Cancun, Moon Palace Hotel Review

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Cancun, Moon Palace Hotel
★★★★☆
4.1
77.0% of users recommend this

Mazz25's review of Cancun, Moon Palace Hotel

“I actually posted a review about Moon Palace before...”

★★★★★

written by Mazz25 on 28/02/2007

Good Points
Would there be enough room to fit all these in? I doubt it, so move onto my general comments below.

Bad Points
Nothing I'd say was bad.

General Comments
I actually posted a review about Moon Palace before about 2 years ago, after we had the pleasure of being there for the 2 weeks of our beautiful honeymoon dream.



We visited again 2 years later (Sep 06), just before our second anniversary, as due to work commitments we couldn't actually be there for then but still booked it as an anniversary holiday cos it was!



Once again, it was that bit of heaven we'd remembered from last time we visited, only much much better. We were a bit worried about going, to tell the truth. You see we booked the holiday more than 6 months in advance thinking that the devastation that Hurricane Wilma left places in, will have been resolved by then but we kept reading stories about the mess Cancun is still in. A few weeks before our departure we had a letter from Thomson's to say that the hotel was 80% operational. Perhaps this doesn't sound perfect to a lot of you but you have to realise that Moon Palace is a huge complex, so you are not likely to stumble across the 20% unless you go looking for it like we did, just out of interest.



Anyway, getting to the hotel from the airport was the same old story, I must stress how important it is that none of you are lured in to all the operatives calling out to you from their stands as you walk out from the airport to find your reps. Ignore them, tell them your fine. Outside you will see a Thomson rep or whoever you are going with, in their uniform, ignore everyone else and go straight to them.



The driveway of Moon Palace is 20 minutes long, told you it was huge! Whilst we were there, the driveway was still one of the things being repaired properly due to Hurricane Wilma, about 50 men out there in the heat working very hard. Ladies, how can you even resist with just that detail!



We drove up to the hotel, got our luggage from the coach and a bellboy immediately came up to take it off us. I must say we were both surprised to find he actually remembered us, as we did him. It is quite nice but shocking considering the thousands that go there. Anyway we checked in, got gold wrist bands this time for anniversary couples and they asked what day our anniversary is so we told them it's a week after we leave but the holiday was actually booked to celebrate nearly 2 years of marriage, at the time. They were more than happy with this and understood. They took our passports to hold onto, gave us both a towel card and card keys to our room. We then went up to our bell boy to let him know the room we've been allocated and walked off into heaven, aka the rest of the hotel.



I remember our honeymoon suite was gorgeous but this was really swish. They had done a hell of a lot of work on most rooms since the hurricane and I couldn't believe they were better, considering I didn't think they could be better than last time!

42" flat screen TV above a long mahogany unit opposite the bed. The unit consists of three big and wide draws either side, with the middle containing the mini fridge which is refilled every 24 hours now, as opposed to 48 like before.

The bed again was a queen size, the jacuzzi was still opposite the bed too, just dive in, it has two steps leading up to it. There were two white towelling robes and two pairs of slippers provided, slippers can be taken with you when you go, there was also bubble bath on the jacuzzi ready for you to just indulge!



The maid service used to be morning, afternoon and night. This time it was either in the morning or afternoon and then in the evening again whilst you are out enjoying the entertainment somewhere. She'd come around to draw the curtains and turn down the bed. Every time there was some sort of a towel sculpture, she made elephants, swans, hearts, octopus', mermaids, there was so much she could do with towels, that I can't even remember all of them. If I can find pictures of them, that I know we took, or anything else I will ensure I get them posted on here, so keep an eye out.



Oh I can't forget to tell you about the gorgeous, lovely chocolate cake that was awaiting us on the lovely carved mahogany table as we arrived in our room. A knife and spoons were ready. Candles were ready to light, napkins were out too and obviously two lovely carved mahogany chairs, on opposite sides of the table, ready for us to take a seat, light a candle and gaze at the cake, oh sorry I mean each others eyes and try a piece of luxury chocolate cake.



The windows are now all double glazed, the balconies are cast iron. I bought a travel washing line combined with pegs, which was just right to have fixed from one side of the balcony to the other, for any bits I put out to dry. The balcony has two chairs and a little table, which I would say is the norm anyway.



There is still the big wardrobe full of hangers, an ironing board, iron and a mini clothes stand.



Around the corner is a big mirror in front of you and a long one behind, with lights to switch on wherever you want. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, vanity kit, sewing kit, coffee makers, coffee, milk powder, sugar, hand lotions, body lotions, glasses, cups, straws, soap, little flannels. What else would you like?



And next to this little area is the entry to the toilet / shower. Everything everywhere is of course marble and gorgeous. In the shower you have shampoo and conditioner provided.



Of course if there is anything else you need, you do have the shops to go to and you will find nearly everything there including sun tan lotions, shampoos, creams, hairsprays. I'm telling you, everything. There are shops on both sides of the complex, one side is called Nizuc and the other Sunrise.



There are 12 restaurants with gorgeous food and, as I said, shops where you can buy loads of gifts to take back home. So remember guys don't worry about taking creams, toiletries with you etc. buy it there if needed and leave plenty more space in your suitcases for gifts.



Now if you're just lazing about, there are the lobby areas with the bar area, hot/cold snacks to help yourselves to 24/7 and other drinks from dispensers. I loved the Mochaccino! There is music there at various times of day. A programme of what's going on in the hotel is always available from the front desk every morning.



There is always entertainment to find somewhere in the hotel. There is even a cinema.



I've had a sudden memory blank but I'm sure there are actually 6 pools, definitely not any less anyway, and they are the biggest pools in Cancun. The poolside bars offer many lovely refreshments, don't forget to try a Pina Colada, better than I'd tasted anywhere else!



The hotel is actually away from the hotel zone, which we see as a plus point, not as much hustle and bustle.

Please don't panic about how you get into town, it's not expensive to get a taxi. Just step out from reception, ask the bell boy for a taxi, he will click his fingers or whistle and hey presto there's your taxi. You have to show your wrist bands to security on your way out and back in to the hotel as well as give your room number, which is just for security reasons, nothing to be scared about, just procedure. The taxi is a fixed rate.



Now then, you'll be stunned to know that whilst there, we asked a few staff about their experiences of the hurricane and what the hotel was like. As we could see a lot had changed from the 100% luxury last time to probably 200% this time!

Well, we were told that after the hurricane that Moon Palace employed 10,000 workers to get the place ship shape again.

That was no typo, literally ten thousand workers.

No wonder such a huge place has done so well, so quickly but hey that's the palace resorts for you. It's an American company and they always strive to be the best. Which they surely are.



What else can I tell you?

If you buy any postcards in the shops on the complex or in town, you can buy the stamps in the shops too and post them in the golden letter box next to reception. It does take about 3 weeks to get to the UK though but never mind at least you can make someone jealous about where you'd been.



There are golf buggies driving around the complex, hop on one to save your legs if you like.

Once again, it is a huge complex but then again, it's a holiday, time to relax and it's nice to take a very slow stroll from one side of the complex to the other.

In the middle of every section is some sort of an attraction, ponds, fountains, adult size marble chess board, climbing tower, mini-golf, children's park, benches, bridges over rivers, everything is just sheer beauty.



There is a kid's club, although I wouldn't really say this hotel would have enough entertainment visible for kids, it's really more for couples, as sophistication is very in your face.



Last year we decided to actually take a trip to the other part of the complex, where you get a bus from outside the lobby area and that would be to the Golf & Spa. We met another couple during our stay there and whilst the men went to have a game of golf, we were pampered in the spa. I had a luxury manicure and pedicure, as well as reflexology and my friend had different baths, a pedicure, and massages of many kinds. These things you pay for but oh it's worth it.

Getting to this part is also out of this world.

Like I said, you get a bus from outside the lobby, that takes you to a bus stop, at this sheltered bus stop you will find a bar area with chairs and tables if you fancy a drink along your way. From there you get onto a golf cart, when you are ready, as they drive up to take you up to the golf and spa, heaven or what?



Well I'm sure I've made you all dribble now and you're itching to get a brochure and book.

It really is money well spent! We also went premium this time, as we didn't fancy being squashed like sardines in a tin for 11 hours and that too was worth it, you get the extras of course.



So, what are you waiting for? Go and book up!



We may see you there in 2008.

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