Ok, so this isn't a 5 star hotel....

but if you want some laid back relaxation - this is the place!

We had a suite - which was 1 bedroom with a full sized frig and microwave and a dining table and all the dishes. It was clean and had a large bath and a small changing area which I really liked. The bedroom was very large. Yes, the bed was firm, but for me with a bad back it was actually great!

Now - the view - the beautiful view.... that fabulous turqoise ocean and the pool... what more can you say?

We did the timeshare breakfast - it wasn't that bad - the minute we said no - we were out of there.

We did the two for one deal - which you should consider if you'll be eating and drinking there. We generally do an activity off site one day, then hang out the pool and relax the next day, so this was great for us. I loved the pool out front - and I really, really loved the bar! Nice snacks, great drinks, fabulous bartended - and the entertainment (bingo and a fashion show) was a hoot!

The beach is just great - the waves are very small, they clean up the seaweed every morning and literally comb the beach clean. The water is warm and you practically float in it with no effort.

We ate quite a few times at their restaurant outside as we were tired and didn't want to go off site. It was so-so - but the service was good and it was relaxing not to have to take a bus or cab somewhere.

One night they had a party on the beach which was free dinner and some local dancers and they gave us a table up front and we really enjoyed it.

If you want to just chill out and sit by the pool and read and have a cold one - this is the place.

We will absolutely return.

My fiance and I just returned from Cancun on May 29. I did an exchange through Interval International with the intent of us staying at Casa Maya for the entire week. I'm the planner, and take great pride in researching where we stay on vacations. Initially, we had reservations for Los Cabos, but due to demands at work, had to switch my weeks and the resort I booked in Cabo was no longer available, so in a short time span, chose Casa Maya. I read all of the reviews, and felt pretty ok with this place, until we got there. Some of the reviews spoke to the fact that it is an older hotel, but well maintained....which is true. Another said that if you are use to 5 star hotels, this is not the place for you....which is also true. I realize now that after staying there for one night (more on that later), I am a 5 star hotel type of gal.

Check-In - We got there around 3:00 and was told that our room was not ready. We found out later, that everyone who was checking in was told that same thing. I kept asking for an ocean view, and was told that they have to check to see if it's available. Now, if you know our room isn't ready, then you should know whether it's an ocean view. Plus, the hotel was not at full occupancy. They were sending everyone to the lobby (or bar), to wait for a pitch from the hotel timeshare staff. It was obvious they were struggling for business. We had to sit and listen to this woman (who also called my home in the US just to confirm that we were still coming), for over a hour. She kept going back and forth telling us that the room was still not ready. She even bought us a round of drinks. Finally, when we get to the room (which she goes with us), as soon as we got off of the elevator, we were hit with this moldy, musty smell. It was like when you leave clothes in the washer for days on end, she even noticed it. Once in the room, the smell did not go away. We did have a balcony with an ocean view (which was nice), but there were two full size beds (which we didn't like), plus they were very hard (which I didn't care for, but my fiance didn't mind), and the room was so outdated there was rust on the appliances. I requested another room, and was told that nothing could be done until the next day. In the meantime, we went to Walmart and was talked into going on a timeshare presentation the next day. When the person came to pick us up, she was not allowed to come on Casa Maya's property (she warned us of that the day before). As we were going through the lobby to meet her, we were literally harassed by the staff at Casa Maya telling us that it is illegal for them to show us another property, and we felt like we were being ganged up on. On top of that the staff was taking pictures of the person picking us up, and giving her the "finger". It was very annoying and an uncomfortable experience. We should be able to go where ever we want without scrutiny from the hotel staff.

We viewed Mayan Palace in Riviera Maya which was absolutely gorgeous. To make an already long story short, we didn't buy, but we worked it out where we could stay there, so we checked out of Casa Maya and was in a one bedroom suite at Mayan Palace for the next five nights. It has an 18 hole golf course, nine restaurants, and a pool that is unbelievable. They also have a spa and fantastic work-out room that overlooks the ocean. I'm not knocking Casa Maya, but it just wasn't the place for us.

This is our first trip to Cancun - and second to Mexico - Our first being Tulum in December. We found the Casa Maya very well run - all staff memebrs super friendly - the place exceedingly clean. A great value! The resort is not in the middle of a big commercial area ( a plus for us) but the bus service made it easy to get anywhere very inexpensively. We found most everyone eager to assist us if we had questions or needed directions - despite our lack of Spanish language. The restaurants at the resort were very reasonabley priced - we love the atmosphere of eating at the beach at night. Perfect!

Being at KM 5.5 on the Bike path gave us a great place to run and walk and we were close to old town and the new commercial area.

Cons - if you want to sit on the beach only there are no negatives. The beach is a rather large, quiet beach with shallow, mellow water activity - perfect for sunbathing and children. However, we like to walk miles on beaches and this was a bit difficult - but not impossible if you bring shoes. (we have been totally spoiled by the Aruba & Grand Caymen Beaches)

This hotel was extremely clean and in a great location. The room was super spacious and it had a kitchen which allowed us to save by cooking meals at times. The staff was super friendly and very courteous.

You can take the bus anywhere! The bus drivers are extremely friendly and speak English. They will guide you and let you know when your stop is coming up. No need to take taxis which charge too much. The bus is less than a US $1 ($7.50 Mexican Pesos). Dollar value is $13.50 pesos per dollar. Extremely easy on the bus.....can't get lost.