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Munichchick,
I don't know if you can stay in 3002 or 3004 because I think they are the models. Try for 2002 or 2004, if not.
The hotel unit opened onto a narrow hallway that had the bathroom opening, a closet, and the connecting door to the suite. The bathroom was very nice and spacious, with a good amount of counter space around the sink. The room was not overly big, but didn't feel cramped. Except that there was only one spot to put a luggage rack out and that was as you came off that small hall and next to the dresser, which made for a bit of a tight fit around the corner.
The balcony was more than large enough to stand on. In fact, I would say you could set the room chairs out there (I didn't actually try).
Drinks ended up being about $5 each (and my friend and I bought nonalcoholic). The bill has the tip included. Try the mango daquiri...it was wonderful. I ate the breakfast buffet once...it was very good. They had omelets made to order, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, refried beans, pastries, fruit, juices, cereals, etc. Cost was $120 pesos. I ate the dinner buffet on Tex-Mex night. It was okay. The fajitas were pretty good (made to order on the grill), plus there was an assortment of various cold salads (some good, some kind of blah). There were also hot veggies, beans, etc. and a variety of desserts (too many to try). I was going to try a piece of grilled cactus, but forgot to go back. Cost was $150 pesos that night. Lobster and steak night (which I didn't have) was $320 pesos. My bottled water at dinner was $29 pesos!! Definitely don't buy the water at the restaurant (in the gift shop it's $8 pesos....if you melt down ice from the ice machine, it's free). I didn't eat at the restaurant on the beach.
A cooler and drinks is a good idea. I took a cooler with 12 solidly-frozen bottles of water. It took about 4 days for them to totally thaw anyway. I also bought bread, peanut butter and jelly, and some pastries from a little place on 5th Ave (near 2nd St) for $10pesos each. And I took snacks with me. I'm pretty cheap with how many times I eat out on vacation. :smile:
Seananddeb, Sorry, I don't know how much the tours cost from the hotel. But Xel-Ha costs $480 pesos with the all-inclusive at the gate and I think a round-trip ticket from the bus station was $90 pesos (don't quote me on that). I didn't end up making it to Tulum...got too lazy in my relaxation mode. But if you go on Sunday, the ruins are free. It's supposed to be a good day to visit Xel-Ha also, as there are not tour buses so the crowds are smaller. I went on Monday and had no problems whatsoever with the crowds. A word of warning: if the surf is really rough the day you go to Xel-Ha, be careful of that d*** floating bridge. Once I got across it, you couldn't have dragged me back over. I went the long way back. :smile:
I too will be interested in Rick's feelings on the place. I never did meet him.
My pictures will be ready for posting on the web by this weekend. Had to have the CD made because I don't have a scanner, so it is taking longer.
Katrina
P.S. Want to try something really relaxing? Put your back to the waterfall and let the water fall over your shoulders. It's like a massage.
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