to our suite to find a bottle of wine and a thoughtful handwritten note from our housekeeper. It was such a lovely and unexpected gesture.

These small personal touches really helped make our anniversary trip memorable.

Overall: We loved the suite. It was spacious, comfortable, and well appointed, with a gorgeous view and a wonderful terrace. The minor issues with the hot tub and the smaller-than-expected shower are the only reasons we wouldn’t give it a perfect score.

Rating: 9/10

3. The Reserve Concierge Service: 10/10

If I had to identify one of the biggest advantages of booking The Reserve, it would be the personalized concierge service.

Our concierge, Carlos, was absolutely wonderful.

As promised, he contacted us through WhatsApp the morning after our arrival, welcomed us to the resort, and encouraged us to reach out if there was anything he could do to improve our stay.

He also explained that he had already made dinner reservations for every evening of our visit but that we were welcome to request changes.

Later that first day, he made a point of finding us in person so he could introduce himself. We really appreciated that personal touch.

Throughout our stay, Carlos helped us with:

• Making and managing dinner reservations for all four nights.
• Booking our Destination Inclusive cenote excursion.
• Scheduling our complimentary Water Ritual/hydrotherapy experience at the spa.
• Sending us the resort’s daily activities and entertainment schedule each morning.
• Answering questions and responding promptly to anything we needed.
• Coordinating luggage pickup and departure arrangements.

He also arranged for our dinner at SAL Steak Cave on our final night. From our experience, it seemed that they preferred scheduling this restaurant toward the end of the stay, particularly for guests celebrating a special occasion.

One evening, Carlos surprised us by having a beautiful small cake and a bottle of wine delivered to our suite in celebration of our anniversary.

It was a thoughtful gesture that we genuinely appreciated.

The evening before our departure, he contacted us to ask what time our airport transfer would arrive so he could arrange for our luggage to be picked up from the suite. That way, we could enjoy our final morning without worrying about transporting our bags.

What impressed us most was how proactive he was. We rarely had to ask about anything because he was already checking in, making arrangements, or providing information.

He was also very responsive whenever we did contact him.

Overall: Carlos provided exactly the kind of attentive, personalized service we hoped for when booking The Reserve. He helped make our stay feel effortless and special.

Rating: 10/10

4. Dining and Drinks: 8/10

Food is obviously subjective, and everyone’s preferences are different. Rather than making blanket statements about whether a particular restaurant is “good” or “bad,” I’ll share our impressions of what we personally tried.

Across every restaurant we visited, one thing remained consistent: the service was excellent. The waitstaff were friendly, attentive, and genuinely made dining an enjoyable experience.

Dinner Restaurants

We ate at four different restaurants during our stay, one each evening.

Night 1: Tokimeku (Asian Fusion)

We thought Tokimeku was very good overall.

We ordered sushi and the catch of the day, both of which we enjoyed.

Surprisingly, our favorite item was the dessert spring roll. It was delicious and definitely worth trying.

This was an excellent choice for our arrival night.

Night 2: Flora

Of the four dinner restaurants, Flora was our least favorite.

To be clear, the food wasn’t bad. We enjoyed our meal, and the service was excellent, as it was everywhere else.

However, nothing we ordered really stood out to us. Compared with the other dining experiences, it simply lacked that little something special that would make us eager to return.

Again, this comes down to personal preference, and others may have a completely different experience.

Night 3: Lemon Fish (Peruvian-Inspired Cuisine)

Lemon Fish was fantastic.

The fish dishes we ordered were incredibly flavorful and cooked to perfection.

Everything tasted fresh, and the balance of flavors really stood out.

Of the dinner restaurants we tried, this was one of our favorites, and I would definitely recommend giving it a try.

Night 4: SAL Steak Cave

SAL appears to be one of the resort’s signature dining experiences.

For most guests, eating here comes with an additional charge. However, The Reserve includes one dinner at SAL during your stay, although your included meal is limited to a specific menu.

The full menu also offers premium selections, including USDA Prime and Wagyu steaks, but those were not part of our included Reserve menu.

The restaurant provides a more elevated atmosphere, and the staff make a special effort to recognize guests celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other occasions.

We noticed staff bringing out personalized desserts for celebrations, and for birthdays, they would sometimes sing and bring out sparklers. They also offered to take photographs of guests to commemorate the occasion.

It’s a nice experience for anyone celebrating something special.

As for the food itself, we thought it was very good overall, although there were a couple of shortcomings.

The steaks had some excess fat that we felt should have been trimmed before serving. Additionally, the mashed potatoes were overly puréed, resulting in a somewhat gluey texture rather than the light, fluffy consistency we would have preferred.

Neither issue ruined the meal, but they were noticeable, especially given the restaurant’s more premium positioning.

Despite those minor criticisms, we enjoyed both the food and the overall experience. The service and atmosphere helped make it a wonderful final dinner.

Breakfast

We tried two breakfast options during our stay: Hadar and Santé.

Hadar (Buffet)

For a buffet, we thought Hadar was very good.

There was a nice variety of options, including an omelet station where eggs were prepared to order and a toast station.

The food was enjoyable, and we had no complaints.

Santé (Exclusive to The Reserve)

Santé was easily our favorite breakfast spot.

Everything we tried was delicious, and we found ourselves particularly impressed with the quality and preparation of the food.

Having access to Santé was one of the biggest dining advantages of The Reserve.

If you book The Reserve, I would absolutely recommend taking advantage of this restaurant.

Lunch

We only ate lunch at Santé, primarily because we enjoyed the food there so much.

In fact, our favorite meals of the entire trip came from Santé’s lunch menu.

For me, the standout dish was the shrimp tacos. They were absolutely delicious.

For my partner, the favorite was the lechón (roasted pork) torta.

Both were fantastic, and if you’re staying in The Reserve, I would highly recommend trying them.

While we enjoyed the dinner restaurants, Santé was consistently our favorite place to eat.

Coffee

The resort has a Nespresso coffee stand where you can get coffee and sweet treats throughout the day.

We really enjoyed the coffee, and it was a convenient spot to stop for something quick.

Bars and Alcoholic Drinks

Every bar we visited had excellent bartenders, and we enjoyed everything we ordered.

Some of our favorite drinks included:

• Mojitos
• Palomas
• Piña coladas
• Sangria

We generally ordered the included house wine with dinner and thought it was perfectly enjoyable.

One thing to know is that the restaurants also offer separate premium wine menus, both by the glass and by the bottle, at an additional cost.

We never felt the need to purchase premium wine, but the option is available.

Room Service

One of the benefits of The Reserve is unlimited room service, which we used several times.

We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food.

We’ve had room service at other resorts and hotels where the food was noticeably inferior to what was served in the restaurants. That wasn’t our experience here.

Everything we ordered was very good, and it was a nice option when we wanted to relax in our suite instead of heading out for another meal.

Overall Dining Impressions

We were very happy with the food and drinks throughout our visit.

Some restaurants were clearly better than others based on our personal preferences, but we never had a genuinely bad meal.

Santé was the clear standout for both of us, followed by some excellent dishes at Lemon Fish and Tokimeku.

The consistently outstanding service across all dining venues also deserves recognition.

Rating: 8/10

5. The Reserve Experience: Was It Worth It? 10/10

This is probably one of the most common questions I’ve seen about Paradisus La Perla, and understandably so.

For us, The Reserve was absolutely worth the additional cost.

We booked it from the beginning rather than upgrading after arrival, and we’re very happy we made that decision.

For our particular stay, the Reserve experience included several benefits that we genuinely used and appreciated:

• A dedicated lobby and premium lounge for check-in and refreshments.
• Personalized concierge service.
• Access to Santé restaurant.
• Access to the dedicated Reserve pool and swim-up bar.
• A dedicated Reserve section of the beach with its own bar and Bali beds.
• One included dinner at SAL Steak Cave.
• A Destination Inclusive excursion to local cenotes.
• Access to the spa’s Water Ritual/hydrotherapy experience.
• Unlimited room service.
• Additional personalized amenities and services.

We also received a large beach bag and some nice hats as part of our Reserve experience, which was a pleasant surprise.

Of course, whether the upgrade makes financial sense depends on the price difference and what you value during a vacation.

If your priority is simply having a place to sleep while spending most of your time exploring outside the resort, you might not get the same value from these benefits.

However, if you’re planning to spend most of your vacation relaxing on the property, enjoying the dining options, and taking advantage of personalized services, I think The Reserve is worth serious consideration.

Here are some of the specific benefits we enjoyed most.

Destination Inclusive Cenote Excursion

One of our favorite experiences was the included excursion to two cenotes.

This is booked through your concierge, and I strongly recommend reserving your spots early because the excursion is offered only on certain days.

Our excursion departed the resort at approximately 7:30 a.m., and the drive to the location took around 25 minutes.

A few things I recommend bringing:

• Wear your swimsuit when you leave the resort.
• Bring a dry change of clothes.
• Bring water shoes.
• Consider bringing a waterproof phone case if you want to take pictures.
• Bring whatever personal items you’ll need for the morning.

Once you arrive, lockers are provided for storing your belongings.

There’s also an on-site shop selling swimsuits, water shoes, waterproof phone cases, and other items in case you’ve forgotten something.

The experience begins with approximately 10–15 minutes of yoga, although I would describe it more as light stretching than a formal yoga class.

Afterward, you’ll be provided with a life jacket and participate in a brief Maya-inspired ritual that explains the cultural and spiritual significance of the cenotes.

From there, you’ll visit two different cenotes.

The first cenote is partially enclosed within a cave, which creates a particularly beautiful atmosphere.

The second cenote is completely open, with opportunities for swimming and snorkeling.

Snorkeling equipment, including goggles and snorkels, was available for use at no additional charge. Just be careful not to lose anything.

At the second cenote, there was also a diving platform and two ziplines, all included in the experience.

Afterward, you can change into your dry clothes before returning to the resort.

A heads-up about photography: There are photographers who will take pictures of you throughout the experience and then offer to sell you a photo package at the end. During our visit, the package was approximately $45 USD.

There’s no obligation to purchase the pictures, so don’t feel pressured.

If you’d prefer to take your own photos, I strongly recommend bringing a waterproof case for your phone.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed this excursion. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience something different without having to arrange separate transportation or an outside tour.

The fact that it was included in The Reserve made it an even better experience.

Water Ritual/Hydrotherapy at the Spa

Another Reserve benefit we took advantage of was the included Water Ritual at the resort’s spa.

This was an incredibly relaxing experience and another highlight of our stay.

You reserve your appointment through your concierge.

You’ll want to bring a swimsuit and a dry change of clothes. Lockers are provided for your personal belongings.

The experience begins with approximately 10–15 minutes in the sauna, followed by a cold shower or rinse.

Next, you move into the steam room for around 10 minutes.

While you’re in the steam room, staff bring you a body scrub to apply to your skin, with instructions not to use it on your face.

After the steam room, you’ll take another cold shower or rinse before proceeding to the spa’s dedicated pool area.

This portion of the experience is more flexible, allowing you to move between the different facilities at your own pace.

The pool area includes:

• A large, unheated pool with several different massage jets.
• A cold plunge tub.
• A hot tub.
• Comfortable lounge beds.
• A small snack and refreshment area.

The jets in the main pool were particularly enjoyable, and we found the entire experience very relaxing.

You can rotate between the different pools as often as you’d like and spend time lounging between them.

One thing couples should know is that the sauna and steam room portions are separated by gender. However, you’ll reunite in the main hydrotherapy pool area afterward.

Once you’re finished, you can return to the locker room to shower and change.

The locker rooms also have a swimsuit water extractor, which helps remove excess water from your swimsuit. Staff provide a plastic bag for your wet clothing as well.

It’s a small detail, but one we appreciated.

The spa staff were excellent throughout the experience, providing instructions and making sure we were comfortable without making us feel rushed.

I would absolutely recommend scheduling this during your stay.

The Reserve Pool

We spent our pool time exclusively at The Reserve pool, so I can’t speak to the other pools on the property.

However, we loved the Reserve pool experience.

The area was comfortable, relaxing, and well maintained, and the service was exceptional.

The pool staff were incredibly attentive, frequently checking to make sure we had everything we needed.

There is a swim-up bar, and the bartenders were wonderful.

The Bali beds and loungers were also very comfortable and made it easy to spend several hours relaxing by the pool.

There’s a dedicated towel station, and staff also have sunscreen and after-sun lotion available.

If you’re visiting during a busier period, I would recommend heading down to the pool a little earlier to secure your preferred spot.

A funny but important warning about the coatis:

The resort has coatis, which are small, raccoon-like animals that roam around the property.

They’re adorable, but they are also surprisingly clever and very interested in your snacks.

We learned that they’ll actively investigate unattended bags, especially if they smell food or sweets. They can even unzip bags!

So definitely keep an eye on your belongings, particularly if you have snacks with you.

And as tempting as it might be, please don’t feed or pet them. They’re wild animals, and it’s best to appreciate them from a distance.

Another recommendation is to bring insect repellent to the pool.

If you forget yours, the pool staff or Reserve lobby can provide a natural repellent. If you’d prefer something stronger, the resort gift shop also sells insect repellent.

Despite the occasional mosquito and the snack-seeking coatis, we thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Reserve pool.

The Reserve Beach

We also visited the section of the beach exclusively reserved for The Reserve guests.

Like the dedicated pool area, the Reserve beach section has its own bar and a selection of comfortable-looking Bali beds, making it another appealing place to relax and enjoy a drink while taking in the ocean views.

Unfortunately, because of the rainy and windy weather during our stay, we didn’t spend nearly as much time at the beach as we originally anticipated. Instead, we opted to spend most of our outdoor relaxation time at The Reserve pool.

However, from what we were able to experience, we could easily see ourselves spending several hours at the beach under better weather conditions.

We did walk into the ocean a bit, and the water was wonderfully warm. The sand was also very soft and pleasant underfoot.

That said, there are a couple of things worth mentioning about the beach conditions during our particular visit.

Because of the recent storms and windy weather, the ocean water was somewhat murky rather than the clear turquoise water many people associate with the Caribbean.

There was also some sargassum (seaweed) accumulation along the beach, which we attributed to the recent storm activity.

However, something we appreciated was that the resort had staff actively working to remove the accumulated sargassum and keep the beach clean.

It’s worth emphasizing that these observations are specific to the conditions during our October visit. Beach and ocean conditions can change considerably depending on the weather, season, and recent storms, so I wouldn’t necessarily assume this is what the beach looks like year-round.

We also didn’t spend enough time on the beach to give a comprehensive assessment of the beachside service or overall experience.

Still, the dedicated Reserve area seemed very inviting. Having its own bar and Bali beds was another nice benefit of the upgrade, and we could definitely envision ourselves spending a relaxing afternoon there with some drinks and a good book.

Overall: Although the weather prevented us from fully enjoying the beach, we liked what we saw. The warm ocean water, soft sand, dedicated Reserve amenities, and visible efforts by staff to maintain the beach were all positives. If we return to Paradisus La Perla when the weather is cooperating, spending more time at the beach will definitely be on our list.

Final Thoughts on The Reserve

For us, the combination of concierge service, exclusive dining, the dedicated pool and beach areas, spa access, cenote excursion, and other amenities more than justified the upgrade.

We also appreciated how seamlessly everything worked together. Our concierge handled reservations, helped coordinate activities, and made sure we had everything we needed.

Rather than spending our vacation figuring out logistics, we were able to simply enjoy ourselves.

Rating: 10/10

6. Entertainment and Activities

Although we primarily visited the resort to relax, there appeared to be plenty of activities available for guests who wanted to participate.

The resort hosts different evening events throughout the week.

From what we saw, there was a DJ on most nights, along with other entertainment such as:

• Karaoke nights
• Casino nights
• Mexican fiesta events
• Acoustic live music
• Other themed entertainment

We didn’t participate in most of the evening events, but we did attend one of the acoustic music nights and really enjoyed it.

The atmosphere was fun and relaxed.

Throughout the daytime, the resort also offers a variety of organized activities, including cocktail-making classes, cooking classes, dance lessons, arts and crafts, yoga, and water aerobics.

We didn’t personally participate in those daytime activities, so I can’t comment on their quality.

However, based on the schedule and what we observed, there seemed to be plenty of options for guests who wanted to stay busy.

I also want to clarify something about the general atmosphere.

La Perla felt more like a resort for relaxing and enjoying yourself than a resort built around nonstop partying.

That’s exactly what we were looking for.

There’s certainly music, entertainment, and opportunities to socialize, but we never felt like we were in the middle of a loud spring-break-style party environment.

For couples celebrating an anniversary, honeymoon, or simply looking to unwind, I think the overall atmosphere is a major selling point.

7. Tipping: What We Brought and What We Typically Gave

I know tipping is a common topic when discussing all-inclusive resorts, so I wanted to share what we personally did.

First, tipping is not mandatory, and these amounts are simply what we chose to give.

We generally make a point of tipping the people who provide services throughout our stay, including restaurant staff, bartenders, housekeeping, pool attendants, bellhops, and our concierge.

For this four-night visit, we brought approximately $200 USD worth of Mexican pesos specifically for tips, and that was sufficient for our stay.

We prefer using pesos rather than relying on U.S. dollars because it makes smaller tips convenient and allows staff to receive money in the local currency.

Here is a breakdown of our typical tipping amounts:

|Service|Typical tip (MXN)|
|:-|:-|
|Lunch and dinner waitstaff|$100 pesos per meal|
|Breakfast buffet waitstaff|$50 pesos per visit|
|Housekeeping|$100 pesos per service|
|Bartenders|$20 pesos per drink|
|Bellhop/luggage assistance|$50 pesos per service|
|Room service|$50 pesos per delivery|
|Poolside waitstaff|$100–$200 pesos per day|
|Coffee shop staff|$20 pesos|
|Spa staff|$50 pesos|
|Airport transfer driver|$200 pesos each way|
|Personal concierge|$400 pesos at the end of our stay|

For reference, during our trip, $100 pesos was approximately $5 USD, while $20 pesos was roughly $1 USD. Exchange rates will obviously fluctuate.

We adjusted our poolside tips depending on how long we spent at the pool and how much service we received.

We also tipped housekeeping separately for morning cleaning and evening turndown service.

At the end of the trip, we gave Carlos, our concierge, 400 pesos (approximately $20 USD) to thank him for all his assistance.

Again, these are not rules or expectations. They’re simply what we were comfortable giving.

We believe in recognizing good service, particularly when people go out of their way to make our vacation special.

One thing I’ll emphasize is that the staff throughout this resort were absolutely wonderful. Whether we were interacting with restaurant servers, bartenders, pool attendants, housekeeping, or our concierge, we were consistently treated with kindness and professionalism.

Their hospitality was one of the biggest reasons we enjoyed our stay so much.

8. Check-Out: 10/10

Our departure experience was just as smooth as our arrival.

Because our airport transfer wasn’t scheduled until the early afternoon, Carlos made arrangements for our luggage to be collected from our room and brought to the main lobby.

This allowed us to make the most of our final morning without having to worry about transporting our luggage ourselves.

He also sent us a link to complete the check-out process online, eliminating the need to stop at the reception desk.

After enjoying breakfast, we made our way to the lobby, where our luggage was already waiting for us.

Shortly afterward, our Kalido driver arrived to take us back to the airport.

Everything was incredibly straightforward.

It was the kind of stress-free departure you hope for at the end of a relaxing vacation.

Rating: 10/10

9. Overall Impressions and Final Recommendation

We genuinely loved our four nights at Paradisus La Perla.

For us, the biggest standout was the quality of the service.

From the moment we arrived until the moment we left, the staff consistently made us feel welcomed, appreciated, and well taken care of.

There were so many thoughtful gestures throughout the trip, including the wine and note from housekeeping, the anniversary cake and wine arranged by Carlos, the friendly poolside service, and the personalized attention we received throughout our stay.

Those experiences made our anniversary celebration feel special.

The suite itself was spacious, comfortable, and beautiful, and we really enjoyed having a private hot tub on the terrace.

The dining experience was very good overall, with Santé being the clear favorite for both of us.

The cenote excursion and hydrotherapy experience were also excellent additions that helped make our stay more memorable.

Although we didn’t get to spend as much time at the beach as we would have liked, the dedicated Reserve section looked like a wonderful place to relax under better weather conditions. We especially appreciated the warm ocean water, soft sand, and the staff’s efforts to address the sargassum brought in by recent storms.

And while the weather wasn’t ideal, with rain and clouds for most of our visit, we still had a wonderful time. In some ways, the relaxed pace of the trip was exactly what we needed.

Our Ratings

|Category|Rating|
|:-|:-|
|Arrival and check-in|10/10|
|The Reserve Suite Nature View|9/10|
|Personal concierge service|10/10|
|Food and dining|8/10|
|The Reserve experience|10/10|
|Check-out|10/10|

We didn’t assign separate ratings for the beach or entertainment because we didn’t spend enough time experiencing either to provide a comprehensive assessment.

Would We Recommend Paradisus La Perla?

Absolutely.

I would particularly recommend it to couples looking for a quieter, more relaxing adults-only vacation rather than a resort where the main attraction is partying.

There’s enough entertainment and activity available if you want it, but it’s also a wonderful place to simply lounge by the pool, enjoy good food and drinks, and spend time together.

Would We Book The Reserve Again?

Without hesitation.

For our anniversary trip, The Reserve was worth every penny.

The concierge service, exclusive restaurant, dedicated pool and beach areas, cenote excursion, spa hydrotherapy, and extra personal touches made a meaningful difference in our experience.

I’m not suggesting everyone needs The Reserve to have a wonderful stay at La Perla. We can’t directly compare it with a standard stay because we booked The Reserve from the start.

However, based on everything we experienced and used, we personally felt the upgrade provided excellent value.

Anything We Would Change?

There were only a few relatively minor things:

• The hot tub in our suite was slow to fill, and some jets weren’t working.
• The shower was smaller than expected based on the online photographs.
• Flora was less memorable than the other restaurants we tried.
• Certain dishes at SAL, particularly the mashed potatoes and steak trimming, could have been executed better.
• Having insect repellent included among the in-room amenities would have been convenient.

The only other disappointment was beyond the resort’s control: the weather. The rain, wind, and recent storms meant we weren’t able to enjoy the beach as much as we had hoped, and the ocean wasn’t as clear as it might be under more favorable conditions.

However, we appreciated seeing staff actively cleaning up the sargassum, and we certainly wouldn’t hold the weather against the resort.

None of these issues substantially affected our overall enjoyment.

Ultimately, Paradisus La Perla delivered exactly what we wanted from our anniversary vacation: relaxation, excellent hospitality, good food, comfortable accommodations, and memorable experiences together.

We would happily return, hopefully with a little more sunshine next time, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to others looking for a similar kind of getaway.

I hope this helps anyone considering Paradisus La Perla or trying to decide whether The Reserve upgrade is worthwhile. I’m happy to answer questions about the resort, our suite, the restaurants, the beach, or any of the Reserve amenities we experienced!