Planning the perfect getaway often involves a lot of research, especially when you’re seeking a luxurious, five-star experience. Recently, I had the pleasure of staying at Paradisus La Perla, an adults-only resort in the stunning Riviera Maya, Mexico. This trip was booked as part of a package holiday with British Airways, and despite a few challenges along the way, it turned out to be an unforgettable experience. From the moment I arrived at this tropical paradise, I knew I was in for something special. In this blog, I’ll take you through my entire journey—from the initial flights to the breathtaking beauty of Paradisus La Perla, and why I’m already planning my return.
Edinburgh to London Gatwick with Overnight Hotel Stay
When we booked our package holiday with British Airways, the main flight was exclusively from London Gatwick. Since I live in Edinburgh, I had to book an additional flight separately. Due to the early departure of the London to Cancun flight, I decided to fly to London the night before and book a hotel. Everything went smoothly—no delays or issues. I chose to stay at the Travelodge Gatwick Airport Central, where I paid £55.99 for a double room. This rate was for the room only and did not include breakfast or any additional amenities.
Flying London Gatwick to Cancun with British Airways
I’ve always said that if I were to fly for seven hours or more, I would splurge on Premium or Business class. However, this time, budget constraints didn’t allow for that, so I flew in Economy.
We booked seats 45A and 45B, which were towards the back of the plane and only had two seats in the row. This provided additional comfort, as we knew we wouldn’t have to share the row with a third passenger, allowing us to fully relax.
Unfortunately, the flight was delayed by four hours, which was incredibly frustrating as it meant we wouldn’t arrive at our hotel until very late in the evening, essentially losing most of our first night.
Surprisingly, the flight went by fairly quickly. British Airways provides free alcoholic drinks (although I suspect availability depends on the crew, as some staff members were a bit sassy), which always helps you settle in and sleep a little.
We spent most of the flight watching movies and chatting, but we also purchased the onboard Wi-Fi package, which cost £16. This made the time go by faster, as we could stay connected with loved ones and friends.
I still wish I had booked Business class though—I can never sleep on long-haul flights, and a flatbed wouldn’t have gone amiss.
Meals Onboard the London Gatwick Flight to Cancun
As both of us are vegan/vegetarian, our meals were fairly similar. I had the Vegan Gnocchi with Arrabbiata Sauce, a chickpea side salad, and a chocolate duo dessert. Everything was really tasty, and I was fairly satisfied—it helped that I ate all my snacks within about 40 minutes of taking off.
Later, they brought out a second meal, but I honestly can’t remember what it was, and I didn’t take any pictures, which suggests I was either too tired or it wasn’t very memorable.
Transfers from Cancun Airport to Paradisus La Perla, Riviera Maya
Transfers were not included in our British Airways holiday package, so we booked them separately through a company called Kalido. Fortunately, they had drivers, minibuses, and coaches readily available at the airport, so we didn’t have to wait long.
The transfer took about 45 minutes, and the driver kindly offered us water and beer, which was a lovely touch.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that our hotel provided a transfer for the way home, which I’m assuming was complimentary!
Arrival at Paradisus La Perla, Riviera Mara
Upon arrival, we were escorted into the check in lounge where we were offered small bites to eat and refreshments. It was around 9pm when we arrived so we were exhausted and ready to wind down and sleep.
The checkin entire lounge was very relaxing, and just what you’d expect for a five star hotel. Check in was very smooth and we were transferred to our hotel room via golf cart which was very exciting.
Junior Suite, Paradisus La Perla, Riviera Mara Review
We booked a Junior Suite that included a whirlpool bath on the balcony, which, in theory, sounds amazing. However, in the peak heat of Mexico, a hot bath wasn’t the greatest idea—but we still made the most of it and loved it.
The room was absolutely gorgeous, spacious, and had probably the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in. Access to your room is controlled by a wrist strap, so no key card is necessary.
The suite is designed as one large room with bifold doors that separate the bathroom and sleeping area. If you’re a couple, this setup is fine, but if you’re traveling with a friend, you might want to keep those doors closed. The toilet and bathroom are completely separated, so there shouldn’t be any concerns there.
The suite was furnished with luxurious amenities, including a Nespresso machine with daily replenished pods, a 70cl bottle of whiskey, a 70cl bottle of champagne, and a 70cl bottle of agave.
Overall thoughts on Paradisus La Perla, Riviera Mara
Visually, Paradisus La Perla is absolutely stunning. The resort is nestled in a lush tropical setting, surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens and pristine beaches just steps away. The architecture and decor blend modern elegance with a touch of local flair, creating a serene and sophisticated atmosphere. The resort is expansive and is actually divided into two parts: La Perla, which is adults-only, and La Esmeralda, which is family-friendly. La Perla guests can visit the La Esmeralda side to dine at the restaurants and use the pool, but La Esmeralda guests cannot access La Perla.
Every member of the team went above and beyond to ensure my stay was perfect. Their warmth, professionalism, and genuine desire to make our visit special left a lasting impression.
As Reserve guests, we had access to a personal concierge service, with whom we stayed in touch via WhatsApp. Our personal concierge, Julia, was fantastic! We’d let her know what kind of mood we were in for dinner, and she’d handle the reservations. However, if you’re not someone who likes to plan ahead, you might struggle, as many restaurants get fully booked, even with Reserve priority.
Dining at Paradisus La Perla, Riviera Maya
Paradisus La Perla in Riviera Maya offers a diverse range of dining options, ensuring guests have access to a variety of cuisines. The resort features seven distinct restaurants:
- Sal Steak Cave – A unique steakhouse offering premium cuts of meat in a cave-like setting.
- Lemon Fish – Specialising in Latin fusion cuisine with a notable ceviche bar.
- Cappella – Focused on Italian cuisine, offering classic dishes with a contemporary twist.
- Gabi Club – A beachside restaurant providing international fare in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Bana – An Asian fusion restaurant that serves a mix of sushi and other Asian-inspired dishes.
- The Market – A Mediterranean restaurant that blends fresh ingredients with traditional Mediterranean flavours.
- Fuego – A Latin grill that offers vibrant, fiery dishes with bold flavours.
- La Palapa – A Reserve-exclusive restaurant open for lunchtimes.
*It’s worth noting that I beleive the name and theme of the restaurants change quite frequently. And even as we were leaving, they were refurbishing one to become a vegetarian restaurant.
Additionally, the resort features eight bars, including poolside and beach bars, where guests can enjoy a wide range of drinks and cocktails throughout the day.
One thing I wish they had provided was a guide or booklet listing all the dining options at Paradisus, as we didn’t fully know what was available until some places were already fully booked.
As Reserve guests, we had access to an exclusive restaurant for lunch, La Palapa, which we absolutely loved and visited every day for both breakfast and lunch!
Outside the Paradisus La Perla Resort
Unless you’re doing an excursion or heading to the beach, it’s generally not advised to leave the resort. However, my friend wanted to check out the local vegan restaurants in Playa del Carmen, and I was determined to visit Sephora, so we took a taxi to Fifth Avenue, wandered around, and explored.
We hadn’t initially planned to leave the resort; we started with a walk on the beach and just kept going! The hotel has direct access to the beach, and if you’re in the Reserve, you have a designated area.
We asked the hotel to call us a taxi, and each driver has to be signed in and out of the resort, with security noting your room number, which made us feel quite secure. Getting around was really easy; the taxi driver gave us their phone number and told us to message them via WhatsApp to arrange the return trip. It was almost like having a personal chauffeur.
We headed to a restaurant called Comet 984 and had burgers, shakes, and sides. The food was tasty!
One thing to be aware of when heading to Fifth Avenue is that you will likely be approached by local vendors. This is quite common in the Caribbean, but I didn’t expect it to be similar in Mexico. A few vendors said things like, “I served you at Paradisus; I work here on my days off,” which isn’t true—they just recognised the Paradisus wristband.
The Reserve Experience at Paradisus La Perla, Riviera Maya
We were initially apprehensive about booking the Reserve, as it was an extra £300 per person, and when we looked at the benefits, we primarily chose it for the whirlpool bath. Looking back, I’m so glad we did. Not only did we get the whirlpool bath, but we also had access to Reserve-only areas such as a private pool area, restaurant, concierge, and even a free cenote tour.
It’s worth it alone for the Reserve-only private pool area as the main La Perla pool can be quite busy. Especially good if you’re someone who likes to relax in a bit of peace and quiet. If you look at my photos below, you’ll see that the pool was virtually empty!
Negatives/Complaints About Paradisus La Perla, Riviera Maya
I wouldn’t say I have any major negatives or complaints about Paradisus La Perla. The only feedback I have is regarding communication. Since we checked in late, we didn’t meet our concierge until the third day, which meant we had no idea how the restaurant booking system worked. Fortunately, we were asleep by 7 pm the first few evenings due to jet lag.
Would I Return to Paradisus La Perla, Riviera Maya?
100% yes. I’ve been searching high and low for restaurants of the same standard and have been trying to convince my partner to fly halfway around the world just to go back to Paradisus La Perla. I check hotel and flight availability at least once a week. To be honest, it’s probably the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in.
