We have been to the Cancun Palace a number of times and just for the first time as a Hard Rock this January.
The renovations have updated the resort .The Lobby Bar and Epinima (Brazilian ) restaurant are a great improvement . We feel the pool renovation has cut down on pool space. But on the other hand there is plenty of room on the beach now to compensate .
The Hard Rock is a different concept geared towards young families and teen to 25 year.Deffinately a party atmosphere .We found it noisy as well . WE have stayed at the Hard Rock Punta Cana and could find quiet places to retreat to but this is hard at this smaller resort.

Well, we have have heard all the bad stuff about the change of Cancun Palace to Hard Rock Cancun. We were not sure what to expect. I guess some folks just don't like change. First off, yes it is a bit noisy with music for this 70 year old in the lobby but not a problem to get away from in the restaurants and your room. That is the only SMALL negative! We love the colors everywhere and the memorabilia everywhere from Rock and Roll. The room was great and clean. The biggest thing we found was the staff! We bought into Palace many years ago due to many things but mainly the cordial staff. Hard Rock staff is at or above the old level! From Ernesto, our personal concierge, to Veronica at the concierge desk, to Aurora the great towel art champion maid who had the cutest animal art on the bed each day, to Charly on wait staff in the mornings in the Market, to Dany Boy and Alan team in Ciao for dinner, and so many others I can't remember. All the restaurant staff were so friendly and gracious. You couldn't. Set anywhere for long without someone wanting to give you a drink. The food was well above what we have had from Palace in the past which was already great.
What a great place to bring family with teens! Live bands every other night as well as regular shows. Food selections are Mexican, Brazilian(my favorite), Italian, Japanese with menu and Tepanyaki tables, pizza from their own wood fired oven, outdoor grill,and buffets. We need to join the gym when we get home!
Then there is the beach which is beautiful white sand. The pools are big with kids pools and two swim up bars. The kids can go to. A great Kids Club and do many things there including a small water park.
This resort has it all!

This was the first time I have ever been to Mexico and had a blast! My family booked the vacationt for Christmas time and it was 8 of us. The hotel was small enough where we could find each other but also large enough that when we got sick of each other! The hotel's staff was very helpful and always willing to help you with anything that you needed. Never a dull moment in this place! The entertainment staff kept you partying until you couldnt stand anymore. Rooms are spectacular and feels like home! I will not take a vacation any where else after experiencing this fantastic place!

We stayed there Jan 19 to Jan 23, 2013. Check-in was prompt and they handed us 2 glasses of champagne while we used the resort credit to upgrade to ocean front. The bars served top shelf liquor: Don Julio, jack Daniels, Crown Royal, Frangelico, etc and draught beer was Sol and another local beer with Dos Exxis and others by can. Food was very good and several (over ten) options for entrees at each venue along with hundreds of side combos. If you went hungry it's your own fault since the staff was more than eager to have their chef whip up something not already on the menu or buffet. The staff from the bell-hops to the bartenders to waiters to housekeeping were friendly and helpful. We had several bartenders at the pool bar who remembered our names day after day and made us feel as if we were VIPs. Georgia Florida Line country band was there shooting a new music video and every guest had an opportunity to be in their video for Get Your Shine On. We were allowed to record it and my girls will be seeing the behind the scenes version before it makes it to television. Pretty cool times at Hard Rock Hotel and would recommend to anyone. The staff appreciated our $ tips and treated us great and even those people who sternly sided with the "tips included" and didn't tip the staff were treated equally as well as those of us who did tip. Room was nice, although the in-room hot tub I felt was a waste of space (we have an outdoor spa at home), bed was a bit firm, shower was large and balcony afforded beautiful ocean vistas. I wish the pools were heated as I imagine the country group did too since they were filming in the water from 5:30am to 9:30am and the hot tubs were cold as well. Securing a chair either on beach or around pool was not an issue as others have mentioned. Overall I would say we had an excellent vacation and thank the Hard Rock Hotel and staff for making it truly a memorable experience. Try the Brazillian Steakhouse Ipanema...it is a delicious shower of non-stop grilled meats!!! It is now 6 degrees out and I miss the warm Mexican sun at Hard Rock Hotel!!!