Our stay was over Thanksgiving Nov 18 - 25. Mom, Dad, 17 year old son.
We loved the Porto Gran Real and would return in a heartbeat!
My review is rather long and I highlighted each topic so you can skip those that don’t interest you.
Check-in very quick and smooth. I had e-mailed Jorge (concierge) with questions and concerns that I had read on Trip Adviser. He assured me there would be no issue. He met us at check in and introduced himself. I thought that was a class act. He was also correct - we had no issues. Our cabana was reserved every day - we didn't have to do anything. We were away from the construction the lobby but no big deal.
After check in keep walking to the elevator. Ladies in white wanted to talk to me and wanted my room number - they are timeshare people. Get past them and you are home free.
Hotel Room - We stayed in the One Bedroom Master Suite (357) - 3rd floor.
Living room, table and chairs, flat screen TV with balcony, center area is dressing area, closet and bathroom. Closet has removable wooden hangers and plenty of shelf space + bathrobes and slippers. Bathroom has the basic needs plus a walk in shower without a door (love those) and a hamper (thought that was a nice touch). Big Bedroom with two more balconies’. Cabinet in bedroom has espresso machine, cups, glasses, ice bucket & 4 bottles of liquor (Johnny Walker red, tequila, vodka and rum. Happy Hubby!! Look for the step up’s and down’s everywhere in the hotel and area. No big deal but I'm a klutz so I kept an eye open for them.
Note: take paper and pen and leave a note for the room attendant on what you want in or what to remove from the fridge. It would have been much easier if we had. Ice was way down the hall but we sent our son. Elevator was fast enough but we found it more convenient, easier and quicker to use the stairs. NOTE: I would not recommend the 1st floor as the cabana’s block the water view. But there is a gate on the balcony so you can walk right onto the beach.
Vendors - at the property there were two times that I thought people worked at the hotel when they did not. They offered a little something (one time was a painted picture with our name on it). We declined both times and there was no issue. No vendors approached us on the beach.
Sky Way Jacuzzi - On the opposite side of the hotel (clearly marked) is a Jacuzzi on the 6th floor. There is also a pool and bar just below on the 5th floor. Usually there were many people in it but everyone made room and it was great.
The rooms on the 4th & 5th floor looked to be hotel rooms with double beds and an area with two chairs and small table to sit which was shared space with the next door room with a street view.
Beach - very wide area of beautiful white sand. I watched staff groom the sand and even brushed sand off the lounge chairs every day. I also saw them spray the beach and trees for no-seeums. We never had a problem getting lounge chairs on the beach and always saw empty chairs at the pool. We are early people on vacation but we always saw empty lounge chairs. Yes, there are sandbags. Without the sand bags the beach would be gone with the waves. Yes, there are big stones/rocks in the water. They are natural and help break the waves and save the sand. I wore beach shoes (I always do) and had no problem. Hubby and son did not wear shoes and had a stubbed toe or two but not enough to make they wear their water shoes. There were people in the water. We were at the beach every day. The waiters could not be more friendly and helpful. They would walk around serving water (had no problem drinking the water) or bringing you something to drink. Hubby would give them a small tip ($1) and you never had to ask for another drink.
Hotel Bars - served imported and domestic products. I was shocked and pleased to see Jack Daniels on the bars. Hotel serves Pepsi products. I'm a Coke girl and it is sold in the hotel gift store.
Location – EXCELLENT! 1 block away from 5th Avenue. 5th Avenue is quite long. We never made it to the end. Wear comfortable shoes (I didn’t). Restaurants, jewelry stores, trinkets, sun glasses, Hotels, boot store, convenience store, ice cream shops, pizza shops. The area was clean, well lit and I felt totally safe. People wear all kinds of attire – mostly casual. We walked around after dinner. Just remember comfortable shoes!
Exchange Rate – Hotel had the best exchange rate vs. 5th Avenue. The exchange rate at hotel was 13 pesos = $1 vs. 12.65 on 5th Avenue.
Restaurants – Albatross is the buffet (breakfast, lunch & Dinner). Omelets & eggs to order, bacon, sausage links, cereal, cold cuts & cheeses, variety of juices, hot chocolate & cold chocolate milk + regular milk, mimosas, bread/toast, muffins – one day they had steak to order for breakfast. There was an outdoor area for lunch – hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, you can make nachos, pico. We also ate at Maria’s & Il Pescatore. Reservations were suggested for II Pescatore which guest services in the hotel made for us. At the Royal we ate at MARIA MARIE and at Asiana. All the food was very good. All 3 of us enjoyed every meal.
Was the trip flawless –NO. But we were on vacation and let things go! We had a great vacation! Hope you do to!
Room Tip: If you want convenience to the beach the 1st floor is great. However, the cabana's block the wat...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
