The time was 3:10am. The outside temperature was 34 degrees and there was a slight dusting of snow on the ground. I didn’t mind any of that. I was heading to the Medford, Oregon airport for my flight to Cancun, Mexico.
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This past week I flew to Cancun International Airport, located in the state of Quintana Roo on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The airport is Latin America’s third and Mexico’s second busiest airport, after Mexico City International Airport.
It was just three days prior to my flight that I spontaneously purchased a Delta Airlines flight, round-trip transfer service in Cancun and booked the All-inclusive Grand Oasis Cancun. My Delta flight was scheduled to arrive in Cancun at 4:00pm. I envisioned sitting on the beach sipping margaritas and watching the sunset by 6pm. I was mistaken.
Immigration took well over an hour. Normal driving time from the airport to the Grand Oasis Cancun is 18 minutes but not this particular day. My transfer service was booked as a ‘shared’ ride. I was the first passenger to arrive so I found myself waiting another 20 minutes for the rest of the passengers. This was followed by another 45-minute drive to the hotel as the van made frequent stops to drop guests at various hotels with intermittent traffic stalls.
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| Outside the terminal looking for my van driver |
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| Following my contact to my shared van |
The Grand Oasis Cancun is the largest hotel complex in Cancun and proudly boasts a total of 1,700 rooms located throughout 5 different buildings. With 14 bars and 14 restaurants, without leaving the property, your choices are substantial. It also sports the longest pool in Cancun.
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| Arial view / pre 2015 renovation showing the length of the pool |
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| View from Caribbean Sea side / post 2015 renovation |
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| Main Pyramid building and check-in area |
The Grand category will accommodate adults
and children. The Sian Ka’an category, named after the Sian Ka’an Reserve, is exclusive to adults
only.Sian Ka'an Standard Room with King Bed
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| Espresso and coffee machine in Sian Ka'an room |
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| Tub in Sian Ka'an room |
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| Patio Jacuzzi in Sian Ka'an room |
This property can also handle your conventions,
meetings, groups, weddings or other special requests, offering 10 conference
rooms, including the 20,000 square foot Oasis Arena.
The first of the 5 guest room buildings is named the Pyramid. The Pyramid at Grand Oasis is a luxurious resort-within-a-resort on the Grand Oasis Cancun complex, offering full access to everything plus exclusive amenities like award-winning restaurants, bars, and private beach clubs.
Located directly in the center of the property, be sure and head to the top of the Pyramid for an awesome panoramic view. You will be facing east looking toward the Caribbean Sea with the entire complex in view. On your left will be guest room buildings 2 and 3 - the Palmer 1 North and Playa 1 North. On your right will be guest room buildings 4 and 5 - the Palmer 2 South and Playa 2 South. Your category selection – Grand, Pyramid or Sian Ka’an – followed by your location preference – Garden, Garden Terrace, Sunset View, Ocean View and Ocean Front – will dictate your assigned building. Each building features a concierge desk.
Note: The left side of the complex offers more music, entertainment and activities.
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| Main lobby of the Pyramid building |
My room was 4526 - a Grand category, Ocean View
location on the 5th floor of Palmer
2 South. Grand Ocean View Standard Room with King Bed
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| Stocked refrigerator in my room |
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| Coffee makers in the room |
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| Hallway on level 1 of Palmer 2 building |
So here is the basic difference between your three category selections:
GRAND CATEGORY
Blue wristbands
Access to 9 restaurants
Access to 11 bars
Internet for 1 device only
Safe is optional pay feature
Room Service is NOT available
No mini bar restocking fee
PYRAMID CATEGORY
Black wristbands
Access to 15 restaurants
Access to 14 bars
Internet Access for 1 device per guest
Safe included
Room Service Delivery Fee applies
No Mini bar restocking fee
Pyramid Beach Club access
Cocoa Restaurant – adults only
Careyes Restaurant – adults only
Benazuza – adults only
The White Box Restaurant
Market Place & Bites Restaurant
SIAN KA’AN (ADULTS ONLY) CATEGORY
Black wristbands
Access to 15 restaurants
Access to 14 bars
Internet Access for 1 device per guest
Safe included
No Room Service Delivery Fee
No Mini bar restocking fee
Priority reservations throughout the property
Private Sian Ka’an Beach Club
Access to Pyramid Beach Club
Expresso coffee makers in room
Cocoa Restaurant – adults only
Carayes Restaurant – adults only
Benazuza – adults only
Maximum 2 adults per room
The White Box Restaurant
Market Place & Bites Restaurant
Maximum 2 adults per room
To access internet service for additional devices for the Grand category rooms, you can register your device via their website with a credit card payment or simply buy a pre-paid card at one of the kiosks located throughout the property. A 5 day/2 device pre-paid card will cost $800 MXN. Based on the rate of exchange as of December 23, 2021 this is equal to $24.12 USD, or less than $5/day. Various combinations can be purchased at the kiosk.
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| Wifi pre-paid card kiosk |
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| Wifi pre-paid card kiosk |
OASIS SMARTPHONE APP
Be sure to download the OASIS app. Here you have access, in real time, to the property map, spa information, tours and transportation, bars, restaurants, entertainment and much more. The map utilizes a “Take Me Here” button that provides a walking route for you.
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| Oasis App Screenshot |
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| "Take Me Here" screenshot |
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| Posted maps located around the complex |
RED CASINO
Grand Oasis Cancun is the only resort in Cancun, in the hotel zone, with a casino-in-a-resort. You will be able to enjoy Las Vegas style entertainment with a wide array of classic casino games including roulette, black jack and poker. The casino bar offers refreshing and colorful Caribbean cocktails, wines, spirits and a variety of beers. The general public is allowed entry to the casino through the casino parking garage but it does not allow entry to the resort complex. This is monitored closely by security.
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| Entrance to Red Casino from Pyramid Lobby |
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| Gaming tables inside Red Casino |
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| Slots inside Red Casino |
COFFEE & ME
Specialty coffee fans can enjoy infusions, tea and coffee at one of 3 Coffee and Me locations. One is located inside the Pyramid building and is exclusive to black wristband holders. Two additional locations are available to both blue and black wristbands. One is on the left side of the Pyramid in the Palmer 1 North building. The other is located to the right of the Pyramid in the Palmer 2 South building. I tried a double shot vanilla cappuccino in a to-go cup. I am not a big specialty coffee drinker but enjoyed my cappuccino this day.
Open daily from 7:00am-10:00pm.
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| Inside Coffee & Me |
LA PLACITA (FAST FOOD)
The La Placita food court is located poolside and offers fast food items such as tacos, burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips and fries. I tried the chicken strips and fries. Chicken strips were large, hot and well cooked. Fries were a bit dry but overall I felt it was a good experience for a fast food poolside option.
Open for Lunch: 11:00am-6:00pm
Open for Dinner: 6:00pm-11:00pm
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| La Placita poolside entrance |
COCOA RESTAURANT
This proved to be one of my favorite places. Not just great food but beautiful ocean front views. Offerings of a variety of seafood and steaks, this is an extraordinary a la carte restaurant. I enjoyed breakfast here of orange juice, classic eggs benedict and the avocado toast. The orange juice is a mix of orange, passion fruit and mango. The eggs benedict was prepared on brioche bread with Canadian bacon, perfectly prepared poached eggs and béarnaise sauce. The avocado toast was presented on a large slice of country toast topped with mashed avocado, egg, radish, cilantro and cheese. Access to this restaurant is restricted to black wristbands and adults only.
Open for breakfast: 7:30am-10:30am
Open for lunch: 12:30pm-5:00pm
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| Breakfast menu Cocoa Restaurant |
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| My view during breakfast at Cocoa Restaurant |
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| Seating inside Cocoa Restaurant |
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| Beautifully prepared and presented Traditional Eggs Benedict |
BAHIA STEAK HOUSE
I found this restaurant to be my least favorite meal during my stay. In fact, I would not eat here again unless there is a change of chef. The one thing I did like was the salad and desert bars. For an appetizer I ordered crab cake with root dressing and lemon along with an onion ring, wasabi dressing and coriander. I am a big fan of clam chowder and the menu listed it with bacon and potato. It really didn’t taste like clam chowder to me. I felt it more of a smooth creme bisque consistency and feel strongly that there were NO clams, NO bacon and NO potato. I am also not a big red meat eater and since this is classified as a Brazilian Steak House I was delighted to see a “catch of the day” menu option. It was salmon. It was grilled and was OK but just slightly overcooked. My selected sides were grilled corn along with smash potatoes with truffles. I disliked both the corn and the potato sides. The corn was a very small grilled corn cob and was cold. The smash potatoes with truffles were runny and also the temperature was barely warm.
Open for dinner: 5:30pm-10:30pm
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| Bahia Steak House Manager Ulises Chavez Moreno |
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| Listed as Clam Chowder with bacon/potatoe |
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| Salad/dessert |
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| Dinner Menu |
TUNKUL FOOD HALL
This is an extensive international menu buffet with offerings that rotate daily. I tried this one for dinner. Service was fantastic, food was OK with a nice selection to choose from. I complemented my dinner choice with the house white wine.
Open for Breakfast: 06:30am-11:00am
Open for lunch: 12:30pm-4:00pm
Open for Dinner: 6:00pm-11:00pm
IL FORNO DOS LUNAS
Another one of my favorites. Great food, great atmosphere and a fantastic staff. This is a pizza and pasta specialty restaurant. I selected an appetizer of prosciutto, sorpressata and salami, followed by fettuccine with pesto and shrimp. I ordered double shrimp and it was presented exactly as requested. I chose the house red wine. Dessert was cheesecake.
Open for Lunch: 12:00-6:00pm
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| House red wine |
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| Shot of tequila after lunch |
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| Cheesecake dessert |
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| Fettuccine with basil and double shrimp |
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| prosciutto,
sorpressata and salami appetizer |
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| Il Forno Dos Lunes Lunch Menu |
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| Il Forno Dos Lunes Dinner Menu |
HACIENDA SARAPE
Yet a third restaurant I truly enjoyed. Fantastic Tex-Mex offering the colors and flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine. Chips and salsa were quickly delivered to the table along with the first of three margaritas I enjoyed during my lunch. I selected the tortilla cream soup along with 3 soft tacos: 1 beef, 1 chicken and 1 cochinita. Cochinita is pork with achiote sauce and this proved to be my favorite of the three. Good food, great service.
Open for Lunch: 12:30p-6:00pm
Open for Dinner: 6:00pm-11:00p
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| Hacienda Sarape Restaurant inside seating |
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| 1 of 2 buffets |
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| 1 of 2 buffets |
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| Chips/Salsa along with a Margarita |
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| Tortilla Cream Soup |
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| Hacienda Sarape Restaurant Menu |
FONTAINEBLEAU COCKTAIL BAR
This bar is located in the Pyramid building and is for adults only with black wristbands. I tried several types of drinks here during my stay and all were well prepared, with no scrimping on the alcohol. Very accommodating staff.
Open: 11:00am-11:00pm
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| Entrance to Fontainebleau Cocktail Bar |
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| Great service |
RED CABARET DINNER SHOW
My last night in Cancun found me at the Red Cabaret Dinner Show. Pretty appropriately named I would say. "Red" - the color in the room throughout the night, even including the dinner plates. "Cabaret" - it was a burlesque-style atmosphere with a wide variety of acts. "Dinner" - hard to see what I was eating due to the lighting but I'm fairly confident it was steak. "Show" - listed as adult only and for that reason my pictures will be limited. The dinner included appetizer, salad, entrée and dessert. Drinks were also included.
Showtime: Fridays 8:00pm-10:00pm
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| Assorted acts |
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| Main course |
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| It was advertised as 'adults' only |
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| Final shot of me and the cast |
DRUMS & FIRE
This was presented in the main lobby of the Pyramid building. A live performance featuring 4 on percussion along with 4 fire dancers: 2 females and 2 males. I had front row center stage seats and was close enough to feel the heat. Nice presentation.
Performance: Monday/Thursday 7:30pm-8:00pm
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| Main lobby in Pyramid building / Drums and Fire performance |
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| Drums & Fire on stage |
COVID TESTING
COVID testing is offered by the Grand Oasis Cancun. Both the testing site and lab are located on level 0 of the Palmer 2 South building. As a U.S. citizen I was required to obtain a COVID antigen test 1 day prior to my flight back into the United States. I made my appointment two days prior to my flight, confirming the time of 8:30am for the following morning. When I arrived for my test the entire process took only 3 minutes. My NEGATIVE test results arrived in my email later that same day. I uploaded the results to Delta Airlines and was ready to go. There are no fees for testing to any guests staying 3 nights or more.
Open Daily: 8:00am-4:00pm
HOSPITALITY ROOMS
Check-in at the Grand Oasis Cancun is 3pm and check-out is noon. If you find yourself needing an early check-in or a late check-out be sure to take advantage of 1 of the hotels 5 hospitality rooms, located on floor 1 in the Palmer 2 South building. These rooms allow you to change clothes and shower or just relax. Each room has a restroom. They are complimentary on a first come, first serve basis. If a complimentary hospitality room is not available you can request a 2:30pm late check-out through your concierge. The cost will be approximately $40USD.
Here's a few photos taken at various times around the property.
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| From atop the Pyramid building |
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| Beach bar |
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| Walking down to the beach |
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| One of the beach areas |
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| Beach view |
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| Pool |
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| Pool |
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| Beach club areaz |
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| Walking down to beach club area |
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| On my way to breakfast |
I am returning to Cancun in February, 2022 and will once again be staying at the Grand Oasis Cancun. A special thank you to Robin Perez, Manager of the Oasis Plus Department, for making my stay so memorable.
For more information:
Blvd Kukulcan Km. 16.5, Lotes 45-47, Zona Hotelera
77500 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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