Has anyone gone to this resort in december or january? If so was there any problems? I'm booked for the 29th. I have seen some really bad reviews ,but not untill I was already booked. I have been to Playa 3 times so I kinda know what I should be getting. I booked with apple and hope they can handle any problems that come up.

Norm,

Like you, I've read some bad reviews. I have also read some excellent ones i.e. www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com/mexico/occid.html We are booked to visit in April. I hope you have a good trip. Would you mind dropping me a line when you return.

Thanks,
Randy

Hi

We just arrived back from a all inclusive at the Grand Flamenco on Janruary 26th. I was not impressed with the front desk service when we first arrived as the just pointed and said you room is that away. We happened across a security guard who helped us find our room and with our luggage. Every day we had to line up at 7am to make reservations for dinner which included the buffet. Most breakfasts that we had at the hotel were on the cold side.

The room was to have a king size bed and ended up with 2 doubles. they over booked the hotel both weekends we were there. We were told by our travel rep that on our last day we would have use of the hotel until the bus came at 7:30, well, not so we had to check out of our room at noon and then when we tried to make reservations for dinner at 6pm in the buffet we were informed that we were no longer guests at the hotel. We could not even get towels to use at the pool. The hotel booked quite a few conventions on the same week we were there including a 300 person group which had 2 of the resturants closed to the general population to be kosher. Needless to say dinner reservations were at a premium. One of the resturants is a pizza place that actually serves the meal on plastic plates with plastic utensils.

There is absolutely no beach and if you want a chair at the lagoon you have to be up early. You can walk into Playa del Carmen along the shore which takes approx 2 hours or you can take a cab for $8 USD one way. I read a review that the resort was within walking distance to Playa but I soon found out that it is within walking distance of nothing.

Having just returned I thought I'd better tell our story.

The hotel area is huge and sprawling. The pools are beautiful with lots of loungers. We never had a problem finding a chair. The pools are very cold. There are 10 whirlpools built into the shallow ends of the pools. Not warm but they do work.

The bars were all open and never crowded. The food was the best we've ever had at an allinclusive resort in Mexico. The man made beach area was well thought out and still being improved. New palm trees are being planted and stone walls being built. Out in front of the beach dining area they landscaped a rock point into a pool area and lounging spot. This wasn't done when we left but very close.

The seafood resturant opened 2 days before we ate there but it was very good. They seem to be under staffed, due to the fact that men were cleaning rooms. Reservation for the fancy resturants could be made for your entire stay at one time, which was different than any other hotel we stayed. Usally you can only make reservations for one day at a time.

A tram bus tries to trasport people on a 15 min. time frame. It usally takes any where from 12 to 45 min, Don't rely on this time schedule. The entertainment is very poor. The park at exaret is great.

Rooms are nice, just scattered. The hotel will be great in a year or 2 when all their ideas become reality. I was worried before I left from the bad reports but after going I'd recomend this resort to anyone. Just don't expect a lot of partying or pool sports. They also have a nice spa. Biggest downfall is no hotel transportation to town.Cabs cost $8 to playa del carmen. Contact me if you need more info.

dear norm,
glad to hear a good review. have been a little worried about our scheduled trip at easter. we upgraded to "royal club". do you have any info on that area? is it worth the extra money??

thanks,
lisa g

Norm it was a relief to read your post holiday trip. We too have booked to go to the Occidental, and since seen some bad reviews. We are to leave the beginning of April. We were getting slightly worried that we had made a big mistake. If you have any extra tips/advice you found going there that made your stay a pleasant one and are willing to share would you mind to email. Thanks.

Have traveled to 15 island resorts,most in the 5 to 6 star ratings & I must be an extremely picky person which I did not think I was. This resort,albeit beautiful & scenic had the worst service & food anywhere. Staff ignored you. Mornings at breakfast you would patiently wait for someone to pour your coffee to no avail. Only when you would get up to get your own,somebody would finally come around with a pot. The food was the same everyday at the buffet. Some meat could not be identified until tasted,which was not always a pleasant occurrence.The sit down restaurants were mediocre at best.I have been to a few other esorts in Mexico & would advise anyone to stay away from this one. Try the RIU PALACE instead. 1st class resort,great food & service & beautiful beach which is no-existent at this resort.

I am booked to go to this resort on April 1. I am taking my daughter who has never been to Mexico. I was hoping for a very wonderful experience for her. After reading the reviews, I am having second thoughts...but it is too late because the trip has been booked. Any further info would be appreciated. I am hoping for a really nice vacation for the two of us. I thought this was a five star resort? Thanks for your input.

We (husband and two boys) came back from Flamenco Xcaret on March 8th. We had a fabulous time, inspite of the initial disappointment with the beach which is man-made.

The staff was friendly (except at the front desk where things take forever-check in is at 3pm and if you arrive early, you have to help yourself to food and whatever, with the luggage still in the lobby). I recommend the beach restaurant for breakfast and lunch. There's no line-ups and the scenery is amazing. There is also a huge deck with hammocks where you can read and sip whatever drink you please. The resort is huge but beautiful to walk around in.

My advice is, if you are going to the Mayan Riviera to snorkel and enjoy the beautiful beaches, go somewherelse, but if you are looking for a beautiful resort with good service and food, F.X. is a good choice.

I also booked this resort for april 1st and have read many good reviews and few bad ones. I am aware the beach is small (don't care, I've done Punta Cana, Cancun etc. many times), so hopefully knowing ahead of time will prepare me and my wife. We just want to relax. I look forward to my trip and I figure that I can't go to wrong with the price I am paying for this trip which was $1060 CAN. If anyone else has been there, would you think it is worth that price?

My girlfriend and I are booked to leave tomorrow morning. We are looking forward to a good week, the weather looks to be fantastic, better than the snow we are getting here in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario! I will be sure and post our experience when we return next week. It's our first foray into southern resort living, so we don't have any comparisons with other resorts to give us preconceived ideas. I've looked at all the reviews (and other sites too), the pictures etc. and I think we'll have a good time.

We have also booked for tomorrow morning and I also am looking forward to getting out of this snow. We're flying from Toronto. The weather does look fantastic and friends of mine have just come back from the resort and they couldn't say enough good things about every aspect. See you tomorrow!

What resturants are open for breakfast and lunch?
Tipping? Who? How much?

thanks

kelley

I book this trip because of Xcaret. It was on the travel channel and my husband wanted to take the children there. Any advice would be helpful. We have never been to and all inclusive resort, so this is special. We have know problem leaving and exploring so please help. I am worried?

My family and I are booked for June 20th. We have been to Cancun anc Cozumel going on the 5th time. Our last stay was at the Gran Caribe Real in Cancun. The service there is great and our 8 year old son loves the kids club. We are very cautious of our son going to the kids club because of an injury that he sustained while in Cozumel at the Cozumeleno Resort. The kids staff left the room unattended and the tiled floor was wet. My son split his lip on a fuzball table. Since, we panic but, want him to have fun with other children on the resort. Please send me the latest...Is the man-maid beach at least calm and open...are there any fish?

Things to keep in mind when going to an all-inclusive...tipping is ok ($1 or 2) if you want a tad better service. You are going to a different culture where perhaps they don't watch the children as we would here. Bugs can be bad, just bring plenty of DEET. And don't forget with food, especially off the resort, "if you can't boil it, cook it or peel it leave it" or you will end up with "Montezuma's Revenge"

We are going to the Mayan Riviera soon. We are interested in the Gran Flamenco because it is supposed to be 5 star hotel and its available for a very reasonable price. However we are concerned about the beach. We are vacillating between this hotel, the Bahia Principe in Tulum and the Copacabana. Maybe Rui Tequila. Any opinions?

you should have no concerns about the resort. The beach is small and rocky but this place has the nicest pools I've ever seen. As well, the food is great and the staff are terrific. We stayed in Feb. and are plannign to go back. If you need a beach, most packages give you a 1 day pass to the park next door (2 minute walk) where you can sit on the beach all day (as well as snorkel in an underground Mayan river and more!) Go and have fun!

Hi
I am due to travel on september16th for 14 nights.I am worried about the mosquitoes are
they really that bad in the resort as i have a two year old daughter who does not react well to bites.

Hi there,

We were there in Feb. There were no mosquitoes at all. Hardly any bugs of any type. But I don't know what it might be like in September.

Earl

We just booked our honeymoon here and now I am a little concerned with all of the bad reviews. We are leaving on November 3,2003. Does anyone have some more good stuff to say to ease my mind?

Has anyone been to the Grand Xcaret recently? The review from February appear to be very mixed regarding the food, the service and the beach. I would appreciate it if anyone who has been there recently can provide an updated view.

Thanks.