Gala Resort...just Back

AnthonyMB53 · 04-17-2004

Just spent the week of April 8-15,2004 at the Gala Resort in Playa Del Carmen and it was a wonderful experience. We booked it through Apple Vacations and were very satisfied with the service. The aircraft was a charter..an Airbus 320..arriving on time with transfer service in Cancun. Someone took our bag by mistake and luckily the reps inside the baggage area helped in getting in back...he was a lifesaver. I would advise getting colorful,big ribbons or anything else that really distinguishes your baggage from everyone elses. Reading in the forum about exchanging money was extremely helpful..as soon as you come out of the baggage area, there on your right was an ATM for money exchange. Leaving the terminal an Apple Rep was there to direct us to the bus...it was about a 40 min drive on a very comfy bus. The Apple rep on board was helpful and funny...expect to tip the baggage handler on board and the driver when you depart the bus.
We arrived on a Thursday, so we were the only people checking in that day...it was a breeze. A bellboy took out bags...another tip...to the rooms...we had 2 rooms since we were a family of 5..my 3 daughters aged 16..13..and 8. We were very satisfied with the rooms..1214 and 1215..they were very clean. We immediately went down to the beach, it was about 1pm...and how beautiful it was! The water and sand were spectacular and the grounds immaculate.
I must commend the staff there during our whole week there...they are such hard working people. I commented to the family how everytime you looked around you never saw anyone standing still..it was comparable to a coclony of ants...everyone always working.
The food...there was always something different to eat and plenty of it. The OLALA restaurant was geared more to the burger,pizza,fries,etc crowd also serving salads and drinks. The Fiesta Restaurant had more of the meat type dishes that were excellent...you won't have any problems with the food. We also spent one night in the Broccolino Restaurant ( Italian) and that was enjoyable. I loved the idea of stopping by and grabbing fruit,a hot dog, or whatever you wanted just about anytime you wanted something.
We went to Dolphin Discovery and it was fantantic...the kids absolutely loved the experience and we wound up getting the pics and the video..the video is edited great. When you finish the dolphin experience they bring you into a room to watch it before letting you go...they actually print your names and the dolphins names...it is a marketing ploy I know..but you'll love it. The video is $50 USD with the pics at $12 and $15 USD.
The service...phenomenal. The rooms were scrubbed averyday as were most of the grounds. The staff was extremely friendly too...we did tip every day...usually $1 USD for the waiter and $3 USD everyday for the maid for each room. You will see...they are hard working people and I was more than happy to help.
The sun...I am a fast tanner....be wary of this sun...use high number sunblock at first...it will fool you in its intensity. My youngest ..8.. met other girls her age and had a ball...the 2 others pretty much just soaked up the sun. We did do some parasailing and jet skiing...jet skiing ranged from $50 USD to $55 USD for 30 min , and parasailing cost me $90 USD for both girls at once. There are many people selling silver,blankets,tattoos,massages($61 USD FOR 1 HR) on the beach...it can be annoying but a simple "No Thank-You" usually does the trick.
We went into Playa Del Carmen a couple of times, try not to go in the middle of the day...it's busiest at night and alot cooler. We went to the OASIS for shrimp tacos...they were the best. I ended up buying their hot sauce for $6 USD for a 12oz bottle...they actually put it in a empty water plastic bottle. We also bought some great silver..It was called DANTE'S and was on Calle 6th ( or calle 8th...the Calle that TGI Fridays is on) between ave 10 and 15. It was owned by an older man and his daughter...they had a limited inventory compared to the other bigger shops but great quality silver. My wife and daughter each bought a silver with turquoise bracelet for $30 USD..I felt bad bargaining him down from $35 USD. The people along 5th Ave can be a nuisance but just no thanks seemed to work fine. I would highly recommend shopping in one of the mini marts for things you want...bracelets,house items,anklets,etc. I literally went to one vendor on the street for one of those liitle white shell necklaces and he wanted $18 USD for it..I went next door to the mini mart and bought it for $6 USD.
The pool at the Gala was ok...had kids in it who were having a ball. There was something I didn't like about the Gala...no clocks in the rooms. So bring a cheap watch to bring to the beach and maybe something for the room...they do have wake-up service. We did get to the beach early to get a palapa...those man made shade thatched trees...people were getting there as late as 7:30 and still finding one...we usually got one at about 6:30 am.
All drinks, including alcoholic, are included as is the Italian and Mexican restaurants.
Feel free to email me for any questions you may have.

Flameeater · 04-19-2004

Thanks for the informative review. My family with three children 9,7 & 7 and friends of ours will be visiting Gala the end of July.

btodd · 06-12-2004

Thanks for the review, we just booked the Gala today for February 2005. Any advice on which room to request?? I also can't get a handle on the system for the a la carte dining, is it the rush in the early morning to reserve a table?? Thanks for any info!!

AnthonyMB53 · 06-13-2004

Hi...we stayed in room 1214 and 1215...they were great...it doesn't overlook the pool or the beach but we spent such little time in it anyway...I really don't think it matters.
The a la carte dining was no problem at all....just ask as soon as you get there or think abt what days you want to do it and go make a reservation when you decide. It was quite easy and painless. We are in the process of booking again for next Easter...it is such a fabulous place!

btodd · 06-13-2004

Thanks, we really enjoy not having buffet every meal.............Cheers!!

Flameeater · 06-13-2004

Are the rooms you mentioned in the hacienda suites. I heard that they have 10 rooms in each building. Is it true that some of the hacienda buildings have hammocks and hot tubs in addition to a pool.

You mentioned figuring out ahead of time the days you wanted to go to the restaurants. Are you able to reserve them than a day in advance.

Thanks

04-17-2004	#1 (permalink)
AnthonyMB53 lost on fifth Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Long Island,NY Posts: 12	Gala Resort...just Back Just spent the week of April 8-15,2004 at the Gala Resort in Playa Del Carmen and it was a wonderful experience. We booked it through Apple Vacations and were very satisfied with the service. The aircraft was a charter..an Airbus 320..arriving on time with transfer service in Cancun. Someone took our bag by mistake and luckily the reps inside the baggage area helped in getting in back...he was a lifesaver. I would advise getting colorful,big ribbons or anything else that really distinguishes your baggage from everyone elses. Reading in the forum about exchanging money was extremely helpful..as soon as you come out of the baggage area, there on your right was an ATM for money exchange. Leaving the terminal an Apple Rep was there to direct us to the bus...it was about a 40 min drive on a very comfy bus. The Apple rep on board was helpful and funny...expect to tip the baggage handler on board and the driver when you depart the bus. We arrived on a Thursday, so we were the only people checking in that day...it was a breeze. A bellboy took out bags...another tip...to the rooms...we had 2 rooms since we were a family of 5..my 3 daughters aged 16..13..and 8. We were very satisfied with the rooms..1214 and 1215..they were very clean. We immediately went down to the beach, it was about 1pm...and how beautiful it was! The water and sand were spectacular and the grounds immaculate. I must commend the staff there during our whole week there...they are such hard working people. I commented to the family how everytime you looked around you never saw anyone standing still..it was comparable to a coclony of ants...everyone always working. The food...there was always something different to eat and plenty of it. The OLALA restaurant was geared more to the burger,pizza,fries,etc crowd also serving salads and drinks. The Fiesta Restaurant had more of the meat type dishes that were excellent...you won't have any problems with the food. We also spent one night in the Broccolino Restaurant ( Italian) and that was enjoyable. I loved the idea of stopping by and grabbing fruit,a hot dog, or whatever you wanted just about anytime you wanted something. We went to Dolphin Discovery and it was fantantic...the kids absolutely loved the experience and we wound up getting the pics and the video..the video is edited great. When you finish the dolphin experience they bring you into a room to watch it before letting you go...they actually print your names and the dolphins names...it is a marketing ploy I know..but you'll love it. The video is $50 USD with the pics at $12 and $15 USD. The service...phenomenal. The rooms were scrubbed averyday as were most of the grounds. The staff was extremely friendly too...we did tip every day...usually $1 USD for the waiter and $3 USD everyday for the maid for each room. You will see...they are hard working people and I was more than happy to help. The sun...I am a fast tanner....be wary of this sun...use high number sunblock at first...it will fool you in its intensity. My youngest ..8.. met other girls her age and had a ball...the 2 others pretty much just soaked up the sun. We did do some parasailing and jet skiing...jet skiing ranged from $50 USD to $55 USD for 30 min , and parasailing cost me $90 USD for both girls at once. There are many people selling silver,blankets,tattoos,massages($61 USD FOR 1 HR) on the beach...it can be annoying but a simple "No Thank-You" usually does the trick. We went into Playa Del Carmen a couple of times, try not to go in the middle of the day...it's busiest at night and alot cooler. We went to the OASIS for shrimp tacos...they were the best. I ended up buying their hot sauce for $6 USD for a 12oz bottle...they actually put it in a empty water plastic bottle. We also bought some great silver..It was called DANTE'S and was on Calle 6th ( or calle 8th...the Calle that TGI Fridays is on) between ave 10 and 15. It was owned by an older man and his daughter...they had a limited inventory compared to the other bigger shops but great quality silver. My wife and daughter each bought a silver with turquoise bracelet for $30 USD..I felt bad bargaining him down from $35 USD. The people along 5th Ave can be a nuisance but just no thanks seemed to work fine. I would highly recommend shopping in one of the mini marts for things you want...bracelets,house items,anklets,etc. I literally went to one vendor on the street for one of those liitle white shell necklaces and he wanted $18 USD for it..I went next door to the mini mart and bought it for $6 USD. The pool at the Gala was ok...had kids in it who were having a ball. There was something I didn't like about the Gala...no clocks in the rooms. So bring a cheap watch to bring to the beach and maybe something for the room...they do have wake-up service. We did get to the beach early to get a palapa...those man made shade thatched trees...people were getting there as late as 7:30 and still finding one...we usually got one at about 6:30 am. All drinks, including alcoholic, are included as is the Italian and Mexican restaurants. Feel free to email me for any questions you may have.

06-13-2004	#6 (permalink)
Flameeater very sparkly Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 31	Rooms Are the rooms you mentioned in the hacienda suites. I heard that they have 10 rooms in each building. Is it true that some of the hacienda buildings have hammocks and hot tubs in addition to a pool. You mentioned figuring out ahead of time the days you wanted to go to the restaurants. Are you able to reserve them than a day in advance. Thanks

04-19-2004	#2 (permalink)
Flameeater very sparkly Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 31	Thanks for the informative review. My family with three children 9,7 & 7 and friends of ours will be visiting Gala the end of July.

06-12-2004	#3 (permalink)
btodd reposado Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Posts: 1,327	Thanks for the review, we just booked the Gala today for February 2005. Any advice on which room to request?? I also can't get a handle on the system for the a la carte dining, is it the rush in the early morning to reserve a table?? Thanks for any info!!

06-13-2004	#4 (permalink)
AnthonyMB53 lost on fifth Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Long Island,NY Posts: 12	Hi...we stayed in room 1214 and 1215...they were great...it doesn't overlook the pool or the beach but we spent such little time in it anyway...I really don't think it matters. The a la carte dining was no problem at all....just ask as soon as you get there or think abt what days you want to do it and go make a reservation when you decide. It was quite easy and painless. We are in the process of booking again for next Easter...it is such a fabulous place!

06-13-2004	#5 (permalink)
btodd reposado Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Posts: 1,327	Thanks, we really enjoy not having buffet every meal.............Cheers!!

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