Vive Le Mexico
Written: Jul 01 '04 (Updated Jul 07 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Incredibly relaxing
Cons: Lackluster beach
The Bottom Line: This is an exceptional vacation.
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| aashtech's Full Review: Moon Palace All Inclusive |
My wife and I just got back last month from my second trip to the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico and have not been this relaxed since I was a teenager (trust me, that was loooong ago.) Now it certainly helps that my company paid all the expenses (airfare, hotel, and meals) since FREE certainly relaxes me a great deal, but this is a wonderful experience for anyone.
The Moon Palace is an all-inclusive resort hotel located on the Caribbean Sea in Cancun, Mexico. This place is huge, sprawling over 55 acres with more than 2,000 rooms. Moon Palace is the closest hotel to the airport at only fifteen minutes driving time, away from the more crowded hotel zone. One of the dominant features is a sprawling pool, interconnected across the property. None of it gets very deep, and we could walk in every part. In addition to wading, there are areas for volleyball, scuba diving and instruction. Some of the pools are inside most are outside. You will find more exotic features like swim-up bars and Jacuzzis. There are a number of kiddie pools, although the adult count far exceeded the kids (at least on my visit.) There are countless lounge chairs, some with water piped through the arm rests to keep you cooled off. It took me forty-five minutes to walk around the place each morning, and most of that time was spent around the pool.
They have a well-appointed fitness center and a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. I didn't take advantage of either, but patrons that did spoke highly of both.
Each room is large, dominated by a huge bed and comfortable double Jacuzzi. The refrigerator is stocked with beer, soda, and bottled water. This year a liquor cabinet was added with scotch, rum, vodka, and brandy. Help yourself. This is all-inclusive. The shower is large enough for a crowd and features a glassed enclosure. The room includes coffee maker, hair dryer, shampoos, soaps, and lotions, television with remote control (FM, too) radio alarm clock, lots of light switches, and plenty of closet and drawer space.
Some of the dining ground rules
As I noted, food and drink is included, so you can walk into any of the dozen restaurants, order whatever you want, eat as much as you like, and adios without spending a dime. Nice. We varied our locales and here are some of the highlights (good and not so good.)
One of the best features is the service. These people are warm, friendly, and generous. You are not expected to tip, although we did occasionally. The language is sometimes a little tricky, but they are patient and attentive. I simply cannot say enough good things about what a pleasure everyone was and can relate many stories, but I won't bore with more than one. At a poolside lunch table we ordered sandwiches and drinks. When the waiter returned, he had a few palm leaves in his free hand. Intrigued, we asked and found that he was working three palm leaves in a weaving pattern. It took a few times for Victor to stop by and surreptitiously show us how he tightly looped them together. We learned that he was the father of two children, eight years apart in age. By the time our sandwiches had arrived, he had turned the palm leaves into a grasshopper, complete with legs and antennae. Cool. If I remember correctly the Spanish word is grillo, but don't quote me on it. My head is swimming with half-learned Spanish phrases.
Generally, breakfasts and dinners were good, lunches were erratic. Almost everything is buffet-style (with one exception, noted later on.) Generally, too, the dress code is casual--very casual--with the same exception. There is a vast array of choices, usually along a general theme, such as Mexican, Italian, etc.
My favorite breakfast was at Bugambilias in the main building. One section is all fruits, another all breads. There are two stations where chefs make omelets for you from ingredients you select. Another person whips up smoothies from the fruit and juices you prefer (delicious.) Strolling guitar players keep you entertained. There are varied main courses. I tried the cactus and liked it (tastes like bell peppers.) La Gondola offers a good breakfast, too, but their dinner is better. For dinner you can have a chef prepare pasta and sauce to your desire. The filet mignon was incredible. There are lots of main dishes so I sampled a small amount of many of them. Terrific desserts and a good selection of simple wines.
I should warn you they only serve one beer at Moon Palace. Dos Equis on tap. Fortunately, I like this brew. In 2003 the wine choices were not good, so this was a hindrance for my wife. In 2004, however, the wine was much better.
The exception noted above is the Oriental restaurant in the main building, called the Mo Mo No Hana. Here the dress code is more strict: no shorts. The brochure warned us it was formal and we didn't feel like adding all of that to our wardrobe, so we planned on skipping it. But my slacks and long-sleeved shirt were sufficient. In here, the service is not buffet-style. The food was terrific and the service, as in every other place, was very good. The first year, my wife and I were seated with another couple and had a marvelous time. This year we were in a big party, and all twenty of us were seated on schedule. Since the restaurant is so popular, you need to queue up early and one retired couple snagged a front-of-the-line station (bless their hearts!)
There was really only one negative aspect, which is not a huge issue for me but may be for many of you. The beach in this location is very sea-weedy. Very weedy. You have to go out a decent way before getting past it and the waves are gentle. It is a good beach to lounge on, but not great for swimming. The clearest section of the beach, as far as getting in the water is concerned, is the topless area. Very pleasant.
However, there are other Palace hotels further into town and a $20 cab ride takes you there. Your all-inclusive bracelet gives you access to these facilities and we stopped into the Beach Palace. I wasn't as impressed with the general hotel but the beach was very nice.
We spent eight days over the past two years here and I can highly recommend it. Certainly, weather is out of your control, and we had a lot of rain the second year. That kept the air temperature down and there is plenty to see and do even in bad weather.
I can whole-heartedly recommend the Moon Palace in Cancun, Mexico.
Great Hotel Write-Off
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/greathotel2004/
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
aashtech
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Member: Steve
Location: Raleigh, NC
Reviews written: 112
Trusted by: 43 members
About Me:
Hack golfer and passable poker player.
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