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.
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
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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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This property offers rooms in 3
categories: Grand, Pyramid and Sian Ka’an.
In addition, each of these 3 categories offer location options of: Garden, Garden Terrace, Sunset View, Ocean View and Ocean Front. Regardless of your category selection, all
guests will check-in at the main Pyramid building. You will then be directed to different check-in
areas based on your category selection. Regardless of your arrival or departure time,
the Grand check-in is staffed 24/7. Express check-in is available.  |
Main Pyramid building and check-in area
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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| Showtime |
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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
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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
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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
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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:
GRAND OASIS CANCUN
Blvd Kukulcan Km. 16.5,
Lotes 45-47, Zona Hotelera
77500 Cancun, Quintana
Roo, Mexico
