Sandos Gala vs Sandos Caracol?

Tarris · 09-25-2007

I stayed at the Sandos Gala in May 2006 and loved it. We were a family of 4 (2 3yo twins and DH & I). It was perfect for families, very economical, and with the exception of some VERY mild disappointment at the lack of vegetation on the resort, it met ALL of my expectations.

I am planning a girls trip in May of 2008 and am looking at the Sandos Caracol. I need to be as economical as possible because the ladies have asked me to find the best AI I can for no more than $1000pp (incl tax, air & txfs) for 5 nights.

The Caracol certainly meets that...in fact...seems to come in closer to $800 or $900. Can anyone tell me how it compares in facilities and service to the Sandos Gala? I have to admit, the picture of the "beach bar" that is currently up on the hotel review area kind of put me off. Is that really the one and only beach bar???

And also...anyone know the time/distance to PDC from the Caracol...inlcuding the cost of taxi each way?

TIA.

sonofdob · 09-26-2007

Tarris...not sure what review your looking at but I suspect it may be tripadvisor ? If so that is not the beach bar...that is the same thing you see me at in my avatar...it is a couple of tables that the staff set up on the beach each day and for a couple of hours they mix up cocktails and do a bit of entertaining...there are two actual beach bars and one is adjacent to the beach front pool and also has swim up access...the resort is very nice and I would say perfect for a girls getaway...as opposed to a large hotel style building the resort is made up of small condominium style buildings with 12 rooms in each building (some with adjoining / connecting rooms) spread throughout the very large and well landscaped resort property...there are 3 buffets, 3 a la cartes, 2 snack bars, 4 pools, spa, tennis courts, theatre, 6 bars, a disco...there is free shuttle into Playa, but we found it too busy and would rather ride with a cabbie and give them the business anyway...100 pesos dropped you right off on 5th ave...I would recommend the property and would return there myself...let me know if you have any specific questions and I'd happy to help...have fun...sonofdob.

Jessa0614 · 09-26-2007

Here are a few pics from around Sandos Caracol. When we were there in May, there was vegetation everywhere (it's built in the middle of a jungle)!

These crabs were everywhere, especially after a rain.

Photo from the beach bar...

Photo from the select club...

This is the river (?) that runs throughout the resort.

LeedsTyke · 10-03-2007

I've just got back from the Sandos Caracol, and let me tell you that whatever negative reports you have read on TA - IGNORE THEM. the Caracol was a wonderful resort, and the staff were really excellent. Each and every one of them really were so friendly. Also, whatever you have read about security at this resort, especially about items going missing from the safes - do not worry. When I arrived I was talking to one of the receptionists aqbout issues I had read, and was told that the security company were replaced the week before we got there, there had been several reports, and aparantly items were going missing in just a few rooms down towards the beach which pointed to one or two individual security personnel.
Again, just to reiterate - you will love the Sandos Caracol.

Mark3311 · 10-03-2007

LeedsTyke, I am glad you had a wonderful time at the Sandos Caracol. We are headed there in January and I understand the Sandos is a very large property. Would you recommned asking for a particular building or area that is more convenient to the restautrants and beach area. Also any other tips would be appreciated.

LeedsTyke · 10-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark3311

LeedsTyke, I am glad you had a wonderful time at the Sandos Caracol. We are headed there in January and I understand the Sandos is a very large property. Would you recommned asking for a particular building or area that is more convenient to the restautrants and beach area. Also any other tips would be appreciated.

Yes it is quite a large resort. There are over 70 apartment buildings spread over resort. All have three floors with 8-12 apartments in each block. As they are all spread, it is pretty quiet depending where you are. If you PM me your email address, I will send you a map of the resort. We stayed in apartment block 74, which is about 5 min walk to beach front, but we were near the lobby. Most nights we went into the lobby bar, but there are nine bars across resort in total. The lower numbered apartment blocks are all near the beach, the higher numbers towards the rear of resort (lobby area). The Sandos select properties are also towards the rear, but someone I talked to who paid the extra for the select weren't very happy with the extras you got for the extra money.
Also, didn't try any of the three a-la carte restuarants, as the three buffets were all excellent! And I'm not keen on having to eat at a set time, there are three sittings for the a-la cartes, either 6.30, 7.45 & 9.00(all p.m) and you just book which sitting at which a-la carte with the concierge. The a-la cartes were either Japanese, steakhouse or meditteranean. Both the Japanese and steakhouse sounded very good though.
The main pool at front of the resort tended to get quite busy, but there are two other pools which were very nice and quiet. The adult pool and the relax pool. Also, plenty of Palapas on the beach. Even if you were down after 9.00a.m you would sdtill be gauranteed one. Also, don't worry about what people have said on TA about the rocks in the sea, this is not really an issue even though there are rocks, you can see them but there is plenty of area in the sea where there are none and you can wave hop. There is a man made reef about 150 foot out you can swim out to, and the fish are awesome in the sea too. If you take a breadroll out you can feed them - they will even try and eat straight from your fingeres which was pretty cool.
You can get a free bus into Playa four times a day (and back again), but a taxi is only US$10 (plus a couple of dollars tip, try speak a bit of Spanish with Taxi drivers

). There are plent of trips you can book with the water sports down by main pool, the catamaran to Isla Mujeres was excellent, I would advise that. If you go, request to be on catamaran called Albatros, Ask if they remember 'Engand' - thats what they called me as I had a soccer jersey for Mexican team Cruz Azul and one of the guys was a Cruz Azul fan so I agreed to give him the Jersey after the ride. They kept my glass topped up all day (even though it was a free bar

).
If you have any more questions, just ask away. I have lots of pictures, and will get round to posting a 'photo' trip report at some stage. I need to sort my camera first though as I got sun oil in it

(may need to buy a new one) and it keeps turning itself off. Finally, any negative reports on TA, I would ignore them as this really is an excellent resort, the staff really do go above and beyond the call of duty!!! Have a great trip...
Jason (aka LeedsTyke)

raimonda · 10-10-2007

Hello,
Well, I have not been to Sandos Gala, but I have just came back from Sandos Caracol..believe me ~ it was the perfect holiday!!!! The hotel is absolutely excellent. The beach, pools, rooms, the staff, everything is just perfect! We could not believe that people there could be so nice, friendly and helpful

we really had a fantastic time and we are definetelly coming back to Sandos soon

hampsha · 10-11-2007

So glad to hear positive responses to vacations at sandos. We are going in November and were a little apprehensive about all the negative things on Trip Advisor! Would love to hear more about what everyone did and must see or dos! Any precautions as to avoid stomach problems that you hear about?

raimonda · 10-11-2007

actually, we had no problems at all

the food was excellent and although we ate everything we liked, we felt well all week

As to the things you should do while being there - we strongly recommend swimming with dolphins! Believe me, unforgetable experience! and of course, Chichen Itza!
What is more, the good idea is to rent a car (or find mexican friends there

, so that you could visit real mexican areas in Playa del Carmen or Cancun and see a real Mexico, not just places for turists. We were absolutely impressed!
Any way, just don't worry - everything will be perfect. People from Sandos will take care of that

Enjoy your holidays!

09-25-2007	#1 (permalink)
Tarris toe in water Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 42	Sandos Gala vs Sandos Caracol? I stayed at the Sandos Gala in May 2006 and loved it. We were a family of 4 (2 3yo twins and DH & I). It was perfect for families, very economical, and with the exception of some VERY mild disappointment at the lack of vegetation on the resort, it met ALL of my expectations. I am planning a girls trip in May of 2008 and am looking at the Sandos Caracol. I need to be as economical as possible because the ladies have asked me to find the best AI I can for no more than $1000pp (incl tax, air & txfs) for 5 nights. The Caracol certainly meets that...in fact...seems to come in closer to $800 or $900. Can anyone tell me how it compares in facilities and service to the Sandos Gala? I have to admit, the picture of the "beach bar" that is currently up on the hotel review area kind of put me off. Is that really the one and only beach bar??? And also...anyone know the time/distance to PDC from the Caracol...inlcuding the cost of taxi each way? TIA.

09-26-2007	#2 (permalink)
sonofdob beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: White Rock, B.C. Posts: 286	Tarris...not sure what review your looking at but I suspect it may be tripadvisor ? If so that is not the beach bar...that is the same thing you see me at in my avatar...it is a couple of tables that the staff set up on the beach each day and for a couple of hours they mix up cocktails and do a bit of entertaining...there are two actual beach bars and one is adjacent to the beach front pool and also has swim up access...the resort is very nice and I would say perfect for a girls getaway...as opposed to a large hotel style building the resort is made up of small condominium style buildings with 12 rooms in each building (some with adjoining / connecting rooms) spread throughout the very large and well landscaped resort property...there are 3 buffets, 3 a la cartes, 2 snack bars, 4 pools, spa, tennis courts, theatre, 6 bars, a disco...there is free shuttle into Playa, but we found it too busy and would rather ride with a cabbie and give them the business anyway...100 pesos dropped you right off on 5th ave...I would recommend the property and would return there myself...let me know if you have any specific questions and I'd happy to help...have fun...sonofdob. Last edited by sonofdob; 09-26-2007 at 01:17 PM. Reason: clarification

10-10-2007	#7 (permalink)
raimonda sandflea Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2	Paradise!!! Hello, Well, I have not been to Sandos Gala, but I have just came back from Sandos Caracol..believe me ~ it was the perfect holiday!!!! The hotel is absolutely excellent. The beach, pools, rooms, the staff, everything is just perfect! We could not believe that people there could be so nice, friendly and helpful we really had a fantastic time and we are definetelly coming back to Sandos soon

10-11-2007	#9 (permalink)
raimonda sandflea Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2	actually, we had no problems at all the food was excellent and although we ate everything we liked, we felt well all week As to the things you should do while being there - we strongly recommend swimming with dolphins! Believe me, unforgetable experience! and of course, Chichen Itza! What is more, the good idea is to rent a car (or find mexican friends there, so that you could visit real mexican areas in Playa del Carmen or Cancun and see a real Mexico, not just places for turists. We were absolutely impressed! Any way, just don't worry - everything will be perfect. People from Sandos will take care of that Enjoy your holidays!

09-26-2007	#3 (permalink)
Jessa0614 into ruins Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 75	Here are a few pics from around Sandos Caracol. When we were there in May, there was vegetation everywhere (it's built in the middle of a jungle)! These crabs were everywhere, especially after a rain. Photo from the beach bar... Photo from the select club... This is the river (?) that runs throughout the resort.

10-03-2007	#4 (permalink)
LeedsTyke life=playa Join Date: May 2007 Location: Leeds, U.K Posts: 525	I've just got back from the Sandos Caracol, and let me tell you that whatever negative reports you have read on TA - IGNORE THEM. the Caracol was a wonderful resort, and the staff were really excellent. Each and every one of them really were so friendly. Also, whatever you have read about security at this resort, especially about items going missing from the safes - do not worry. When I arrived I was talking to one of the receptionists aqbout issues I had read, and was told that the security company were replaced the week before we got there, there had been several reports, and aparantly items were going missing in just a few rooms down towards the beach which pointed to one or two individual security personnel. Again, just to reiterate - you will love the Sandos Caracol.

10-03-2007	#5 (permalink)
Mark3311 very sparkly Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 26	LeedsTyke, I am glad you had a wonderful time at the Sandos Caracol. We are headed there in January and I understand the Sandos is a very large property. Would you recommned asking for a particular building or area that is more convenient to the restautrants and beach area. Also any other tips would be appreciated.

10-11-2007	#8 (permalink)
hampsha into ruins Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 63	So glad to hear positive responses to vacations at sandos. We are going in November and were a little apprehensive about all the negative things on Trip Advisor! Would love to hear more about what everyone did and must see or dos! Any precautions as to avoid stomach problems that you hear about?

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