Susie

I booked a room for Thanksgiving weekend for myself, husband and 9 year old daughter and now I am having second thoughts. I got an incredible American Express rate for an oceanfront club level room. We are not big eaters and we use the club lounge for all our food except dinner.In the long run this does save money. We most likely will not have dinner at the hotel as we enjoy venturing out in the evening. Recently the reviews I've been reading from others on this board are more negative about the Ritz and everyone seems to be raving about JW Marriott or Le Meridien. Please don't tell me not to go to Cancun, but to try Playa del Carmen! My husband and I went last year and loved every moment! Unfortunately where we stayed, The Royal Hideaway does not allow children.<BR><BR>Your advice is very much asappreciated.

Nancy

Susie,<BR>You are staying in one of the nicest hotels in Cancun. Relax, you will have a wonderful time!<BR>The Ritz has a completely different atmosphere than the other hotels mentioned. <BR>The service there is unparalled, and the staff go out of their way to make you feel pampered.<BR>Almost all of the staff we encountered knew us by name while we were there, and I've only been to one other hotel (a Four Seasons) where I've encountered service on a par with that hotel's.<BR>Enjoy!

Ron

Hi Susie,<BR><BR>What type of rate did you receive? Did you book directly with Amex for your room?

ann

hi<BR>i haven't stayed at the Ritz, only the JW, so I can't speak to the rooms. If pool & beach are most important to you, keep in mind the JW's pool is bigger, has more comfortable chairs, and there are more beachside palapas available. From the outside, the Ritz does look a little older, not quite as nice as the JW or LeMeridien...but I am also sure that with its 5 Star rating, that it is still very nice...<BR>good luck,<BR>ann

Susie

Ron,<BR>I booked the Amex rate through the AAA website. They were also available through HotelNow's websight. The rates were $159 for a standard oveanview, $199 deluxe oceanfront and $259 club level oceanfront. <BR>Hope this helps.<BR>

dena

Susie,<BR><BR>Actually, it is a good choice. Especially since you booked the club level, it will save you money. Since you've a child & it is nice to have snack for your daughter. My husband & I have been to Ritz, JW, Royal Hide away & Paraiso del la Bonita resort. Ritz has nice sheets, mattress, pillows and big bathroom. JW is nice however when you start comparing from sheets, service & etc, Ritz is the one. By the way, Paraiso is beautiful & has awsome spa (more of a couple resort). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Is Really hard to go worng at Ritz or Four Seasons resort.<BR>My husband is with Hotel's Management (audit) and Ritz and Four Season has to meet certain requirements to pass the audit. Any customers complaints were reviewed and addressed ( sometime I felt sorry for the hotel's staff). By the way Marriott & Ritz has a partnership. You can either book the Marriott or Ritz by calling 800 Ritz or Marriott number.

Ron

Thanks for the info Susie

Christopher

This is a wonderful hotel. See my trip review post on 8/29. As you get closer to your trip, send an e-mail to Elizabeth Martinez, the head of reservations, and request a full ocean view if that is important to you. All rooms are ocean view, but some are full and some are partial. Also, request a room near the Club eating area because if you are going to be eating there you don't want to hike down the hall all of the time. Her e-mail is [email protected] I have found out that if you are celebrating a special occasion or have any special requests then just let the RC know and they will take care of you.

Sant

You sound like a value conscious person, like me. The rates you gave above seem fair but one thing to keep in mind is that the Ritz really gouges you on drinks and such. For example a margarita at the Ritz will set you back around $15 while at Le M the same thing costs around $6-7. The Ritz charges for cabanas while Le M doesn't. Breakfast buffet at Le M is $15 and $25+ at the Ritz. <BR><BR>It's not that JW or Le M is necessarily better than the Ritz. It jsut seems you're paying 50% more for the same amenities.

hate

The Ritz is a very nice hotel, I've been there twice. It's Cancun that I would have second thoughts about. I went because they were free trips, but I would never, never spend my own money for Cancun. It's one long strip of hotels in a hideous city. The only saving grace is the beautiful water. Are you sure you can't find deals in the Riviera Maya? Try the Copacabana, a nice AI that will cost less than $ 259 per night and is on Xphu-ha beach. Much, much nicer than Cancun.

ann

I was worried I wouldn't like Cancun -- heard all the negative comments before I went...but I loved it and thought it was beautiful. Going into the town of Cancun was also enjoyable. If Playa Del Carmen is nicer, than I can't wait to go there! I do think that the middle of the hotel zone is much much nicer than the upper part of the hotel zone(...the middle is where the Ritz, the LeMeridien, the JW are located...).<BR>ann

beth

Susie,<BR>Fyi the Le meridian is under renovation from october to November. They are expanding the conferance center in the back of the hotel. They told me they were blocking rooms in the rear of the hotel and only renting in the front. You might want to check with the hotel directly about constuction noise and activity. Something to consider.

yyy

beth,<BR>do you know until what date in november will le meridien be under construction? we booked a trip to stay there for thanksgiving. thanks.

lori

The Ritz is fabulous!! My husband and I stayed there for our anniversary in August, and we have been talking about it ever since. We really did not want to go to Cancun because we had been there previously and had a bad experience. Well, after staying at the Ritz-Carlton, we will go back. The beach and the pool area are absolutely beautiful. The service was outstanding. We were upgraded to a suite so our room was huge (really too big for the two of us but it would have been perfect if we had our children with us). We had brunch at the JW while we were there. It's nice (a little crowded) but the Ritz is outstanding. I would stay there again in a heartbeat!

beth

the construction at LeMeridien was supposed to last until the begining of december. it might be worth a phone call