Just returned from the Golden Parnassus May 30 – June 4th. I have to give you my review of this hotel.
I guess our expectation where set too high. We stayed at a brand new hotel last year in Playa Del Carmen so when we arrived to the Golden Parnassus we where disappointed. Some people think the hotel is great but I guess it depends on what your use to. The hotel is older and needs some serious updating. It sits between two newer hotels on both sides so it makes it look even worst. The lobby is hot with no air condition and no breeze, due to the design of the building. The front desk was not very helpful. We booked a Club room facing the lagoon but when we arrived we asked if we can change our room to a Deluxe Oceanview they said it would be $100.00 more. We told them we didn’t care about having a Club room just give us a Deluxe Oceanview room. My travel agent told me when we booked the trip we had a choice of either a Deluxe Oceanview room or a Club Room for the same price. The hotel was only 40% full and would not make the change without an additional cost. We talked to our Fun Jet Rep (also known as Looms) and asked if he can talk to them because we where disappointed in the room. He came back to us and said they would give it to us for an additional $75.00. We told him “no” we where not going to pay anymore. I think there was a big communication problem with the front desk. This put a real damper on our first day at this hotel. The next morning I went down to the front desk again and asked a different staff member if we can change to a Deluxe Oceanview room instead of the Club room. She told me sure but it would be a down grade and couldn’t give me back a refund. I don’t know why they didn’t tell us that the first night. We didn’t want a refund we just wanted the Oceanview room.
Restaurants: We went to the Old Barn the first night which was very disappointed. The steaks where over cooked, they ask you if you want it medium or well done. There was no choice or rare of medium rare. The butter they give you for the bread and potato is not the same taste of butter or margin you find in the states. I guess when you’re in Mexico you have to adjust to there types of food. The Pier was good but nothing to brag about.. Our favorite restaurant was Shangri La where the men have to wear long pants and closed toe shoes. Some men just had on blue jeans and gym shoes. If you go, ask for the Mexican coffee after dinner, they put on a show making this great coffee with liquor. I wish I would have had my camera to take pictures of how they prepare the coffee.
Pool: The pool and the beach was the best part of this hotel. Since the hotel was only 40% occupancy we had a choice of any chair by the pool or the beach. There was never a problem to find a place to sit. The snack bar by the pool served hamburgers, nachos and salsa but it was so hot in the snack bar you couldn’t eat there you had to take the food by the pool.
Service: I can’t complain about the service it was great and everyone is very friendly and helpful.
All in all the vacation went well but I wouldn’t go back to this resort again, it’s not for us. You will have to go and see for yourself.
