First Time Visitor Review

First, I'd like to thank this group for all of the great tips for use during the trip. I traveled with family for seven nights from May 30-June 6. Overall, it was a great trip but I doubt I will return for several reasons.

We stayed in a Riverfront room in Casa Espiral. I loved the location - close to the ocean area and the busy pool at La Trajinera. Some have commented that it's the worst casa due to noise but we had absolutely zero issues with noise from the show or anything else.

The Good - as others have said, the food at the resort is very good. I've traveled extensively with another Caribbean all inclusive couples and family resort and Xcaret wins hands down in that department. Neither my daughter and I had stomach issues but other family members did (we think it was the shrimp at Las Cuevas). We had reservations 6 of the 7 nights we stayed there and each time, the dining was excellent. One night, there was a mixup with the reservation time at Tama Mon and we didn't sit down to eat until almost 8:40 PM with two young children. I was hungry and tired. My favorites were Xing Tao, La Playa, and La Trajinera. The service at the Teatro del Rio was top notch. Our waiter was incredibly attentive. Service was good across the board but it was exceptional at Teatro del Rio. La Playa was a favorite for lunch - the beef tacos are so good, as is the cheese pizza. By the end of the week, the hostess and waiters all knew my name and were so kind.

We spent time in the sports bar above the Cantina Los Faroles restaurant a couple of nights but usually ended up at the Lobby Bar in phase 1 where there was live music each night.

We loved the water slides and Xorbetes a couple of nights. The swings are a nice touch, as is the coconut ice cream - a favorite!

For coffee lovers, I think the best was the iced cappuccino at the phase 1 lobby bar each morning. The women are so attentive and kind there.

The Not So Good -

We went to one park - Xcaret. We took the boats there each way and walked about 5 miles for the half day we spent there. We enjoyed the aviary and that was really about it. I enjoy seeing new things but it was so crowded and hot. Watching the groups of 20+ plus people tubing through the stained glass area left me wanting to leave. I guess I'm getting old. I know some will say we didn't get our monies' worth but I'm just not a fan of crowds any more.

Room service was great one night we ordered - it came in 20 minutes and the lady who delivered it was so nice. The next time we ordered, nothing arrived at all. Family members waited over 2 hours one morning. Our refrigerator was filled each day but the large water bottles were not. Each time I tipped the housekeeper, water magically appeared the next day.

The worst part was when we were leaving and waiting for the bus. They attendants broke up our family and sent us to the airport on two different busses. I explained that we were all together (on different flights but all on the same carrier) and the attendant blew me off completely and said the bus was full. It was NOT full and I wished he would have told us up front, as we would have let others go ahead of us so we could rider together. It was so frustrating. And I let them know that. They didn't even say sorry or express any consolation. I hated to leave on such a sour note.

Sorry this is so long - overall, the resort is absolutely beautiful and well kept. Staff is amazing and so friendly. We enjoyed all of the animals we saw - the cuotis digging in the trash cans, monkeys in the trees, and feeding the iguanas. However, I missed hanging out on a sandy beach and the hour drive to and from the airport will likely keep me from coming back.