we spent 2 weeks between 29 jan-12 februry in SERC.
for the first time in Mexico with big expectations and hoping we will get an unforgettable vacation.We did. The hotel is OK.not fantastic but a normal 4-5 star level. Arrival-after 12 hours flight we arrived at the hotel,where a gentleman called Giancarlo,introduced himself like our personal manager who will take care of us during all of our stay.Was the first and last time we met him during two weeks.
The rooms are confortable,well equipped with mexican style furniture.The bed is too high (even for me I am 2 meter)and too hard.We had a swim out suite with excellence club . The services given by this club are nice ,however not allways top quality.The two ladies working there,have serious language or attitude problems.On my oppinion du not use the exellence club.
Room service-we tried to use the room service on the first three days,then we gave up. It was impossible to get the same breakfast,the juice was too much 8 glases,or the croissants to could,or the fruits .the use of the secret box is a good idea but not working.The noise made by the staff bringing your breakfast weaks up not only you but the other two rooms next to you.So we decided not to use .The TV is not allways functioning and the reparation needs one day.
The entertainers - we never met so enthousiasthic peoples like Jean-paul and his friend,however they need a lot of training how to behave and speak with guests.they are too arrogant and agressive,with low results on their activity..One exeption and congratulations to Mr. Ivan Diaz a real gentleman with a good sense of humor and a real yoga specialist.
The food-in line with our expectations.The restaurants are trying to do their best.We visited all the restaurants and i can conclude that the attitude of the waiters should be improoved as soon as possible.They are to friendly and some time pushy.the only thing they want is to get extra money.Exception is the far best Bordeaux restaurant with his manager a real expert coming from the Ritz Carlton Cancun and his best employee Roberto.
The service on the beach is good especially do to Gimer a wonderfull young man who with huge efforts try to do everithing for the guests.
The pool -only the heated pools can be used ,and only in the morning hours.for swimming.
Our conclusion is that combined the stay in SERC with wisiting the wonderfull historic places like Tulum,Coba and Chichen-itza ,spending a day in Xel-ha brings a wonderfull holiday.
Do we want to go back? Yes -to see the improovements .

Having spent two weeks at "Secrets"and been home long enough to reflect, We feel this is the right time to post a review.

We feel the reason a lot of the reviews are at extremes ("wonderous paradise", "awful place" etc) is that reviewers do not always mention if this hotel is of a standard they would routinely visit and, therefore, be well placed to make comparison.

We arrived 15 January 2006, and were greeted by painters and gardeners putting the finishing touches to the site following Wilma. To say the hotel was devastated is an under-statement. Look next door and you will see derelict houses, apartments and small hotels in a state of collapse, and only just undergoing remedial works. The staff and the hotel have worked miracles to restore Secrets to an improved standard from the original.

The staff have been mentioned. These are the number one asset here, and wherever we went. They are always helpful, eager to please, respectful, and with humility and some humour.

Rooms, cleanliness, service, drinks, all at a first rate level. Food was, we felt, good to very good in all the restaurants. In fact we thought the worst was Bordeaux and the best was Portofino - the opposite to popular opinion it seems. Suffice to say, there was ample variety and quality for a fourteen day stay.

Pools, pool service, beds, towels, ancillary facilities were all first class, with a particular mention to Balbina.

The hotel is superbly located on the beach but, in our opinon, this is what does not give Secrets the Excellent tag. The beach has been "put back" after Wilma, and the sand is great. But, the sea is not so. Sea grass abounds, the colour of the sea and the sea front vistas, are poor when compared to similarly priced Caribbean resorts, such as Barbados and Cuba for example. To go to the Caribbean for two weeks and not swim in the sea is a first for us.

Location.... 2km from the main road, which goes South to Playa Del Carmen ($35 dollars each way taxi), and North to Cancun ($25 dollars) which was a virtual building site back in January.

Would we go again? Yes, but only when we have seen all the rest the Caribbean has to offer...

Just returned Saturday night from SERC to land in the middle of a Nor 'eastern that greeted us with close to a foot of snow. Reality check! Was SERC actually a dream or did we really just spend an incredible week at one of the nicest resorts we've ever been to. The three other couples that we traveled with confirmed we were actually there.

I have been reading TA reviews and forums since the hurricane and had a good idea of what to expect when we arrived. The resort itself is beautiful and has recovered from the damage caused by Wilma. The grounds are well manicured and the plants are flourishing but will need some time to mature. The rooms are the best I have encountered at an all inclusive and are the same whether you are in the 'Excellence Club' or not. We had a swim out suite with a view of the spa- very peaceful.

The beach has received some bad reviews in the past but I believe they are unfounded. The beach was over 60 wide yards from the steps to the waters edge and ran the full length of the resort. There were plenty of palapas with lounges and we could always find a seat somewhere. The sand was fine without rocks or rubble and the staff sifted and cleaned the seagrass from the waters edge at least 2 times daily. The seagrass (not seaweed) is from in front of the coral reef about a mile offshore.

The food was very good to excellent at all of the many restaurants on the property. If you are at an all-inclusive and get a meal you don't like, don't complain, try something else! There is bound to be something to your liking. Now, about the BARS!!! We never went thirsty. We always seemed to be within direct eyesight of a bar or a server.

The ONLY complaint our group had about this resort was that the main pool with the swim-up bar was cold- not cool... cold. It would make more sense to heat the main pool instead of the other two more remote pools. We know this is only a problem during the winter months but that is when we like to travel.

The day after we arrived, we attended the best Super Bowl party I have ever been to right on the beach! The staff spent all day setting up and managed to pull off an event that I will never forget. The attention to details is evident throughout everything they do at Secrets and most notably at the Spa. We had a couples massage with the 'water circuit' beforehand (highly recommend both). My wife also had a pedicure and hot stone massage which she thoroughly enjoyed. Some reviewers have complained about the spa prices but they really are in line with other 4 and 5 star resorts. There are daily specials that you can wait for if cost is your chief concern.

What sets this resort apart from the others we have visited is the wonderful staff. From the first moment you are greeted until the mournful moment of departure, the staff was professional and attentive. They were willing to help in any way that they could. While walking around the resort they would all greet you with a smile and an "hola" or "buenos dias". It would be hard to single out any one in particular since they are all why Secrets is truly Excellent. We highly recommend this resort and would go back in a heartbeat.

We stayed here from Jan. 24 to Jan.30, 2006. The room (a jr. suite in the club level) was great. Very large shower, and nice vanity. There is not a drawer in the place, so storage of clothing is adequate at best. Bed was good.

TV reception was sporatic; sometimes the channels worked, other times not.

We were supposed to have internet access in our room; what a lie. After many complaints, the front desk clerk just shook her shoulders. They could care less about internet. Apparently they just promote this to entice you.

The food was comparable to a Carnival cruise ship. Don't get your hopes up.

Service was both hot and cold. Some employees seemed to be very interested in your satisfaction; others just acted like they could not speak english.

Bar service- again don't get your hopes up. They use the cheapest liquor they can find and even at that, they don't use much of it. Basically watered down drinks. Order a bottle of wine to your room and you are told "only two glasses at a time"

I will not be back.