Don't go!
We waited in line for about 2 hours to be told there were no rooms. I then asked to speak to the manager and the rude check-in guy says to me" Why? So he can tell you the same thing I am telling you now?: I was too mad and said very calmly "Yes I would!" The manger did offer to down-grade my room-Yeah right! Or transfer us to the Golden in addition to a voucher for each of us. We were able to use them for excursions with an arguement with the tour booking agent. However we then waited another couple of hours at The Golden for check-in. The Golden' sbeach was just as bad as the Great- boulders eveywhere! The beach was horrible. The food was good and we did get pretty good service. Housekeeping did a great job keeping the place clean, however we did not get robes or slippers. Mini-bar wasn/t stocked until the next day. Apparently you have to ask for everything. The spring breakers were rude and disruptive.We had one incident where they woke us up at 1AM fighting in the hallway. Another time a spring breaker was cursing out the bartender in the lobby. I don't think the resorts are capable of handling full capacity. A lot of guests from the Great were coming over to the Golden everyday to eat and swim. I would go back to Cancun, but not that resort.

My wife and I stayed at the Great Panassus on 3/2 - 3/6. I'll breakdown the trips into several parts to answer the question that I had before we left.

Travel history. We have been to 16 All-Inclusive in the last 14 years and always stay at moderate properties. We've recently have been going to Cozumel, Punta Cana and Puerto Plata in the Dom. Rep. Also have visited the Mayan Riviera twice. We don't have any experience at the luxury properties because I just don't see how I could enjoy them that much more that the moderate price ones.

Cost. We travel from the US. and always take early flight so we can be at resort as early as possible. We spent $980 each 10 years and spent 40% less this year. They're better websites now and it is easier to find deals now. I booked at the lowest price. I found the price moves daily so you have to keep checking them.

Airport. Cancun airport has really improved since we were last there in 1998. They've opened a new terminal I believe. It took less than 30 min. to get our bags and get in van. We did not have transfers, so we purchase van tickets at the airport for $12 each. (Taxi back to airport from hotel was $25, I thought is would have been cheaper. (So transfers were $48 total) Walked right outside and got right into a van and were off in less than 10 minutes. No problem but I think we were lucky.

Hotel. Arrived around noon. Got wristbands and started looking around. I had printed maps of the hotel and thought I knew my way around the hotel but could not find the adult pool on the lagoon side. Found children's pool by walking up ramp behind lobby. Got into elevator and thought it would tell us what floor it was on but it did not.
Got off on 2nd floor and went through some unmarked doors and found it. I wished things were marked better because I think some guest did not know about the bar. There were others that were hard to find too.

Food. It was good but I do admit the food court was a little different. Try the fajitas at the Mexican station. The sushi was good, as was the steak at the grill. These are not going to be$25-$50 meals that you might get at top U.S. restaurant but they are good. We did not think the steak at Big Ben was that good but we may be unlucky. Samurai (Japanese) restaurant was good. Had 3 min. wait. My wife got sushi and I got stir fry. Portofino's was our favorite. We went by and ask if we could they could have a table ready for us in 1 hour and they said “no problem”. Table was ready when we returned. Burgers and chicken at pool bar were good.

Bars. The pool bar could get crowded sometimes but they did have bar service by the pool and on the beach. We enjoyed the adult bar on the second floor on the lagoon side
by the hot tubs. We called this the sunset bar. The sunsets here were great. It was breezy and cool up there. Outside bars do close at 6:00 so make sure your insulated mug is filled by then. This was not a problem for us because it was time for us to get ready for supper anyway but bars were open insides if you not quite ready. Went to Kilimanjaro Lobby bar first day while waiting on room. Enjoyed drinks at Oktoberfest and Le Vin et Fromage Bar before dinner. They had Absolut vodka, years ago you did not get this at moderate price resorts.

Beach. The waves are really rough in Cancun. Fun it you want a lot of action but will beat you to death. I do have to admit that it was sort of fun watching the waves take people down. I wasn't the only one laughing, everyone seem to be enjoying it. I did not see any big rocks in front of the hotel but did see some down the beach. We did not go to beach first day because we could not find umbrella. On second day the same but I saw a hotel worker setup one up for somebody so I caught him down and ask if he could be us one. He asked were we wanted it and showed up with it several mins. later. I gave him $2 and we were all happy. The next day, he had to go all the way up to the pool to get the heavy cement base so I gave him $5 and again we were all happy.

Room. We had a nice room (1215) on the 12th floor. Not oceanfront but on the side, ocean view. We had a jacuzzi in the room and a bottle of champagne, flowers and fruit. Room did not have a bedspread but sheet, blanket and another sheet. I like this because I always throw the bedspread off first thing anyway. Not sure how often they get washed and I am a little germophobic. The shower was fancy but all of the features did not work because of low water pressure I think. Anyway, it was good enough to get you wet and water was always hot. We picked up safe lock when we checked in but remote was already in our room. When we checked out we did not know that you have to turn in remote since it was not given to us when we checked in. Had to run back to room for it. Air was cool and TV was good.

Staff. Friendly and all did a good job. We tipped by the pool several $ per day and at the bars. Also left the maid a $1 or so a day.

Internet Service. I saw several people surfing in the lobby and ask one and they were getting signal for free. I went to internet room and paid $3 for 30 minutes.

Overall, we loved the trip but we love them all. I do see how some people could have complains. I think it would be a lot easier to have a good vacation here that a bad one. Find the things you enjoy and focus on them and forget the ones you don't. Life is too short to have a bad vacation.

Our family of 4 with 2 teens 17 & 14 went during March Break and the hotel was very clean and great service. Bring 100 1 dollar bills and tip the servers and the omlette ladies.. I thought the food in the sit down restaurants was excellent - We live for gourmet meals. The wine was not but the other drinks were tasty - mudslides, Miami Vices, etc. The Mexicans were warm friendly and helpful. Always a smile. The entertainment staff did a great job ensuring we had fun playing beach volleyball and aerobics in the pool. Eddie was so personalable. I am a former travel agent and for familes of 5 or those travelling with young children this hotel offers excellent value for the dollar. The check in staff was very accommodating of our special requests and the entertainment at night was excellent for value. Don't miss the circus night - I would give this a 4 out of 5 for families - couples go somewhere else. The landed cruiseship concept is great to keep an eye on children - you can locate them easily. The compact design works great for families. The children's program and play area is very well done. The staff get 9 out of 10.
The food 8 out of 10. It is Mexico - relax - be nice- don't take the jungle tour - too expensive for what you get to see and do. Do take the local bus very safe and efficient. 65cents each way-no shopping to speak of - so relax and enjoy - great beach loungers here. tons of towels - loved it. Will send all my friends with young families here anytime.

The four of us (two 15 year-old boys and their fathers) arrived at the Resort at 11:30 a.m. By 11:45 we had checked in and received our wrist bands. The lobby area is a huge open area surrounded by the check-in counters, speciality shops, and a bar. We were not hounded by time-share offers. By noon we were haveing a drink by the pool. We ate lunch in the food court (numerous choices ranging from sushi and pasta, to sea food and pasta) and went to our room at 2:45 p.m. While we heard some negative stories about wrong room types and non-working showers, our family room was just as described (two double beds, bunk beds with trundle). The room and bathroom was very large, clean and well appointed for Cancun. The food was very good, especially the Japanese resturant. We even took advantage of the priviledge of eating at the sister resort, the Golden Parnasses. Being spring-break, the guests were a combination of families and teenagers. Our two 15 year-old boys had a very good time playing in the ocean, swimming in the pools, and watching the teenage girls. The beach was fine and combined with the Hilton (next door), fairly large. The waves were LARGE and made for some exciting body surfing (there were some rocks you had to watch out for). The resort has a 400 seat movie theatre, a waterpark (more for younger children), and a miniture golf course. Checkout at the resort was uneventful.