I've been in touch with alot of people regarding this resort and here is what I've found out:

The resort will open 200 of its 400 rooms in DEC 2005

The other 200 rooms will open by March 2006

Between Dec and March there will be some construction going on and the other 200 rooms will be built/finished.

Also starting in Jan they will slowly open up things as they are completed such as Gym, Spa, Tennis courts, some pools (there are 7 in total), Internet room, kids club etc.

These facilities will open as they are finished which means any time between Jan-Mar...

If you are only interested in getting a great deal on a new 5 star resort......AND the beach, your room, pools, restaurants, and the bars being open (like I am) then you will love it!

Tanner2305

We booked at the Grand Gala Esmerlda as well! There are 10 of us and it should be a blast!! Back in 2000, we got a great deal on a new hotel as well and we had no problems just alot

of fun!!

Where is this resort being built? Is it brand new or just refurbished from another hotel? IT always seems if you can get in a new resort the 1st. year it opens you get a really good deal, after that the prices seem to go up. Any info would be great on this hotel. Thanks, Tina

the hotel that is close to the iberostar tucan is the gala playacar not the grand esmeralda. the esmeralda is in puerto morelos which is north of playa del carmen. we are booked to go there in January. Gala playacar has just been sold to sandos resorts and some staff from there are going to the esmeralda.

Hi there everyone,

I see a few of you are fellow Canadians, and have been to PDC before, we were there last year, however, this year want to stay at a nice resort, with miles of beach to walk on. Any suggestions.

Do you know where in Puerto Morelo the resort will be located?

The one absolute must we wanted in our vacation was a nice beach to swim in the ocean. From the look of the picture it appears to be nice but we all know pictures can be deceiving.

Going to RIU Place or Secrets would have cost us exactly double from what we booked this for. We got a oceanfront room for a fabulous price.

Again time will tell if we made the right decision or not.

Tanner - we've booked this resort for Christmas. The resort is sold out of regular and ocean view rooms for Christmas.

I've read this resort is owned by Gala. www.galaresorts.com.mx

I guess we'll all have to keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.

trippher - Everyone raves about Secrets Excellence in Puerto Morelos. It looks like a beautiful resort.

Check the Puerto Morelos forum for more information. They also have a web site www.secretsresorts.com

You can also look at the reviews on tripadvisor.

According to the gala resort web site, this new resort is right beside Tres Rios eco park which is next to the Club El Mandarin. It's not really in Puerto Morelos.

Gala Resorts has some information about the Grand Gala Emeralda listed on their web site now.

Iwant2bMaxine posted this link on the Puerto Morles forum:

www.galaresorts.com.mx/ingles/indexa-e.html