Grand Oasis Riviera Maya All Inclusive

November 2009

We checked in on a Sunday and left on Friday. Both check in and checking out were quick and painless. The room was great. We had a second floor ocean view. Housekeeping was great. The mini bar was filled daily and we were left towel animals (a dinosaur and two swans with a flower) to enjoy when we returned from our adventures. The breakfast and dinner buffets were good and my sons had no problem finding something they liked. Both the Italian and Mexican restaurants were excellent. The boys are still talking about the Boom Booms at the Italian restaurant. We didn’t get to go to the lunch buffet because we were out sightseeing, but ordered from the snack bar several times. The hamburgers were very good. The service was very good everywhere we went. Tipping goes a long way if you want better service.

You can use US $ at most of the places were visited. Bring dollar bills for tipping. Tip anyone who provides good service and it gets better. Xel Ha, Xcaret, Yal-ku and the shops at Tulum all accept US $ and at a good exchange rate (about 13 pesos per $1). The exchange at the airport only offered 11.5 and the hotel 10.4 pesos per $1. We heard that you could get 13 pesos in Cancun, but didn’t go there. Tulum only accepted pesos and using them was part of the experience. We used Cancun Shuttle to get to the hotel and back to the airport. It was a little more, but we didn’t want to have to worry about carrying all of our suitcases through bus stations, on taxis or collectivos. Once there, we used taxis for close destinations and collectivos and buses for longer distances. A taxi started at $10, the collectivo is 30 pesos per person (a little less than $10) and we rode a Mayab bus from Xcaret back to the hotel (they drop you off on 307) for 52 pesos. There is a bus stop across 307 from Xcaret. Collectivos will pick you up anywhere on 307. They flash there lights and you can wave them down.

Very Low-Key!!!

My friends Jessica, Dan and I suprised my fiance for his 27th birthday. We were so excited and when we got there the lobby was beautiful and the beach and veiw was great! Dora the front desk lady was rude and wasn’t willing to help. We got seperate sections of the hotel and weren’t even close to eachother!!! There wasn’t very many people there either and they said they were booked! I was looking for more upbeat and partyin’ but it was so low-key and kinda boreing. It was relaxing so if that’s what your looking for it’s a great choice... The food was bland and not so good. I’m trying Cancun next time! Lalo the event coordinator is fun and nice!

Great deal!

I recently stayed at this hotel with a friend. This was our first trip to Mexico and we were pleasantly surprised with our hotel. We were never at the hotel when we could make reservations for the restaurants so we ate at the buffet every night. The food was great and there was enough variety that we didn’t get bored. I’m a very picky eater and still found plenty of great stuff to eat. The beach was somewhat rocky in areas but there were a lot of sandy spots as well. The view was breathtaking! We plan to go back in a couple of months and will probably stay at the same hotel.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

If you plan to do a lot of activities in Cancun, you may want to stay closer to the city. It is quite a long distance driving back and forth from Akumal each day.