Linda from Yarker, Ontario had this to say:

"We had an absolutely fabulous time at the Grand Oasis in Mayan Riviera. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. We only had a couple of problems with the time our room was to be cleaned but they compensated our trouble with a free bottle of great champagne. The beach was wonderful and we could enjoy it's view from our room. The food was incredible and lots of it where ever we decided to eat. The staff was very accommodating and extremely friendly. They could remember our names and our preferences after the first contact with them. We loved to way the resort was laid out. There was always a good spot on the beach to relax. The rooms all had a wonderful view. It was easy to find where we wanted to go. The rooms were huge with lots of closet and drawer space. We definitely will stay there again soon."

Posted: Wed, Apr 22, 2009

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• Would Return or Recommend:Yes

Nic from Dana Point, CA had this to say:

"I traveled here in January '08. This is one of those resorts where you would want to go if you want to get away from American tourists. 90% of the guests are from Europe. It made for a quite and peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Years. ''After arriving, dealing with checking-in (our info was not on file), switching from a room without AC to a ocean front room, and wasting 4 hours of our time... I was really unimpressed. But it was hard to get mad when the main communal areas were more up-to-date than most resorts at this price. The rooms were a bit out of place with the Spanish tiled floors, port hole windows for the showers, etc... each wing of rooms, we found out, are all slightly different (paint, sheets, fixtures...). I'm not sure why they haven't updated to rooms after the major renovation to the rest of the resort.''As for food, the best place to eat dinner is the restaurant in the secondary lobby (the main lobby is by the main gate, 1/3 of a mile away from the resort). I can't remember the name, but the food was excellent. 7-8 small courses, great service and worth the price of staying. the price of a meal like this in the states would cost you around 100-150 (w/ tax and tip) each. Just prepare to spent 1-2 hours enjoying the food... there's nothing else to do in Akumal than enjoy the roof top bar at night, or lounge in the lobby lounge. The other restaurants are good, but be prepared to eat fast. the seating times are a bit shorter.''Get to know the staff. The reason they are standoffish is due to WHO is staying there. Americans have different expectations. When your in Mexico, same goes for Hawaii, SLOW DOWN!. :) You have to remember you're not in the US. Things are different here and you're on their timetable, not yours. So don't bash on the staff if it takes 3 minutes to get a drink instead of 1. Get to know your bar tenders, or other staff members, they are going to be there working all day long. once there use to your face, being polite, sometimes leaving a tip, conversing with them, they most likely will remember you and prioritize you. Just like any establishment where you know the staff or management.''The beach was ok. Kayaking was safe due to the reef, but nothing much to see since the corral here is dead. you would have to go out quite a bit to snorkel and really enjoy it. If you're looking for a beach that is pure sand, head down to Tulum. The beaches here are nuts. pure sand, little underwater debris, and you could go out several hundred feet and still see around you. ''If you are planing on staying here, and you want to do some site seeing (more than 2 outings each) I would suggest renting a car. To be on your own schedule, checkout some of the back road towns, visit other Oasis Hotels (free parking) than the cost is well below taking shuttles, tour groups, or taxi. the only true public transportation in this area are random vans that stop buy the resorts (only at the main road) and will take you up and down the corridor. Just carry enough cash on you. gas and vans are cash only!''Don't forget that you can get day passes to the other Oasis Hotels in Cancun. so, if you want to see Cancun for the day, and don't want to spend any money on food, just get a day pass to any of the other resorts. Just remember to get in line 30 minutes before the restaurants open (if you want to sit down and dine) during high season.''At the end of the 10th day, it was well worth the stay. the food, location and atmosphere made up for the bad start.'"

Posted: Sat, Mar 07, 2009

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• Would Return or Recommend:Yes

Colette from Austin, TX had this to say:

"Our first night there we were in a 'jungle room'. AC didn't work, room was dirty, shower didn't drain, no dresser or chair, no hair dryer, the toilet paper holder was broken, toilet seat was broken - when you sat down the lid hit you on the back, the window was about 2x2 with a huge curtain trying to give the illusion of a real window. We requested a new room when we first saw it, but they said they wouldn't have anything until the next day. The wasted our next day with a lot of time in the lobby and a lot of sarcasm and rolling of the eyes. The girl at the desk was actually singing out loud while we were trying to speak with her. We were finally given a room, but had to wait for it to be cleaned. It was a nice room near the pool and acceptable. The resort itself is very pretty and the beach is very nice. Besides the problem with the room, there's not enough waitstaff and only one real place to eat. You can eat at one of the bars, but it takes FOREVER to get served and actually have food in front of you. Another thing that really bothered me was the re-use of water bottles on all of the tables. When you 'opened' a bottle, you discover that they are merely refilling them. They're not sealed. I also agree with one of the other posters that they are not Canadian or US friendly, and we also saw people leaving early for other resorts. They cater to Europeans and seem to like it that way. We've been traveling to the area for over 10 years and have stayed at many resorts and I think this was my least favorite. I know I wouldn't recommend or return here."

Posted: Tue, Feb 10, 2009

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Becky from Twain Harte, calif had this to say:

"Worst resort in all the 20yrs of vacationing in this area.Arrived at Grand oasis no staff to carry our bags in from taxi or up to third floor. Room was not stocked, one towel and one bottle of water for three of us. Door did not lock, only seemed to. Only one bar and restaurant open at a time. Asked for a margarita and was told they were out of tequila at the bar. On the way into dinner another couple dining warned us about eating off the buffet. Returned to room ,staff two hours later had still not stocked our room with towels or drinks for mini frig. Shower did not drain at all. Next morning we were told at 9:30am at the buffet to get ready to leave they were closing, food was recycled from the night before. We packed up and went to lobby with our luggage and called book-it .com to help get us out of here (Sat in lobby three hours not one employee asked us what we were doing) Three other couples were also trying to get out of here also. one couple had a downstairs room to wake up and find someone in their room, there was no screen on there sliding door. The man was walking through the lobby the next morning with the screen trying to get it fixed. No staff at all anytime for anything. We finally got out that day to another resort thanks to book-it.'"

Posted: Sat, Jan 24, 2009

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• Would Return or Recommend:No

Kathy from Waukesha, WI had this to say:

"The beach at the hotel was beautiful ad very clean and the water visibiity was amazing. The problems arose with the help at the hotel; we spent the first two nights in a room with no air-conditioning even though we had complained at least fout times. The then moved us to another room with ocean views which were beautiful but our shower did not drain and again our mentioning this had no effect. The food was excellent at the hotel and the Itialian reservations restaurant was amazing. There were too few open bars including the advertised swim up bar s only one of which ever opened and then for only a few hours on one day. Bar tenders were very overworked but very friendly and accomodating. I dn't know that I wuld return there again unless they hired more maintenance staff."

Posted: Thu, Jan 15, 2009

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• Would Return or Recommend:No