After reading several reviews indicating over booking at the Golden Parnassus I was a little leary of what would happen upon arrival. When we did arrive, about 12 hours late due to Skyservice Airlines being completely incompetent, we were warmly greeted, checked in, and brought to the deluxe ocean view room that we had booked. We were meeting other family members from western Canada that had arrived a few days before and were glad that none of us were sent to other resorts. In fact, throughout the week I didn't hear of anyone being "bumped" to other hotels which does not mean that it didn't happen.

The building is showing a little wear but it is immaculately clean and well maintained. We were on the fifth floor and the water pressure in our room was weak but family that was staying on the main floor had no issues with the water. We were right above the lobby bar and did not hear any noise in our room as some other reviewers have complained about.

The breakfast and lunch buffet was fantastic. The service, especially Oscar and Gilberto was second to none. After a week I feel that Oscar is a friend and one of the most genuine people I have ever met. We ate dinner at Pier 12 on three ocasions and the food was quite good. We had Alberto as a waiter twice and he provided excellent friendly service as well as some introductions for the ladies in our party to a drink called the sombrero. On one evening at Pier 12 the service was sub par and that was the only time all week at the GP. We ate at Sumo once and from what I can remember it was quite good. Fonzy had been pouring the tequila at the Tiki bar prior to dinner so that night is a bit foggy. Shangri La was our restaurant of choice on two evenings and again, the food was pretty good. The dress code at Shangri La is enforced so make sure you know before packing.

Around the pool, the activity staff keep things going but they do not pressure anybody to participate if you don't want to. Things are a bit quieter down on the beach. Cancun seems to be having quite a problem with beach erosion. We had a couple of windy days with rough waves and it washed away lots of sand leaving large rocks exposed that were not visible early in the week. That being said, the beach at the Golden is still better than most along the strip.

We met some great people from Canada, the U.S., Ireland, and England and became quick friends. The staff were friendly and they seem to wait for you to engage them in conversation before they really open up. If you just want to be served they will do so with effeciency, but if you want to chat and joke around they really open up. Some of them have amazing wit and senses of humour.

We will return to the Golden Parnassus because the size lets you get to know the other guests and the staff.

And one more thing, don't forget to tip. It goes a long way.

I stayed at this resort in late February, going there on the high recommendation of a friend.
Upon arrival in the early afternoon, there was a line of guests waiting to check in who were being told there were no rooms available and we were going to be moved to their sister resort, the Great Parnassus. I was assured the Great was "just as good if not better than the Golden" by the front desk help.
Upon arrival at the Great, I immediately discovered the resort had the ambience of an elementary school. There were kids everywhere and most of them screaming. There was no way we going to stay there. I spoke to the front desk who said we would have to stay there at least one night and go back to the Golden the next morning to see about booking a room there. We hid out most of the day at the adult pool. I really liked the swin up bar by the main pool which doubled as the kiddie pool. So much for having a cold beer and relaxing on vacation.
We went back to the Golden the next morning to be told the only rooms available was a first floor Lagoon, I mean first floor parking lot. We booked an Oceanview room but were told "there weren't any". This made me laugh because I watched a steady stream of guests checking out. I also like how the front desk help's English got progressively worse the more you argued with them. We settled for the room and upon opening the door, found two double beds. We requested King but guess what? "There weren't any".
To make a long story short, our vacation was already shot. I have never received such poor treatment at any hotel or resort. The help in the buffet was great though. I found tipping them went a long way. Dinner at the Shangri-la was a three hour ordeal. Pier 21 had a good salad bar. The steak house had decent steaks.
In conclusion, I lay the blame on the fiasco at the Golden at the feet of the owner and management. I heard at least three different excuses on why the place was overbooked but once again, how about incompetent management? Perhaps the week we were there was an aberration but there not a chance I will risk going back to the Golden. That was no way to spend a vacation.

Stayed at the Golden Parnassus for two weeks, Feb 23 thru Mar 8. The hotel is an older building but is kept up well. Never a shortage of chairs at poolside or on the beach. You are never far from your next drink, and if it happens to be at the Tiki Bar then Jose will remember you for the duration. The ladies will have to ask for his "banana drink". A favorite lunch time burger is always cooked to order by the burger king Cristian. You also can't go wrong for dinner with a steak at "The Barn" or tenderloin tips at the Shangri La restaurant. There also is a Japanese restaurant and Pier 12 seafood restaurant. Breakfast was very good with the best omelet's I'ver ever had. The hotel itself is in a very good location not far from shopping and the good night time bars. All the staff is very eager to please.
As a side note, I found a cheap way to go to the Isle of Mijere. Instead of paying $85 US for a boat ride with open bar & food , snorkling and a couple hours of shopping on the island, you can catch a boat at the ferry launch behind the old Fat Tuesday Bar for $7 US. which will take you to the Island and then rent a golf cart for $15 US for the day and tour the island.
An overall great vacation which will take me back next year to Cancun where we'll stay at the Grand Caribe Real Cancun where I purchased a 40 week vacation package. Hope to see some of the same people we met this year!

I am sorry to say this hotel is not what we were excpecting, it is really just a 3 star in our opinion. The staff are brilliant and go the extra mile, my husband was ill one day and Oscar went above and beyond to help. The hotel is clean and the pool area is spotless. We wanted to upgrade our very basic room (noise does travel up from the foyer bar) and we got a suite for 30 dollars per night well worth it sea view and loads of space other than a small bathroom, only down side was that it it was on the Ritz end and you could hear the wind noise but a lot quieter than our previous room. The beds are hard but not bad they have put foam on top of mattress but this does tend to make you stick to the bed.
There was a lot of trouble with others because overbooking but we were ok.

Now the bad bits 1st night went to the steak house, it was absolutely terrible, a chain saw could not of penetrated either of the steaks, be warned it is cold in there. There was an accute lack of staff so service was slow. We did give it a second chanced and still did not rate it. Pier 12 was ok nothing outstanding, Shang-ri la was really good food but very rich. All in all the evening food was too rich lots of cream and butter. Breakfast and lunch ok lots of fresh cooked options and buffet style which suited us.
The hotel in general is ready for a big revamp, paint in rooms a bit tatty and fittings in bathrooms have seen better days they are worn and the mirrors are tatty, but thankfully no mould.

The big problem is the number of people using the Golden from the Great P, they leave their kids in the clubs and come and camp out for the day here taking up precious sunbeds etc. or come in the evening to eat at Shang-ri- la. On saying this we discovered that the evening food was much better at the Great if you can put up with the kids!

The staff,cleanliness of the hotel and weather is what got us over the food situation. If the room is ok you can always eat out.

As for Cancun you get what you see in the brochures a lovely turquoise sea and white beach although the Hurricanes have left their mark where some sand has been washed away, the sea is rough at times but lovely and warm. Everywhere you go the Mexican people are very pleasent and customer aware, yes we know they want a good tip but they are still give great service. Take plenty of 1 dollar bills for tips. If you go expecting the Ritz you'll be disappointed, go expecting a 3 star and you'll be ok.

Sorry Golden Paranassus we will not be visiting again.