Just returned from the Gala

ewill · 08-31-2004

My wife and I stayed at the Gala 8/22 - 8/29. Overall it was nice, but I will not go back. This was my second trip to the Gala. I stayed there 3 years ago. That was my first stay at a big resort and I was very impressed, not anymore. Last year we stayed at the Iberostar Quetzal. In my opinion it was much better. This year the Gala was at 98% occupancy. I was supprised that with the additions of the 160 Hacienda Suites, it did not seem overcrowded, except at the big pool, which was always full of kids. I did not expect there to be as many kids there. I guess the European schools have not started yet. The food was better than the Iberostar, but the selection was not. You could have had reservations for the specialty resturaunts everyday if you would have liked, they were nearly empty, and the buffets were never crowded. The beach was in great shape. We walked from lthe Gala all the way to Coco Beach, and the Playacar resorts, by far in my opinion, are the best beaches. The beach south of the Gala was my favorite. We took a trip to Xel-ha to swim with the Dolphins. It was better than I expected. We also took a trip on the Fat Cat Catameran, and had a great time.
I would only return to the Gala if I took small children with me. They have a great kids program, and all the kids seemed to be having a terrific time. But for adults that want to get away on a romantic vacation, this is not the place. I did like the fact that we upgraded to the Royal Club and had a beach front ground floor room and could go out the sliding door, and the beach started about 20 feet away. The upgrade was not worth the price. Maybe it would be if you were going to spend alot of time in your room sitting on the balcony.
I'll try another resort next year!

btodd · 08-31-2004

Will you not return only because of the number of families, or because there have been other changes?? The resort really seems to be advertising itself as a family destination,at least from what I can see in the brochures. We booked the Gala for February 2005, the first trip for our two daughters. If I was booking for only my husband and myself I probably would have chosen another property.

bbaball · 08-31-2004

Hi ewill: How funny! My husband and I are on the opposite track that you took. We had the same impression of the Gala. We stayed there last Feb. Really a nice property for people traveling with kids. I agree that the stretch of beach there is terrific. We're going back the first week in February, but decided to try the Iberostar Quetzal this time. We missed the bigger pools and the swim-up bar that the Gala lacked. Still had a blast there though. Really had fun nightly at the "sports" bar with the friendly and talented bartenders! Another big advantage at the Gala is NO WRISTBANDS..hate those things.

Have a great time btodd, I know you will.

ewill · 08-31-2004

If I was taking kids, there is no other resort I would go to. I had booked the Royal Porto Real, but it is far from complete. I had to pick another resort at the last minute. We chose the Gala so we could be close to the beach (Royal Club). We stayed at the Quetzal last year and had a very long walk to the beach. This was our belated honeymoon. We were married in Feb. and work didn't allow us to go anywhere then. I should have known better, because you are right, this place is advertised as a family resort. The last time I was at the Gala was 3 years ago in late Aug. or early Sept. and there were very few kids. I figured since school had just started the kids would be in school. I was wrong.
If you stay in the Royal Club you still have the annoying wrist bands. I felt like it was a sign telling everyone what an idiot I was paying the extra money to be beachfront, and not have to give the towel guy a card to check out towels.

btodd · 08-31-2004

We stayed at the Barcelo in March 2003. We were celebrating our 15th anniversary. Our travel agent assured us there would be very few kids. Well once we got there the story was very different!! Any couple that was close to our age usually had a couple of kids trailing behind!! We still enjoyed ourselves, but because we left our two kids at home, we really should have booked an adult only resort. We promised the girls we would take them to Mexico and I think the Gala will suit our needs very well............

Silver Starfish · 09-03-2004

Hey, that's good to know about the wristbands. I hate those too! We are going in 2/2005 and I can't wait.

dane · 09-03-2004

I will be at Gala over thanksgiving '04 with about 16 family members with kids (not my choice, trust me), nice to see your comments. That's why I'll be in town every day!!

amflyerus · 01-04-2005

Going to the Gala on April 2nd 2005 for ten days. Had to upgrade to Royal Club as it was the only openings there when we are going.
We have stayed at the Quetzal in 2003 and had a great time. But I found the food there lacking and the nightly shows were for the kids. Everything else there was great and we would go back.
We would love to hear more from people who have been there in the past and any that are going to be there the first week in April.

08-31-2004	#1 (permalink)
ewill beachaholic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 274	Just returned from the Gala My wife and I stayed at the Gala 8/22 - 8/29. Overall it was nice, but I will not go back. This was my second trip to the Gala. I stayed there 3 years ago. That was my first stay at a big resort and I was very impressed, not anymore. Last year we stayed at the Iberostar Quetzal. In my opinion it was much better. This year the Gala was at 98% occupancy. I was supprised that with the additions of the 160 Hacienda Suites, it did not seem overcrowded, except at the big pool, which was always full of kids. I did not expect there to be as many kids there. I guess the European schools have not started yet. The food was better than the Iberostar, but the selection was not. You could have had reservations for the specialty resturaunts everyday if you would have liked, they were nearly empty, and the buffets were never crowded. The beach was in great shape. We walked from lthe Gala all the way to Coco Beach, and the Playacar resorts, by far in my opinion, are the best beaches. The beach south of the Gala was my favorite. We took a trip to Xel-ha to swim with the Dolphins. It was better than I expected. We also took a trip on the Fat Cat Catameran, and had a great time. I would only return to the Gala if I took small children with me. They have a great kids program, and all the kids seemed to be having a terrific time. But for adults that want to get away on a romantic vacation, this is not the place. I did like the fact that we upgraded to the Royal Club and had a beach front ground floor room and could go out the sliding door, and the beach started about 20 feet away. The upgrade was not worth the price. Maybe it would be if you were going to spend alot of time in your room sitting on the balcony. I'll try another resort next year!

09-03-2004	#6 (permalink)
Silver Starfish way into it Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 179	YEA no wristbands! Hey, that's good to know about the wristbands. I hate those too! We are going in 2/2005 and I can't wait.

08-31-2004	#2 (permalink)
btodd reposado Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Posts: 1,326	Will you not return only because of the number of families, or because there have been other changes?? The resort really seems to be advertising itself as a family destination,at least from what I can see in the brochures. We booked the Gala for February 2005, the first trip for our two daughters. If I was booking for only my husband and myself I probably would have chosen another property.

08-31-2004	#3 (permalink)
bbaball ruined Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Rochester Hills, Michigan Posts: 83	Hi ewill: How funny! My husband and I are on the opposite track that you took. We had the same impression of the Gala. We stayed there last Feb. Really a nice property for people traveling with kids. I agree that the stretch of beach there is terrific. We're going back the first week in February, but decided to try the Iberostar Quetzal this time. We missed the bigger pools and the swim-up bar that the Gala lacked. Still had a blast there though. Really had fun nightly at the "sports" bar with the friendly and talented bartenders! Another big advantage at the Gala is NO WRISTBANDS..hate those things. Have a great time btodd, I know you will.

08-31-2004	#4 (permalink)
ewill beachaholic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 274	If I was taking kids, there is no other resort I would go to. I had booked the Royal Porto Real, but it is far from complete. I had to pick another resort at the last minute. We chose the Gala so we could be close to the beach (Royal Club). We stayed at the Quetzal last year and had a very long walk to the beach. This was our belated honeymoon. We were married in Feb. and work didn't allow us to go anywhere then. I should have known better, because you are right, this place is advertised as a family resort. The last time I was at the Gala was 3 years ago in late Aug. or early Sept. and there were very few kids. I figured since school had just started the kids would be in school. I was wrong. If you stay in the Royal Club you still have the annoying wrist bands. I felt like it was a sign telling everyone what an idiot I was paying the extra money to be beachfront, and not have to give the towel guy a card to check out towels.

08-31-2004	#5 (permalink)
btodd reposado Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Posts: 1,326	We stayed at the Barcelo in March 2003. We were celebrating our 15th anniversary. Our travel agent assured us there would be very few kids. Well once we got there the story was very different!! Any couple that was close to our age usually had a couple of kids trailing behind!! We still enjoyed ourselves, but because we left our two kids at home, we really should have booked an adult only resort. We promised the girls we would take them to Mexico and I think the Gala will suit our needs very well............

09-03-2004	#7 (permalink)
dane into ruins Join Date: May 2004 Location: Fort Lauderdale/ Sugarbush, VT Posts: 69	I will be at Gala over thanksgiving '04 with about 16 family members with kids (not my choice, trust me), nice to see your comments. That's why I'll be in town every day!!

01-04-2005	#8 (permalink)
amflyerus into ruins Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: White Bear Lake MN Posts: 70	Going to the Gala on April 2nd 2005 for ten days. Had to upgrade to Royal Club as it was the only openings there when we are going. We have stayed at the Quetzal in 2003 and had a great time. But I found the food there lacking and the nightly shows were for the kids. Everything else there was great and we would go back. We would love to hear more from people who have been there in the past and any that are going to be there the first week in April.

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