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Parking review highlights
... to the vegetation, but it's much better than looking at a parking lot). There are no working elevators, so we were able to...
... you may see people with red flags at a fuel station or parking lot and think it’s a checkpoint. It’s not, they’re simply...
... keep walking past all the people with signs towards the parking lot and there is an Air Canada booth to catch your...
Most popular question about the parking
I’m renting a 15 passenger van for our group this Summer. Is there enough parking for a vehicle that size?
Answer from dnaleciz
Feb 2020 |
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Paid Private Parking On-site
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Write a reviewWe have traveled to the Cancun area and stayed in a number of different resorts in this same price range. Honestly, we have never been disappointed, and this was no different. My husband and I brought our 17 year old daughter and 14 year old son. When we bring our kids, we look for a resort with lots of things to do, which this resort provided (pool and beach volleyball, ping pong, basketball, tennis, corn hole, not to mention the endless activities the staff initiates).
My favorite thing about this resort was the layout. It stretches along the beach with all of the rooms facing the water (note that the bottom floor or two can't see the water due to the vegetation, but it's much better than looking at a parking lot). There are no working elevators, so we were able to work off many calories by being on the fourth floor (there's always positive ways to view things)! Certainly, the view was worth the hike up and down the stairs! I also loved how the restaurants were all located in a central location, one floor below the lobby. Since no reservations are needed at any of the restaurants (except Sensai), if you went to one restaurant and didn't want to wait that long, you could go to the one next door and try that one. We tried all of the restaurants. Our favorite meal was at the adult only Blue Moon (the kids had their own "romantic" dinner at the buffet that night, so don't feel sorry for them!). The dress code at the Blue Moon stated long pants for men, but I saw more men wearing shorts than pants when we went. The food and service was really good. As far as the other restaurants go, the food was good, not amazing, but we definitely did not go hungry! We did wish that there could have been a self-serve area for drinks. The servers were wonderful, but understaffed. We started bringing water bottles to our meals because they weren't able to keep up with us. In fact, we wish there were more self-service areas in general (around the pools, specifically) -- just to grab a soda, beer, or water. It seemed to take a long time to get a drink of any sort. The only self-service place (beer or soda) we found was at the Villa Marina, the restaurant by the activities pool.
You've read about the lack of pool chairs. Well, the towel game was alive and well when we arrived, so we learned to be up at 6:00am putting towels out to reserve our spot by the pool. It was crazy to see that we were almost too late. By mid-week, the resort hung signs on the pool chairs stating that if the seat was left unoccupied for more than 60 minutes, your stuff would be removed. Alas, this worked, and getting a chair by the pool was never a problem after that. Great move!
The beach was great for my husband and me -- we love to run every morning. The seaweed along the beach is a necessary natural protection from beach erosion, so it made it easier to run as opposed to trying to trudge through deep sand. We would run south to Puerto Morales, and it would take us about 25 minutes one way, depending on the head-wind and how much we ate/drank the night before. Aside from running, it was a nice, quiet area to hang out at.
For the price we paid, we were not expecting luxury or gourmet food. There are places that do that quite well, but you will pay twice as much or more. It was a beautifully maintained resort with very hard working staff that do their best to make your stay memorable. Mission accomplished!
My favorite thing about this resort was the layout. It stretches along the beach with all of the rooms facing the water (note that the bottom floor or two can't see the water due to the vegetation, but it's much better than looking at a parking lot). There are no working elevators, so we were able to work off many calories by being on the fourth floor (there's always positive ways to view things)! Certainly, the view was worth the hike up and down the stairs! I also loved how the restaurants were all located in a central location, one floor below the lobby. Since no reservations are needed at any of the restaurants (except Sensai), if you went to one restaurant and didn't want to wait that long, you could go to the one next door and try that one. We tried all of the restaurants. Our favorite meal was at the adult only Blue Moon (the kids had their own "romantic" dinner at the buffet that night, so don't feel sorry for them!). The dress code at the Blue Moon stated long pants for men, but I saw more men wearing shorts than pants when we went. The food and service was really good. As far as the other restaurants go, the food was good, not amazing, but we definitely did not go hungry! We did wish that there could have been a self-serve area for drinks. The servers were wonderful, but understaffed. We started bringing water bottles to our meals because they weren't able to keep up with us. In fact, we wish there were more self-service areas in general (around the pools, specifically) -- just to grab a soda, beer, or water. It seemed to take a long time to get a drink of any sort. The only self-service place (beer or soda) we found was at the Villa Marina, the restaurant by the activities pool.
You've read about the lack of pool chairs. Well, the towel game was alive and well when we arrived, so we learned to be up at 6:00am putting towels out to reserve our spot by the pool. It was crazy to see that we were almost too late. By mid-week, the resort hung signs on the pool chairs stating that if the seat was left unoccupied for more than 60 minutes, your stuff would be removed. Alas, this worked, and getting a chair by the pool was never a problem after that. Great move!
The beach was great for my husband and me -- we love to run every morning. The seaweed along the beach is a necessary natural protection from beach erosion, so it made it easier to run as opposed to trying to trudge through deep sand. We would run south to Puerto Morales, and it would take us about 25 minutes one way, depending on the head-wind and how much we ate/drank the night before. Aside from running, it was a nice, quiet area to hang out at.
For the price we paid, we were not expecting luxury or gourmet food. There are places that do that quite well, but you will pay twice as much or more. It was a beautifully maintained resort with very hard working staff that do their best to make your stay memorable. Mission accomplished!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Response from Kenya G, Manager at Ocean Coral & Turquesa
Responded Apr 10, 2017
Dear Heidi M, Thank you for choosing our resort as the host for your vacations. We are pleased to know that you had a good vacation experience while staying with us and enjoying our facilities and services. We want to thank you for taking the time to share your comments, rest assured that they will be shared We look forward to host you again soon. Best regards, The Ocean Coral & Turquesa Management
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I will try, in this review, to answer some of the questions *I* had before arrival as a first-time guest.
For reference, I stayed on the Privilege plan in an oceanfront "Royal Master Suite", but I will talk mainly about the experiences all guests should expect, regardless of price point. I had a truly exceptional week at this all-inclusive.
The first thing to know about is your arrival in Cancun. You will be given an immigration form. DON’T lose it. Put it in your passport and leave it there. After collecting your bags you will head out of the terminal. Assuming you have booked with a tour operator (Sunwing/Transat, etc.) or have prearranged with the resort, you will probably have a transfer waiting for you. They are actually easy to find if you know what to avoid.
As you exit the terminal, a few Taxi staff at their desks will try and get your attention, but they are not aggressive. If you arrive during a busy time, as you step outside you will meet up with another gauntlet of taxi, tour and other drivers/sales people looking to snag you away from your prepaid transfer or sell you a tour. IGNORE THEM or, at most, a curt "No, gracias" should be the only words out of your mouth. A few dozen meters outside the terminal you will easily see the real operators, who will be IN UNIFORM (for instance Transat's blue shirts with logo) and will already have your name on their list. You can confidently approach them and they will guide you to a numbered pickup stall for your ground transfer. Alternatively, your transfer driver will have either your name on a big card or your hotel name and a list with you already on it. It really was easier than I expected to avoid the hawkers and find my legitimate transportation.
I was fortunate enough to get a "Direct" transfer (meaning my hotel was stop #1 even though there were guests of other resorts in my van as well.) Took me 20 minutes to get there (after about 20 minutes of finding everyone and loading up the bags first.)
NOTE: If you book with Transat or Sunwing, they will give you a card while loading you on your shuttle and ask you quite convincingly to attend a "Welcome Session" at the resort the next morning to "confirm your return transfer", etc. This is 100% optional, even though they make it sound very important. What it really is is a tour sales session. They want to sell you excursions. If you're looking to book something, go ahead, however you might be better served by just stopping by their "Hospitality" room on your own time when it's less busy. You DO NOT "need to confirm" your return transfer the very next day by showing up at the "important Welcome Session". In reality, one day before departure is when they will know the time for certain. They truly just want to sell you excursions. (They even called my room the morning after check-in to "remind" me. I told them I was busy and that was the last I heard of it.)
While I understand the sales-driven nature of the tour business, this "false flag" approach was disappointing in its lack of honesty. Again, this wasn't the Hotel, it was the travel company I booked with.
Upon arrival, the bell staff will help unload your bags, give you a claim tag, and direct you to the appropriate check-in desk. Privilege and H10 Premium guests have a smaller, private check-in desk to the right, all others go to the left. This is where you will get your wristband, room keys, a resort map, and an escort to your room. You might also get a sales pitch about H10 Premium, which is their loyalty/time-share program. (I say "might" because I did not get asked.) They aren't pushy, just say no to the "welcome breakfast". It's an all-inclusive resort with 10 restaurants to choose from. If someone is trying to get you to meet at a specific one at a specific time, they're probably trying to sell you something. You might also get a note or card I your room reminding you to pick up your “discount coupons and special information” at the Premium desk. Ignore it, it’s the Timeshare pitch.
Wristbands are all you'll ever need to have with you to get food, drinks or any other included service. Privilege guests get a more comfortable wood and nylon cord wristband as opposed to the plastic ones.
DO NOT LOSE YOUR WRISTBAND. If it comes loose or starts to crack or fray, get it replaced right that minute...not after dinner, or after your swim, or after the kids have their nap...DO IT NOW! Replacements for damaged or defective ones are free and easy. Replacements for LOST ones can be HUNDREDS of dollars depending on the length of your stay, because it basically lets the finder have full all-inclusive access. My Privilege band held up just fine the whole week, including swimming, showers, sightseeing, sleeping, tanning etc.
Upon arrival, you will be required to pay the enviro fee, a small Government levy of about $2CDN/day/person. My advice is to pay this in Pesos. That's a good habit whenever possible during your entire stay. Even with using your credit card, exchange rates can be quite unfavourable.
A word on Mexican cash and tipping: I inadvertently tipped 200 pesos for a drink instead of 20 my first night. That's a $14CDN tip! I only made that mistake once. The pale blue 20 and pale green 200 can look similar in poor lighting (or after a few drinks). I immediately folded all my larger bills in half so they would stand apart in my wallet. Problem solved. (However, on the plus side, that bartender knew my name and preferred drink within 1 hour of my arrival!)
I typically tipped 20 pesos (about $1US) for a drink, and (since I was alone) 50 for a quick a la carte dinner. At the Buffets, 20 or 40 depending on if I'd ordered a drink or two as well as how many times they had to take away my empty plates. I would usually just put it on my table when I sat down. Others did it when leaving. Others not at all. I didn't see any overt difference in service, but for me tipping is done more for the server's benefit than my own. Sometimes I had no cash in hand, and not once was I made to feel awkward. I tried to remember to shove a few 20s into my pool/beach bag, but sometimes you just can't realistically carry money at a resort. The swim-up bar was a good example. I tried to remember to drop off a tip as I left the pool area instead, but again, many did not. It really does seem to be 100% discretionary and I saw no one giving dirty looks to non-tippers. (I tipped my shuttle guy 50 pesos and he actually seemed slightly surprised.)
Upon arriving in your room, there are a few things you should ensure your bellman/butler makes you aware of: How to use the safe, which light switches do what (there seem to be an awful lot of them), and how to adjust the AC in your room and turn on/off the ceiling fan(s).
Use the AC at ALL times. Even if you need to raise the temperature by a few degrees so it's not too cool for comfort. This is an incredibly humid part of the world and the AC goes a long way towards controlling the mustiness of your room. I found it noticeable but still mild and not terribly unpleasant in my room. (If you are in a suite with a separate living area, make sure both AC units are set to the same temp or they'll fight each other and drive you nuts.)
Note: The staff speaks at least very passable and often fluent English, EXCEPT most of the housekeepers. If you have anything beyond a very basic housekeeping request you should ask the concierge or front desk to relay the message for you. That said, it seems genuinely appreciated if you make even a small effort to use some Spanish. A simple "hola" or "gracias" is a great start.
Yes, the minibar is free and refilled daily. No, it's not extravagant. If there's something you'd like (more Orange pop, less Pepsi), leave a note (and maybe 20 pesos) inside the fridge. Everyone gets a couple of cans of beer, bottled water, and some soft drinks.
Privilege will also get a few mini-bottles of basic liquor (vodka, rum). Note, this is a Pepsi property. No Coke. *Sad Face*
In Mexico, the custom in most places is to NOT flush toilet paper if there is a lined bin beside the toilet. You read that correctly: You generally put the poopy paper in the garbage not the toilet.
However, most resorts (including OCT) have more modern plumbing designs that can handle the paper. There are still lined bins, but they are for other non-flushables (feminine products, diaper wipes, etc.).
The bathrooms were fine. Tiled and clean. It seems most, possibly all, rooms have a bathtub and separate shower stall. Handy!
If you have a Junior Suite or a Master Suite, you will also have a 2-person jacuzzi tub on your patio or balcony. (I believe they all also have an outside shower, but that might only be on the ground floor.) Don't be afraid to either ask how to fill and operate it yourself, or ask to have it done for you for a specific time if you plan to use it later.
Once you settle in, my advice is to immediately take half an hour and stroll the resort. Learn where the restaurants and bars are, AND pre-locate a few bathrooms. They're all around, but tend to be tucked out of sight. Grab a drink, slap on some sunscreen, and go get your bearings. The walkway along the beach is probably the simplest way to get from place to place, but learning the basic outlay of the many paths, boardwalks and shortcuts through buildings will be handy. You can pretty much walk from any one point to another within 5-6 minutes if you know where to go.
SUNBLOCK IS A MUST. EVEN IF IT'S WINDY OR CLOUDY! Clouds don't block much UV light, and a cooling breeze can mask those hot, tingly warnings of a sunburn coming on. At this latitude the sun is more directly overhead which, thanks to Geometry, means there's less UV-blocking atmosphere between you and that Giant Hydrogen Reactor In The Sky.
Bug spray, especially after sunset, or on calm days, or when venturing inland is also crucial. This is a rainforest, after all.
Vendors are not a big problem at the resort itself. There are a few selling cigars, photos with a monkey, or temporary tattoos, etc., but for the most part they are unobtrusive. The beach up to the high water mark is apparently public property (similar to most places in Canada, actually), so you will occasionally see non-guests strolling along, or trinket vendors, especially at either end of the resort. I wasn't bothered much at all by anyone at the resort.
Saturday the central areas of the resort turn into a mini-market place with a dozen or so souvenir vendors. It’s rather pleasant, really, and I found at least a couple of things that weren’t the same as what everyone else all over the area is selling. Again, haggling is a key part of the experience.
Bring snacks.
They have lots of prepared food available (including basic burgers and such) 24-7, but if you think you'll want some Pringles or a couple of KitKats during your stay, bring them with you. The small shop off the lobby is CRAZY expensive. $5 for a 99c lighter, $30 for sunscreen, $30 for a cheap pair of dollar-store sunglasses, $4 for a chocolate bar.
(That said, I've never been happier in my life to pay $25CDN for a charging cable for my phone, after leaving mine on the damned plane!)
Seaweed. Everyone wants to talk about the seaweed. Folks, it's the Caribbean Sea, in the Atlantic Ocean, and the prevailing current is an onshore one. Seaweed happens. I found that there was a constant accumulation throughout the day, ending up with a strip of it about 2 feet wide at worst, where the waves lap the shoreline. The staff cleaned it up twice a day. It doesn't smell very noticeably at all - certainly not any worse than any other beach I've ever been to. The rocky, tidal shorelines on the West coast of Vancouver Island often smell far worse when the tide goes out exposing decaying plants and shellfish.
The seaweed is also not long, stringy ropes of green slimy goo. It's essentially small, floating sprigs and strands that are piled up on shore by the waves. Imagine emptying your lawnmower bag into a lake and you can picture what mostly washes up.
I found this beach great for swimming. The bottom is foot-friendly until it's well over your head. I personally wore water shoes, but I always do (more because of being worried about objects underfoot on the beach than anything else). This beach was clean and soft. The water was murky (mostly disturbed sand) for about the first 10 feet, then clear and lovely. The gradient is gentle enough to comfortably walk out. Lifeguards are usually on hand at the North end of the beach (nearest the children's pool) but only intermittently elsewhere, it appeared.
Smack dab in the middle of the resort (ground level, below the lobby's patio) is where you'll find a small stage with tables and chairs. This is where many activities happen throughout the days and evenings. Trivia contests, dance shows, dart challenges, outdoor movie nights, crowd games and karaoke. (When I arrived it seemed like the whole resort had gathered to watch the Superbowl on the outdoor screen. On the afternoon I left, they were setting up for an Oscars watch party, complete with 8-foot replica statues just like on the Red Carpet.)
There you will also find a large notice board showing all the various planned activities (and shows) for each day and evening, sorted by day of the week.
The lobby bar entertainment was basically lounge-piano. The shows were a mixed bag but passable, and the 80s revue was fun.
A word on wildlife:
I was amazed to see huge cormorants gliding just a few feet above the resort. You'll also find gorgeous iguanas (they don't move much), raccoons (very bold but harmless, except that they can inflict a nasty bite if deliberately cornered), and lots of cats (some much more friendly and pettable than others, but none seemed aggressive). They ask you NOT to feed the animals so as not to encourage them. It seems a bit futile, though...the local "pets" will never miss an abandoned room service tray or a dropped chicken wing, and I saw staff throwing them treats and scraps.
Getting around was quite simple. I used taxis to get into Cancun and Puerto Morelos. Both were well worth getting off the resort to see. The prices are posted at the hotel entrance, and the drivers seem to honour them without any issues. Taxis will offer to wait for you, but it’s not necessary.
You can book excursions to all the major attractions, but some of them have extra stops simply designed to sell you stuff. They were still highly recommended by folks I spoke with, though. If you wish a bit more independence, you can easily (and cheaply) rent a car from an international chain at the hotel, or in Puerto Morelos from Europcar. I rented right at the resort. Cost me $50 US for 24 hours including all insurance, and the hold placed on my card was only about $400. The car was a small 4-door hatchback in very good shape. It was stick-shift with basic options (A/C, Bluetooth and a phone holder so you could use your GPS. Nice touch!) I drove to Chichen Itza, and it was VERY easy! The roads are well-maintained and it’s freeway about 90% of the way. The tolls added about $30 to the travel cost. The toll system is easy: The booths are staffed, and they can make change. If you come to a gate that says take a ticket, you take a ticket which you will give to the next toll booth person to show where you got on the road from. There is a decent fuel/food/service oasis about halfway to Chichen Itza accessible from both directions. Note that you may see people with red flags at a fuel station or parking lot and think it’s a checkpoint. It’s not, they’re simply trying to get you to stop and buy something. Drive on by.
The highway was well-patrolled by state and federal police, so don’t speed! Also, BRING YOUR PASSPORT PHOTOCOPY with you. If you are stopped at a checkpoint they will ask to see your license and passport (or the photocopy) and you will quickly be on your way.
If you drive to Chichen Itza, it is well-signed and easy to access. There are lots of people trying to get you to park “near” Chichen Itza, but they are not official. The REAL parking lot is inexpensive and easy to find…the road ENDS at its gate! Travel time was about 2.5 hours each way. Gas prices are comparable to Canada.
Guides for historic sites are a good thing. Chichen Itza or Tulum, etc., all offer tour guides. This is one time when you’re actually getting GOOD advice from someone trying to sell you something. The guides are excellent. HOWEVER, at about $50 U.S., if you’re not with a group it’s a bit expensive. A great idea for singles or couples is to ask them to find another small party to split the cost. You end up with a great price and a guide who can give you very good individualized attention.
Finally, a word on food and drink at the Ocean Coral & Turquesa. I was personally very satisfied with almost all the food I tried. Anything I didn’t like was really down to personal taste rather than quality. I found the buffet food temperatures just fine. There were lots of choices, to be sure. Some buffet highlights for me: Great omelettes, the pasta station was delicious, decent salad options, LOTS of nice fresh fruit, and a really nice assortment of breads.
As for the A La Carte restaurants, I was pleased with the ribs at Route 66, the “Cowboy” steak I had at Villa Marina was Angus beef and even though it came a little underdone (bleu-rare) at first, it was cheerfully brought up to mid-rare temp for me and ultimately was cooked to perfection. Some of my favourite dishes were the Duck Magret at the Privilege Lounge, and a Jamaican spiced beef pastry turnover from Villa Marina that was amazing. The Italian restaurant was good, but not exceptional. Room Service arrived quick, hot and accurate. My only real disappointment with the food was desserts at the A La Carte restaurants. They were really underwhelming in variety, portion and taste. The best desserts were to be had either in the buffets or by visiting Le Petit Creperie or the Ice Cream shop.
*ALLERGIES AND PREFERENCES* I was impressed to see that EVERY time I sat down in an A La Carte restaurant or made a reservation, I was asked in advance about allergies or intolerances. Vegetarians, those who are gluten-free and yes, even you darned Vegans will be just fine here.
After a wonderful week it was time to head home. Check-out was easy, with no surprises, and you keep our wristband until they load you on your shuttle to the airport, so you still had full bar/restaurant access even if your transfer was late afternoon (like mine was).
Upon arrival at the airport, you will hand your Immigration form to the airline check-in agent. (You remembered NOT to lose that, right? I hope so, because it would be $30 and a long lineup to get it replaced!) Airport security was typical for any International Airport. No worse, no better.
In summary, the Ocean Coral and Tuerquesa is a VERY GOOD 4-start resort, on a beautiful beach in a wonderful location close to Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, and Cozumel, but far enough away to not feel like you’re in the middle of a hundred other resorts. The service was usually very attentive, and always friendly. I really didn’t use the Butler service, but my package did include it. The drinks were very good (watered down drinks are largely a myth from people who don’t know what a 1- or 2-ounce Pina Colada is supposed to taste like) and quick to be refilled. The servers and bartenders were all very good.
Privilege plan…worth it? If you care about premium liquor brands, an exclusive eating space with fancier menu items, your own beach area and a slightly better minibar, then yes. If you don’t care about those things, then no, it’s not.
Whew…this review got way longer than I expected, but I hope you’ll find it helpful. I’d definitely stay there again if I was heading back to Cancun and didn’t want to stay in the “Hotel Zone” of the city itself.
For reference, I stayed on the Privilege plan in an oceanfront "Royal Master Suite", but I will talk mainly about the experiences all guests should expect, regardless of price point. I had a truly exceptional week at this all-inclusive.
The first thing to know about is your arrival in Cancun. You will be given an immigration form. DON’T lose it. Put it in your passport and leave it there. After collecting your bags you will head out of the terminal. Assuming you have booked with a tour operator (Sunwing/Transat, etc.) or have prearranged with the resort, you will probably have a transfer waiting for you. They are actually easy to find if you know what to avoid.
As you exit the terminal, a few Taxi staff at their desks will try and get your attention, but they are not aggressive. If you arrive during a busy time, as you step outside you will meet up with another gauntlet of taxi, tour and other drivers/sales people looking to snag you away from your prepaid transfer or sell you a tour. IGNORE THEM or, at most, a curt "No, gracias" should be the only words out of your mouth. A few dozen meters outside the terminal you will easily see the real operators, who will be IN UNIFORM (for instance Transat's blue shirts with logo) and will already have your name on their list. You can confidently approach them and they will guide you to a numbered pickup stall for your ground transfer. Alternatively, your transfer driver will have either your name on a big card or your hotel name and a list with you already on it. It really was easier than I expected to avoid the hawkers and find my legitimate transportation.
I was fortunate enough to get a "Direct" transfer (meaning my hotel was stop #1 even though there were guests of other resorts in my van as well.) Took me 20 minutes to get there (after about 20 minutes of finding everyone and loading up the bags first.)
NOTE: If you book with Transat or Sunwing, they will give you a card while loading you on your shuttle and ask you quite convincingly to attend a "Welcome Session" at the resort the next morning to "confirm your return transfer", etc. This is 100% optional, even though they make it sound very important. What it really is is a tour sales session. They want to sell you excursions. If you're looking to book something, go ahead, however you might be better served by just stopping by their "Hospitality" room on your own time when it's less busy. You DO NOT "need to confirm" your return transfer the very next day by showing up at the "important Welcome Session". In reality, one day before departure is when they will know the time for certain. They truly just want to sell you excursions. (They even called my room the morning after check-in to "remind" me. I told them I was busy and that was the last I heard of it.)
While I understand the sales-driven nature of the tour business, this "false flag" approach was disappointing in its lack of honesty. Again, this wasn't the Hotel, it was the travel company I booked with.
Upon arrival, the bell staff will help unload your bags, give you a claim tag, and direct you to the appropriate check-in desk. Privilege and H10 Premium guests have a smaller, private check-in desk to the right, all others go to the left. This is where you will get your wristband, room keys, a resort map, and an escort to your room. You might also get a sales pitch about H10 Premium, which is their loyalty/time-share program. (I say "might" because I did not get asked.) They aren't pushy, just say no to the "welcome breakfast". It's an all-inclusive resort with 10 restaurants to choose from. If someone is trying to get you to meet at a specific one at a specific time, they're probably trying to sell you something. You might also get a note or card I your room reminding you to pick up your “discount coupons and special information” at the Premium desk. Ignore it, it’s the Timeshare pitch.
Wristbands are all you'll ever need to have with you to get food, drinks or any other included service. Privilege guests get a more comfortable wood and nylon cord wristband as opposed to the plastic ones.
DO NOT LOSE YOUR WRISTBAND. If it comes loose or starts to crack or fray, get it replaced right that minute...not after dinner, or after your swim, or after the kids have their nap...DO IT NOW! Replacements for damaged or defective ones are free and easy. Replacements for LOST ones can be HUNDREDS of dollars depending on the length of your stay, because it basically lets the finder have full all-inclusive access. My Privilege band held up just fine the whole week, including swimming, showers, sightseeing, sleeping, tanning etc.
Upon arrival, you will be required to pay the enviro fee, a small Government levy of about $2CDN/day/person. My advice is to pay this in Pesos. That's a good habit whenever possible during your entire stay. Even with using your credit card, exchange rates can be quite unfavourable.
A word on Mexican cash and tipping: I inadvertently tipped 200 pesos for a drink instead of 20 my first night. That's a $14CDN tip! I only made that mistake once. The pale blue 20 and pale green 200 can look similar in poor lighting (or after a few drinks). I immediately folded all my larger bills in half so they would stand apart in my wallet. Problem solved. (However, on the plus side, that bartender knew my name and preferred drink within 1 hour of my arrival!)
I typically tipped 20 pesos (about $1US) for a drink, and (since I was alone) 50 for a quick a la carte dinner. At the Buffets, 20 or 40 depending on if I'd ordered a drink or two as well as how many times they had to take away my empty plates. I would usually just put it on my table when I sat down. Others did it when leaving. Others not at all. I didn't see any overt difference in service, but for me tipping is done more for the server's benefit than my own. Sometimes I had no cash in hand, and not once was I made to feel awkward. I tried to remember to shove a few 20s into my pool/beach bag, but sometimes you just can't realistically carry money at a resort. The swim-up bar was a good example. I tried to remember to drop off a tip as I left the pool area instead, but again, many did not. It really does seem to be 100% discretionary and I saw no one giving dirty looks to non-tippers. (I tipped my shuttle guy 50 pesos and he actually seemed slightly surprised.)
Upon arriving in your room, there are a few things you should ensure your bellman/butler makes you aware of: How to use the safe, which light switches do what (there seem to be an awful lot of them), and how to adjust the AC in your room and turn on/off the ceiling fan(s).
Use the AC at ALL times. Even if you need to raise the temperature by a few degrees so it's not too cool for comfort. This is an incredibly humid part of the world and the AC goes a long way towards controlling the mustiness of your room. I found it noticeable but still mild and not terribly unpleasant in my room. (If you are in a suite with a separate living area, make sure both AC units are set to the same temp or they'll fight each other and drive you nuts.)
Note: The staff speaks at least very passable and often fluent English, EXCEPT most of the housekeepers. If you have anything beyond a very basic housekeeping request you should ask the concierge or front desk to relay the message for you. That said, it seems genuinely appreciated if you make even a small effort to use some Spanish. A simple "hola" or "gracias" is a great start.
Yes, the minibar is free and refilled daily. No, it's not extravagant. If there's something you'd like (more Orange pop, less Pepsi), leave a note (and maybe 20 pesos) inside the fridge. Everyone gets a couple of cans of beer, bottled water, and some soft drinks.
Privilege will also get a few mini-bottles of basic liquor (vodka, rum). Note, this is a Pepsi property. No Coke. *Sad Face*
In Mexico, the custom in most places is to NOT flush toilet paper if there is a lined bin beside the toilet. You read that correctly: You generally put the poopy paper in the garbage not the toilet.
However, most resorts (including OCT) have more modern plumbing designs that can handle the paper. There are still lined bins, but they are for other non-flushables (feminine products, diaper wipes, etc.).
The bathrooms were fine. Tiled and clean. It seems most, possibly all, rooms have a bathtub and separate shower stall. Handy!
If you have a Junior Suite or a Master Suite, you will also have a 2-person jacuzzi tub on your patio or balcony. (I believe they all also have an outside shower, but that might only be on the ground floor.) Don't be afraid to either ask how to fill and operate it yourself, or ask to have it done for you for a specific time if you plan to use it later.
Once you settle in, my advice is to immediately take half an hour and stroll the resort. Learn where the restaurants and bars are, AND pre-locate a few bathrooms. They're all around, but tend to be tucked out of sight. Grab a drink, slap on some sunscreen, and go get your bearings. The walkway along the beach is probably the simplest way to get from place to place, but learning the basic outlay of the many paths, boardwalks and shortcuts through buildings will be handy. You can pretty much walk from any one point to another within 5-6 minutes if you know where to go.
SUNBLOCK IS A MUST. EVEN IF IT'S WINDY OR CLOUDY! Clouds don't block much UV light, and a cooling breeze can mask those hot, tingly warnings of a sunburn coming on. At this latitude the sun is more directly overhead which, thanks to Geometry, means there's less UV-blocking atmosphere between you and that Giant Hydrogen Reactor In The Sky.
Bug spray, especially after sunset, or on calm days, or when venturing inland is also crucial. This is a rainforest, after all.
Vendors are not a big problem at the resort itself. There are a few selling cigars, photos with a monkey, or temporary tattoos, etc., but for the most part they are unobtrusive. The beach up to the high water mark is apparently public property (similar to most places in Canada, actually), so you will occasionally see non-guests strolling along, or trinket vendors, especially at either end of the resort. I wasn't bothered much at all by anyone at the resort.
Saturday the central areas of the resort turn into a mini-market place with a dozen or so souvenir vendors. It’s rather pleasant, really, and I found at least a couple of things that weren’t the same as what everyone else all over the area is selling. Again, haggling is a key part of the experience.
Bring snacks.
They have lots of prepared food available (including basic burgers and such) 24-7, but if you think you'll want some Pringles or a couple of KitKats during your stay, bring them with you. The small shop off the lobby is CRAZY expensive. $5 for a 99c lighter, $30 for sunscreen, $30 for a cheap pair of dollar-store sunglasses, $4 for a chocolate bar.
(That said, I've never been happier in my life to pay $25CDN for a charging cable for my phone, after leaving mine on the damned plane!)
Seaweed. Everyone wants to talk about the seaweed. Folks, it's the Caribbean Sea, in the Atlantic Ocean, and the prevailing current is an onshore one. Seaweed happens. I found that there was a constant accumulation throughout the day, ending up with a strip of it about 2 feet wide at worst, where the waves lap the shoreline. The staff cleaned it up twice a day. It doesn't smell very noticeably at all - certainly not any worse than any other beach I've ever been to. The rocky, tidal shorelines on the West coast of Vancouver Island often smell far worse when the tide goes out exposing decaying plants and shellfish.
The seaweed is also not long, stringy ropes of green slimy goo. It's essentially small, floating sprigs and strands that are piled up on shore by the waves. Imagine emptying your lawnmower bag into a lake and you can picture what mostly washes up.
I found this beach great for swimming. The bottom is foot-friendly until it's well over your head. I personally wore water shoes, but I always do (more because of being worried about objects underfoot on the beach than anything else). This beach was clean and soft. The water was murky (mostly disturbed sand) for about the first 10 feet, then clear and lovely. The gradient is gentle enough to comfortably walk out. Lifeguards are usually on hand at the North end of the beach (nearest the children's pool) but only intermittently elsewhere, it appeared.
Smack dab in the middle of the resort (ground level, below the lobby's patio) is where you'll find a small stage with tables and chairs. This is where many activities happen throughout the days and evenings. Trivia contests, dance shows, dart challenges, outdoor movie nights, crowd games and karaoke. (When I arrived it seemed like the whole resort had gathered to watch the Superbowl on the outdoor screen. On the afternoon I left, they were setting up for an Oscars watch party, complete with 8-foot replica statues just like on the Red Carpet.)
There you will also find a large notice board showing all the various planned activities (and shows) for each day and evening, sorted by day of the week.
The lobby bar entertainment was basically lounge-piano. The shows were a mixed bag but passable, and the 80s revue was fun.
A word on wildlife:
I was amazed to see huge cormorants gliding just a few feet above the resort. You'll also find gorgeous iguanas (they don't move much), raccoons (very bold but harmless, except that they can inflict a nasty bite if deliberately cornered), and lots of cats (some much more friendly and pettable than others, but none seemed aggressive). They ask you NOT to feed the animals so as not to encourage them. It seems a bit futile, though...the local "pets" will never miss an abandoned room service tray or a dropped chicken wing, and I saw staff throwing them treats and scraps.
Getting around was quite simple. I used taxis to get into Cancun and Puerto Morelos. Both were well worth getting off the resort to see. The prices are posted at the hotel entrance, and the drivers seem to honour them without any issues. Taxis will offer to wait for you, but it’s not necessary.
You can book excursions to all the major attractions, but some of them have extra stops simply designed to sell you stuff. They were still highly recommended by folks I spoke with, though. If you wish a bit more independence, you can easily (and cheaply) rent a car from an international chain at the hotel, or in Puerto Morelos from Europcar. I rented right at the resort. Cost me $50 US for 24 hours including all insurance, and the hold placed on my card was only about $400. The car was a small 4-door hatchback in very good shape. It was stick-shift with basic options (A/C, Bluetooth and a phone holder so you could use your GPS. Nice touch!) I drove to Chichen Itza, and it was VERY easy! The roads are well-maintained and it’s freeway about 90% of the way. The tolls added about $30 to the travel cost. The toll system is easy: The booths are staffed, and they can make change. If you come to a gate that says take a ticket, you take a ticket which you will give to the next toll booth person to show where you got on the road from. There is a decent fuel/food/service oasis about halfway to Chichen Itza accessible from both directions. Note that you may see people with red flags at a fuel station or parking lot and think it’s a checkpoint. It’s not, they’re simply trying to get you to stop and buy something. Drive on by.
The highway was well-patrolled by state and federal police, so don’t speed! Also, BRING YOUR PASSPORT PHOTOCOPY with you. If you are stopped at a checkpoint they will ask to see your license and passport (or the photocopy) and you will quickly be on your way.
If you drive to Chichen Itza, it is well-signed and easy to access. There are lots of people trying to get you to park “near” Chichen Itza, but they are not official. The REAL parking lot is inexpensive and easy to find…the road ENDS at its gate! Travel time was about 2.5 hours each way. Gas prices are comparable to Canada.
Guides for historic sites are a good thing. Chichen Itza or Tulum, etc., all offer tour guides. This is one time when you’re actually getting GOOD advice from someone trying to sell you something. The guides are excellent. HOWEVER, at about $50 U.S., if you’re not with a group it’s a bit expensive. A great idea for singles or couples is to ask them to find another small party to split the cost. You end up with a great price and a guide who can give you very good individualized attention.
Finally, a word on food and drink at the Ocean Coral & Turquesa. I was personally very satisfied with almost all the food I tried. Anything I didn’t like was really down to personal taste rather than quality. I found the buffet food temperatures just fine. There were lots of choices, to be sure. Some buffet highlights for me: Great omelettes, the pasta station was delicious, decent salad options, LOTS of nice fresh fruit, and a really nice assortment of breads.
As for the A La Carte restaurants, I was pleased with the ribs at Route 66, the “Cowboy” steak I had at Villa Marina was Angus beef and even though it came a little underdone (bleu-rare) at first, it was cheerfully brought up to mid-rare temp for me and ultimately was cooked to perfection. Some of my favourite dishes were the Duck Magret at the Privilege Lounge, and a Jamaican spiced beef pastry turnover from Villa Marina that was amazing. The Italian restaurant was good, but not exceptional. Room Service arrived quick, hot and accurate. My only real disappointment with the food was desserts at the A La Carte restaurants. They were really underwhelming in variety, portion and taste. The best desserts were to be had either in the buffets or by visiting Le Petit Creperie or the Ice Cream shop.
*ALLERGIES AND PREFERENCES* I was impressed to see that EVERY time I sat down in an A La Carte restaurant or made a reservation, I was asked in advance about allergies or intolerances. Vegetarians, those who are gluten-free and yes, even you darned Vegans will be just fine here.
After a wonderful week it was time to head home. Check-out was easy, with no surprises, and you keep our wristband until they load you on your shuttle to the airport, so you still had full bar/restaurant access even if your transfer was late afternoon (like mine was).
Upon arrival at the airport, you will hand your Immigration form to the airline check-in agent. (You remembered NOT to lose that, right? I hope so, because it would be $30 and a long lineup to get it replaced!) Airport security was typical for any International Airport. No worse, no better.
In summary, the Ocean Coral and Tuerquesa is a VERY GOOD 4-start resort, on a beautiful beach in a wonderful location close to Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, and Cozumel, but far enough away to not feel like you’re in the middle of a hundred other resorts. The service was usually very attentive, and always friendly. I really didn’t use the Butler service, but my package did include it. The drinks were very good (watered down drinks are largely a myth from people who don’t know what a 1- or 2-ounce Pina Colada is supposed to taste like) and quick to be refilled. The servers and bartenders were all very good.
Privilege plan…worth it? If you care about premium liquor brands, an exclusive eating space with fancier menu items, your own beach area and a slightly better minibar, then yes. If you don’t care about those things, then no, it’s not.
Whew…this review got way longer than I expected, but I hope you’ll find it helpful. I’d definitely stay there again if I was heading back to Cancun and didn’t want to stay in the “Hotel Zone” of the city itself.
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Room Tip: Oceanfront (different from "Ocean View") is VERY worth it!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
20 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from CustomerServiceOcean, Gerente at Ocean Coral & Turquesa
Responded Feb 27, 2020
Thank you so much for choosing OCT as your hotel of destination in the Riviera Maya. It is great to read that you had such a great time in our resort. It is really rewarding to read that you had such a good time in our hotel with our hard working, friendly staff. We would like to thank you for taking the time to leave your valuable comments on this page. And we look forward to receive you again in our hotel. Best Regards, The Ocean Coral & Turquesa Management
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Overall great hotel, pools, ocean access, and food/drink. We booked through Air Canada Vacations super last minute and it was a great price, so were not expecting too much. Note that for anyone with Air Canada vacations to get your free transfer from the airport, they won’t have a sign waiting for you in the usual area outside the Cancun airport- keep walking past all the people with signs towards the parking lot and there is an Air Canada booth to catch your transfer from. The staff were all very helpful/friendly, and small tips get you far (especially at the bar). The last week of Jan when we were there was nice and empty (apparently 1/3 full) and that combined with masks in all restaurants and gloves at the buffet meant it felt safe Covid-wise. Restaurants were easy to book the day of, as long as someone in your party just wakes up in the morning and uses the booking website. All the restaurants were great except Girasoles (the Mexican one!) - the food was really unauthentic and disappointing. One of us is vegetarian and could easily eat everywhere. It was our honeymoon, so when we checked in we told them and after checking our marriage certificate we got a late checkout, ocean front room upgrade, private special dinner setup outside, and a breakfast in bed (all very nice). Highly recommend taking a walk to Puerto Morelos, which you can do all the way along the beach from the hotel (1 hour walk); it is a cute quaint town and some great restaurants. If you love cats, they seem to love them on the resort too (little cute cat village where they feed them and they live). Yes, the beach had sargassum but we happily swam in the ocean and they were constantly cleaning it (not a big deal). Loved the tennis courts and good quality racquets. Finally, the wifi was amazing (could do video calls from pool, room, lobby, and even spots on the beach).
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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First off I will explain that I have been to multiple resorts in Mexico/Dominican and Cuba, I have travelled to To Europe Twice also. My point is that I have Lots to compare to.
(This may seem like a [--] list but It is Honest.)
First impression upon arrival to the resort was interesting. We drove on an access road which was loaded with potholes which were so bad that the driver had to slow down and attempt to swerve around them. There is no parking lot for the cars so they are all lined up along the road. When we pulled up the appearance of the lobby was nothing special which is a shame because after spending a week there we realized that the lobby was a more popular place to hang out. We paid for the "privilege" option which comes with some perks which in my opinion should be standard to everyone(other resorts have these perks included). Immediately we were DISAPPOINTED when they informed us that the two double beds we requested was not available. She explained that there is a pull out sofa in the room and that they would work on getting a room with two beds. This was acceptable for us EXCEPT they never made up the pull out sofa for us to use. The following day I followed up on getting another bed but was denied. After approximately six requests for the pull out sofa to be made up I gave up also there was no linens for me to even do it myself. Also the room smelt strong of MILDEW which I understand is hard to control in that environment but this was exceptionally bad. The housekeeping service was inconsistent and the minibar was only stocked 5 out of 7 days.
The biggest qualm I had was the service. I Consistently have better service from McDonalds compared to this place. Even getting acknowledged was difficult. For the record I noticed this same service (or lack of) given to all other guests.
There was a Privilege beach section which had better lawn chairs which were nice but its hard to enjoy it when there are hundreds of people trying to sell you fake silver, Weed, Cocaine, fake cigars...ect. On average you get hassled 10 times per hour. There was no snorkelling equipment to use or any other water activities offered other than some kayaks which cost money to use. I had personal snorkelling equipment and discovered a landfill of garbage below. Although the water was beautiful after I saw this it turned me off from swimming in it again so I hiked the beach a couple kilometres down then enjoyed the beautiful coral reef and fish.
There is no disco club here which causes people to congregate around the pool bar. It is poorly designed and has people sitting in the dark trying to enjoy a drink with friends, girlfriend or Wife.
The spa was expensive for what you got in return and the massage was amateur. There is a hidden spa pool and sauna which was old, cold and breaking down. The Hot tub can fit two max. The vapour sauna was cold and the dry sauna wasn't worth the time. The hot water on the resort was very inconsistent it ranges from scalding hot to ice cold periodically so you end up becoming good at timing yourself in and out so you don't get burned/freeze. This was in the room and at the spa so I assume it was site wide
The food was TERRIBLE! It got us sick and and other people we met at the resort as well. I lost weight which I suppose isn't bad but I couldn't wait to get home to have something good to eat. The food was tasteless and POOR quality. I am not a picky eater but it's bad when I cant even eat it. Fruit and Beer was my week long diet. The room service pizza was okay and was the best meal I had all week unfortunately the menu was full of "american" type food such as burgers, Fries and pizza type things.
I would continue to comment on other things but I've wasted enough time on this resort. Please contact me if you have more questions chay-z@hotmail.com I will be happy to elaborate.
Please AVOID THIS PLACE you will be disappointed if you choose it.
Happy travels :)
(This may seem like a [--] list but It is Honest.)
First impression upon arrival to the resort was interesting. We drove on an access road which was loaded with potholes which were so bad that the driver had to slow down and attempt to swerve around them. There is no parking lot for the cars so they are all lined up along the road. When we pulled up the appearance of the lobby was nothing special which is a shame because after spending a week there we realized that the lobby was a more popular place to hang out. We paid for the "privilege" option which comes with some perks which in my opinion should be standard to everyone(other resorts have these perks included). Immediately we were DISAPPOINTED when they informed us that the two double beds we requested was not available. She explained that there is a pull out sofa in the room and that they would work on getting a room with two beds. This was acceptable for us EXCEPT they never made up the pull out sofa for us to use. The following day I followed up on getting another bed but was denied. After approximately six requests for the pull out sofa to be made up I gave up also there was no linens for me to even do it myself. Also the room smelt strong of MILDEW which I understand is hard to control in that environment but this was exceptionally bad. The housekeeping service was inconsistent and the minibar was only stocked 5 out of 7 days.
The biggest qualm I had was the service. I Consistently have better service from McDonalds compared to this place. Even getting acknowledged was difficult. For the record I noticed this same service (or lack of) given to all other guests.
There was a Privilege beach section which had better lawn chairs which were nice but its hard to enjoy it when there are hundreds of people trying to sell you fake silver, Weed, Cocaine, fake cigars...ect. On average you get hassled 10 times per hour. There was no snorkelling equipment to use or any other water activities offered other than some kayaks which cost money to use. I had personal snorkelling equipment and discovered a landfill of garbage below. Although the water was beautiful after I saw this it turned me off from swimming in it again so I hiked the beach a couple kilometres down then enjoyed the beautiful coral reef and fish.
There is no disco club here which causes people to congregate around the pool bar. It is poorly designed and has people sitting in the dark trying to enjoy a drink with friends, girlfriend or Wife.
The spa was expensive for what you got in return and the massage was amateur. There is a hidden spa pool and sauna which was old, cold and breaking down. The Hot tub can fit two max. The vapour sauna was cold and the dry sauna wasn't worth the time. The hot water on the resort was very inconsistent it ranges from scalding hot to ice cold periodically so you end up becoming good at timing yourself in and out so you don't get burned/freeze. This was in the room and at the spa so I assume it was site wide
The food was TERRIBLE! It got us sick and and other people we met at the resort as well. I lost weight which I suppose isn't bad but I couldn't wait to get home to have something good to eat. The food was tasteless and POOR quality. I am not a picky eater but it's bad when I cant even eat it. Fruit and Beer was my week long diet. The room service pizza was okay and was the best meal I had all week unfortunately the menu was full of "american" type food such as burgers, Fries and pizza type things.
I would continue to comment on other things but I've wasted enough time on this resort. Please contact me if you have more questions chay-z@hotmail.com I will be happy to elaborate.
Please AVOID THIS PLACE you will be disappointed if you choose it.
Happy travels :)
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Let me start by saying I read the reviews for this place....and I decided to just go and experience it myself, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. So our family of 10 went (ages 1-59). I really hate sounding like a Negative Nancy but here goes our experience.......
*people say it stinks there of sewage or something? I don't know what it is, I think its the seaweed on the beach, but it is OVERPOWERING! On our 3rd day it was pretty breezy so wasn't AS bad, but Im serious...its strong.
When we arrived, we had to upgrade rooms (3) because they claimed to not have the beds we reserved (2 beds per room). That was an additional $360 total. We still only ended up with 1 king and a pull out sofa sleeper in 2 of the 3 rooms. What a waste.
THE BEACH IS UNUSABLE! If you are going to enjoy the beach, this is not the place for you. We were so disappointed. It is full of seaweed...THICK seaweed. From the shore to at least 7-10 feet out. Someone decided to try and get in anyways and ended up with bites on the legs, a local said it was from "seaweed fleas".
The restaurants do have a dress code (not the buffet), no rubber/plastic flip flops even for kids. We were able to purchase some on an excursion we went on (thank goodness because the room service is not good-except for the cheeseburger and the pizza)
Speaking of excursions, we took the free shopping excursion to Playa Del Carmen. The reason it is free is because they make you spend 75 minutes at a Jewelry Store before taking you to town. We barely had enough time as they have you on a time limit with driving included. HOWEVER, if you decide to try and get a taxi talk to Mario the Bell Hop, he was very helpful. We ended up going to Puerto Morelos (he did recommend Cancun or Riviera Maya) but we were just hoping for some cute shops for souvenirs. SO GLAD WE DID! Such a cute town!!!! $20 each way for up to 4 people. Our taxi driver waited for us to shop in the church parking lot there, and brought us back! Bring pesos to save yourself some $ and the shops will make a deal-so barter away!
We also took an excursion to the Mayan Ruins and snorkeling. It was fun (but not resort related-this was thru another company).
Back to the resort, my dad had his room cleaned the day we went on our shopping trip. He had received a notice to not leave valuables out....he couldn't think of what they could be referring to until he remembered he left his money clip in the nightstand drawer (closed) with $150 in it. Of course the money was gone. They came and searched his room to see if HE misplaced it...had him empty HIS pockets, went thru his wallet and said they were following "protocol". Of course they didn't find it and nothing came of it. Not even apology from management.
THEN my room....we kept all our $ with us at that point but my baby's DIAPERS were stolen! Management came to our room and searched our room (as if we had hid the diapers?) Looking behind curtains, in our luggage, etc. It was weird. Of course they did not find the diapers, and said they would "investigate". No apology or offer of replacing diapers either. Seriously.....I have to lock up my baby's DIAPERS?! Well that's what I did for the rest of the trip.
Mini bar: they only let you have 2 beers per day in your mini frig. Its like pulling teeth to get it. Draft beer was only corona and the 2 beers in mini frig is Montejo (spelling?)Just a heads up.
We did really enjoy the Route 66 restaurant (only one cook-so do not be rushed). They were very nice and we all loved the steak, and the salmon was AMAZING!!! I had it 3 times!
Villa Marina was our other fav. Our server Omar was AWESOME! He refilled drinks without us asking and was so fun. My 13 yr old daughter even took a selfie picture with Omar on your last night. The Mayan Pizza was delish (my fav) and the Cajun Ribeye was outstanding.
Beer/drinks outside of the restaurants are served in plastic cafeteria type cups...not good drinking barely cold draft beer out in the heat with these cups. Which is why we were hoping to rely on mini bar....we ended up buying our own beer in Puerto Morelos. But if you like frozen beverages get the Mango Tango :) The waitress at the kids pool was great by the way!
I will say the employees were mostly very nice (kids pool waitress, server Omar @ Villa Marina, Mario the bell hop) of course excluding whoever is stealing-read more reviews, we are not the only ones. Anyways, for how much $ we spent for this experience, it was a bummer.
*people say it stinks there of sewage or something? I don't know what it is, I think its the seaweed on the beach, but it is OVERPOWERING! On our 3rd day it was pretty breezy so wasn't AS bad, but Im serious...its strong.
When we arrived, we had to upgrade rooms (3) because they claimed to not have the beds we reserved (2 beds per room). That was an additional $360 total. We still only ended up with 1 king and a pull out sofa sleeper in 2 of the 3 rooms. What a waste.
THE BEACH IS UNUSABLE! If you are going to enjoy the beach, this is not the place for you. We were so disappointed. It is full of seaweed...THICK seaweed. From the shore to at least 7-10 feet out. Someone decided to try and get in anyways and ended up with bites on the legs, a local said it was from "seaweed fleas".
The restaurants do have a dress code (not the buffet), no rubber/plastic flip flops even for kids. We were able to purchase some on an excursion we went on (thank goodness because the room service is not good-except for the cheeseburger and the pizza)
Speaking of excursions, we took the free shopping excursion to Playa Del Carmen. The reason it is free is because they make you spend 75 minutes at a Jewelry Store before taking you to town. We barely had enough time as they have you on a time limit with driving included. HOWEVER, if you decide to try and get a taxi talk to Mario the Bell Hop, he was very helpful. We ended up going to Puerto Morelos (he did recommend Cancun or Riviera Maya) but we were just hoping for some cute shops for souvenirs. SO GLAD WE DID! Such a cute town!!!! $20 each way for up to 4 people. Our taxi driver waited for us to shop in the church parking lot there, and brought us back! Bring pesos to save yourself some $ and the shops will make a deal-so barter away!
We also took an excursion to the Mayan Ruins and snorkeling. It was fun (but not resort related-this was thru another company).
Back to the resort, my dad had his room cleaned the day we went on our shopping trip. He had received a notice to not leave valuables out....he couldn't think of what they could be referring to until he remembered he left his money clip in the nightstand drawer (closed) with $150 in it. Of course the money was gone. They came and searched his room to see if HE misplaced it...had him empty HIS pockets, went thru his wallet and said they were following "protocol". Of course they didn't find it and nothing came of it. Not even apology from management.
THEN my room....we kept all our $ with us at that point but my baby's DIAPERS were stolen! Management came to our room and searched our room (as if we had hid the diapers?) Looking behind curtains, in our luggage, etc. It was weird. Of course they did not find the diapers, and said they would "investigate". No apology or offer of replacing diapers either. Seriously.....I have to lock up my baby's DIAPERS?! Well that's what I did for the rest of the trip.
Mini bar: they only let you have 2 beers per day in your mini frig. Its like pulling teeth to get it. Draft beer was only corona and the 2 beers in mini frig is Montejo (spelling?)Just a heads up.
We did really enjoy the Route 66 restaurant (only one cook-so do not be rushed). They were very nice and we all loved the steak, and the salmon was AMAZING!!! I had it 3 times!
Villa Marina was our other fav. Our server Omar was AWESOME! He refilled drinks without us asking and was so fun. My 13 yr old daughter even took a selfie picture with Omar on your last night. The Mayan Pizza was delish (my fav) and the Cajun Ribeye was outstanding.
Beer/drinks outside of the restaurants are served in plastic cafeteria type cups...not good drinking barely cold draft beer out in the heat with these cups. Which is why we were hoping to rely on mini bar....we ended up buying our own beer in Puerto Morelos. But if you like frozen beverages get the Mango Tango :) The waitress at the kids pool was great by the way!
I will say the employees were mostly very nice (kids pool waitress, server Omar @ Villa Marina, Mario the bell hop) of course excluding whoever is stealing-read more reviews, we are not the only ones. Anyways, for how much $ we spent for this experience, it was a bummer.
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Room Tip: We had rm 17212 with a view of kids pool and you could see part of the ocean-only problem we had...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Questions & answers about the parking
Answer from dnaleciz
Feb 2020 |
Hi Branden G
I had the opportunity to stay at the Ocean Coral & Turquesa Resort for seven days in August 2019 with 5 family members. I rented a 7 passenger van at the Cancun Airport and drove to the Resort in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. Had no problems finding a place to park the "beast". There is a large parking lot located in front of Building # 19. Noted numerous large size vehicles and vans parked there, also one can park along the fence line. Parking lot and fence line are patrolled by Resort security. Hope this helpful to you and hope you have a great vacation. Best Regards.
Answer from profesorasouza
Dec 2019 |
Also this resort is secluded and private as you can see from the air views. Quite different from the hotels in Cancun proper.
Answer from Ocean H
Dec 2015 |
Dear T D,
You are allowed to use our parking with a rented car without any extra charge.
Best regards,
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