Five minutes north of Puerto Morelos lies Ocean Coral and Turquesa H10, a family-friendly resort operated by the Spanish-owned company, Ocean by H10 Hotels.  Carved from the jungle, dense areas of natural flora remain between the resort’s main guest room buildings and the pools and beach area.  The remainder of the grounds are beautifully landscaped and meticulously maintained with carefully trimmed hedges, grassy areas, palm trees, and flowers.  The entire resort is reminiscent of the Mexican Hacienda style of architecture with its use of natural materials, arched silhouettes, interior courtyards, and the earthy color palette used on both interior and exterior surfaces including terra cotta, orange, and white; true to its namesake, coral and turquoise pops of color can be found around the resort, particularly in its cushions and pillow fabrics.

 

 

 

 

 

Guests will love the large, open-air lobby with its soaring thatched palapa roof, marble floor, water features, and the many comfortable seating areas strategically placed making it conducive for both small and large parties to talk amongst one another.  There are two check-in desks, one for regular guests and the other for upgraded Privilege guests.  A lobby bar and adjacent coffee bar holds court with indoor/outdoor seating and expansive views of the property and ocean beyond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The resort’s layout allows many guests to have ocean or partial ocean views from their guest rooms, and everyone is a short stroll from the beach.  Resort buildings are clustered together in what resembles four interlocking horseshoe shapes–each cluster surrounds a pool, and each pool has a different “vibe”.  The southernmost pool is the Privilege and H10 Premium Pool/timeshare owner’s pool; it is commonly referred to as the “quiet” pool.  Loungers, shade umbrellas, curtained cabanas, built-in pool loungers, and a large curved jetted seating area are available at this pool along with the nearby Petite Crepêrie restaurant.  Privilege does not mean “adults-only”, so expect some children in this pool, despite it being a more quiet area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moving northwards and just around the corner of building #7 is the “party” pool with its thatched-roof swim-up bar with pool bar seating on the other side, snack bar, arched pool jets, built-in pool loungers, regular loungers, curtained cabanas, and shade umbrellas.  This pool area can be a rather wild scene at times, particularly during the Wed. afternoon foam party and during the evenings when it is host to live music, DJ’s, and dancing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still moving north past the buffet restaurant is the activities pool–this is the largest pool with additional arched pool jets, built-in pool loungers with surrounding jets, while loungers, shade umbrellas, and numerous sports and activities equipment are made available on the sundeck.  The final beachfront pool is the smaller children’s pool with a built-in Jacuzzi section; a smaller fountain splash pool is also available.  Loungers and shade umbrellas are present, but no cabanas, and there is a nearby snack bar along with the Kid’s Club and playground area.  All poolside cabanas are first-come first-served.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just several steps down from any of these great pools is the beach which is fairly typical for the northern stretch of the Riviera Maya coastline–great white stretches of sand but susceptible to problems with sea grass.  The resort has a machine which rakes it up several times a day, but sometimes Mother Nature gets the upper hand.  Rocks may be present at certain ocean entry points, so bring water shoes and step carefully.  For those who like to tan and relax on the beach, there are many loungers and palapas; upgraded Privilege guests have their own roped-off section with curtained Bali beds and wait service.  Adults who enjoy water sports will have to travel to Ocean Coral and Turquesa’s sister resort, Ocean Maya Royale (an adults-only property by Playa del Carmen) where they can enjoy kayaks, hobie cats, and windsurfing, along with access to parasailing and Jet Skis.  Ocean Coral and Turquesa does have a PADI diving center which can certify any diver no matter what skill level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guests tuckered out from the day’s activities can enjoy their large and colorful guest rooms with orange, purple, pink, green, white, and coral color scheme–the Honeymoon Suite is one of the exceptions with its use of white and silver tones.  Bathrooms are large with separate tubs and showers, floors are tiled, and all rooms have balconies–the higher floors are more likely to have ocean views.  Families with older children and friends traveling together should be aware of potential privacy issues since bathrooms at this resort do not have doors–at most there are sheers or frosted glass which separates the bathroom from the rest of the room.  Guest rooms are divided into the following sections:

• H10 Premium Oceanfront rooms (timeshare):  Building 1 with stellar ocean views
• Privilege rooms:  Buildings 1-7
• Party pool rooms:  Buildings 8-11
• Activities pool rooms:  Buildings 12-17
• Children’s pool rooms:  Buildings 17-21

 

 

 

 

 

 

Type of Resort:  Family-friendly

Pro:  Lots of activities, four pools, no dining reservations needed, free WiFi

Con:  Ocean entry, susceptible to sea grass, no on-site water sports

Best Suited For:  Families with young children (ages 4-8), those who enjoy getting lots of resort amenities for their vacation dollar, and wedding destination.  There are a surprising number of weddings which occur at various settings around the resort, so potential guests should take this into account when deciding whether or not to book.

No. of Rooms:  585

Room Amenities:  King or two queen beds, A/C, balcony/terrace, mini-bar, in-room safe, flat screen TV, sitting area with sofa bed and coffee table, ceiling fan, two telephones, radio alarm clock, coffee maker, iron/ironing board, umbrella, hair dryer, separate shower and tub, toiletries, complimentary WiFi, and complimentary room service from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with a limited menu.  Room service from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. incurs an extra charge.  Here is a brief list of guest room categories:

(Non-Privilege)

• Jr. Suite Deluxe:  King or two queen beds
• Jr. Suite Deluxe Ocean View:  King or two queen beds with ocean view

(Privilege Amenities)

• private check-in/out
• access to private Privilege Lounge with indoor/outdoor seating with ocean view, bar area with premium alcohol, flat screen TV, newspapers, library, breakfast, snacks, and access to the Fusion Restaurant within the Privilege Lounge
• a la carte reservations available to secure preferred dining time
• one breakfast in bed
• private beach area with Bali beds and wait service
• limited Butler service
• in-room amenities such as robe, slippers, upgraded toiletries and mini-bar, pillow menu, iPod dock, DVD player, daily newspaper, complimentary 24-hr. room service and welcome bottle of wine
• spa and dive center discounts
• Privilege Pack for children

(Privilege Guest Rooms)

• Jr. Suite Privilege:  King or two queen beds, balcony Jacuzzi and outdoor shower.  Garden, pool, or partial ocean view.
• Master Suite:  King or two queen beds in a separate bedroom along with a sofa and coffee table, living room area with sofa bed, coffee table, dining table and four chairs, microwave, dbl sink in the full bathroom, half-bathroom.
• Honeymoon Suite:  King bed, separate living room area with two small sofas and coffee table, separate dining area with table and four chairs, upgraded mini-bar with small bottles of alcohol, microwave, full bathroom with dbl sink, balcony with Jacuzzi, outdoor shower, two full loungers, and small table and two chairs.  Other amenities include door banner, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries upon arrival, fresh flowers, one breakfast in bed, one romantic lobster dinner at Fusion restaurant, Cancun shopping tour, complimentary 20-min. photo shoot and photo, discounts on spa services/dive center/jewelry store purchases/meal and wine purchases/excursions/car rental.  Ocean view.
• Royal Master Suite:  Separate bedroom with a king or two queen beds, small sofa, armchair, coffee table, living room area with sofa bed, coffee table, dining table and four chairs, upgraded mini-bar with small bottles of alcohol, microwave, full bathroom with dbl sink, half-bathroom, terrace with Jacuzzi, outdoor shower, two full loungers, and small table and two chairs.  Oceanfront.

Physically Challenged Rooms:  Available

Resort Amenities:  Four pools (quiet, party–with swim-up bar, activities, and children’s pools), spa, beauty salon, fitness center, bicycle tour into Puerto Morelos, jogging path, motorized and non-motorized water sports for adults at Ocean Maya Royale, on-site dive shop, tennis and multi-sports court, Daisy Mini-Club (ages 4-12) with playground, teen club (gaming stations, Guitar Hero contest, home theater, disco, snack bar, foosball, terrace swings), giant chess, hammocks, poolside cabanas, theater, concierge, tour desk, jewelry store, gift shop, photo shop, car rental, and ATM.

Restaurants/Bars:  One buffet restaurant (Casa del Mar) and eight a la cartes including Mexican (Hacienda Los Girasoles), Italian (Ritratto d’Italia), Caribbean (Villa Marina–no A/C), Japanese (Sensai–teppanyaki show tables, children age 14+), American classics (Route 66), international gourmet (Blue Moon–adults age 18+), crepes and flambéed coffees (Le Petit Crepêrie), and the restaurant for Privilege guests (Fusion Lounge located inside the Privilege Lounge).  Dinner reservations are not necessary with the exception of the teppanyaki show tables at Sensai.  Privilege guests may make dinner reservations with their concierge to confirm dining times.  Additional eating opportunities include two poolside snack bars, coffee and pastries at Mike’s Coffee Shop, while Route 66 also offers all-night snacks.  There are eight bars including a swim-up bar, lobby bar and lobby coffee bar, two poolside bars, Route 66 bar, Margarita Lounge at Villa Marina restaurant, and a poolside smoothie bar.  Privilege guests also enjoy a private bar in the Privilege Lounge.

Entertainment:  Nightly shows in the theater, mini-disco at the Daisy Mini-Club, tournaments and live music in the lobby, DJ/live band/dance party at the pool bar.

Website:  http://www.oceanhotels.net/en/hotels/ocean-coral-turquesa/presentation-hotel-mexico.php