AM Resorts (re. Secrets, Now, Breathless, etc.) is going to take over two Oasis brand resorts–Grand Oasis Sens will become Now Emerald Cancun, while Grand Oasis Tulum will become Sunscape Akumal Beach Resort and Spa. Renovations will be done and the rebranding is supposed to take effect June 1, 2019.
The plan is still on for the new adults-only section of the Barcelo Maya Grand resort to open either this Dec. 2019 or Jan. 2020. Those who visit the wonderfully informative site of Unofficial Barcelo Maya take note–there is a newer entry dated Dec. 2018 by Phil in Ottawa (look in the discussion section) that has recent pics of what the construction looks like. If you haven’t yet registered to post/respond in the discussion section, it is worthwhile to do so since you can then ask questions and get info from vacationers who have spent multiple trips going to this resort and are quite knowledgeable.
I recently returned from the new TRS Coral Hotel in the Costa Mujeres area north of downtown Cancun. While I am writing up my resort review you can take a look at a video of the room category I stayed in–a beautiful Loft Suite. What do you think, would you stay in this suite?
Adults looking for more luxurious, upscale allinclusive options in Cancun and the surrounding area should check out TRS Coral Hotel, part of the brand new Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres resort complex located north of downtown Cancun. TRS Coral is already a member of The Leading Hotels of the World which is quite rare for a new hotel. The resort is comprised of three sections including the general Grand Palladium section, Family Selections section, and the TRS Coral Hotel (adults-only). TRS guests can choose to spend their entire vacation in their adults-only section, or they can explore the entire Grand Palladium property. While TRS guests have access to the entire resort, adult guests staying at the Grand Palladium section cannot access the TRS section. Adults staying at the upgraded Family Selections section also have access to TRS Coral Hotel amenities including complimentary Chic shows. The current resort is just Phase 1 of construction, look for an even larger resort when it is fully completed.
Starting Jan. 1, 2019, the entrance fee to Chichen Itza will double going from USD $12 to $24. There is some speculation this huge increase will negatively impact tourism to this famous site, but only time will tell. Would you still go given the new fee?
Anyone looking for a Mexican all-inclusive resort with a new water park feature? The Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya just opened one–the minimum height requirement for slides is 3′ 5″. All kids under the age of 8 must be accompanied by their parent(s). Looks like there are three sections with a total of 23 water slides. Here’s the link.
Fans of the adults-only Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya, take heart–final approval has been given for the completion of the originally planned complex conditionally approved back in 2005. While only the Valentin was built and eventually opened in 2007, the rest of the originally planned complex consisted of two additional resorts (745 guest rooms in the second resort and 704 guest rooms in the third). The second originally planned resort is supposed to be called Valentin Playa del Secreto and will be located north of Playa del Carmen. No official opening date has yet been set.
While in theory I was first daunted by the overall size of the Barcelo Maya Grand Resort in the Riviera Maya (consisting of five Barcelo resorts–the Beach, Caribe, Colonial, Tropical, and the Palace with almost 1.5 miles of beachfront), I soon found that this vacation wasn’t going to be as physically arduous as I first thought. Signage abounds, shuttle bus service was frequent, and the beach walkways/primary entrance walkways were excellent ways to get around to the various resorts if one was hesitant to cut across the middle of properties. Both the large, red double decker and smaller white buses were available to transport guests; this service was available from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. While I also did a fair amount of walking, I wouldn’t recommend extensive foot travel around the resort during the summer months (I went in July) unless you are prepared to jump into one of five beachfront resort pools this mega-resort has to offer. FYI–if you’re not at the ends of the property (either the Beach or Palace resorts), be sure to tell the bus driver your destination when you get on because he may be going in the opposite direction; if that is the case, then your best bet is to wait until the next bus comes around.
While THE Royal Playa del Carmen will still be welcoming guests, it will now be doing so under the Hilton brand name. Playa Resorts and Hilton have now partnered in order to expand both businesses–Playa Resorts hopes to benefit from being part of Hilton’s global portfolio/78 million Hilton Honors members, while Hilton hopes to become a known name brand in the very lucrative all-inclusive resort market. Guests who stay in the PDC resort can now accumulate or use their Hilton Honors points, a definite plus for those who are Hilton Honors members.
Just wanted to let everyone know that the brand new Haven resort is now open for business in the Puerto Morelos area. I found this video of an oceanfront Jr. Suite–the video of the room really starts at about 1:30 into it and is very thorough in terms of room amenities. Take a look–would you stay here?