Crystal APPLE Award
Judy and Maria's Travel, Inc
 1-877-380-4142 EST
 

Judy and Maria's June 2004 Review  Grand XCaret Resort by Occidental
 Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Nature -- Ecology -- History -- Mystic

 

Grand XCaret Resort by Occidental
Rated 5-Golden APPLE by APPLE Vacations
All-inclusive
   

Grand XCaret Resort by Occidental

Cancun's Newest Wonder in the Riviera Maya

An extraordinary creation from fantasy and imagination.  Modern architecture captures the natural beauty of XCaret, with lagoons, Mayan ruins, and trees in tropical greenery.  A backdrop of Caribbean Sea in splendid turquoise.  Specialty restaurants, multi-swimming pools, a river walk with shops and pool bars, where cocktails are served while you are on a swing!

A one of a kind experience

All stays include one entrance per person to the adjacent XCaret water park!
   

Photos below by Maria Thomas and are exclusive © to Judy and Maria's Travel, Inc.

First and foremost, we would like to thank Mr. Guillermo Guerra, Director Comercial and his staff for their gracious hospitality during our recent visit to the Grand Xcaret Resort.  It was a pleasure to meet you and to experience your magnificent resort.

Judy and Maria's First Impression of the Grand Xcaret Resort by Occidental

We originally toured the Grand Xcaret Resort approximately one month after it opened.  Our first impression at that time was of a spectacular, well-polished resort.  Our main concern at that time was that the resort was too new to be able to provide the quality of service that our clients expected.

Our June 2004 visit to the Grand Xcaret Resort was very informative and productive.  Guests enter the Grand Xcaret Resort and immediately sense nature, culture, peace and serenity.   Everything about this resort is impressive -- from the polished marble lobby, the artwork, the Mediterranean architecture, the floral arrangements and greenery.   The sound of flowing water is subliminal -- one immediately feels the stress from travel diminishing from their body and the excitement of the their vacation experience that is to begin.
 
   
Location

The Grand XCaret Resort by Occidental is located on the pristine Mexican shoreline adjacent to the amazing Xcaret Park.  It is the perfect destination, elegant architecture in an exotic natural setting with a rainbow of activities and services to guarantee an unforgettable vacation.

LodginG

Rooms 769
Buildings:  Flamenco, Cangrejo, Pueblo de Rio

661 Deluxe rooms

bullet334 in Flamenco
bullet124 in Cangrejo
bullet203 in Pueblo de Rio


Air Conditioned rooms with a king size or two double beds, telephone with data port, satellite television, mini-bar, safety deposit box, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board

Restaurants

Le Buffet
International Buffet

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Breakfast

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Lunch

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Dinner
Sonora Grill
Steak House - a la carte  - reservations required
bulletDinner
Los Olivos
Mediterranean & Italian Cuisine - a la carte - reservations required
bulletDinner
La Piazza
Pizza - A la carte
bulletDinner
Paco's Tacos
Tacos & Mexican Appetizers - a la carte
bulletDinner
La Hacienda
Mexican Cuisine - a la carte - reservations required
bulletDinner
El Lago
Snacks
bulletLunch
El Prescador
Seafood Restaurant - a la carte - reservations required
bulletDinner
Club De Playa
International and Seafood buffet
bulletLunch
D'Oriental
Asian Cuisine - a la carte - reservations required
bulletDinner
Club Royal
Exclusive for Club Royal Guests
bulletBreakfast
bulletLunch
bulletTea Time
bulletDinner
Bars
bullet Lobby Bar
bullet Bar Terraza
bullet Bar La Bodeguita
bullet Pool Bar
bullet Bar Hundido
bullet Bar El Lago
bullet Beach Club Bar
bullet Beach Bar
bullet Sports Bar
bullet Disco "Palenque"
Facilities
bullet 10 Jacuzzis
bullet 5 Swimming pools
bullet 2 Tennis Courts
bullet 2 Paddleball Courts
bullet Beach Club
bullet Solarium
bullet Archery Court6
bullet Kids Club (ages 4 - 12 years old)
bullet Mini Golf
bullet Shuffle Board
bullet Gym
bullet Spa
bullet Temascal
bullet Convention Hall
bullet Business Center
all Inclusive
bullet All meals
bullet Unlimited alcoholic drinks
bullet Daily Sports and Entertainment Activities
bullet Nightly Shows
bullet Bicycle Tours
bullet Taxes and Gratuities Included
Additional Charge
bullet Babysitting
bullet Laundry
bullet Beauty parlor
bullet Money exchange
bullet ATM machine
bullet 24-hours medical service
bullet Car rental
bullet Tours and Excursions
bullet Golf Course (near by)
Rooms
bullet Minibar
bullet DVD Player
bullet CD player
bullet Satellite TV
bullet Iron and Ironing Board
bullet Scale
bullet Coffee Maker
bullet Hydro-massage tub
bullet Safety Deposit Box
bullet Hair Dryer

Judy and Maria's Photo Gallery of the Grand Xcaret Resort by Occidental

     
 

ROYAL CLUB

The Royal Club is a new concept of high quality hotel developed by Occidental Hotels & Resorts.

The club offers:

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Independent reception
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Private Breakfast and Lunch Area
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Bar service with international labels
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Pool and private Jacuzzi
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Internet connection
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In room: mini bar with daily replenishing, CD player, iron, ironing board, scale, coffee maker, mirrors, hydro massage tub
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Secretarial services, sending and receiving faxes.
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Drinks and snacks throughout the day.
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Bar service, national labels (fruit juices, sodas, beers and national rum) included
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Express check out, for your comfort
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Message service
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Personal telephone calls
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Preference in laundry service and restaurants
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Fruit basket upon arrival
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Safety Deposit box
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Spa (services included):

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Sauna
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Steam room
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Jacuzzi
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Gym (Universal machines, Weight, Cardiovascular equipment).

Additional Charge

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Beauty Salon (Hair cuts, brushing, highlights, manicure, braiding).
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Facial and skin treatments
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Relaxation treatments, massages, aromatherapy, reflexology.
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Mud and seaweed treatments

Pueblo del Río  (shopping services not included in the All Inclusive package):

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Jewelry, Tobacco, Pharmacy, Arts & Crafts, Logo Shop, Boutique, Silver, Vacation Club, SPA and others.
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Restaurant Mediterráneo

Additional information

Most major credit cards accepted: Amex, Visa, MasterCard. No pets allowed.

   

Map Grand Xcaret Resort by Occidental

General Information

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Check in time 3:00 PM

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Check out Time 12:00 Pm

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Money exchange

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Safe Deposit Box
Every room is provided with a safe deposit box.

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Bracelets
All guests must wear a bracelet while staying at the resort.

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Laundry Service
Available

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Business Center
Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Internet, fax and copy service.

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Guest Service
Dinner Reservations, babysitting and general information.

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Car Rental
In the main lobby

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Tennis and Paddle Tennis

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Two tennis and one paddle tennis court available.  Tennis Pro.

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Xcaret Park
One entrance to the park - per stay - per guest included in all-inclusive package.  Pick up tickets in main lobby at Xcaret Office.

  
bullet Visitors
All visitors must purchase a day or night Pass at the front desk.
bullet Activities and Entertainment
Posted on Info board located in front of building 18 Flamencos.
bullet Kids Club
Open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM for children 4 to 12 years old.  Children under 4 must always be accompanied by an adult. 
 babysitting available upon request for additional charge.
bullet Spa & Gym
Spa open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.  Included: Sauna, Jacuzzi and Steam Room. 
Extra Charge:  Massages, Beauty Salon, manicure, pedicure.  Gym opens from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
bullet Restaurants
The Grand Xcaret Resort offers guests a large variety of restaurants.  5 of the restaurants require reservations. 
In order to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy them, the use of a la carte restaurants is based
upon the length of your stay.
NIGHTS STAY NUMBER OF RESERVATIONS
2 1
3-4 2
5-6 3
7-9 4
10-11 6
12-13 7
14 or More 8

If you desire to make extra reservations - subject to availability - at the specialty  restaurants, stop by the Guest Services Desk located in the Lobby.

bulletDRESS CODE
Long pants are required for dinner at all specialty restaurants.  Shorts, tank tops or sandals are not allowed at the specialty restaurants.  NOTE;  HOURS OF THE RESTAURANTS AND BARS CAN CHANGE ACCORDING TO SEASONS. 
All restaurants and bars serve domestic and international beverages. 
 
 

Xcaret Park

The Riviera Maya is considered one of the most unspoiled cultural destinations in the World.  Occidental Grand Xcaret is located just 50 minutes from the Cancun International Airport and within 10 minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen.  Adjacent to Xcaret Park with its wonderful experience showing much of the culture and life of the Mayans and the Spanish Conquest through Xcaret at night. 

Archaeological Sites

Xcaret encompasses the ancient Mayan port and religious center of Pole. Eight buildings, dating from 1400 to 1517 (late post-classic). Sign up for a tour and learn more about the Maya, in ritual and science. It’s a fascinating tour of an ancient people, with all the conveniences of the Park.
 
Mayan Villages
Travel back in time at the Maya Village. Like most ancient cities, common people lived on the outskirts of town, while the centers were exclusive to palaces and temples. The Mayan were no different. Their houses were constructed in circular or elliptical shapes (comfortable year-round) and thatched with palm. The Maya were wise builders; palm thatch was harvested only during full moons to yield the most sap filled fronds (better waterproofing and lasting up to 25 years), and houses were planted with insect and animal repelling plants. Our village rings an ancient altar. A traditionally dressed weaver creates handicrafts on-site and fallen-wood carvings reproduce animals and gods. There is even a Mayan mirror in the washrooms. Wander through living history at the Mayan Village.
 
Attractions
 
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Aquarium
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Lagoons
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Beach
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Scuba Diving
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Inlet
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Sea Trek
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Dolphins
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Ecological Tours
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Snorkeling
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Snuba
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Wading Pools
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Under Ground Rivers
 
Flora and Fauna
 
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Bat Cave
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Marine Turtles
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Apiary
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Mushroom Farm
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Tropical Trail
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Orchids
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Butterfly Pavilion
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Reptiles and Sharks
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Coral Reef Aquarium
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Stables
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Jaguars and Mammals
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Wild Bird Breeding Aviary
 
 
Judy and Maria's Summation of the Grand Xcaret Resort by Occidental
 
The Grand Xcaret Resort is a spectacular resort.
The Grand Xcaret Resort is a nature lovers Paradise - our beautiful earth at it's best - themed around Water, Flora, Fauna and Marine Life. Guests will be in tune with nature at its best.
The Grand Xcaret Resort is a very large resort. Shuttle stops and trams are available on site to transport guests around the property.
The Grand Xcaret Resort is situated adjacent to the fabulous Xcaret Water Park and guests will receive one free admission to the park per person included in the all-inclusive package.
The Grand Xcaret Resort offers guests peace and serenity -- an opportunity to connect with nature at its best.
The Grand Xcaret Resort  offers families a wonderful children's program and babysitting service for a fee.
The Grand Xcaret Resort is active and fun offering guest entertainment from early morning until late into the evening.
The Grand Xcaret Resort offers guests a full-service spa and gym.
The Grand Xcaret Resort offers guests a wide variety of dining options and sumptuous food prepared by the finest chefs emanating from around the world.
The Grand Xcaret Resort offers guests visible on-site security.

The Grand Xcaret Resort by Occidental is a large resort.  The resort is themed around water, ecology, Mayan history, wildlife and native vegetation.  At any given time guests may observe exotic birds and indigenous animals strolling the property.  The pools are beautiful and large and have zero entry points.  There are numerous Jacuzzis situated around the resort.  The Grand Xcaret Resort is built within a magnificent ecological environment that leads up to the beach.  The beach features tiered levels of lounge chairs and is situated within a huge cove with the ocean flowing from an inlet.  The azure sea is clear and calm and is perfect for snorkeling or just lounging under a swaying palm tree with a soft breeze flowing through it.  Dining options are varied and menu selections are superb.  Activities are unlimited and the children's program structured.  

Location . . .  Location . . .  Location . . . 

A focal point of the Grand Xcaret Resort is the location.  The resort is situated adjacent to an eco-archeological water park featuring a subterranean river, Mayan Ruins and more!

XCaret Water Park features:

Wild Bird Breeding Aviary with over 37 species of birds. Around 30 macaws are born here each year.
Sea turtle conservation programs, concurrent with government agencies, mark up to 20,000 baby turtles every year and assist as many as 220,000 to the water's edge.