Adult/Couples Only?: No. This resort accepts families, couples, and singles.
Time of Year/Weather: This trip was taken in early July of 2004.
Length of Trip?: 8 days/7 nights
Was this an All-Inclusive Resort?: Yes
Approximate per person cost?: $700 per person from Detroit, MI (DTW) purchased through Apple Vacations.
Were there any hidden or extra costs?: Only a charge for use of the in-room safe.
Describe room accommodations (view, decor, cleanliness, etc.): Rooms were very clean with no carpeting. Our rooms had a view of the Nichupte Lagoon, 2 double beds, a small table with chair, a cushioned chair, and a TV. There was a shower but no tub.
Describe food/meals (presentation, quality, etc.): Good presentation on food. Most selections looked apppetizing and food was kept at proper temperatures. Never had to wait long for an item to be replenished. Variety could have been better and quality left a bit to be desired (see disclaimer at end of review). There were a few meals that my children and I had trouble finding something we wanted to eat but there was always fresh fruits and breads available, which was good. Please be assured that we are not picky eaters, so this had no bearing on our ability to find palatable choices. I also feel that there could had been more traditional Mexican items available on the buffet for those who like to try foods from various cultures.
Describe staff and service: Most of the staff was nice, except for one front desk person. This person was rude to us each time we came up to the desk over the course of our stay. Also, when we asked at check-in about any way to upgrade our rooms to ocean-view we were told that we "should have done that through our travel agent". However, when we got into our room there was a big sign stating that upgrades to oceanview were available for $30 per night, per room. We did not upgrade our rooms because we would have had to deal with the same desk person again.
Most employees did not go out of their way for us, but all services were acceptable and efficient. The staff did their jobs and nothing was lacking. Carlos, in the El Cafe buffet restaurant, was our favorite waiter and probably was the nicest person we met on the resort. I had read several reports that the staff went out of their way to know your name and take care of you but we didn't find this to be true.
Onsite Activities: There is a game room with a pool table and a ping-pong table. A small gym is also available for use. The resort has 3 swimming pools, none of which is deeper than 4 1/2 feet. One of the pools has a waterfall ledge so it might be considered as 2 pools to some. There are daily planned activities at one of the pools and this pool has an age limit of 12 and over. There were no childrens activities as advertised in the brochure.
Massages and hair-braiding are available, for a fee, under a palapa roof near the main swimming pool. The resort also maintains items such as sand toys for the children to borrow.
Lounge chairs are available around all the pools as well as on the beach. A few beach umbrellas are also available for use on the beach. Towels can be borrowed at the towel hut near the main pool and must be returned by 6pm each day.
Offsite Activities: AquaWorld maintains a desk at the resort and non-motorized watersports are complimentary for guests at the AquaWorld facility, which is down the street. The resort does not do a good job of advertising this fact so I am sure many guests are unaware. We did not find the time to utilize any of the AquaWorld activities.
Look out for timeshare people. They are all over the airport, on the streets, and in all the malls. Some offer up to $200 cash, tickets to Xcaret, to Chichen Itza, or to Isla Mujeres for you to go visit their resort property. You will also be asked to leave a deposit to "guarantee" you will be there when their transportation arrives to pick you up for the tour. Buyer beware! They get more agressive each time we go to Cancun, probably because of all the competition.
Local Points of Interest: Isla Mujeres, El Rey ruins, Coral Negro market, several shopping malls, Mercado 28 (downtown), Wet -n- Wild, Parque Nizuc
Value for the cost?: Good resort for the money-conscious but don't expect a lot of extras.
Overall Rating (10 being best)?: 6
Additional Comments: I probably would not stay here again but my children really enjoyed the resort. I am used to a better level of food and service, which probably accounts for my lower rating of this resort.
Cancun, Mexico
