Occidental Grand Xcaret Info

scott's travel · 07-30-2008

We are thinking of staying at the OGX for our honeymoon next June and want to get some people's thoughts and good/bads about this hotel. I understand the beach is not as luxourious as some other hotels, but it seems this hotel other than that is really nice looking. How are the resturants? Any issues that you have had recently if you stayed there will be very helpful in making our decision.

GreatLakes · 07-31-2008

Shammy where are you???????? Please give my neighbor your dos pesos. The BIG concern NO beach!
Barcelo Maya Colonial or Tropical!

KLAW_TSU · 07-31-2008

I don't have much to offer yet. I am staying there starting the 10th however and will let you know how it goes. As stated the biggest problem people have is the man made beach. The food from what I have been told is about average. Not terrible and not great.

**Shammy** · 07-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatLakes

Shammy where are you???????? Please give my neighbor your dos pesos. The BIG concern NO beach!
Barcelo Maya Colonial or Tropical!

Sorry, work comes first!

Well...my opinion is that there are better resorts for the money, but there are people who do like this hotel - I just don't happen to be one of them. The fact that it's adjacent to Xcaret Park and offers a one day free admission is a nice perk, but the man made beach thing is a deal breaker for me and 99.9% of my clients. I figure if you're going to trek down to Mexico for a beach vacation, you want to at least attempt to find a hotel that offers the best possible beach - or at least access to the ocean and not just a cove. Sometimes there are things about a resort that make it extra special and you can overlook a less than pristine beach (Secrets, Excellence, IB* Grand for example), but I don't personally feel that this is one of those resorts. Any clients I have sent there (which is very few) have not been impressed with the food either - but that's kind of a personal issue so it's difficult to comment on food quality because everyone has different tastes. But as I said, IMHO, there are better resorts for the money. Also not sure this is where I would go for a honeymoon as it's quite family friendly. I'm thinking perhaps you might want to look at a resort that is a bit more upscale, and if your budget allows, maybe even an adults only property. After all, it IS your honeymoon and hopefully you'll only have one of them!

scott's travel · 07-31-2008

shammy, do you have any suggestions for a better resort for a couple on a budget? I have looked at the adult only ones and they are way out of our price range. Greatlakes is always talking about barcelo, but it seems to be more family friendly with the larger kids area than OGX is. We have look at Barcelo since it is around the same price, but it is confusing since there are 5 hotels on the same property and to which one is the best one to stay at. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the info though.

GreatLakes · 07-31-2008

Gran Porto Real?

http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carm...layagroom.html

Great location in Playa! Check the link above.

**Shammy** · 08-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott's travel

shammy, do you have any suggestions for a better resort for a couple on a budget? I have looked at the adult only ones and they are way out of our price range. Greatlakes is always talking about barcelo, but it seems to be more family friendly with the larger kids area than OGX is. We have look at Barcelo since it is around the same price, but it is confusing since there are 5 hotels on the same property and to which one is the best one to stay at. Any suggestions?
Thanks for the info though.

Well, Catalonia Royal Tulum will be completely adults only by December 15th and that should be the least expensive adults only resort - might want to check that one out. And the Barcelo Palace is truly beautiful and no more family friendly than the Grand Xcaret so even as far as those two hotels are concerned. But the Barcelo would be a better choice IMHO, regardless of section. Don't go down below the Tropical/Colonial and if you can swing it, I'd pick the Palace!

scott's travel · 08-02-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

Well, Catalonia Royal Tulum will be completely adults only by December 15th and that should be the least expensive adults only resort - might want to check that one out. And the Barcelo Palace is truly beautiful and no more family friendly than the Grand Xcaret so even as far as those two hotels are concerned. But the Barcelo would be a better choice IMHO, regardless of section. Don't go down below the Tropical/Colonial and if you can swing it, I'd pick the Palace!

Isn't Tulum a long ways away from Playa Del Carman? From what it sounds like that is the happening place to be at night and I really would like to be close by and not a $50 cab ride away.

**Shammy** · 08-02-2008

If you're asking about Tulum because of the Catalonia Royal Tulum, this hotel is not located IN Tulum. It's on Xpu Ha beach, just south of the Barcelo complex and the town of Puerto Aventuras. It's a 20 minute ride to town that would cost you $18-$20 one way. The Grand Xcaret isn't all that close either, you still have a 10-15 minute ride north. If you want a quicker and cheaper way into town, then you'll want to look at a hotel in Playa or in Playacar perhaps, which is 5 minutes/$5 away. Check into the Riu Palace Riviera Maya or Riu Palace Mexico. That's about as upscale as you'll get for the Playacar area without paying BIG BUCKS for the Royal Hideaway.

scott's travel · 08-03-2008

Thanks for the input on the upcoming adults only resort. I checked it out, but it seems smaller in what is available compared to the Barcelo or the OGX. Do you have any links in this forum to review of that CPR resort?

**Shammy** · 08-03-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott's travel

Thanks for the input on the upcoming adults only resort. I checked it out, but it seems smaller in what is available compared to the Barcelo or the OGX. Do you have any links in this forum to review of that CPR resort?

Not sure on reviews here. I would think there has to be mention of it but try using the search function (in the toolbar above). If not here, then check Trip Advisor. However - The Cat Royal is not yet an adults only resort so any reviews you read now will talk of kids, families, etc. And yes, it IS smaller than the Barcelo or the Grand Xcaret - but that's a plus for some people. The Barcelo Palace, in my opinion, would be a better choice but it'll also cost more and there will be kids. Have to decide what's most important to you.

07-30-2008	#1 (permalink)
scott's travel very sparkly Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 28	Occidental Grand Xcaret Info We are thinking of staying at the OGX for our honeymoon next June and want to get some people's thoughts and good/bads about this hotel. I understand the beach is not as luxourious as some other hotels, but it seems this hotel other than that is really nice looking. How are the resturants? Any issues that you have had recently if you stayed there will be very helpful in making our decision.

08-02-2008	#9 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 16,829	If you're asking about Tulum because of the Catalonia Royal Tulum, this hotel is not located IN Tulum. It's on Xpu Ha beach, just south of the Barcelo complex and the town of Puerto Aventuras. It's a 20 minute ride to town that would cost you $18-$20 one way. The Grand Xcaret isn't all that close either, you still have a 10-15 minute ride north. If you want a quicker and cheaper way into town, then you'll want to look at a hotel in Playa or in Playacar perhaps, which is 5 minutes/$5 away. Check into the Riu Palace Riviera Maya or Riu Palace Mexico. That's about as upscale as you'll get for the Playacar area without paying BIG BUCKS for the Royal Hideaway. Last edited by Shammy; 08-03-2008 at 12:39 PM..

07-31-2008	#2 (permalink)
GreatLakes añejo Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hockeytown, USA Posts: 2,129	Shammy where are you???????? Please give my neighbor your dos pesos. The BIG concern NO beach! Barcelo Maya Colonial or Tropical!

07-31-2008	#3 (permalink)
KLAW_TSU lost on fifth Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 11	I don't have much to offer yet. I am staying there starting the 10th however and will let you know how it goes. As stated the biggest problem people have is the man made beach. The food from what I have been told is about average. Not terrible and not great.

07-31-2008	#5 (permalink)
scott's travel very sparkly Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 28	shammy, do you have any suggestions for a better resort for a couple on a budget? I have looked at the adult only ones and they are way out of our price range. Greatlakes is always talking about barcelo, but it seems to be more family friendly with the larger kids area than OGX is. We have look at Barcelo since it is around the same price, but it is confusing since there are 5 hotels on the same property and to which one is the best one to stay at. Any suggestions? Thanks for the info though.

07-31-2008	#6 (permalink)
GreatLakes añejo Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hockeytown, USA Posts: 2,129	Gran Porto Real? http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carm...layagroom.html Great location in Playa! Check the link above.

08-03-2008	#10 (permalink)
scott's travel very sparkly Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 28	Thanks for the input on the upcoming adults only resort. I checked it out, but it seems smaller in what is available compared to the Barcelo or the OGX. Do you have any links in this forum to review of that CPR resort?

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