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The distinctive Mayan temple architecture of the hotel is displayed in the resorts' five connected pyramid buildings, each with many plants and vines reaching toward the ceiling of the glass-topped atriums in each pyramid. In the main tower, the awesome jungle-like atrium with its fish-filled pond is surrounded by many small shops and tour companies offering a multitude of services as well as clothing, crafts and jewelry. The grandeur gives the hotel a fancy, exciting feel. It was odd, however, how dark the hallways were kept. At night, the lights were on motion sensors! Just 20 minutes from the airport and less than 20 minutes from the bustling La Isla shopping center, this hotel offers both relaxation and many choices of daily activities for adults and children. The spa offers an array of wraps, facials and massages in a secluded lower level setting decorated with beautiful Mexican art and sculpture. |
All 794 rooms, including over 60 suites,
have spacious private terraces with cocktail tables and chaise
lounges. Each room has cable television, safe, minibar and marble
floors and bathroom. Rooms are decorated in neutral, calm colors
and are bright and airy with large windows and beautiful ocean
or lagoon views. Families can take advantage of roll away beds
and child care at the children's club for a surcharge. For business
meetings, the resort offers five banquet and meeting halls, with
the capacity to hold up to 800 guests. A business center is also
on site.
My room was sleek and had cable television, safe, minibar and
marble floor and bathroom. It was decorated modernly in neutral,
calm colors and was bright and airy with large windows and a
beautiful ocean view off the private terrace.
Palapas with thatched roofs shading large platform beds surround the two long, free-form pools and children's pool. A swim-up bar offering Caribbean cocktails is one of the pool's main attractions. Together, the pools run the length of the Melia's 600 meter white sand beach. Unlike some other properties in the hotel zone, the Gran Melia has a sandy bottomed surf with no rocks. Recreational watersports such as snorkeling and parasailing are offered for a surcharge at the beach, while at the pool, complimentary Spanish lessons, water aerobics and dancing classes are offered throughout the day. Off the beach, the resort has a beautiful 9-hole, par-3 golf course as well as tennis courts and a fitness center.
Five restaurants and cafes are dotted throughout the property. La Veranda offers open air seating close to the beach and Café Quetzal has huge breakfast buffets. Proscitto's offers fine Italian cuisine in a beautiful setting. For casual dinning, the Pool Bar and the Beach Bar offer drinks and snacks. At night, listen to music with your family or friends in the hip Fun Pub sports bar.
The property was beautiful and the room
exceptionally comfortable. However, I was disappointed in the
front desk and the service they provided. I would have expected
better customer treatment.
Tips: You will need your patience upon check in and check out, as the lines can be long and the service spotty. For the same reason, when changing over money to pesos, use larger sums to save yourself a future headache.
- Cara Chase
