The Oasis Hotels in Cancun and the Mayan Riviera have been undergoing a change. Some have been sold off. while millions of dollars have been put into the remaining properties. The gem of the Oasis properties in the Grand Oasis Cancun. If you have been to the Hotel Zone in Cancun you know the resort. Huge and imposing reminding some of a pyramid that was not completed.The Grand Oasis Cancun is distinguished by the grand pyramid structure as the center point of the property with 613-rooms in the center pyramid, and two additional buildings. All rooms are redecorated in a minimalistic Mexican style, all offering either a terrace or balcony, individually controlled air conditioning, bath with a shower/tub, a King Size bed or two Double beds, TV with cable service and remote control, direct dial telephone, bath amenities, hair dryer, Mini-bar, Room Service, Safety Deposit Box . All suites have whirlpool tubs.
We recently visited it to check out the upgrades and improvements and here is what we found. We arrived to the hotel via the Lomas Travel Shuttle. Those are the guys in the turquoise uniforms at the Cancun Airport. We had already purchased our transfers prior to arrival when we booked the resort thru InterlineTravel.com (800 766-2911). You have to book your transfers prior to arrival as the only shuttle operator allowed to take arriving visitors without a reservation is a division of American Express or you take a taxi which can be expensive depending on where you are going. So first tip, prebook your transfers when you book your hotel.Arriving at the hotel we were greeted by a guitar player and a female singer. We went and checked in, under an impressive crystal cupola the lobby of the hotel, which went quickly and off to our room. Hotel bellman carried our bags. The atrium is full of hanging plants and exotic gardens and from time to time they do amazing acrobatic shows as you could see the ropes hanging, waiting for the next show to take place.
Being rather warm in Cancun, the hotel was cool and when we got to our room it was very cool and refreshing. The nice tiled floors in the room I am sure helped keep the room cool.
The room was spacious and looked out over the pool area, beach and ocean. It was very large and the bathroom was immaculate with a huge bathtub and shower. A big king bed greeted us along with a fresh fruit basket. Our room had a balcony (the ones on ground level have a patio), individually controlled air conditioning, bath with a shower and whirlpool tubs, TV with cable service and remote control, direct dial telephone, bath amenities, hair dryer, Mini-bar, Room Service and a Safety Deposit Box .What more could we ask for?
Now some might call the room minimalistic due to the fact there was not desk to work from, or lots of furniture but hey we were in Cancun, not here to work and didn’t bring a load of clothing with us either. So what was there was more than what we were going to need.
A great variety of services are available at the Grand Oasis. Take advantage of the 16 restaurants (including 3 snack bars), each one with different specialties. Enjoy yourself in one of the 17 Bars, located throughout the resort. The resort provides a comprehensive program of entertainment throughout the day and evening. With a beach over 1/3 mile of fine white sand featuring palapas and lounge chairs, there is an opportunity for everyone to relax and enjoy. Available for your pleasure and convenience is a par 3, nine-hole Executive Golf course, full service Spa and a marina offering non- motorized water sports, tennis courts, fitness center and shops. The Grand Oasis Cancun has one of the widest and longest beaches you are going to find in Cancun. They have pumped a ton of sand into the beach to make it as large as it is. That is why they can set up a huge stage looking out to the ocean and have plenty of room for folks so stand or sit on the sand and watch the stage. The beach is so wide and long it reminds me of the great beaches you will find in the Mayan Rivera and Playa del Carmen areas.
When it is time for dinner, I suggest you make reservations for their very nice ala carte restaurants, Careyes Mexican Gourmet, Akeru Asian Lounge, and Cocoa Seafood. We hit Careyes the first night. It was a gourmet experience from the minute we walked in. Could very well be one of the nicest and most upscale Mexican restaurants I have ever dined in. The Akeru the next night and the Cocoa Seafood restaurants on the last night did not disappoint either. The wine lists were very nice, service excellent and quiet. None of packed on any night we dined so it was nice and quiet so you could have a nice conversation and actually hear each other without shouting or having to lean in closely to hear the other person speak.
Now Careyes, requires formal dress meaning you need a long sleeve shirt and jacket. Maria Bonita restaurant also requires a jacket. The other 16 restaurants are all casual dress and some are open only for lunch and others only for dinner and still others are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some are sit down and order from a menu and others are buffet. Some are beachside, some poolside and others inside the main complex. Lots of choices here and since the Grand Oasis Cancun is all-inclusive, dining all 18 is included in your price.
The 18 restaurants is one reason I like the Grand Oasis Cancun. Unlike some other all-inclusive resorts which have maybe 3 restaurants, the more options I have the better. Also some all-inclusive resorts which might offer a cheaper price that the Grand Oasis Cancun might only offer buffet style restaurants. Tell me who wants to eat buffet breakfast, buffet lunch and buffet dinner for every day of their stay? It is nice every once in a while but when I want to feel like I am eating at a real restaurant I want to sit down, have a menu and waiter serving me. I don’t want to stand in line with a tray and scooping out my meal from steam tray.
Now for those looking for refreshments, no worries at the Grand Oasis Cancun. Here you will find 14 Bars including 3 swim up bars so there is always a bar nearby. Of course being all-inclusive, all drinks, included in your price!
This resort’s pool is large enough for three swim-up bars and a series of small waterfalls, plus a shallow area for children. Water sports include sailing and windsurfing at the resort’s marina on Nichupté Lagoon, which lies between Cancún and the mainland. A water sports desk arranges Jet Skiing, parasailing, fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving (surcharges for all). Tennis court is available (surcharges for night use). Greens fees are complimentary for the on-site par 3, nine-hole golf course (surcharges for rental equipment). Cancún has two 18-hole golf courses, Cancún Golf Club at Pok-Ta-Pok, 10 km (6 miles) away and Hilton Cancún Golf Club, 0.5 km (less than half a mile) away.
For relaxation is there anything better than a day at the spa and so off we went. The spa facilities are located in various areas of the property. You can enjoy poolside treatments overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Various treatments include manicures and the spa’s signature Chocolate Massage! Now the spa treatments are not included in your price so you pay extra for these but the main spa is very nicely appointed and the treatments are fantastic.
Reservations are required for golf tee times, massage services, and spa treatments. Reservations can be made by contacting the resort prior to arrival or when you get there. If you are going in high season or staying for a just a couple of days then making appointments in advance is highly recommended. If you are staying the week you can probably wait till you get there to make your appointments unless you are wanting treatments or play golf on your first day or two.
Now if you want to leave the property and go roaming around, you have guest privileges at the other Oasis Resorts in Cancun and they Mayan Rivera so you can pop in for a drink or a meal. You just have to see the guest services desk at the Grand Oasis Cancun before you leave and tell them of the date and time they plan to visit a partner hotel. Those properties are the Oasis Cancun, Oasis Palm, Oasis Viva and Grand Oasis Palm. So what are the drawbacks to the Grand Oasis Cancun. Well during Spring Break, while kids/students cannot stay in the main building they can stay in the wings and they tend to take over the pool and beach area so be forewarned. Also if you have kids, there are no formal kids programs where you can drop them off and get them later. The kids are going to stay with you the entire time. Great for families who want that in their vacation, not so much for those who want each family member to have an individual experience.
So what does the Grand Oasis Cancun cost? Interline rates start as low as $67.45 per person per night from AirlineEmployeeTravel.com!
In fact AirlineEmployeeTravel.com is the ONLY place you will find interline rates on any of the Oasis Resorts in Cancun or the Mayan Riviera. To book go online to AirlineEmployeeTravel.com or call 800 250-5229