My wife and I stayed at the Melia resort over the past week. We arrived on a Saturday and were greeted by the very friendly and over zealous red-shirts at the exit door awaiting our presence so that they could sell us their vacation extra's. They actually told me they were the cab company sent to pick me up.... Wow they were good. So, my wife and I spent about 20 minutes going through their slice of the pie. When we realized we knew where he was going with things, he immediately became defensive. Then he offered us a whole bunch of stuff for free as long we we would visit his hotel to discuss time share activities.

So, the travel agent we used didn't send a cab like we had hoped. That was more on our end. But we really didn't expect they would. Just be prepared to spend about $10-12 depending on the number of people with you. We got a ride with a very nice group (2 couples) whom were from AZ. We arrived at the hotel and they had no open rooms for us to upgrade to. We went up to our Deluxe Room over by the kid pool on the third floor.

I hadn't slept in about 30 hours or so to make the trip and to get my work done at home so I wouldn't have to do it there. That night people above us and next to us were extremely loud and banging on doors at 1AM and 3AM respectively. We talked with the front desk the next morning and they indicated they would take care of it. Sunday night was better.

Monday night I moved my wife and I up to a Suite (Ocean View) for a few extra dollars per day, I think 20-30 per day more. There weren't any rooms available until then anyway. I had asked on Saturday and Sunday but no go.

Monday as well I went on a excursion (Scuba) with a guest we had met there. He and his family were staying there virtually the same amount of time we were. We went on two scuba excurtions and had a great time on both. I had never been scuba before and I was all the way down to 73 ft hanging off of a cliff floating on the current where it dropped off to 400 meters then 700 (by choice), I think the sense or feeling of the fact that there really isn't a bottom I can see below me was a rush Don't try this if you are faint. We received excellent training and I even got a dive book to talk about my experiences through journaling so I would remember them. They also offer certification classes where in 3 days (6 dives) I believe you can become certified. If you have never tried it give it a shot. Tell Lucio from Diving with Martin that Patricio and Bert send their best. He is an excellent instructor and is a master diver.

The shopping in town is good, sometimes it is easier to just play dumb like you don't understand than it is to stop in peoples stores. We did get a couple of free Tequila shots and also some free beers from perusing merchandise.

Great Restaurants in town to visit are La Chosa for authentic mexican food and a great selection. It's indoor and outdoor offerings for tables really helped make our dining experience much better. Also, the Casa Mission A.K.A La Casa Mission pronounced missy-own. Not mission, was by far one of the best dining experiences for Lobster and steak we all had, at least there. Restaurants down there outside of the hotel were all great. Even Bob Marley's on the east coast where we went for the day trip in the Jeep was memorable.

The best bartender we all had was William. His evening counterpart was also excellent. If you are heading there, tell him Patricio said he did an excellent job. I often spoke spanish with them although my verbs weren't conjugated properly it goes a long way to try to speak the native tongue.

The front desk and activities staff, waiters and bartenders all appreciated it.

It will get quite humid in Mexico so if you want to leave your doors open at night, expect a wet or moist set of sheets on your bed in the morning or in the evening when you get back from your trip.

Lunch at the northen end of the beach in the La Isla outdoor area was great when you let them serve you. If you walk up to the cook, at times he was a bit testy not wanting to take our order. The cheese sticks, onion rings and other amenities such as french fries were good. You could grab a paper plate and fill it then bring it back with you to the pool or to the beach. Just make sure you know where the trash is closest to you. The indoor large bar during the morning has a breakfast bar that was excellent. The omlets and eggs were the best. We ate there every day. Fresh fruit, vege's and more were a part of our day each day. At night they serve pretty ok food. It's not five star but during peak season they do let you reserve lobster or special foods which they will special order and prepare for you. We didn't ask them while we were there but family members whom visited in March said that they all were pleased with the food. If you see a salsa that is yellow orange, that could be jabanero so wizzatch out for that one. It was tasty and quite warm.

Bathrooms are spread about the facility for people outdoors but are usually about a minute walk from any location.

Base your experience on the restaurants you visit in town. That will be your best judgment call.
If people aren't pleased with the food at the hotel which some aren't according to their reviews, you have it completely within your control to visit another restaurant.

I guess that about covers it. To ensure that you have a great time, make sure you think about the activities before hand. Have a good idea of when you would like to do your excursions. In some cases 24 hours is needed for scheduling. Also, if you are considering booking your visit, try to go through Continental Airlines as they are the best price in most cases unless you live in Charlotte, Atlanta, or San Francisco. Delta, US Airways and American fly in there regularly as well does Continental. Noone appeared to fly direct unless it was January - April.

1) Buy a snorkel and flippers in the US and bring it with you if you intend on using it. On the other side of the cement pier just to the south of the Melia on the water (next hotel over), If you bring some corn flakes or special K over from breakfast, you won't need much, and just snorkel out about 30 feet from shore towards the wall you should attract a good amount of fish which will be great for pictures. For me I had my snorkeling adventure just from that. Personally I started thinking that they were hungry fish. One of them got my finger and one of them got me on my back from a falling or stuck corn flake I am sure.

2) Jeep rental - Get insurance and take it for the day. Drive up or down the east coast. Go downtown or what ever. 24 hour rental notice might be required

3) Try scuba or another activity which you have never done. They got a few new wave runners during our stay as well.

4) Try to get the ocean view room prior to your trip, we were very lucky I think to have one available with the number of people there.

5) A good idea is to find out if your digital camera has a waterproof case you can put it in so that if you do want digital pictures of your trip during water activities as well, you are prepared for it. That was one thing I belive we wished we had looked into.



If you're wondering if we would go back, at this point I believe we would. We would obviously like to be pampered a little more with the food onsite and the drink selections while they both exceeded my needs, I still think that resorts like this should be able to have things like Captain Morgan, Corona and Patron or Cuervo Gold for thier guests.

Well, that's all I have to give for input. Just know we met some very nice people during our visit, you likely will as well. We had a excellent time and enjoyed everyone's company while at the Melia. Noone is flat out mean and with the right expectations from the get go, your experience overall will be just shy of excellent (as in our case).