Melia Turquesa Cancun, A Wonderful Hotel at a Wonderful Price!
Written: Jan 04 '05 (Updated May 12 '05)
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Pros: All inclusive service is great; hotel staff is friendly.
Cons: Phones are expensive, but cuban cigars are great!
The Bottom Line: An excellent hotel with beautiful pool and beaches. Friendly staff, one of the best "all inclusives" I have stayed at for a three star hotel.
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| rlesino's Full Review: Melia Turquesa |
My daughter (18) and I (52) spent Christmas 2004 at the Melida Turquesa (6 days). My first comment is that I have read many reviews on "epionions" and other sites, many are bad comments about the Melia Turquesa. So, I was concerned and vowed to write a "true" review of both the good and bad of the Melia Turquesa.
First, if you are an "ugly American", that is, have never traveled outside the USA and have never been to Europe, you will probably NOT like the Melia Turquesa. However, if you are a world traveler you will love it!
You are going to Mexico to kick back. Lose the "A" type hyper-drive personality. Mexicans move slower and live longer than we do for a reason. So, if you are an "A" personality and must be in hyper-drive all the time, don't go to the Melia. The Melia is laid back and a wonderful, relaxing experience. Don't come to the Melia and spoil it for the rest of us!
Second, many Americans think a two star or three star hotel (my opionion is three star for the Melia) means it is the Ritz Carlson with steak and lobster at every mean...it IS NOT! If you want that book the Ritz-Carlton and pay the big price!
The Melia Turquesa offers "all inclusive" meals, booze, drinks at a great price...our trip cost less than $1,000 per person including air fare from Philadelphia, PA, we booked thru the AAA website.
Third, the hotel is beautiful with granite floors, large lobby, and the staff was all bi-lingual and very helpful. We booked a deluxe oceanview room, which had plenty of space compared to our recent trip to Paris, France (See my review about Paris and Gate 1 travel in eopinions reviews).
The room had two beds, safe, small refrigerator, desk, separate bathroom, with sink, and separate tub area and balcony. It was a grand room for two people. Next trip I might upgrade to the Jr. Suite, if the price is not too much more $$$, but the deluxe had plenty of room for my duaghter and me. Some people say the beds are hard. They are firm, the way I like it, so we had no problems sleeping and thought the beds were comfortable and great. Compared to the beds on our Paris trip (see my opinion) they were wonderful.
Fourth, the food: Most complaints I have read about the Melia Turquesa is that Americans think the food is terrible. Hey, you are in someone else's country and the hotel serves Americans, Europeans, South Americans, Mexicans, etc. They have to have something for everyone, not just Americans. You are the "guest" in their courtry...go with the flow and don't be an "Ugly American" demanding it be McDonalds at every meal. If you want that, "stay home"!
We found each meal to be buffet style with something for everyone. Breakfast had frutis, juices, waffle bar, omellette bar, cereal, milk, coffee, juices, and several Mexican dishes to try. Yes, fried plantins for breakfast is not usually what Americans eat, but try them they were wonderful! Other dishes included a very nice European continental style rolls, butter, meat, cheese dishes. We were happy campers.
The best breakfast I had, was at the beach side restaurant (grass hut). Buffet again, but the view and fresh air by the beach was wonderful. Most guests did not eat by the beach for breakfast so had it all to myself, with plenty of coffee, fresh fruit, hot buffet items, and wonderful service!!!! My best and favorite part of my "power down" vacation!
Lunch was a buffet again, or the better choice, the all you can eat burgers, hot dogs, beer and soda bar out on the Terrace grill by the pool. It was wonderful and the burgers were great!
Dinner again was a buffet that had something for everyone, plus you get two gourmet dinners out by the beach in the beach restaurant. Sign up when you first get there at the beach restaurant with the serving captain for your two meals at night by the oceanside restaurant. I had the filet mignon and my daughter the lobster ravoli and it was wonderful!
Now the bars, diso and theatre: The booze flows all day and all night. Don't know how you can't have a good time. Soda and juice and free bottled water is available all day long too. The hotel water is safe so don't worry. The pool has a swim-up bar from 11am to 9pm. The hotel has a lobby bar and holding bar where the disco is. All are wonderful. Each night a "free" show is given in the theatre. There is a kids club during the day for kids activites, video arcade room, pool tables, ping pong, etc.
My daughter got her hair braided at the hotel beauty shop; did a horse ride trip on the beach; and we both went on the day long trip to the Mayan ruins at Chitzin-Itza...a wonderful fun and educational trip. I highly recommend it.
Well, now you know the truth about the Melia Turquesa. It is an all inclusive. Leave your money in your room, and only use it to go shopping. Yes, you will want to go shopping and eat out...hey, after 4 or 5 days of the same food we all get tired. My daughter and I went out to Lorenzillo's seafood (a two block walk) from the Meila Turquesa and had a wonderful lobster dinner on Christmas eve for about $50 total. We also went to the Isla shopping center across the street from the Turquesa, and on the shuttle bus (6 pesos per person) to the shopping center Kuklakan). Wonderful trips to see how the locals live and to do the tourist things.
The bad side of the Melia Turquesa:
I only have a few warnings:
1. Telephone: Don't use the hotel phones. It is five dollars (American) $5.00 just to connect from your hotel room. Why they charge so much, I don't know. And, there are NO lobby pay phones! Hey, you are there to get away...so don't use the phone. I arranged a time for my sister to call us at the hotel and gave her the hotel phone number before we left. I suggest you do the same and have your friends, family and business friends call you at a pre-set time. Buy a phone card and use the pay phone on the street in front of the hotel if you must.
2. Internet: The Melia Turquesa has five computers that use 5 peso coins (available from the front desk) to buy time on the internet. I used the internet to send quick message and did not use the phone much.
3. Cuban cigars in the lobby: Yes, Europeans and Mexicans smoke a lot, and all over the hotel. You are NOT IN AMERICA ANY MORE !!!!! For those of you who have not been to Europe, they smoke everywhere. I smoke cigars and loved the lady in the lobby at night who rolls cuban cigars in front of your eyes and has them for sale. Wonderful and entertaining.
Conclusion: The Melia Turquesa and all the Melia hotels are wonderful. I have been to Cancun five times and stayed at the Melia Gran and Fiesta Americana, but the Melia Turquesa was my best trip and best hotel. Service was great, all inclusive was great, I like different foods and trying different foods, and like European continental breakfast style, so was use to much of what I got. Burgers for lunch on the terrace grill, and all you can drink Dos XX and Corona draft beers were great; bar service around the pool was great. A wonderful time at the Melia Turquesa for us!
PS: One small tip, go to your bank and get about $50 in one dollar US ones. Give them out liberally to hotel staff. You will be surprised how much they appriecate an American dollar when their whole pay per week is about 2-5 American dollars. Don't get pesos until you get to the hotel and use the ATM in the basement to obtain some pesos, you will get the best rate...but everyone in Cancun takes American dollars!!!!!!!!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
rlesino
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Location: Mount Laurel, NJ, USA
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Retired from Federal Government. Served a Senior Executive.
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