We decided to go despite all the flu crap and so very glad we did! No long lines, great deals! We originally booked at the Royal Solaris and apon arrival we were moved to the GR. I was kinda dissapointed but I knew before hand unlike many others, that they were consolidating because of low occupancy.
We arrived to beautiful scenary and nice clean looking resort via the free shuttle booked through soloris website 72 hours prior and $9 pp back to airport. Apon check-in we were escorted to the side desk where the lady began trying to sell us day trips is La Isla Island for a great price! She was nice but I had already made up in my mind that I wanted to go to Xel-ha or Xcaret and she didnt seem to interested in selling that trip to us unless we brought the island trip. Everything she said after that sounded like blah blah blah because she wasnt selling what I wanted and at that point I just wanted to see the ocean!! We had no one try and sell us a time share or memebership the whole time. I guess because were not married and didnt have the same address listed. Worked for me!
The bell boy took our bags to the room and we tipped. The room was nice. I good sized room plenty for two people. We king sized bed and balcony with ocean view and lagoon view...I liked being able to see both and still hear the ocean but not hear all the noise of being right in front of the pool. The bathroom was a decent size, stand up shower big enough for the two of us, but the floor will get wet during each shower. There are all marbled floors so we put our extra towels down throughout to walk on. Mini fridge stocked with 3 sodas, 3 beers and 3 waters everyday. We had a 27" TV, big enough, and I liked the CD/Alarm Clock...glad I brought a few CDs. There were light switches on each side of the bed so that was convinent. We had night stands on both sides and there was a table and two chairs in the room as well as on the balcony. The bed is hard but I asked for a pillow top and that day came up and re-made the whole bed with the pillow top and that worked just right.
They cleaned the room very well. I seen them scrubbing floors daily. They organized anything left out and left towel animals. There is an envelope for tips on the desk with the maids name. My suggestion would be to lock your money in your suitcase and keep the keys with you. I feel like I had some money missing from the safe one day but I am not sure.....so I will not accuse...I will just make a suggestion and leave it at that. Anybody who has a room key can get in your safe.
The beach was 3-4 car lengths long from the wall to the water, plenty of room for sunbathing. Red flags were up the whole time we were there but we still played in the water as did others. Jet skis and parasaling to the right. About 2 hotels down on the right we had massages on the best for $40 and hour.THE BEST!!! I love you MARIA!!! LOL
There were 3 pools. An upper pool with side shalow area for kids and the swim up bar, Lower pool with volleyball net and a separate adult off to the left side where there were massage tables in the corner. There were 2 jacuzzis out of plain view so they were empty most of the time. I can see how the pools would be very crowded if the hotel was at full capacity. Some people come out early to reserve spots in the shade. Im sure at peak times all the chairs would have been reserved. The time we were there we swam right up to the bar and got drinks and shots and made special requests with no wait. Wonderful! The only complaint I would have about the pool was its surface was little pebbles that were every uncomfortable and if your not careful you could easily scrape up your toes. During waterpolo and tequilla volleyball we both were very mindful of the possible pain. Sitting on the bar stools or the edge of the pool had to be done very carefully. Pools and beach close around 8 i believe. The staff did have different activities everyday that they tried to include everyone in. Contests to win t-shirts, games etc. My boyfriend actually won the title of Mr. Solaris the second day we were there by doing some funny tasks. It was hilarious! We met so many nice people from all over and kinda felt like a family. The staff was great! I wish I could remember all the names so I could give shout outs. We tipped all we could because they deserve it, they are not expecting it but Im sure they need it!!. All the resorts staff were really nice and even if they didnt speak much english they tried their best to help. Drinks were ok, dont expect top shelf at an all inclusive......but ask and they will try to accomadate!!!
The resort had two resturants open during dinner. 1 buffet was open for lunch outside with a view of the pool/ocean with a snack bar open with nachos, hamburgers, hotdogs, and some other appetizer like dishes available. The snack bar seem to attract these crow like birds that wait for people to leave food behind on the tables. At one point I seen birds actually eating from the cold side of the bar. That really turned me off because the staff didnt seem to pressed about getting rid of them. We made reservations at Marco Polo one night for Oriental cuisine. The food was Ok and it was kinda romantic. I think we did better at the buffets even though they could have been better. I never went hungry though. You can tell they try and I decided the second night to just make a point of filling up and not expecting spectacular resturant food. Breakfast was buffet and almost anything you wanted was there. Omeletts were my favorite. Waffles and pancakes did the trick too. We also ordered room service that is included with your stay. That was convienent! There was also a deli open late night til 6am with good sandwiches, chips, ice cream and beer on tap. Good late night fix to hit the spot.
The resort also had vendors come in and set up tables most nights. You could souviners there if you wanted instead of going into town, although I dont know how prices would compare.
I would suggest going to the shows at the resort. I thought they would be corny, but they were actually pretty good. Some of the poeple from the pool staff were involved. They had different dance acts one night, singing, and the magic show was great! They have the shows toward the end of the buffet in the ballroom. So you can digest your food and while having a few drinks and then its on to the lobby! In the lobby they more drinks of course, live performers, music and dancing. We did the cha cha and electric slide....too much fun. They presented my boyfriend with the Mr. Solaris award and had everyone particapated in a Limbo contest. The lobby area dies off at about 11:30 or so when most people head off the the clubs downtown. The resort has a shuttle that will take you, get you entrance, with special section for your resort and open bar around $45 but you have to find your own ride back. $1 on the bus or the taxis are so desparate right now they will take you for about $5 bucks! You may be able to get a better deal just going downtown on your own. We did, got entrance for 2 clubs for the price of 1, open bar, and still was able to party with our resort family.
I saw no sign of the swine flu in Cancun, I actually forgot about it while I was there! The tourists are gradually coming back, there was I big crowd of people arriving at resort when we were leaving. The clubs had nice crowds Saturday night, they only night we went downtown. The only sign of the flu is that people have lost their jobs and lively hood because of the media blowing things way out control. Its sad!!! GO TO CANCUN AND HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE BECAUSE I SURE DID!!!!!!!
