Went to GR on a last minute trip with my two children ages 11 and 14. Used USA Transfer for great round trip service from airport to hotel (have this planned out as the airport can be an aggressive area for service seekers). Given drinks upon arrival and immediately the time share rep, Mike, came around as I had read about this on the internet. He sat my two children and myself down on a sofa in the lobby and told us that he was there to tell us about the all inclusive information and details. We listened. He then said, "It must be tough raising two children alone." I was dumbfounded at the comment in front of the children and my two children turned and stared at me awaiting a response. I told him it was fine. He then did the "pitch" and I nicely said no. He then did the guilt trip of "my wife and I get a free night here if you attend and I can give you an extra massage." I said no as I knew I was not interested and have been to hear pitches before. I was very nice about saying no. He then decided to insult me by saying, "so, you are divorced". I am not sure he point of that final jab as we were done talking. He then said he had to ask and put a check mark on his paper on his clipboard. My children again just stared at me for a response. It was a terrible way to start our vacation - very awkward as I had not received any discount or agreed to anything upon making my reservations through Expedia. I felt as though this was a definite time share hotel with people wearing color coded bracelets. Those with yellow bracelets, time share owners, received much better quality wines at dinners and specialized desserts.
I had upgraded my room to oceanfront upon check in. The view was beautiful. The room was adequate, however, the walls are very thin so I opened our sliding glass door at night for the sound of the ocean as opposed to people coming in late. But, they evidently powerwash the pool decks and chairs in the middle of the night. We were on a non smoking floor and the people next to us smoked on the balcony and it all came onto us, as well as their cigarette butts. I called the front desk twice, but nothing changed. Our hallway (3rd floor) smelled of sewage often.
We watched the beginning of one night of entertainment, but thought it was a little cheesy so we left. This was dancing...the other events might have been better.
The food selection was good and the quality was average. The wait staff at every venue was awesome, including the bar tenders who never let my glass run dry, even my children. Bring lots of ones ($1.00) to tip. A little will go a long way. Marco Polo was good, however, their dress code is bizarre. I saw men coming in with seriously torn blue jeans, t-shirts, and cheap plastic flip flops. However, my 14 year old wore a freshly pressed new Tommy H. button down shirt with collar (tucked in) with a belt, kahki shorts that came to his knees, and new leather deck shoes,and was turned away because of the "no shorts" rule for adults. I understand the no shorts, but what other people were allowed to wear really did not support the type of atmosphere they say they are working so hard to create.
The swim up pool bar was very nice for all three of us. If you do like a good drink, just ask for a double in the beginning, tip $4-$5 once in the beginning of each day to one tender, and you and your family will be well taken care of the entire day. The pools were very nice. I actually liked the pebble bottom and non chlorine water filtration system. It was a nice change. Do know that the main pool takes on a more adult theme in the early afternoon. The games are fun to watch, but have a drinking (shots/slams) aspect to them. A little like a quasi spring break feel for the over 30 group. If you have kids and you don't want them to be a viewer of that, just move down to the lower pool. It was not bad, just marginal for some I believe as it gets a little rowdy after a few hours of a swim up open bar. The adult pool was nice at the end of the day. The beach is small. The waves look as though they would be very powerful upon breaking, however they were not. It is the undertow that is dangerous.
The marina for the water sports are a van ride away across the street and south a little. We did not use it.
Take the buses wherever you need to go as it is only $ .70 per person. They are right outside the hotel, frequent, and very (almost too very) fast. I do not recommend renting a car as it can be problematic for foreigners with the police. I rented a jeep for a day to go to Puerto Morelos to snorkle (that was a great deal and most beautiful) and was immediately told not to give any money to the police and to watch my speed carefully. The speed limits were totally unpredictable and all over the place within a few hundred yards of each signage. My daughter was shocked to see policemen pass us frequently in the back of trucks armed with machine guns in their hands.
Do go to Isla Mujeres by ferry and rent a golf cart to tour the island. Go to north beach near Maria Del Mar hotel and find the quiet beautiful beach to play and rest. They rent umbrellas, chairs, and outdoor queen beds with netting for $15.00 a day.
There is a Wal-Mart and Sams about a 15 minute bus ride from the hotel in downtown Cancun.
I did get a pretty good value for the money, but I would upgrade to a nicer all inclusive next time.
