The Grand Oasis Palm (formerly the Grand Oasis Caribbean) is located on the Hotel Zone’s upper “7” within walking distance to the Embarcadero ferry to Isla Mujeres and the Captain Hook pirate dinner cruise.  It shares beach space with its sister resort, Oasis Palm, with Grand guests having unrestricted access to all of Oasis Palm’s amenities–this means guests can access 17 restaurants, ten bars, three pools (including one children’s pool with slides), a spacious Kid’s Club, spa, and fitness center.  Since these are not mega-resorts, all amenities are within easy walking distance to one another.  The parent company refers to both resorts as the “Mexican Resort” due to the traditional Mexican cuisine in many of its restaurants, the replica of an authentic Mexican cantina, tequila and Mexican wine tastings, and entertainment with its Mexican folkloric flair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grand Oasis Palm consists of two separate guest room buildings which form an inverted “U” with an infinity pool and courtyard in between.  While these guest room buildings have large picture windows, some of which offer stellar ocean views, there are no balconies on this side of the resort–balconies can be found street-side with lagoon views instead.  Guest rooms in general are spacious and include a sitting area with small sofa, while bathrooms offer dbl sinks and a tub/shower combo.  Families traveling together can stay together thanks to connecting rooms (request either the hand painted marine or jungle life images).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In between guest room buildings is the beautiful infinity pool with its gradual entry and varied depths–the darker the blue tile, the deeper the water.  This pool is referred to as the “quiet pool” since all scheduled activities and music happen next door at the Oasis Palm.  Despite the pool’s beachfront location, it is difficult to get an unobstructed ocean view from here due to the Bali beds as well as the many coconut trees which not only line this stretch of beach but fill the courtyard section.  Given the shade these trees and the surrounding buildings provide over the course of the day, expect the pool to be a cooler temperature which can make it a bit chilly during winter months, especially since it is not heated.  While padded wooden loungers line the sundeck, umbrellas are in short supply here due to the shade already provided.  Although there is no swim-up bar, Oasis Palm’s pool has one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grand’s beach is accessible a few steps from the pool and offers the same shaded experience with its mature coconut grove.  Within the grove is the adults-only Beach Club Sian Ka’an with its many Bali beds (which are an extra cost) and special food menu offered from 12-5 p.m.; loungers and shade palapas sit oceanfront.  Beach sand is white but the width is narrow which creates a somewhat crowded atmosphere if one is trying to sunbathe.  Ocean entry is easy, but water depth remains shallow the further one goes out (it’s hip to waist deep once out there) which makes ocean swimming difficult for adults yet perfect for children to enjoy since the water in this area is calm as well.  Water sport access is next door at the Oasis Palm where kayaks, pedal boats, and paddleboards can be checked-out; a beach bar can also be found at the adjoining property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perhaps the biggest draw of the resort is the Kid’s Club (Kiddo Zone) for ages 3-12 with a whopping 50,000 sq. feet of space.  While located over at the Oasis Palm, it is an easy walk over to access all the Club has to offer.  The following are Kiddo Zone amenities:

• kid’s pool with dbl waterslides, mushroom fountain, and kid-size loungers with shade umbrellas
• separate kid’s “splash zone” at the western section of Oasis Palm’s pool with small pirate ship, multiple waterslides, water trampoline, and climbing iceberg
• special beach area on the westernmost side of Oasis Palm with sand, kid-size loungers, and shade umbrellas for ages 3-6
• bungee trampoline
• playground
• food and beverage court for children (Pirata del Caribe) with ice cream and pastry stations, smoothies, and kid-size meals including hamburgers, pizza, tacos, and chicken
• dedicated rooms for crafts, video games, a “Princess” room with small castle, and a kitchen where children can participate in cooking classes
• theater for puppet shows and movies
• face painting
• scheduled music workshops including singing, musical instrument, and song writing tips for age 10+
• nap area

Oasis has a special website highlighting the Kiddo Zone at www.oasisfun4families.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to accessing amenities like the Kiddo Club at the Oasis Palm, guests of the Grand also have the opportunity to receive day passes to other Oasis resorts for a slightly different experience (transportation is extra, but the bus stop is right outside the front entrance on the street and only costs about $1 p/person each way).  Day passes depend on availability at the resort in question–check with the concierge at the Oasis Plus desk about the Club Runaway program.

Complimentary Smart Car use is available for all guests staying at the resort.  Insurance coverage, however, is an additional cost.

Type of Resort:  Family-friendly

Pro:  Stay at one play at two, Kid’s Club, calm shallow ocean for young swimmers, proximity to Isla Mujeres ferry, family suites with adjoining rooms

Con:  No ocean view balconies, extra costs like WiFi/room service delivery charge/safe/some mini-bar items, shallow ocean water level for adults, small slow elevators, lines at restaurants and bars when the resort is busy

Best Suited For:  Families with children ages 4-10.

No. of Rooms:  595

Room Amenities:  King or two dbl beds, A/C, small table and two chairs, small sofa, non-digital safe, mini-bar, flat screen TV, telephone, radio alarm clock with iPod dock,  coffee maker, hair dryer, tub/shower combo, dbl sinks, toiletries.  Room service is 24-hrs. a day with a delivery charge per order.  WiFi is an additional cost as well.  Here is a brief rundown of guest room categories:

• Standard:  King or two dbl beds.  Various resort views based on availability.
• Sunset:  King or two dbl beds.  Some rooms in this category have balconies with lagoon views.
• Ocean View:  King or two dbl beds, large picture window that opens.  No balconies available.
• Family Room:  Interconnecting rooms, one room with a king bed, the other with two dbls.  Different theme rooms available.
• Sian Ka’an Suites:  Large rooms with king bed, terrace, ocean view.  These rooms are typically reserved for timeshare owners but can be inquired about as an upgrade when checking in.
• NOTE:  Elevators can be slow and have been known to experience some problems in operation.  If elevator wait time or climbing stairs is a potential issue, try and book a room on the first three floors.

Physically Challenged Rooms:  Available

Resort Amenities:  Onsite amenities include an infinity pool (no swim-up bar), beach club ($), pool and beach wait service, business center with computer use, Smart Car use, several restaurants exclusive to Grand guests, coffee shop, cigar bar, lobby bar, concierge, gift shop, ATM, access to other Oasis resorts, and two hr. sailing with Captain Hook pirate ship cruises on Fridays.  Amenities available next door at the Oasis Palm include beachfront pool (swim-up bar), adjoining children’s pool section (“Splash Zone”), separate children’s pool with waterslides and fountain, playground, Kid’s Club (ages 3-12), kid’s food court, spa with Temazcal and select children’s spa services, fish pedicure, beauty salon, fitness center, tennis courts, multi-purpose sports court, squash courts, non-motorized water sports, disco, sports bar, beach bar, pool and beach wait service, and snack food carts (ice cream, popcorn, etc.).

Restaurants/Bars:  Onsite restaurants include Las Palmas (buffet and Rodizzio a la carte–no lunch service), Makitaco (Japanese-Mexican fusion), the White Box (gastrobar–adults-only), and a sushi bar.  Restaurants at the Oasis Palm include Sisal and Dos Lunas (both buffets), Careyes (gourmet Mexican a la carte–adult Grand guests only), Los Agaves (Guadalajara a la carte for Grand guests only), La Bamba (seafood), Isla Mujeres beach bar for luncheon snacks, La Cantina for Mexican snacks, and the food court for children. Reservations are required at Careyes and Los Agaves; reservations are taken on a daily basis in the lobby beginning at 9 a.m., but be sure to arrive early and get in line ahead of time in order to secure your choice for the day.  There are several carts, typically located by the pools, offering snack foods like ice cream and popcorn.  Onsite bars include the lobby bar, sushi bar, Sian Ka’an Beach Club bar, and the cigar bar.  Bars at the Oasis Palm include the swim-up bar, beach bar, Cantina Bar, sports bar, and El Rincon del Café bar, and La Bamba bar.

Entertainment:  While there is no official theater, live shows are held by the Oasis pool, on the beach, or in the Grand Salon.  There is live music at the lobby bar and around the resort (mostly on the Oasis side), and guests have the option of signing up for a two hour family-friendly pirate cruise held on Friday afternoons with the nearby Captain Hook company.

Website:  http://oasishoteles.net/hotels/grand-oasis-palm