We have been to Cancun 7 times. This was our first time staying outside Cancun and our first time in an all inclusive. I would have given this resort 5 stars, but there are a few things that bothered me enough that I didn't think it quite deserved 5 stars, although I was already aware of these things by reading trip advisor before I left.

First let me start by saying my family of 4 (me, my husband, and two daughters ages 4 and 7) went from April 9th - 16th. We stayed on the Nizuc side, which I was disappointed at first about, but once I went on the Sunrise side and saw the massive amounts of people, noise and chaos over there I was very greatful we were placed on the Nizuc side!

Positive:
* Glass of champaign given to us immediately upon walking in for check-in.
* Service was OUTSTANDING! Here, tips are not expected, yet I have never had this kind of service staying at resorts that were not all inclusive and tips are expected!
* Food in my opinion was also outstanding! There is a shuttle that goes between Sunrise and Nizuc 24 hours a day. Although I now would never want to stay on the Sunrise side due to the chaos over there, the food was much better over there for dinners than the Nizuc side. The breakfast was outstanding! I got a made to order omlette and hash browns every morning. Lunch we mostly stayed at the buffets near the pool and had nachos, burgers, ribs, etc.... Also excellent! My favorite place for dinner was the Mexican/Italian buffet over on the Sunrise side. I think it was called Bumbalingas. AWESOME fajitas made right in front of you, best pasta between the two sides, also made to order.
*Drinks rocked the house. My husband drank beer and Long Islands all week. I pretty much stuck with the Miami Vice's. Out by the pool were pop machines and beer taps so our kids could walk up at anytime and get themselves a pop, ice cream cone or popsicle.
*Both of our kids got sick in the middle of the night (one broke out in hives and the other had an ear infection), and although expensive (was about $300 for the both of them), it was nice to have a doctor on the premise in the middle of the night to administer medication and medical help!
*Never had to worry about getting a chair by or in the pool, but I don't know if that's the same on the Sunrise soon. Seemed packed the one day we walked over there.
*Your fridge is only suppose to be filled every 48 hours, which was the case for us the first 3 days. On the 3rd day my husband put $5 on top of the fridge, and when we returned from the pool, the fridge was filled, and it was filled everyday after that.
*Although tips are NEVER expected there, we took 100 single dollar bills and left a couple bucks here and there at dinner, the pool, etc. A couple people refused our money, but I assure you they are SO appreciative and it made me feel good to see $2 can make someone literally glow.

Negatives:
*Murky beach. Very dirty looking water. I was WELL aware of this and as long as I have a beautiful pool I can do without a beach. If going to Mexico with the idea of crystal blue water, STAY IN DOWNTOWN CANCUN.
*The seafood restaurant on Sunrise side was very good (best steak we had), but I was expecting some crab legs or lobster or something and there was nothing different there as far as seafood than what you can find at all the other buffets/restaurants.
*Unless you get on one of the free shuttles that run to Cancun 4 times a day, there is nowhere right outside of the resort to wander off to. My husband and I like being able to stroll the streets and watching the nightlife after dinner in Cancun. At the Moon Palace, there is no where to just walk and wander off to other than the resort itself.
*Kids Club: Although my kids seemed to have a good time at the kids club, and the staff was friendly, ever time we went in there the kids were in the dark doing art projects or watching tv. Although they did get to go out every other hour for a 1/2 hour in the pool, to play basketball, etc. I didn't really like my daughters stuck a majority of the day in the dark. They only went twice, but had a wonderful time when they were there....

All in all we LOVED THIS PLACE! However, we would not stay here again because we like to wander, shop and see locals more. If we could take the Moon Palace and put it in downtown Cancun, we'd never stay anywhere else.

I booked this holiday 14 months ago for my wife, me and our 15 month old daughter.

Rooms are extremely spacious and light with a double jacuzzi at the end of the bed.

Mini bar in your room that is stocked every 2 days & optics on the wall with Brandy, tequilla, Rum & Whisky.

All the restraunts were fantastic and really catered for children. Vast selection of food to choose from sometimes too much.

Endless swimming pool which my daughter loved, she just did not want to get out.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at moon palace although the only problem was that our first week was the last week of spring break so the hotel was overcrouded. Ensure if you are going it is not between February and end of March, it will put you off.

Second week was much quieter. Staff were fantastic and very attentive to all your requirements. Take some small USD change as although service is included you will feel that thestaff do deserve something extra for all the work they do.

The problem with the smell is only noticable at the back entrance to Nizuc just past the tennis courts and you only notice it for the breif period you are passing through.

I thought the beaches were fantastic and the guys there were doing a great job keeping all the seaweed cleared so guests could enjoy.

I think the problem is that some people just expect too much when in a foreign county, expecting things to be all like home.

Surely this is why we all go in Vacation to get away from home and experience something different.

We got married this April and the Wedding was beautiful and amazing, but the stay was o.k. We had a rough check in and the Food got very repetitive towards the end of the week. For the amount you pay for the resort I would have honestly gone somewhere else if it weren't for the wedding package. We went to Cancun 3 times in 2004 and to just go on vacation we've gone to better for a lesser price.

We stayed at MP with 2 children from 04/09-04/16/2005. We were assigned to Nizuc side. Our room is smaller than those at the Sunrise, however, it has the full ocean view and is extremly clean. The MP was not extremely crowded , maybe because of the end of the Spring Break. The maids, waiters, and waitresses are extremely friendly and helpful. Eventhough, tips are included in the package, we personally think that they should be offered to these hard working people as the form of rewards for their hard work. The package price is offered cheaper at MP when it is compared to other countries because these hard working people only earn $15-$25 dollars a day. The best restaurants are the Caporales with Mexican specialties, The Fragata with fresh seafood varieties such as fresh fishes, giant prawns , crab legs, squids, mussels, and the Momo NoHana offered asian cuisine. The negative things about MP is the odor from the water or sewer treatment, but you can find way go around it. The beach is nice but there are seaweed on the windy day. People work very hard to clean it early in the morning for the tourists to enjoy. There are plenty of bottled water around. They are very purified (We tested ourselves with our portable instrument because of the two children). If you get sick, ido not blame on the water!!!!!! (maybe you eat or drink too much). The entertainment at night are above average. We plan to come back to MP next year.