If you had to choose, marriot Casa Magna, or Fiesta Americana Condessa? And why? I can't decide on either.
Also, is the JW really that much nicer than the Casa Magna? Can you use facilities at JW if you are staying at Casa?
Lastly, for calm waters, I realize this location is not the best but we wanted to venture to a public beach by taxi or bus, what are some that are nice and calm like at the Fiesta Grand Coral Beach?
Thanks
janine/long island

The Marriott Casa Magna has higher tripadvisor ratings than the Condesa. It's a very nice looking hotel. The JW is a definite step up with bigger rooms, nicer baths, fancier pool, etc.
The beach at the FACGB is calmer, but not as scenic. The Grand Coral Beach is also nearer the "action" of the bar scene.

I've seen all the reviews on tripadvisor and it looks like the casa magna is a better favorite but the rooms are bigger at the Condessa and the pool area is bigger as well. Those two things are much more important to me. I don't want to spend double at the JW and since I've stayed at a Fiesta Americana resort before and was happy with it I'm going to go with the Condessa. They are giving me a club level room with lots of extras and it's still less than casa magna. I hope I'm not disappointed. Thank you.

janine...I stay @ he Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach exclusively.It is close to everything I want.The service is excellent and to me it is as scenic as I need.We always grab a cab or the bus and head down to the Playa Delfines,one of the highest points on the island and truly excellent beach.I like to party so the hotel is much closer to what I go to Cancun for.

Have a great time!

I have stayed at FA Condesa and GCB and JW Marriott.

I would rank them this way - JW, FAGCB and FAC.

If you don't plan to spend a lot of time at the resort, stay at FAC.

And yes, there are lots of reasons that JW is much more expensive...

You'll have a great time at any of those properties.

Thanks for all the info guys. Well it's not that I don't spend a lot of time at the resort. I probably will spend a good amount there but only to sit at the pool or beach. Believe it or not we barely make it past 9pm on vacation so night life is not a factor. It's just myself, husband and my son who is 7years old and has autism. Our days will consist of just watching him and playing with him in the water. Which he absolutely loves. I plan on venturing to other beaches, probably a tript o Playa Del Carmen, and also to that island Isla M.. by ferry. Maybe a trip to XCaret again and even the water park if it is open at that time of year. We eat simple either at the hotel or even at restaurants in the area but again, early dinners. I think that the FAC is perfect for us. My son is so great and just wants a nice pool and beach. If the water seems a little rough here at the FAC I'll go up to the FAGCB or to one of the other public beaches I've read about that have calm waters.
Thank you for all the information.

Hi! I apologize this isn't related to your original question but a suggestion. My husband and I just returned from our honeymoon and we also ventured to Isla Mujeres...we went on our own,not a tour because I had been there before...however i did not know there is a turtle farm there that is working very hard to save the turtles. It was really cheap, I think a buck or 2,it's a small place but it's really cute to see the different size turtles they are raising and you can feed them also. Have fun! We did! (and we only made it downtown once...we weren't partiers either!) hope u don't mind my 2 cents.