My husband and I read trip advisor after we booked to go on holiday to this resort.... any adverse comments should be ignored!!!!
This resort is simply fantastic. What we really loved was the way you are made to feel relaxed, they don't have silly rules and restrictions, if they can do it for you they simply will. ALL of the restaurants offered lovely food with a great variety. There was never a queue to eat and the service could not be faulted. We loved Gaviotas, it was the best.... There is one restaurant you have to book to get in to (Maria's), it gives a real sense of going out for dinner and has a lovely atmosphere. There is also a 24hr food and drink area, which is great, especially after Coco Bongo for the early hour munchies!!!
The rooms were perfectly clean and very well equipped, as is the gym!
Not many hotels in this area have much beach after they were destroyed in 2005 by a hurricane. That said, this resort has made a beach and is without a doubt the best one in the area and perfect for what you need on a beach holiday.
Now to the best.... the entertainment team!!! Day time fun around the pool!! They offer so many little activities during the day and the entertainment team are really good fun. We like Miguel and we absolutely adore Ale, she was so interesting, informative, genuine and fun (I wanted her to come home with us!!!). They also put on shows in the evening, if I make one criticism of the resort it is this.... the shows are in a downstairs theatre and would have been even better outside making the most of the lovely evenings. At the end of the shows the entertainment team did something which involved the guests and these were really fun!!!
There is a lobby bar and again...they can't offer you a better service. We love Norma :O)
We were childless, but for all you mum and dads out there, we did go on the children's slides because they looked fun..couldn't resist..! The facilities for the children appeared great and the staff looked like they had great fun with all the children in their care!
The location was good for us as we were not too far from the bars but enough to stay chilled (2 minutes in a taxi). There are some bars and restaurants across the road from the resort but they are damned expensive!! £2.70 for half a pint of beer :/ It is only 20 minutes from the airport too.
We can't recommend this resort enough, we really did have a great time, it was so relaxing and they really are doing a first class job!! We would love to return to the resort!
Kerry and Simon

My daughter decided to have her wedding here, and I was thrilled - so were the other 30 some people that traveled to the Gran Caribe Real to celebrate with us! The hotel is beautiful, the staff amazing, the food wonderful, the drinks never ending, and it was simply one of the very best vacations I have ever had, and I have had quite a few! While you are checking in, you are given a welcome cocktail. The wonderful bell boys will not allow you to lift a finger - they loaded all our bags on to a cart and talked animatedly all the way to our room, which was gorgeous. The restaurant choices are wonderful, and if you want to try something different from your own hotel, simply visit one of the sister Real hotels where you are extended the same privleges as at the Gran Caribe. The wait staff NEVER let your glass get empty, were extremely attentive to our every need, and smiled endlessly! The place was spotless due to a mindful crew that very quietly focused on any little bit of litter, water on a floor, a deserted empty glass. As far as the wedding - I was stunned by the knowledge that something so beautiful and well organized came to fruition through nothing more than an exchange of emails between my daughter and the Wedding Planner at the Hotel. It was magnificent! The kids were treated like royalty - it was all very romantic, right down to a private dinner on the beach for the two of them the night before their wedding, to the gorgeous ceremony and unbelievable reception and then rose petals on their bed! The entire group thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful hotel and all the excellent staffers that made our stay so enjoyable and memorable. The sports team and entertainment team busted their butts in the sometimes stifling heat doing their jobs ensuring guests had a great time - HUGE kudos to them in their hot costumes and exerting and exhausting performances! I cannot say enough about this place, except that we have all agreed to go back next year. I must also add that after THIS group, I am quite certain there was talk about rethinking the whole "all inclusive" thing......The Gran Caribe Real is HIGHLY recommended!!! Give a try - you will be so glad you did!!!

Returned from Gran Caribe on Tuesday after spending 12 nights in this fab resort.

Our group aged from 15 yrs to 67 years and we all had a superb time.

The hotel is exceptionally clean and the staff are all very friendly and accomodating. Couldn't believe that I didn't even have to leave my sun lounger to get a drink.

Only downside was that we got a bit bored with the food - food was nice and very well presented but not much variation. My sister and her boyfriend joined us for 4 nights and they were both vegetarian but food was very limited for them.

This was our 2nd time in Cancun but still did Chitzenitza and Xel-ha again which we really enjoyed. Went to Isla Mujuheres but found it quite boring except for the golf buggy experience. My favourite trip was the 1/2 day jungle tour :))

You must go to Coco Bongo - had been before and was excited about going again. Tremendous experience - even my parents in their 60's went and had an amazing time - danced their pants off until the very early hours lol.

Weather was really good - only had a day and half of bad weather and that wasn't too bad really.

If your going to this resort - enjoy :))

When we arrived, we were offered the upgrade to the 6th floor with the option to eat dinners at the Royal. We paid an extra $25/pp for each night. The meals at the Royal are valued way beyond the additional cost. We ate at Maria Marie at the Royal 3 times and at the Asiana once. Each of the meals was a wonderful dining experience.

Another benefit of the upgrade is the bedding. I think this was one of the most comfortable beds/linens that I have ever had while on vacation. Very thick sheets, a great comforter, plenty of firm pillows and a perfect mattress. The air conditioner flowed constantly in the room. That is controlled by the hotel. So it was nice and cool during the night which made for great sleeping under the blanket.

If you do wish to upgrade, two things to consider:

When we were checking in and asked about upgrading, we were told that we could leave our child (5 yoa) at the kids club when we went to dinner. On our last night there, after already dining at the Royal 3 times, we were told that we could not leave our child at the kids club if we were going "off property" to the Royal. We would have to get a babysitter. We had rented a local cell phone just for this reason. We never pushed the issue, so if you have a child this should be clarified when upgrading.

There is a computer screen for guest to use at the front desk that lists the different prices for upgrading to various rooms. I did not notice this prior to upgrading. We paid $25 pp per night for the upgrade. Two days later I noticed the computer and found that our upgrade was listed at $20 pp per night. I'm not sure if this price changes daily, but next time I will check the computer prior to checking in.

Over all, this was a very nice hotel. I would definitely return and upgrade to the 6th floor again. The restaurants at the Gran Caribe were very good. I stick mostly to fruits and veggies and there was always plenty of options there. Hubby says the drinks, if anything, were on the strong side.