There are certainly rough edges to Club Med. If you wish luxury, it is unlikely to please. But where else can you learn trapeze tricks or have a better range of activities and facilities than in many more expensive resorts?

Very Good: Beach. Long uncluttered, with a sailing and sail boarding pavilion.

Very Good: A resident circus troop who offer basic high wire training.

Good: Gym and fitness classes. The only hotel I know with a great gym is the Venetian in Los Vegas.

Good: Location, not cheek and jowl with other hotels.

Good: Food. Nothing special but lots of variety, so that you always find something you want.

Good: Bar. Quanitity rules over quality here. We didn’t use the free and unlimited drink allowance, but did like the bottles of seltzer and the occasional Mexican beer. The wine was ordinary.

Rooms: Fair. Not spotless. The air conditioning could be cooler and mattress firmer. Overall acceptable.

Scuba: Fair. You can take a beginning dive package or enough diving to get certified. The instructor was not accommodating and did not help one member of the dive party, who had problems equalizing the pressure in his ears. This is necessary in diving and he had to remain above on the dive boat, while the rest dove.

Price: Very reasonable for an all inclusive package in September. Scuba and an excursion to Mayan ruins were extra.

After reading some of the reviews, my husband and I went to Club Med Cancun for a quick getaway with no expectations. We were pleasantly surprised. It was our 1st Club Med trip, but we've been to lots of all-inclusives around the Caribbean. I don't think they market themselves as upscale, so I would hope no one goes expective the Ritz. This is a resort for people who want a little international flair (not just a bunch of Americans plopped on an island resort) and lots of activities. Lots of French guests this time around, but everyone was able to communicate from what I could tell. The GO's we encountered were friendly and socialized with the guests. GO's sat with guests at lunch and dinner, and we heard a lot of interesting stories as to how they ended up at Club Med. As with any all-inclusive resort with daily activities, you could do it all or nothing at all, but there was always something going on. If you're out for a hotel in the center of the hotel zone, this isn't for you. Club Med is the first hotel you hit going into Cancun from the airport, so it's a cab ride into town. Our room was large, clean, and had all the comforts we needed (fridge, CD player, large balcony, good sized bathroom). One plus would be small rugs inside the doorways ... if it rains, it gets a little slick and your shoes track in dirt. We had a lagoonview room in Mi Favorita - great location and nice view of the sunset. I did wish there was one more dining option to choose from, but the buffets were plentiful with lots of choices and La Palapa was a nice change. (BTW, the dark chocolate bread is excellent!!) I loved that we could snorkel right off the beach at our leisure, too, instead of being at the mercy of some scheduled snorkel trip. The nightly shows could be a little corny, but the GO's were having fun ... best show was the Circus show. Any questions, just e-mail

I went to Club Med from 4-11 August. I went there cos it's pretty cheap and very easy for me to travel to.

August/September is the low-season at club med (think 50% capacity). There were lots of couples and french people (its their holiday season). It was a bit intimidating at first. As a single I had no idea how the vacation would be. The thing that worked the best for me was to go up to the bar when I saw a hot guy headed that way or just introduce myself to groups of girls who were hanging out by the pool. My first night there I met some great guys who were there for their last night. We ended up going with a group of CM people to Dady O's...a hot club on the hotel strip.

After they left, it was all about getting to know new people. I met some great people and ended up hanging out with two of them for most of my trip. We all decided to go into the city every night and party in the club district. "The City" was the best, but Fat Tuesday was pretty cool and Dady O's was great. We also went to Coco Bongo but I would NOT recommend it...super cheesy scene. The drinks in the club strip were really good and clubbing was great cos there's no real dress code. The first night I dressed up in a cami and pants and stilettos. After that I went with little tops and skirts..much more comfortable in the warm weather.

Because I drank so much and partied so late I didn't do any of the club sports activities. I just laid by the pool and tanned. I'd usually get a spot about 11am (I did my sleeping during the afternoon) and chill there. There are a ton of umbrellas- the sun is SOO strong that some shade is critical. I liked how I was always free to leave my towel on my chair and still have it there when I came back. I don't know it if will always work, but I know that if I claimed a chair, it was mine for as long as I wanted it.

As for any activities I did do....the gym is small but if you know how to train you will have everything you need to get a good workout. Street Jazz(hip-hop) has an awesome GO who teaches. I totally recommend her class!I tried going to Cardio Tai-Box. No one ever really came...guess that's siesta time. I also did the booze cruise. We snorked, then had lunch at a nice resort (very simple but pretty) then shopped in Isla Mujeres (murderous Mexican sun). The 'party' started at 3pm. There was a basic bar and traditional Mexican music. The crew was so nasty that the idea of dancing with them and with that music totally turned me off. Sure I wasn't a great sport, but after the clubs I've been to...that was one sad excuse for a party.

As a club, this place was so relaxing. I have never felt so chill in my life and would totally go there again to get that feeling.

As far as club nightlife goes....I didn't experience it much, but I know some people who tried the disco. They said the disco at the club closes early and the music isn't that great (generic). Also, since its not open to the public, the people who you hang out with in the day are the people who you dance with at night...with the current demographic...the party ended early. Club Med nightlife is for toned down people who think three drinks and half an hour swaying side to side is hot.

I wasn't thrilled with the food...but those chefs have to cook for hundreds of people three times a day...I liked their fish and chicken and fruits/veggies. They had a pretty good Mexican night...yum! Breakfast was hit-or-miss. If I ate, I had sausage and hash browns. Not my favorite. The drinks were very strong at first. I think the bartenders get to know the guests so they tone down the drinks. They also love to serve very fruity drinks. At one point I ordered a barcardi/pina. They gave me 3/4 of a glass of pina and a small shot of bacardi...not good. The best alternative was to clearly say double/triple or order a really boozy drink. Long Island ice tea and caipirina (a nice sized glass of rum with fresh crushed limes and sugar). Know your drinks so you get what you want.

I liked watching the shows. The only reason they are hit or miss is cos there's a lot of girls who agree to dance in the shows who are either very stiff or a bit uncoordinated. When the dancers are into the choreography..they do really well. The guys had smaller parts...usually they were the comedy aspect of the show. It was almost always a variety show but it was short (avoid boredom).

The GO's as a whole seemed to keep to themselves, but the ones I met were cool. I wasn't there to meet them, I was there to meet the guests. Still..gotta give it up to the girl bartender, street jazz teacher and the tennis guy...amazing people!

My room was great. The A/C would make me freeze if I wanted it to. I got a lagoon view...not that pretty...but I wasn't in my room long enough to care. I had a hard bed, but I don't mind it. The shower was very roomy ;) there was a CD player, fridge, two safes, a vanity, a toilet separate from the shower. Guards are stationed around the 10 room complexes, very safe. Security is good. I don't know if you're allowed to bring people from outside. We wanted to try, but ended up not.

Reception took fine care of me. They have a great system where you get a taxi from them. You pay them, then the taxi comes five mins. later. They recommend a maximum price coming back so you don't have to be subjected to rip-offs.

I can totally see why people complain about this club. My overall impression that they are expecting 4-5 star service at a 2/3 star place. This is an extremely safe, pleasant and comfortable place. If you want high style...go to the Ritz. I spent a night there and it was sweet!

P.S. If you are into the party scene and want to chill with other 20's check out Oasis (the Oasis next to Grand Oasis. also NOT Oasis Playa)

Want to know more? Just email.

I didn't know what 'swamp coolers' were until my wife and I spent eight nights at Club Med Cancun. For the uninitiated (which no longer includes us!), it is a 1950s version of air conditioning. Or maybe an 1850s version?

Unbelievably, terribly hot inside and outside. After bickering with the front desk, we were told our air conditioning was working fine; however, they offered to move us to another room which was 3/8 of a mile from the dining/activity area.

The dining area is located upstairs with very little in the way of scenery. Despite the fact that Club Med occupies a sizable portion of the beachfront, the layout of the resort takes little advantage of the natural beauty.

I liked the diversity of the food - lots of fish! My wife didn't and our two friends didn't care for the food.

But...if you want to drink a lot, go to Club Med. Or, you could just buy five cases of Dom Perignon and stay at your (air conditioned) home in front of the big screen plasma TV you used the money for.

Never again...