My family and I love our tropical beach vacations and this trip was one of the best because of this resort. The hotel is truly beautiful (the photos are accurate), service is warm but not obtrusive, and the location is excellent. The hotel is not all-inclusive but we were able to find a good deal on their all-inclusive program (U by Grand Fiesta Americana). I was nervous that it would be too good to be true but it was definitely worth what we paid for (and more!). All meals, including the popular brunch buffet and themed buffet dinners at Isla Contoy, were included and all delicious. I believe the meals were higher quality because the resort is not run like an all-inclusive. My daughter loved that she can have ice cream sent up every night to our room (also included) and my husband and I enjoyed our meal at the french restaurant. We also had access to their spa's hydrotherapy ritual -- it was wonderful!

I was concerned about seaweed on the beach but it was not an issue during our visit in mid July. There was some but the staff did a wonderful job of keeping the beach clean. If you really wanted seaweed-free water, the ferry to Isla Mujeres is just a.short walk from the hotel. You can actually see the ferry come and go from the resort.

The hotel is pretty quiet. There are some pool activities but they are low-key. This is definitely not a spring-break type environment, which we loved. We just loved spending our days poolside. There are many pools to enjoy, lots of chairs with shade (no towel wars here as far as I can tell), great service poolside and at the swim up bars.

Thank you GFACB for a most memorable vacation. We hope to come back soon!

The hotel was in a nice area, near a supermarket, bus station, ferry depot, etc.
The only NEGATIVE thing that I took out of the hotel experience was their way of trying to sell TIME SHARE.

When we checked in - the desk person, "Rovi," said he would like to introduce us to a coworker who will show us the SPA and GYM. I knew it was for their TIME SHARE presentation. So I looked him in the eye, and asked if this was for a TIME SHARE presentation, and he openly lied and said it was not. Although I already knew (being that my family frequently vacations in Mexico), I politely declined. After that, Rovi did not want to look at my direction because he knew that he had just lied.

I mean, just be honest - and I will still politely tell you "No."

Overall, the hotel was great, just don't mind the sales pitch of the TIME SHARE. If you don't know what I'm talking about, just look in the lobby - near the lobby bar, and take a look at the salespeople talking to the families. It's quite a show, people shuffling, holding their notepads and calculators.

Viva Mexico

I can’t rate this hotel highly enough; if I have any criticism at all, it’s that the photos don’t do it justice. The hotel is nothing short of palatial with a huge, pool area, swim up bar and staff that are attentive and professional.

After having experienced the joys of the swim up bar, I think I may owe my liver an apology. The drinks were sublime with nips being well and truly on the generous side. On returning to the hotel in the mid afternoon heat, we were greeted with a cold, damp towel at the front entrance, which was amazing. The room & maid service also did an amazing job. I have just a couple of points to note which I think could use some consideration on the part of hotel management.

Part of the hotel’s business model is selling timeshares. Whilst not as obviously pushy as the street merchants selling their wares, I would have preferred that the concierge would have taken no for an answer. No one wants to show up at a resort and be made to feel pressured. Secondly, perhaps in the future, some accomodation might be able to be made with regards to explaining (and allowing) the guest to open a tab, albeit with a credit card and / or posted limit, as opposed to needing to load funds onto the room prior to using the restaurant / bar.

Other than those couple of small points, this hotel / resort is easily the best I’ve ever stayed in. Thank you for making our Mexican experience pleasantly memorable!