Week of June 25 - July 2 2007 Based on my experiences. May yours be better.
We arrived at the Cancun airport on Monday at 3:30 and were delighted with the new terminal. Ladies, I suggest using the facilities before going through immigration. Your spouse can hold your place in line. There will be a long wait at the restroom while waiting for your luggage. Also, don't blindly join the que of waiting ladies. Check the stalls as half of them can be vacant. The attendant seems to get pleasure in having you wait. Honor the line, just make sure you are not waiting in vain.
We booked online with Grayline and it was a very good decision. They were the least expensive at $18 pp and had new vans and cars lined up just to the left of the exit. We were on our way in 15 minutes with two other couples in the van. We were the first stop. We left the airport at 4:20 and arrived at the hotel at 4:50. We only booked one way transfers and called a taxi for the return at $33. Price this before getting in the cab. The bellman has a list of fixed taxi rates. Check with him and let him make the driver aware that you know the rates. Yes, you can be taken advantage of. Also, do not change your money to pesos unless you are very good at the exchange rate. One couple paid $80 for $20 transfers because of a mix up.
Overview: I read all of the reviews and booked this hotel based on the value and the pictures. The rooms did strike me as being the best available for my taste. The pictures do the place justice and they did not disappoint. I really went into this determined to have a great trip. We are very easy going, do not demand any special attention and generally go with the flow.
Upon arrival there was a woman obviously having some drama issue at the front desk. We waited awhile and a staff member came to take care of us at another terminal. I was hoping to get an upgrade from our oceanfront room, but none were available. No oceanfront rooms were available either, so I was very pleased that we were given a swim-up room as reconciliation without even having to ask for any. We were quickly given some instructions on how to make dinner reservations, but it was difficult to understand. I tipped him $20 and we were on our way. The bellboy led us to a tram to take us to our room. He stopped at each building on the way and and pointed out the gym, spa and restaurants. Only a few staff members speak English. We managed, but there is a communication barrier.
We were met by our friends in the lobby and they provided us with concierge information on dining they had received earlier. Without them, we would still be looking for the concierge. You make your reservations each morning for that day. At the time of our trip, there was only a concierge at the Coba building. We were at the Labna building. It was a good location.
Okay - THE GOOD
The discounted prices are the best thing going right now. Really, there is value for the price here with everything being new.
The bellman is efficient and good as are the bellboys.
The rooms are beautiful. Plush, plentiful, huge towels and bathrobes. (the robes are really too hot for the climate) The Bathrooms are nice with huge tubs and plenty of hot water and fantastic water pressure. Everything is new - a real plus. The person stocking the room minibar does a good job. It is filled with four beers, 2 of which are light; 2 mineral waters; 2 cokes; 2 diet cokes; 2 frescas, and 4 juices. We had one beer and some cokes.
Maintenance of the grounds is very good. Beautifully paved walkways; beautiful and huge pool and clean. We saw them testing the water for cleanliness. Security guards patrol every complex and are always visible. The gym is well equipped. The nanny and childcare services seem topnotch from what we observed. The aerobics and activity staff double as nannys. Bar service is readily available. The pool bar serves stronger drinks than the beach bar, and the bar staff will gladly take care of you. If you desire stronger drinks, go make friends with the bartender.
Building activity is going on all the time. They were really working on planting palm trees and adding new landscaping and palapas on the beach. The beach itself is inviting and new. The water sports staff at the beach is excellent. We really received outstanding service from Juan Carlos and his partner manning the jet skis and hobiecat on the beach. They do not work for the hotel though.
The buffet was excellent the first night, much better than expected. That was International night. The Italian restaurant was also very good. You are always greeted at the buffet with champagne, including the breakfast buffet. You can make your own mimosas. The breakfast buffet was plentiful and had a good assortment. All of the staff cooking and servers from behind the cook stations were very gracious and eager to please. In hindsight I would tip them over the staff I did tip. They have hot and hard jobs with long hours.
Now, THE BAD
There is no service directory in the room nor any instructions on how to "use" the resort. The spa might as well not be there as there is no mention of services anywhere. At least there is no hard sell approach. Our building had no concierge, so that may be the problem, but a room directory would be nice.
Overall service left a lot to be desired. The dinner staff is probably the best. Some people really seem to try but most are going through the motions. Management really needs to address service, yet the front desk is probably the worst. Get used to not being offered a second cup of coffee. It was rare that a waiter would come around with the coffee pot or refill the water. On our last day, I asked for hot coffee since my husband's coffee had gotten cold. The server pointed to the open air and then waved her hand to the coffee. I said yes, I know there is a breeze but could we please get some hot coffee. This was one of the servers we had been tipping all week, but I have to ask myself why?
We tipped well and often but we really should not have. Rarely was it appreciated and service got worse as the stay went on. To be fair, some waiters really gave their best effort. We always tipped at dinner and breakfast, but it made no difference in the service. To be fair, they also did not have their hands out expecting a tip. It was just strange. In hindsight, I would only tip at the end of the stay to those who provided a special service, or even good service.
The restaurants have a problem with the air conditioning and it can be unbearable at times, especially at the buffet steam tables while waiting for an order a la carte. The only real air conditioning is in the room. The French restaurant was not good and we did not try the Mexican restaurant based on the reviews and the reservation system.
Food quality at the main buffet went downhill after the first night. There is plenty of food and drink, but it is standard buffet food. Lunch leaves a lot to be desired.
The pools close at 8:00 and we were asked to leave the pool. The lights are also turned off around the pool in the evening. The hotel is catering to families and children are allowed in all of the pools, including children in diapers. Great for those familes, but not for people concerned with norovirus.
If you book through BookIt .com and are given a $100 room credit, the hotel will only honor it for phone calls and laundry or special wines. We had hoped to use it for jet ski rental or spa services. No gift shop purchase. All of these places seem to be separately run from the hotel, Since the robes were available to purchase, we thought surely they would let us apply our room credit for a robe - NOPE, NICE TRY. We were half tempted to get $100 worth of wine to take to the construction workers who stopped and stared at us everytime we walked to dinner. We usually walked because there are only four golf carts and since the hotel is booking to capacity rides are harder to come by.. The workers did not really bother me, but it did bother my husband so I'm adding it.
Finally - THE UGLY
Lack of housekeeping and replenished supplies. No problem with the towels. They would knock on our door at night and ask if we needed more towels.
I'd be more happy if someone cleaned the room, brought us fresh glasses, cleaned the coffee pot and left us some coffee. We were in a corner end unit, and I really think they quit before making it down the hall, or they didn't know the room was occupied. Well, it was made up the first day. The second day, barely - no supplies, but the tips were taken I had left. The beds were barely made. By the fifth day, after coming back to the room from an all day snorkle trip, wanting to bathe and take a nap I was furious at finding a dirty room. After three calls to the front desk and another two hours I got housekeeping while I was taking a shower. This was after some very rude attitude from the operator and front desk. This was the norm for our stay .
We did not order room service, but food trays were left in the halls all day and overnight. Open hot air and food makes for some nasty aromas.
Check out was also bad, because we never received the check out instructions. Again, someone couldn't make it down the hall to our room. We got one from the front desk, after they insisted we already had one. The idea is that you write the time on it you want your luggage picked up. I filled it out; it was picked up because they woke us up jiggling the door handle to get it, but no one ever came for the luggage. 3 phone calls to the operator later and each time she asked "you want it NOW?" I saw a security guard and asked him to walkie us a golf cart. Checking out, not one word was exchanged between me and the man I had given $20 to at check in. So yes, we left on a very sour note.
IN CLOSING: We got a good deal for the price. The aggravation of a few instances could have been completely avoided with better customer service. Because of our experience I would not return. We spent most of our days away from the resort and visited some fantastic places. Akumel, Paal Maal and Selvatica. I have always loved Mexico for the water sports and will continue to visit - but never again at this hotel.
We travel with great friends and always try to make the best of any situation. We make our own good times. We do not need special treatment or fussing over, but the management of this hotel has some serious customer service issues. This could be a four star resort, but because of service it can be no higher than a 3.
For those booked, I hope you have a wonderful stay. If you encounter no problems you will. The real problem is no one cares if you have a problem.
Five new buildings are going up now, buildings much further away from the pool and day buffet. They expect to have 1000 rooms by December. So, the value is now, while it is discounted and you can get a room close to the pool and ocean.
The Ocean will never be usable. No matter what. They are fighting a battle that is contrary to the natural elements by trying to dredge and build a waterfront. Take a walk down the beach to MayaKoba to see a truly natural Mexican beachfront.
Sorry this is so long, but I had to get it off my chest. We were not treated well. I hope you have a better experience because it really is a beautiful hotel.
This is not the place for honeymooners or special occasions. Nor is it for those seeking nightlife.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.