This was my first time at an all-inclusive resort. So, truly - a vacation and not a travelling type trip. It took a while to get around that mind-set.

The resort is about a 20 minute drive from the airport. Our transfer wasn't included in our vacation package, so we paid $70 roundtrip for a private shuttle with Cancun Transfers for two people. Not bad. A taxi will run you 450 pesos one-way, and likely not nearly as comfortable.

The open-air lobby is gorgeous, leading out to a view of the pools and ocean in the distance.

We pre-booked for a Preferred Oceanview room and it was the best decision. Really, the view is worth it. I actually think it's better than Oceanfront rooms as you're closer to the restaurants and lobby area. The only downside is that being above the pool area, it can get a bit noisy in the early mornings with staff doing their early morning set-ups. I wouldn't let that deter you. If you're on the highest floor (fifth) then that would be less noisy. But, then you might be walking up five flights of stairs if you don't want to walk over to the elevator.

The wireless Internet was terrible in our room. Basically, worthless. But with the Preferred status, you get access to a lounge that has computers with decent connection. Also, little snacks & hors d'oeurves when you just want a bite to eat.

Onto the food. I'm sort of obsessed with food, and I have to say all the meals that I had were enjoyable to some extent. Except for maybe the buffet, but I was only there late-night upon arrival. A good rule of thumb is to order anything with scallops and shrimp.

Bordeaux - French restaurant, fantastic duck entree. Extremely moist and meaty duck leg. Excellent sea scallop appetizer, good foie gras parfait brioche.

El Patio - they will flambe cheese & coffee. Very entertaining and delicious. The espresso that I had here was one of the best in the resort, pour it over some ice-cream and you've got an excellent affogato

Hibitsu - the Teppanyaki experience was entertaining, but nothing exciting food-wise. Don't stress if you miss out on the reso. It's just grilled veggies and meat. The butter they put on the fried rice was eye-openingly tasty. I liked the regular menu more, with a tiger prawn used for tempura and a nice coconut thai chicken soup. I would stick to the scallop and tuna sashimi only.

Room service - we had breakfast every morning on our patio, it was so luxurious to wake up to an egg-white omelette with cheese, chorizo and spinach. Fresh juices, coffee, pastries, home-made muesli with yogurt.

1 pm Paella - it's by the poolside grill. This was FANTASTIC. Better than any I've had in Spain. Loaded with mussels, clams, chicken, chorizo, pork ribs, huge shrimp.

Service all around the resort was very good and we were happy tipping them for it. Fabio is a cutie, super enthusiastic and entertaining - we're glad we went on the biking activity with him to Puerto Morelos.

I love beaches, but I did not bring myself to get into the water. Though warm, at certain times of the day there is a sludgeon of seaweed at the shore-break. I was happier sunbathing in the hammocks, by the pools and on my patio. It's a nice enough 40 minute walk along the beach to Puerto Morelos.

There are weddings every day here. As a guest of one, I can say it was all really nicely done - beautiful setting (if not the most private), entertaining mariachi band during cocktail hour. And an intimate dinner and dancing on the beach reception. They do provide bugspray, but our Deet worked much better. Also, I'm hopeful that our pinata legacy lives on. Viva el Spidey-Hombre!!

Literally just got back. Didn't even unpack yet. This resort is so nice and very clean. I can't wait to go back. There was only one thing that I was not impressed with.......the entertainment was awful. The activities that were planned must have been planned by a 1st grader. Since we were not there for the entertainment it didn't bother us too much. The drinks kept coming and the beer was cold. Like I said I can't wait to go back.

I went to this all inclusive for my neice's wedding last week. There was at least two weddings a day, every day...
My neice's wedding turred out lovely. She got married on the beach, had a cocktail hour near a hot tub w a three piece band and then a dinner on the pool deck. The whole event went smoothly, but I'm not sure if the lead up did.
The food at this resort was better than the other one i have been to. The mexican restaurant should have been open for lunch and dinner, not just dinner. If you didn't like buffets then there was only one other choice. the coffee shop was very nice, served great cappucinnos and the woman who served me every day was very nice.
In another restaurant we had to change tables three times, rain issues, and the staff could not have been more obliging.
the room that we had was standard, but had a great view and was beautiful and large. the bathroom had two sinks which was nice. the toilet was seperate, but was only separated from the rest of the room by glass walls and a glass door.
the halls were noisy and there seemed to be a lot of europeans yelling in the halls, but fairly quiet at night.
the internet was not great and cost $60/week.
I would recommend this hotel for couples especially.

Lovely hotel, great standards and fantastic food!! Explorers club is brilliant and my son loved it, pools great and beech was nice yeh it had sea weed but they cleared it regular. Sushi in main restaurant at lunch time was one of my fav!! Restaurant really good and cocktails really good

My few criticisms, we upgraded to a sea view and feel it wasn't worth the money, our room was small so little disapointed in that. Although there were some lovely weddings going on but lots and lots of families and big groups which meant lots of celebrations and not wanting to be a party pooper but we were kept awake quite a few nights by running up and down corridors and pool parties in plunge pool with rooms. We have a 18month old who likes to walk a lot and we had to have eyes in back of head as out side rooms there is drops straight down to overflows to plunge pools. Balcony wasn't suitable for him either and majority of high chair missing harnesses. Most weekend seemed to get busy and then we had to que for breakfast and things like bacon would run out. Also drove me mad the waiters would ignore my son at the pool bar and even take his order and still not give him what he'd asked for.....