Arrived tired and thirsty saturday afternoon the 28th june after a good flight with just an hour delay but knew we had to stay up as long as we could to get over the time difference. Nicki and Simon welcomed us on arrival and labelled up our cases with our room number. We had a swift no issue check in where we were given card keys and towel cards and a safe lock and key. We were offered a cold drink , a very welcome cold beer didn't touch the sides. We then followed the bellboy to our room with our cases.
We were on the ground floor of a block near the splash pool and had a family room our bedroom had a large queen bed nicely made up with new clean sheets and some towel art on the bed( i found the beds extremely comfy and didn't have any trouble sleeping at all) a tv in a cabinet (which we never switched on )and a coffee machine, and phone , there was a seperate storage area with shelves, hanging space, safe, ironing board and iron. There was a sink area with bottled water and glasses, tissues and shower caps etc.Then a bathroom with shower over bath and toilet also very clean. Wasn't 4 star but ok for what we needed. Everything was very clean and we found it acceptable , we had an adjoining door to the kids room where they had a double bed each and brightly painted walls and quilts and curtains and there own storage ,bathroom and sink area. They could get out of there own door which at 13 and 15 was not an issue but with younger children a piece of furniture could have been placed in front to secure them in. There was also a latch higher up the door which could also be applied if required.
There keys only fit our door so they could not sneak off anywhere!
There was also a hammock on each balcony with 2 chairs and a table.
We then headed out to explore the resort ( completely forgetting to attend the welcome meeting) Splash pool looked great and there was still some kids playing in it at 5.30pm even though all activities were switched off( that happened the next day as were were to find out). The relaxation pool was open but did look a bit tired and in need of re painting( which they started on the 13th july) but did not stop anyone using it and it was always full and didn't see any issues with paint coming off on peoples clothes as previously reported. You then pass the mexican restaurant which is also used for the lunchtime meals and late night snacks.
The activities pool was cordened off but no workmen in sight - it looked at this point as if it just required plaster drying and then painting and they started to do this monday of our first week - just a slight smell but nothing to worry about - they did a few coats over the next week then left it dry properly - it was filled with water on the friday before we left and reopened on the saturday we flew home and everyone was trying it out - the other pool was deserted! It looked great and everyone was happy.
You then arrive at the beach bar and jacuzzi which is extremely hot and should only be used by over 16's but occasionally there were kids in it but not splashing or annoying everyone.
The beach bar is open from 10am til 6/7 ish on a night and it was great to sit by or in jacuzzi about 5 in afternoon and have a few cocktails chatting to fellow guests about their day or watching the daily beach volley ball game then a stunning sunset.
Headed back to the terrace bar where Armando the bar man looked after us until we couldn't keep our eyes open about 10 pm that evening. We hadn't felt hungry but the kids went on their own to the buffet and were very impressed for their first night.
Up early the next morning, unpacked then went to breakfast which turned out to be the best meals of the day. They ask you to wait to be seated (which we always did but there were always some people who could't wait!) with omelettes and eggs made to order, pancakes, bacon, sausage , cereals and fruit and fresh fruit juice and coffee and tea served to your table. Served from 7am to 11am.
Lunch was served at the mexican restaurant( but there was another seafood restaurant in the main buffet area which served a menu from 12-2 which not many people new about) they had burgers, hot dogs, chips and tacos on all day and a grill with steaks , chicken ,mash,pasta , rice, salads, soup and deserts from about 12 until 3.30 - it did get really busy in here between 12.30 and 2 so we either ate early if we had missed breakfast or ate about 3 when the rush had died down. If you couldn't get a seat you could just grab a plate and take it to your room or sunbed.
The evening meals were themed and again you had to wait to be seated - max waited about 5 minutes - but did get a bit hot when queueing. There is a separate air conditioned area which was better to eat in if possible but ok in other area as well - didn't find it a problem.
If you wanted a late night snack the mexican restaurant served burgers, chicken, hot dogs and chips from about 10pm till 1am with a bar service too.
We spent most nights sat chatting with fellow guests on the terrace bar - entertainment sounded ok but can't really comment as never saw it - kids seemed happy with it. Talking of kids hardly saw them the whole 2 weeks - they made friends on day 1 and spent all there time with them even meal times by the end of the 2 weeks they were requesting a table for 14 at dinner.
Plenty for them to do all day, swimming, snorkeling,canoes,tennis, archery - daily quiz at 12.30pm was fun got to the tie break a few times but never won.
We spent most of our days on the right hand side of the beach next to the vip area - not many kids about there and some trees for shade if no brollies left. Sunbathing , swimming and snorkeling - my other half saw barracuda, large rays and all sorts of other fish by just snorkeling of the beach area and around the 2 jettys. Got waiter service most days and waiters were always cleaning up empty glasses.
Beach was gorgeous white coral sand so didn't get too hot underfoot and there was only a small incline at the edge of the sea so was ok for the kids. You could hire masks and fins for free from the dive shop also boogie boards were available ( 3 hrs at a time) but we took our own.
A couple of the kids whilst we were there got ear infections so saw simon the rep who had a doctor there within half an hour - the doctor was fantastic - he looks after 6 hotels and says he gets 10 ear infections a day at all the hotels - he explained exactly what was wrong with diagrams then prescribed ear drops ,antibiotics and pain killers all of which he had with him . He charged $60 call out and $40 for medication which we didn't think was too bad to keep the kids happy and well and such great service also. Simon also checked up to see if all was well later in the day.
High ropes were not open for most of our stay but also no real work going on either - -waiting for a part in customs apparently) they were tested by the in action team on the wed/thursday and opened on the friday. Both our kids had a go and loved it but said it was a bit scary! $16 dollars a go and an adult has to sign a disclaimer for insurance purposes but it did look really safe. Just a bit of landscaping to do to finish it off.
Terrace bar closed at 12 each night but there was an adult only bar that was open from 7pm until 7am it was air conditioned with big sofas and tv screens. Javier and staff kept us entertained and no shortage of drinks, most nights when we could stay awake long enough. A few people, occasionally had a bit too much to drink caused a slight disturbance but were soon dealt with by security and escorted back to there rooms so wasn't a big deal.
Used internet a couple of times $6 for half an hour and there are 3 computers in the business centre ( air con) and 2 just outside reception. You just enter a ref no and password and the time counts down, you can log off at anytime and return.
If you were in the royal suites it was free in their reception.
All mexican staff were very polite and if you treated them right and also tried to speak there language a little bit they responded with a smile and really good efficient service, the maid service was exceptional and always had a new work of towel art on in the room on our return. They all work so hard and a small tip does go along way so we always tipped for good service.
Some evening there are stalls with gifts and souvenirs near the terrace bar if you want to buy some presents but not venture into town as there are no real shops near the hotel.
We went into town one night and had a few drinks at carlos and charlies which made a nice change from stopping at the resort.
All in all we had a great time and would definately return again, it was not perfect as no where is but i can honestly say i could find nothing worth complaining about and would recommend it to my friends and family.






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