Vacation Rentals by Owner

Villa Yardena, Soliman Bay [#314514] | View Property

Soliman Bay
Villa, 9 Bedrooms, 9.5 Baths (Sleeps 26)
$7100 - $19000/wk US Dollars
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Traveler Reviews (14)

• The perfect house for a large family

  The perfect house for a large family

  • Guest Carrotty
  • Date of stay 01/19/13
  • Review Submitted 02/01/13
  Our family group of 10 adults and 9 children, ranging in age from toddler to teenager, stayed for a week this January. The house was perfect for us in every way. There was enough room to spread out and have privacy, yet the common areas (living room, pool, beach) were large enough that everyone wanted to congregate there. The bay was calm enough that the older children could go out snorkeling on their own. Soliman Bay has the most wonderful reef, very alive and diverse, and the snorkeling was excellent. We saw manta rays, sea turtles, barracudas, squid, and a large variety of colorful fish. We enjoyed all the meals Alberto and Benito prepared for us- they were very pleasant and accomodating. The housekeeping staff and gardener did a great job of cleaning and picking up, but never seemed to be in the way. Ramain even blew up inflatable pool toys for all the children and set up a volleyball net for us on the beach. There are many things to do in the area- unfortunately the children never wanted to leave the house and beach. When we visited the ruins and cenotes they couldn't wait till we got back. We all agreed you could spend a week here and never leave the house and still not be bored. We have rented many houses for our vacations- this was the best ever and perfectly fit our large family. Also, the owner was always prompt in responding to any questions and very agreeable to our special requests. I highly recommend this quiet, tranquil and lovely location.

  Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

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• Kelly 74

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  Kelly 74

  • Guest Kelly
  • Date of stay 06/19/11
  • Review Submitted 09/21/11
  We are a blended family of all ages ranging from 17 to 40 (plus parents). There were 11 of us and obviously our interests varied. From the arrival with the gracious assistance of anna, our on site "concierge", to the first of many of the most incredible meals prepared by Jose Carlos, our chef ... this was the most amazing vacation experience of my life! There are, however, some things I was not prepared for. The drive from the airport in Cancun was longer than I had originally anticipated. (It took about an hour and 45 minutes so just prepare yourself for a drive once you land). The house was better equipped than I thought! It had an incredible stereo system that we plugged our iPods into that played all around the pool! Watch out for the pool tiles ... they are very slick when wet! The staff at the house was so kind and respectful that you feel somewhat "lost" when you leave them behind! The grounds keeper was maticulous diligent and kept the outdoor space clean, hosed down, and the sand out of the pool! Jose's assistant was so very nice and gracious! When we were looking into vacation options, we never even dreamed this type of facility and staff were an option. If you want to feel like you're treated like royalty but have all the comfort of feeling like you can be "at home" ... Casa Yardena is the place to vacation. It was a tremendous value for the money and all activities can be pre-arranged with the Concierge assistance they provide! I would be happy to provide any further details or specifics you might be interested in. Feel free to contact me at [--] if you have any specific questions. All of the kiddos and adults that participated are already thinking about ensuring we can afford to get back next year! If you were planning a "once in a lifetime" vacation ... this is it! I have added this to my "bucket list" as a must do ... Again!

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• Our Daydrems trip

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  Our Daydrems trip

  • Guest Jen
  • Date of stay 03/01/11
  • Review Submitted 09/21/11
  We are safely back in atlanta; however our daydreams are of snorkeling in Soliman Bay, a family lunch at Casa Yardena, and a Negra Modela! Our family had a wonderful vacation during our stay at Casa Yardena and appreciate everything you, Anna, and the staff did to make our stay so special. This was our 6th trip and we have watched our four grandsons grow from 2, 3,4, & 5 year olds playing on the beach into 8,9, 10, & 11 year olds who are graceful swimmers and snorkelers! The improvements you have made to the property are very nice and we particularly enjoyed the new built-in cushioned areas. We have always thought Casa Yardena to be a beautiful home and each year we have looked forward to being there. It was also nice to have the groceries stocked when we arrived. Thank you for suggesting this.

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• Thanks for everything!!!

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  Thanks for everything!!!

  • Guest A guest from Baltimore
  • Date of stay 02/01/11
  • Review Submitted 09/21/11
  We had a wonderful vacation at Villa Yardena! We loved the house, the food and the beach. Thanks for everything!

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• I could eat a bowl of his ceviche every day

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  I could eat a bowl of his ceviche every day

  • Guest Clip
  • Date of stay 01/01/11
  • Review Submitted 09/21/11
  My stepfather rented Casa Yardena for the last week of Janaury 2011 to celebrate his 70th birthday with friends and family. We have 19 people - 13 adults and 6 kids aged 3 - 10. The house accomodated our group easily, and I recommend it. Our group barely left the house, and I think we were all fine with that. It's so nice, and the pool and the beach are right there, so there's almost no reason to leave. The house was always clean and well kept. The staff was very nice, helpful when you needed them, and unobstrusive when you did not need them. Need a taxi, a chartered fishing boat, etc? They can help point you in the right direction. We had a couple of spanish speakers in our group, so that probably helped our communication, but I think a group who spoke no spanish would still get all the help they need. Chef Carlos and his assistants cooked up plenty of yummy local food - I could eat a bowl of his ceviche every day. Note that the chef is happy to cook something extra for the kids if the main dish is not something the kids like. (We had a few picky kid eaters.) Also, he can accomodate vegetarians, as we had a few in our group. The final food bill at the end of the week, including tips and alcohol, was divided by the 13 adults and still came to just under $200 per adult. Try doing that at a resort. Security seemed very good, with a crew of security guards that provided security up and down the beach to all the houses, and one of them was stationed right at our house every night. They also keep an eye on who comes down the single road that serves Casa Yardena and the other rental houses on that beach, as you have to drive past the guardshack to get to the houses. I never felt unsafe while at Casa Yardena. The beach is very nice. San is perfect, and raked every morning. Plenty of coconut trees for shade. (Chop open a green coconut for fresh coconut water - yum. The house has a mchete you can use.) There is some sea grass at the entrace to the water, but that didn't really bother anyone. Kayaking around the bay is great, and the reef across the mouth of the bay keeps wave action to a minimum so it is ok for young ones and those who aren't strong swimmers - there is no shore break or undertow to speak of. Kayak out to the second bouy directly in front of the house and tie off/ anchor there for some great snorkeling. Averages about 8 - 10 feet deep at that point. Generally sandy bottom with large coral heads spaced around.

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• Our stay at Casa Yardena was really amazing!!!

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  Our stay at Casa Yardena was really amazing!!!

  • Guest Alexandra
  • Date of stay 12/02/10
  • Review Submitted 09/21/11
  Our stay at Casa Yardena in Soliman Bay was really amazing. The house is beautiful, a real dream. The staff is very friendly. The Chef is great, made us a different Mexican style meal every day :) We were happy that there was security on the bay and also a night guard. This made our stay feel very SAFE. The water was great, the weather was great. We enjoyed eating at the Sahara Cafe and also Oscar and Lalo restaurant.

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• Just the way you want!

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  Just the way you want!

  • Guest RCleave
  • Date of stay 11/04/10
  • Review Submitted 09/21/11
  We were 12 friends, 3 couples, and wanted to rent a villa on the beach that was in Riviera Maya. We had airport transfers waiting for us at our arrival. Brought us straight to the house that already had the fridge filled with groceries that we had organized before. We spent a week on the beach, just relaxing and enjoying the sun. It is really fun to have someone cook for you all the meals just the way you want them. The house is really beautiful, all of the rooms are the same quality. The staff is great, location is perfect. We arrived early to the house and they let us enjoy the pool and had snacks ready for us!

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• I couldn't have asked for anything better!!!

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  I couldn't have asked for anything better!!!

  • Guest Robert
  • Date of stay 08/10/10
  • Review Submitted 09/21/11
  Stayed for a week from august 21st to 28th, 2010 for my 50th birthday. We were 20 friends and family, mix of adults and children (age 2 to 65). Everything was perfect! House was always well maintained, chef was great, staff was very friendly. We even forgot our cell phone chargers and they were mailed back to us!! For my birthday, we had a group of Mexican singers and grilled food by the pool. I couldn't have asked for anything better!!!

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• Carlos is the best cook EVER!

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  Carlos is the best cook EVER!

  • Guest Laura
  • Date of stay 08/01/10
  • Review Submitted 09/21/11
  Our family had an absolutely wonderful vacation at Villa Yardena. The home is beautiful and the staff is so friendly and accomodating to our needs. Carlos is the best cook EVER! We already miss all their smiling faces :) Thank you Maria for making our reservation so easy and answering all my questions before our trip- We will definitely be booking again with Akumal-

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• Our week was nothing short of amazing!!!

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  Our week was nothing short of amazing!!!

  • Guest Barinti
  • Date of stay 07/02/10
  • Review Submitted 09/21/11
  Our week at the villa Yardena was nothing short of amazing. Gaby was great, victor a big help. "El Gato" little white cat was welcome and not a pest and our favorite was Manuel who was not only a huge help on anything from carrying groceries to putting away our toys at the end of the day because he knew that toys need to be taken care of and properly placed. he was a new friend to our 9 year old son and I welcomed Manuel into my family and told him he was welcome with me any time I was on the beach. You are very lucky as we were to have antonio. He was without a doubt the single biggest impact on our time. He took the time through experience to learn what we liked, spent additional time with me and spoke enough English that the kids and grand parents all got a chance to know him and enjoy his cooking. He is fantastic. Our thanks to Carmen as well for pleasantly making sure all was safe and well during the night hours. At one point a ping pong paddle fell off the table at 3:00 in the morning and woke me and as I pulled the curtains to see why he was there with a flash light checking things out. You have a first class place, great staff, and a great business. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what is probably the biggest, best and last event I will share with my parents who will not live long enough to do th is again. I'll be in touch. Thanks again to all who made this happen. It was a dream come true over 2000 miles away from home.

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• The house seems to get better each time!!!

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  The house seems to get better each time!!!

  • Guest Floyd
  • Date of stay 03/02/10
  • Review Submitted 09/21/11
  We have stayed in Casa Yardena three times. The house is amazing and seems to get better each time. The upkeep is spotless and the enhancements are great. We are a large party of 18 and the updated/new casitas make a big difference. They are very nice and in keeping with the rest of the house. I cannot stress enough how clean and well kept the house is. The house keeping team and the gardener work to keep the place looking good. The main house is large and functional. The 4 casitas are in the tropical, walled, garden. Very safe and secure, but not attached to the house – about 30-50 feet away. Again, the house, like all houses there, is walled on three sides. They take privacy and security seriously. The beach is very nice – raked daily. There is a bit of seaweed right at the water’s edge but once beyond that the snorkeling is nice and safe. We have seen rays, small barracuda, flounder and other sea life. Kayaking and beach walking are daily events too. The pool is clean and well kept and the entire outdoor area is functional and relaxing. One of the best parts of the house is the chef. They are very good, speak enough English to get by and do a lot of hard work. We request guacamole and margaritas on the roof top every day for the adults and it’s always ready. In the ten days there this year, no one from out group ever had to wash a dish or cook. It could not be better and they cook lots of good local dishes if you ask them to. Oh, the shopping is done for you as well. This year we took USA Transfer (loved them) from the airport to the house and it was a huge upgrade from renting two vans. We then rented a car in Puerto Adventura just to have for a few days (Avis at the Dream’s hotel – kind of a bust.) Try Hertz in Akumal. The overall location is great if you want to be far from the crowds. We left the house 3-4 times in total to scuba dive, fish or shop. The best house I have ever rented.

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• The facility is enchanting and beautiful.

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  The facility is enchanting and beautiful.

  • Guest Christopher
  • Date of stay 09/13/08
  • Review Submitted 09/21/11
  Yardena was absolutely fabulous. The facility is enchanting and beautiful. All the staff were great - but especially the chef Antonio who is fantastic. Our only problem was with the transport to and from the airport which was unreliable - but that was not the responsibility of the Yardena staff.

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• Great stay, but. . .

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  Great stay, but. . .

  • Guest Sarah
  • Date of stay 06/16/08
  • Review Submitted 09/21/11
  Our group of 17 arrived late on Saturday to a wonderful meal being prepared by substitute chef, Wilbert. The staff is off on Sunday, unless you want to pay a $100 service fee for meals. We tried to ask where to purchase groceries, or restaurant for Sunday meals. No one spoke english and we had no choice but to hire service or be left on our own with 6 small children. The villa chef, Antonio, arrived on Monday and was a life saver. He english is good and he made many suggestion for meals that were very good. He took us out on the villa boat for snorkeling and we made use of the kayaks. We don't mind using our bath towels more than once as asked to conserve, but beach towels are different. These were never picked until we took them to the wash room ourselves on the third day. One of the guest houses had a faulty air conditioner and we began complaining on Monday to Lesley (caretaker). The answer every day was that the tech was phoned and should be there to repair. By Thursday we moved our daughter, husband and toddler into the house with us, the heat was unbearable in that room. On Friday after an angry encounter, they moved my daughter and her family into villa next door for the last night. The villa is clean and beautiful and the location was great for our group. We have rented villas in the Caribbean in the past for our family and other villas offer a grocery list to be purchased by the staff prior to arrival and prepaid. We have gladly paid for this service in advance. We would be cautious to recommend this villa to others, unless the service improves and the repairs are done. We celebrated a birthday on the night before departure and Chef Anotonio went the extra mile to make it special. Four course meal and presentation was beautiful. We can't say enough about Antonio, he and his assitant were wonderful. We love the area and the villa but not certain we would rent this one again. Unless we can be assured the repairs and service are taken care of.

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• Paradise almost

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  Paradise almost

  • Guest Someone from West Des Moines
  • Date of stay 06/10/08
  • Review Submitted 09/21/11
  This is a pretty area of Mexico and not busy with tourists, which is what we wanted. A few points to mention: Our internet was out for 2.5 of the 5 days we were there due to lack of payment by the host. It was a challenge to explain to the managers what the problem was. We also had problems with the TVs and DVD players not working properly. Also, there was a problem with water pressure in two of the showers. When the whirlpool tub was drained, somehow the water backed up in the floor drain and made a huge puddle on the floor. We were accustomed to air conditioning and it was very humid and hot in the house, although we did use the room A/C at night. (The mosquitos were also fierce.) The managers were very nice, but there was language barrier that made communication difficult at times. The house was very nice, spacious, and great for our large group. The beach was very pretty and Alfredo was diligent in keeping the seaweed swept up. Some repair is needed on the beach lounge chair seat cushions as the stuffing was falling out.On the whole,tho, it was a nice stay. Our chef and his assistant did a great job feeding us and cleaning up after. However, I don't know that we would return to this area. The police are dishonest and so are the gas station attendants.

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