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 $.

We had a great time and alot of fun. The beach is beautiful but could've had more umbrellas, there were only 6 palapas and they went fast. The pool area did have alot of umbrellas but we love the beach.

This was the third time I've been to this resort and my 12th time to Cancun/Riviera Maya. We picked this resort because it's just a short ride from airport and a 10 minute bus ride to shopping and another 10 to the clubs.

We were disappointed that most of the restaurants were not open and the Caribe tower was completely closed. There was only 1 restaurant with menu service and the large buffet didn't open until we were there 3 days,

The service at the restaurants and bars was great! The entertainment staff was very friendly and a few were very talented in the shows.

THEN, we had 2 days left of our 7 days when our over 21 year olds all-inclusive bracelet some how came off while swimming in the waves. When we went to the desk to report what happened they informed use it would cost $70. We went to search again by the beach. Then we asked to talk to the manager he basically said too bad you should have told us if it didn't fit right. We said they must not have put it on correctly, he still said oh well. I thought a fair price would have been $20, ten per day. He also asked if he gave it to his room mate who was 17. HA, it doesn't matter what color bracelet you have on they still serve alcohol...I witnessed it with my son. So, this part really made me mad and I told him we would never stay here again and I would post it online.

I was with my wife and two friends on this Hotel, the best of all was the staff very nice, with a big smile all the time and so helpful.
The room was good, nothing extraordinary but nice and clean. The food was the worst no to much variety and too all inclusive, the alcohol drinks was good.

Went for 7 days and booked it through Apple vacations. It was incredible; from the staff service to the amazing beach to the nightlife.

Room: We stayed in a standard room with a great ocean view. The room might have been a little smaller than we wanted but it was nice and cozy. The floors are fine unless you open the windows and then it gets moist; perhaps because we are so close to the beach and Cancun is a humid place. But it doesn't really matter cause who really stays in their room all day. The hotel offers a safe that you have to pay a dollar for every day you use it. And don’t worry the room has cable!

Food: It has about 7 different restaurants; which are all good (guarantee you will find something you like). They have two special restaurants, where casual attire is requested (no sandals, shorts) the steak night was amazing, better than your local STEAK house. The huge buffet offers make your own pizza, sushi, tacos, empanadas, even deserts such as crepes. Also the pool snacks were AWESOME, I was stunned by their hamburgers, they actually were up to American standards... Although I was disappointed by their breakfast room service, which consisted of bread and fruit only. But they offer a lunch and dinner room service ($4.00 delivery charge), which was pretty good and offered burgers, salads, clubs, and some Mexican dishes.

Hotel: It's one of the first hotels of the "hotel zone", so it’s about 15 mins bus ride from where all the clubs are at. But the bus is so cheap, 7.5 peso p/, it really is the best way to get around anywhere. The hotel is very clean, and they make you feel welcomed. They have a mini-golf court and tennis. The pools were alright nothing fancy; I loved the swim-up pool service. HINT* the hot tubs are open all night, we were down there one night at around 11pm, water was still very warm. They have a decent Theater House, where they hosted different Broadways shown every night. It was cool, we saw two shows and the waitress brings you cold drinks.

TIPS- If you want cheap souvenirs, take the bus that goes to Mercado23, bus passes every two min. Once at bus stop, it’s a three block walk, you will find a huge place to find all kinds of stuff. BUT you must bargain, once they tell you a price, BARGAIN UP TOO 50 to 60% cheaper, walk away and they will fall for your price.
If you want cheap Scuba, go to Isla Mujeres on your own. Take the bus to the ferry station, $25.00 for two round trip. Once there rent a golf kart $15/hr and drive half way through Island and find the Scuba spot. They charge about $5.00, they take you to an amazing coral.

Go and book through the hotel, good rates, better than the apple rep. tours...

Must do the SELVATICA TOUR's, we booked directly through selvatica over the net, great service, just don't go horse back riding afterward, awful!!!

Hotel goes to different clubs every night, good way to club 4 cheap, no lines and all you can drink $45P/P...

Overall the whole trip was great; I can't wait to come back next year.