Talk to me about ASP

08-11-2003

Breakfast: can you go to the buffet dressed for the beach/pool?
Lunch: can you eat in your suits, etc, and at what places?
Dinner: can men wear sandals?
Tours: are they worth it, and which ones?
Jewelry: any hot spots with good prices?
The spa: can you book a package, and spread it out between several days?
Drinks: what's good, and fruity?
Rooms: any suggestions, we'd really like an ocean view?
Tip: do you, or don't you?
In room safe: are they provided, and how do they lock?
Irons: do they supply them?

Thanks in advance for any info.

dicesare · 08-12-2003

Good Morning! :lol:

Here are some answers:

Breakfast: Yes, you can go dressed for the beach/pool. We would mostly go to Mundaca, the outside eatery on the Aventura side.

Lunch: There are a lot of places for lunch you can go in as is. The above mentioned Mundaca, plus El Greco. There are great "snack bars" behind each swim-up bar, & honestly, I think, we got the best food from our entire trip there. You can order it fresh (sandwiches & stuff), they also had good pizza, & the best hot dogs I have ever had...& I do not like hot dogs!

Dinner: They did not seem too strict on most dinner places, just make sure you where long pants to most. They will tell you. I think it was only La Huerta & La Hacienda that you had to wear pants, & they weren't too strict. My husband only took a pair of sandles & a pair of water shoes...they never said anything anywhere about the sandles.

Tours: Make sure you book your tours as soon as you walk in the door! If it takes a bit to get to your room, set up your tours! We waited until Monday (we arrived Saturday) & all of them were completely booked!! I am not joking...we did not get to take even one of our free tours!

Sorry, no answers to your last questions...we went to Lapis in the resort (there is an "outlet" about 5 mls away from the resort)....the prices were ungodly! I suppose that if you took the time to haggle with them, you could get a decent price...saw a Topaz & Diamond bracelet...nothing too crazy....I think 1/2K in dia & 10K in topaz....this sells anywhere from $1000 to $1200 in the states (that's with 14K gold)....Lapis wanted $1800!!! Then the salesman says," Well, since this is a Lapis piece, I have to at least charge you cost. I can go as low as $1500.." Yeah, right! So watch out for things like that! If you go to buy jewelry, make sure you know your stuff!

Good luck & have fun!!!

Lizzie · 08-12-2003

Hey Dicesare,

Long time no hear, where have you been??? I'm thinking of going to this new resort called Secrets Capri that opens in November. It's more expensive than the ASP but it has a beautiful beach and it should be nice and clean with it being new and all. See the other thread I posted on the Capri.

Still not sure which resort to go to. Looking forward to more trip reports on the ASP and new ones on the Capri once it opens.

Went to the Stones/AC/DC/Guess Who concert in Toronto. It was amazing. AC/DC rocked big time and they got the best reviews. That Angus Young was hilarious. The Stones took awhile to warm up but Mick was in fine form, you would never know he is 60.

Later Seniorita Stephania,

Lizzie

tralin · 08-12-2003

Here are some answers to the rest of your questions:

My boyfriend wore "nice" shorts to ALL of the restaurants except the two mentioned by dicesare. He also wore sandles everywhere.

We found only the Chichen Itza tour worth it. Maybe Akumal too, but Tulum and Xel Ha are close enough I strongly recommend taking a taxi and doing them on your own. There is so much wasted time on the tours, extra stops, and we enjoyed sticking to our own time table. Both are worth the effort to see.

The spa: Yes you can book a package and use it as you wish.

There is a fairly decent sized safe provided in each room. you are given the lock and key when you check in so no one else is wondering around with a key to get in it. We were able to fit my 35 mm camera and zoom lens and flash, all of our documents, jewelery and wallets in it. We didn't take anything else of value just to be safe.

We tipped the maid $5 at check in and $1 everymorning. We also carried $2 - $3 with us for dinner but only used it if the service warranted it. Usually it did. We also tipped our regular bartender at the pool bar on the last day $10 as he was SO worth it and was really amazing. But this is all up to you.

Yes, they do supply irons, we did not use it though so I can't vouch for the quality.

Drinks: I LIVED on Dos Amigos (pena colada, bannana, tequila) and Miami Vice. (don't know what's in it but it goes down SO smooth.)

Hope this helps.

08-12-2003

Tralin,

How long was the taxi ride to Tulum, and $$? I was thinking of renting a car to do our own day trips, but if a taxi is not expensive, I might re-think that...

Thanks!

tralin · 08-12-2003

Hi Cher,

We talked the taxi driver down to $15 to Tulum. But regular I think it is $21.00 or $25. Coming home from Xel Ha was $20.

Do a search on this site though, there is a bus you can flad down on the highway if you are adventurous and it will take you there for only $2.
Yes, you read that right.

The people I was with were NOT adventurous which is why we taxied. It was so worth the trip though and so worth NOT being on tour. I would only recommend the tours if you are going a long distance such as chichen itza which I STRONGLY recommend.

djcmo · 08-20-2003

The MIAMI VICEs are awesome, 1/2 strawberry daquari and 1/2 pina colada!

Irons work nicely! Used it almost every morning!

Rooms are very nice, although depending on location in the complex an ocean view could be a stretch! Hammocks on all balconies though!

The buses tralin was referring to are the "Collectivo Taxis". They are 15 passenger vans that run continuously up and down highway 307. For the adventurous individual all you have to do is walk out to the highway and flag them down. They are usually white with either an orange or teal stripe down the side. It cost $1.50US to travel from point to point anywhere between Tuluum and PDC or between PDC and Cancun.

The first time we went to ASP we spent $21 bucks on a taxi to Xel-ha and another $5 to go from there to Tankah Beach. We decided to catch a collectivo on the way back and spent only $3 for the two of us. After that we swore by the collectivo system!!!

Hope this helps 8)

It's great to be back on the forum!

tralin · 08-20-2003

Djcmo,

Could you be a little more descriptive on the vans? We did try one day but had no idea what we were looking for, we finally got a vague description from the guards who played dumb (cause they want to promote the taxi's) but the vans and buses were flying by SO fast that by the time we got a look at them they were long gone let alone flagging them down. So they are Vans, not buses?

djcmo · 08-20-2003

Tralin,

They are vans (Fords I believe). The picture at this link isn't the best but it might help. I took this on Calle 2 between 15th and 20th avenues in PDC. This is where they line up to take folks back to the south towards Tulum. For collectivo taxis to the north (Cancun) they line up in front of the main bus station with the rest of the taxis.

CollectivoPic

Hope it helps

DJ

tralin · 08-20-2003

Helps alot. I was under the impression you could stand on the highway and just flag em down. True? Or do you have to be at one end or the other?

djcmo · 08-20-2003

We just stood by the edge of the highway. If they already have a full load they may wave and pass you by. Don't get discouraged because there will be another one by in another 10-15 minutes. We tried to avoid traveling between 3-5 p.m. as this is kinda the rush hour for the locals.

One time while we were waiting for a collectivo a tour bus drove up and offered us a ride to PDC for $1US each! Trust me, if you stand there awile someone will try to pick you up including a ton of traditional taxis!

DJ 8)

08-11-2003	#1 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Talk to me about ASP Breakfast: can you go to the buffet dressed for the beach/pool? Lunch: can you eat in your suits, etc, and at what places? Dinner: can men wear sandals? Tours: are they worth it, and which ones? Jewelry: any hot spots with good prices? The spa: can you book a package, and spread it out between several days? Drinks: what's good, and fruity? Rooms: any suggestions, we'd really like an ocean view? Tip: do you, or don't you? In room safe: are they provided, and how do they lock? Irons: do they supply them? Thanks in advance for any info.

08-12-2003	#2 (permalink)
dicesare into ruins Join Date: May 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 66	The Answers! Good Morning! :lol: Here are some answers: Breakfast: Yes, you can go dressed for the beach/pool. We would mostly go to Mundaca, the outside eatery on the Aventura side. Lunch: There are a lot of places for lunch you can go in as is. The above mentioned Mundaca, plus El Greco. There are great "snack bars" behind each swim-up bar, & honestly, I think, we got the best food from our entire trip there. You can order it fresh (sandwiches & stuff), they also had good pizza, & the best hot dogs I have ever had...& I do not like hot dogs! Dinner: They did not seem too strict on most dinner places, just make sure you where long pants to most. They will tell you. I think it was only La Huerta & La Hacienda that you had to wear pants, & they weren't too strict. My husband only took a pair of sandles & a pair of water shoes...they never said anything anywhere about the sandles. Tours: Make sure you book your tours as soon as you walk in the door! If it takes a bit to get to your room, set up your tours! We waited until Monday (we arrived Saturday) & all of them were completely booked!! I am not joking...we did not get to take even one of our free tours! Sorry, no answers to your last questions...we went to Lapis in the resort (there is an "outlet" about 5 mls away from the resort)....the prices were ungodly! I suppose that if you took the time to haggle with them, you could get a decent price...saw a Topaz & Diamond bracelet...nothing too crazy....I think 1/2K in dia & 10K in topaz....this sells anywhere from $1000 to $1200 in the states (that's with 14K gold)....Lapis wanted $1800!!! Then the salesman says," Well, since this is a Lapis piece, I have to at least charge you cost. I can go as low as $1500.." Yeah, right! So watch out for things like that! If you go to buy jewelry, make sure you know your stuff! Good luck & have fun!!!

08-12-2003	#5 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	taxi to Tulum? Tralin, How long was the taxi ride to Tulum, and $$? I was thinking of renting a car to do our own day trips, but if a taxi is not expensive, I might re-think that... Thanks!

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08-12-2003	#3 (permalink)
Lizzie ruined Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 97	Hey Dicesare, Long time no hear, where have you been??? I'm thinking of going to this new resort called Secrets Capri that opens in November. It's more expensive than the ASP but it has a beautiful beach and it should be nice and clean with it being new and all. See the other thread I posted on the Capri. Still not sure which resort to go to. Looking forward to more trip reports on the ASP and new ones on the Capri once it opens. Went to the Stones/AC/DC/Guess Who concert in Toronto. It was amazing. AC/DC rocked big time and they got the best reviews. That Angus Young was hilarious. The Stones took awhile to warm up but Mick was in fine form, you would never know he is 60. Later Seniorita Stephania, Lizzie

08-12-2003	#4 (permalink)
tralin way into it Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 134	Here are some answers to the rest of your questions: My boyfriend wore "nice" shorts to ALL of the restaurants except the two mentioned by dicesare. He also wore sandles everywhere. We found only the Chichen Itza tour worth it. Maybe Akumal too, but Tulum and Xel Ha are close enough I strongly recommend taking a taxi and doing them on your own. There is so much wasted time on the tours, extra stops, and we enjoyed sticking to our own time table. Both are worth the effort to see. The spa: Yes you can book a package and use it as you wish. There is a fairly decent sized safe provided in each room. you are given the lock and key when you check in so no one else is wondering around with a key to get in it. We were able to fit my 35 mm camera and zoom lens and flash, all of our documents, jewelery and wallets in it. We didn't take anything else of value just to be safe. We tipped the maid $5 at check in and $1 everymorning. We also carried $2 - $3 with us for dinner but only used it if the service warranted it. Usually it did. We also tipped our regular bartender at the pool bar on the last day $10 as he was SO worth it and was really amazing. But this is all up to you. Yes, they do supply irons, we did not use it though so I can't vouch for the quality. Drinks: I LIVED on Dos Amigos (pena colada, bannana, tequila) and Miami Vice. (don't know what's in it but it goes down SO smooth.) Hope this helps.

08-12-2003	#6 (permalink)
tralin way into it Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 134	Hi Cher, We talked the taxi driver down to $15 to Tulum. But regular I think it is $21.00 or $25. Coming home from Xel Ha was $20. Do a search on this site though, there is a bus you can flad down on the highway if you are adventurous and it will take you there for only $2. Yes, you read that right. The people I was with were NOT adventurous which is why we taxied. It was so worth the trip though and so worth NOT being on tour. I would only recommend the tours if you are going a long distance such as chichen itza which I STRONGLY recommend.

08-20-2003	#7 (permalink)
djcmo way into it Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 226	The MIAMI VICEs are awesome, 1/2 strawberry daquari and 1/2 pina colada! Irons work nicely! Used it almost every morning! Rooms are very nice, although depending on location in the complex an ocean view could be a stretch! Hammocks on all balconies though! The buses tralin was referring to are the "Collectivo Taxis". They are 15 passenger vans that run continuously up and down highway 307. For the adventurous individual all you have to do is walk out to the highway and flag them down. They are usually white with either an orange or teal stripe down the side. It cost $1.50US to travel from point to point anywhere between Tuluum and PDC or between PDC and Cancun. The first time we went to ASP we spent $21 bucks on a taxi to Xel-ha and another $5 to go from there to Tankah Beach. We decided to catch a collectivo on the way back and spent only $3 for the two of us. After that we swore by the collectivo system!!! Hope this helps 8) It's great to be back on the forum!

08-20-2003	#8 (permalink)
tralin way into it Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 134	Djcmo, Could you be a little more descriptive on the vans? We did try one day but had no idea what we were looking for, we finally got a vague description from the guards who played dumb (cause they want to promote the taxi's) but the vans and buses were flying by SO fast that by the time we got a look at them they were long gone let alone flagging them down. So they are Vans, not buses?

08-20-2003	#9 (permalink)
djcmo way into it Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 226	Tralin, They are vans (Fords I believe). The picture at this link isn't the best but it might help. I took this on Calle 2 between 15th and 20th avenues in PDC. This is where they line up to take folks back to the south towards Tulum. For collectivo taxis to the north (Cancun) they line up in front of the main bus station with the rest of the taxis. CollectivoPic Hope it helps DJ

08-20-2003	#10 (permalink)
tralin way into it Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 134	Helps alot. I was under the impression you could stand on the highway and just flag em down. True? Or do you have to be at one end or the other?

08-20-2003	#11 (permalink)
djcmo way into it Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 226	We just stood by the edge of the highway. If they already have a full load they may wave and pass you by. Don't get discouraged because there will be another one by in another 10-15 minutes. We tried to avoid traveling between 3-5 p.m. as this is kinda the rush hour for the locals. One time while we were waiting for a collectivo a tour bus drove up and offered us a ride to PDC for $1US each! Trust me, if you stand there awile someone will try to pick you up including a ton of traditional taxis! DJ 8)

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