Allen

We have 2 small children (5 and 3yo) and are planning a trip to Cancun in late December. We saw something in a travel planning guide regarding the Crown Paradise Club Cancun. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions we would appreciate hearing from you. <BR> <BR>Thanks - Allen

Jan

Allen: <BR> <BR>I haven't been to Cancun yet, I'm researching this stuff myself, but I just talked to a guy who goes south (Mexico or Caribbean) every year. He said that if you want an all-inclusive resort, go to the Caribbean. Some of the places, like Jamaica, are not very safe unless you stay right at the resort. In Cancun, however, it is very safe. There is SO much to choose from in Cancun, that you might feel confined by doing an all-inclusive. <BR> <BR>Just thought I'd pass that on.

Debra

My friend and I are going to Crown Paradise this weekend. I am booking reservation this weekend. I will let you know. I am not going for family aspect. However, I will observe. The site for crown paradise hotel looks kid friendly.

Randy

We just came back last Sunday from the Sun Palace (kilometer 20) in the hotel zone on Cancun. We have never done an AI before, but had a very good experience here. Rooms and the resort were very well maintained. Staff were all friendly and very attentive. We joined up with some people who saw our room and commented that the facilities and rooms were nicer in the Sun Palace than what they had just down Kukulkan Boulevard at Crown Paradise. The service was good and the menus seem pretty kid friendly at the Sun Palace. The pool is small, but the beach is very nice. Just know that the wave action at this end of Cancun is pretty stiff much of the year. If you don't like this idea or worry about your young ones, you might want to consider hotels closer to downtown (kilometer 1-8) as that top part of the island is generally protected by big wave action thanks to Isla De Mujeres, which is 5 miles off shore. <BR> <BR>The Sun Palace is frequently advertised as an adults only resort, but know that this is no longer true. <BR> <BR>Good luck where ever you stay!!

S.L. Mehdizadehkashi

WHERE NOT TO STAY IN CANCUN <BR> <BR> My husband and I went to Cancun, Mexico the first week of April (3rd - 7th). We made all our reservations and paid for our "all inclusive" trip, (even food), through Travelscape.com. After being home for almost a week, I just cannot ignore the fact that we didn't get what we paid for. <BR> First off, our Continental flight was 2 & 1/2 hours late which necessitated our flying on a later flight to make an even later connecting flight into Cancun. Now, I know that airline delays aren't in your control or influence but, since you do partner with them to provide service to your customers it does and will reflect badly on Travelscape.com. <BR> At the Cancun airport there was no transportation offered by our hotel from or to the airport, so we had to pay for a very expensive taxi ride. <BR> So, finally we arrive to our hotel, Jack Tar Resort Hotel, of which I twice confirmed our reservations and room request that we prepaid for, only to be told that we had no reservations there and that they were going to move us to their other Allegro Resort property. We adamantly refused to be moved and demanded our room. Well, the room we were put in was nothing more than storage space, obviously not what we paid for. We were again moved the following day into a more decent room but, still not what we requested and paid for. Finally, on the third day were we able to get the room we paid for. <BR> The hotel and its rooms were and are in need of maintenance. There appearance in general is one of dinginess. In all three rooms we were in, the shower and drainage did not decently operate, and in our jr. suite, a fair amount of water was leaking out of the wall of which Maintenance knew about since they themselves laid down towels to soak up the water. I mean, what was up with that? <BR> Also, we did go to the other "resort hotel" they wanted to send us to the first night, the "Caribbean" something or other and it looked to be in just as bad a condition as Jack Tar. <BR> As for all the meals included during our stay, after one offered meal, we ate the rest of our meals outside of the hotel. I am sure I can be forgiven for refusing to believe that hot dogs and bologna, (oh, excuse me "Mexican ham"), no matter how they are cooked, dressed or served, are decent food to be served to adults. <BR> Obviously a drastic change needs to made in food and maintenance departments of Allegro Resorts. <BR> We enjoyed Cancun and its beaches and will return again but, next time we'll book our trip through a more reputable travel service/agent and reputable hotel chain, because in all honesty, We cannot and will not recommend Travelscape.com or Allegro Resorts to anyone. <BR> <BR>

karen

I am afaid I must totally disagree with the above posting. They obviously had a bad experience but don't count all Allegro resorts out. I have been to several and had a great time. The Diamond Resort in Cozumel (an Allegro property) is very nice. Good food, great beach and great staff. The rooms are not the Four Seasons Hotel but for how much time you actually spend in them they are fine. We also have stayed at an Allegro in Puerto Vallarta and had same experience...good! The rooms there were even better with lots of marble and local charm. I think I've been to yet another of their resorts but the name escapes me right now. I recommend Allegro to anyone. Also, the above mentioned couple obviously do not have an informed travel agent who knows resorts. How unfortunate. I have taken many great Apple vacations with the help and advice of my agent. As far as the original question on this posting--I can recommend the Royal Solaris in Cancun (AI). It is spacious, beautiful turquoise water beach, fun activities, friendly, talented staff and food buffets that rival a cruise ship spread. There is a quiet pool area and a lively pool area for the funseekers...Enjoy!

Don

never been to an Allegro Resort, but if they are run like Allegro Airlines, fugetboutit. I have yet to leave Cancun on time w/ Allegro. Last time the plane was six hours late, no explanation provided, and we got into JFK at five in the morning. Once, upon landing in Cancun, the head steward invited the passengers to sing happy birthday to the copilot, who had just turned nineteen. I thought he was joking until the red faced copilot came out and said "gracias". He looked even younger.This is true. And they give you your meal in a plastic bag _"Heer eess yore foodbag seenyor".

Sandi

I am a TA, and everyone I have ever sent to the Allegro resorts in Cozumel and Playa Car (Allegro and Royal Hideaway) have been sooo happy. We don't send anyone to the Jack Tar so I do not know, in Cancun we highly recommend the Crown Paradise Club and our feedback and repeat business on the resort is phenominal, great for kids, families and couples...it is a great choice. On cozumel I would choose the Allegro over the rest, having just been to the new Iberostar there and being diappointed with the beach, however although we sell the Allegro in Playacar and people like it, it would not be my first choice there. Playacar has better to offer...but not all the Allegro resorts are alike, actually I tend to forget that the "jack Tar " is an Allegro resort. Any questions just ask, but Crown Paradise in Cancun is great!!

Marie

My advice is don't do an all-inclusive. <BR>We went to Cancun in Feb and stayed at the Fiesta Americana Cancun, which was wonderful, they do offer an all inclusive, but I have been told the only reason financially to do an all inclusive (Jamaica/Aruba) is when the food is outrageous, and there are limited choices of restaraunts, neither is the case in Cancun, they have McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken along with 5 star restaurants, most of which are in walking distance. Food is very reasonable, priced basically like here. I know my kids are picky and would prefer the fast food stuff vs resort food.

don

yeah,and there are like a billion good places to eat in town. And KFC delivers-how cool is that? I did stay at an all-inclusive once in Cancun, at Las Velas. Food was fine, particulary breakfast and lunch, when they would cook you whatever you wanted for breakfast and barbecue steaks and chicken and bake pizza in an outdoor oven for lunch. But to tell you the truth, the real reason that we went there is that we were a group of 10 men all under 25 and Las Velas had a 24 hour open bar. I swear I almost got alcohol poisoning. But if I had kids I would take them there- it was a small, family oriented place and the staff was especially nice to kids-it was a sin that we were booked there because we were all loud, sloppy messes and mean drunks. phone for las Velas is (800) 223-9815. The resort is not on the beach side- you go to the Aquamarina Hotel across the street and AI policy continues there.