We arrived on June 6th for our 4th trip to Cancun, 2nd to a Solaris resort. In 2007 we stayed at the G R SOLARIS, this time we booked at the Royal Solaris. I will refer to the difference between the two resorts to help those undecided between the two.
Upon arrival, we were promptly checked into the Royal Tower of the Royal solaris as the Caribe Tower was still closed due to low occupancy. The Caribe pool and the mini-golf were the only open amenities on this southern end of the resort. Our room was clean, had the BEST ocean/marina view anyone could ask for and much more than we could ask for. We stayed in room #1540 which had an incredible terrace with 3 lounge chairs but room for many more. It was a 1 bedroom that had 2 separate rooms! A master with a king bed, small dinette set and 4 drawer wardrobe with a TV above. There was a Jack-and-Jill bath that adjoined the rest of the unit which consisted of a kitchenette (mini fridge, sink, coffee maker & minimal dishes. Nearby sat a dining table with 4 chairs, sofa, 2 upholstered chairs, an entertainment unit with TV and a murphy bed (full size) and another sink area. The views out the expansive windows & patio doors were amazing (see photos)! Yes we are RCI/Solaris Club members and this was a FREE upgrade for us costing only a 60 minute presentation (to upgrade to the "presidential suites"), which did not exceed a second past 60 minutes. Though we did not upgrade, this did not affect our stay.
I really wish the Caribe tower was open. The architecture there was authentic Mexico and I think I would have asked to stay there now after seeing the rooms and the surroundings. Only because it is more authentic, and even though it was in some disrepair. I fell in love with this half of the resort I guess because it was not like the standard hotel appeal (see pictures). My sons loved it as well.
Everything was so clean, service was very great, as usual, especially if you tip (we tip $1 for most but not all drink orders / $3-$5 per breakfast & lunch / $8- $15 dinner in Marco Polo). We usually end up taking $100-$200 in $1 -$5 bills US dollars strictly for tipping though you do NOT HAVE TO TIP. These people work so hard to make you feel like royalty, I feel it is worth every dollar I tip. The BEST waiter BY FAR that we encountered was VICTOR! He usually works at the Caribe restaurants but was working at the Royal, due to the closings at the Caribe. We asked for him every time we ate because his JOYFUL demeanor was so contageous. And yes, we tipped him for his service.
The pool was nice, entertainment staff were engaging, beach is the BEST IN CANCUN (no rocks to speak of and more sand area than most other resorts), food is just OK, (except Marco Polo which is A+). We are not spoiled people when it comes to food but we have had the food at the GR SOLARIS and it was definately better there...even Victor our waitor agreed. He did tell us that the food at the Caribe tower restaurants is better than the Royal tower restaurants. The Caribe tower and restaurants were scheduled to open the day we left so I can't personally testify to that.
We did order dessert from room service most nights and it came within 10 minutes, was presented nicely and tasted as good as it looked.
We took one tour, the Jungle Tour booking it through Xel-Ha in the lobby shop for a steal @ $184 for 3 adults, 1 child (14 year old counted as adult, 9 year old counted as child) which is well below the normal $66/adult $30/ child rate. I did book this tour online before going and printed a receipt for them to compare before seeing if they could beat the rate. Check www.entertainmentplus.net before you go for GREAT deals. If you pay a deposit (fully refundable if canceled within 24 hours of the booking-yes I got my refund) and show it to the Xel-Ha folks, they will try to beat the price. The Jungle tour we switched to was through Aqua Fun and I give KUDOS to our tour guide. You leave in a 2 man speed boad from the marina in a caravan of 5-10 boats to the reef, snorkle for 45 minutes and return to the marina. THIS TOUR WAS SO GREAT for the kids and adults!! I highly recommend this 2 1/2 hour venture but book for a tour before noon or it gets SO HOT!!
I hope I have covered most of the points of interest here. If not, please feel free to ask me more questions. I have been to Cancun 4 times since 2005 and will share any details you wish to hear. I will say if you are looking for a good deal, this or the GR SOLARIS are both wonderful places to stay for the $.
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