We booked this trip back in August 2004 and arrived April 16, leaving April 23. Never having been in the Caribbean or in Mexico, we didn't know what to expect from an all-inclusive resort hotel. We were not disappointed in the beginning, and not really that disappointed at the end. The time share salespeople were MOST annoying though, and had we realized we would be pressured constantly we might have changed our destination -- not the fault of the hotel but the fault of Cancun in general. Cozumel wasn't that way at all, so we'll probably go there next time we head south.
The meals were fine, though much the same every day. Best part -- individually cooked omelettes for breakfast. Worst part -- relatively little variety of fresh fruit or seafood -- there should have been loads of that.
The drinks were also fine and plentiful, though somewhat weak, but then we weren't there to get drunk.
The front desk staff was marginal -- some were very helpful, Others, particularly at the end of the week, were downright rude and obnoxious. My partner tried to cash travelers checks (exchange rate was very good), and his signature didn't exactly match, though he had cashed checks before earlier in the week -- it was actually close enough, but we hadn't bought a time-share so he was treated like crap. Finally, the manager took care of the situation by simply having my partner produce his driver's license and signing his name -- why the desk clerk couldn't have done that we don't know.
On the plus side -- the beach is gorgeous, the swim up bar is great (though the water is actually colder than the ocean), the meals at El Mirador were very good (except the seafood risotto), the staff is absolutely fantastic -- everywhere we looked at any time of day, there were at least three people cleaning something!
In particular, we want to mention Jessica in La Veranda Restaurant -- she would grace any fine restaurant in the US as a hostess and she helped me with my poor Spanish; Rebecca in El Mirador Restaurant -- a gorgeous person; Miguel and Guillermo in the lobby bar -- we wish they were here at home in our local tavern here in Maine, and their personalities and conversation were most appreciated in the late evening. All four of these people treated us well and with respect despite the fact that we did not purchase a time-share. If we were looking to hire first-rate personnel at a hotel here in the US we couldn't do much better than hiring these wonderful people. We can only hope they are paid (or tipped) what they are worth -- they are a major asset to the hotel.
The hotel is gorgeous -- we've never seen so much marble in one place! Even the bathroom is done in marble (though the toilet leaked and despite a phone call to the desk, it didn't get fixed). The cleaning staff, again, was wonderful. We had some problems one evening and the maid took care of the problem, really earning a nice tip! This is doubtless the nicest place we have ever stayed.
The time-share problem must be addressed. We realize that these people in the lobby are there to extract money from tourists. However, we paid the same amount of money as other guests, and should be treated as other guests whether or not we buy into time-shares. If the hotel is interested in only those people who are buying time shares, then let us know, and we'll reserve rooms elsewhere. Otherwise, it should not have an affect on how we are treated by the front desk staff.
