Grand Oasis ***** AI

[Steve]

Grand Oasis

Post comments, reviews, trip reports and links to your pictures for Grand Oasis here.

Originally Posted by Travel Center

Extraordinary design and luxury are the character of the Grand Oasis with 288 rooms either lagoon or sea view situated in the central pyramid and fourth floor of the beachfront buildings of the Oasis complex.

Over an immense Caribbean beach, the hotel has a 450 meter pool surrounded by waterfalls and gardens, wet bars, solarium and recreational area. Activities include two theme parties, weekly Mexican and Caribbean shows, Up & Down disco club presenting its famous Foam Party, two tennis courts, par 3 golf course, multi-sports course, marina, pedal boats, kayaks and other aquatic sports, Kid’s Club, daily and nightly entertaining programs, aquatic activities, diving, gym, Jacuzzi, sauna and tours. Other services available with surcharge include babysitter, laundry and valet, in-room safe deposit box, massage, beauty salon, fax, car rental, medical services, commercial gallery, money exchange and travel agency among others.

The hotel offers a rich variety in dining with its many buffet and a la carte restaurants. Casual and fine dining choices range from haute cuisine to hamburgers, from Mexican dishes to pasta delicacies, all of which can be accompanied by Margaritas, Martinis, vintage wine or beer. In addition, the Grand Oasis features a lobby bar, pool bar, terrace bar with pool and ocean view, bars at the restaurants and a beach bar as well as Up & Down disco for unforgettable evenings. Some establishments may require reservations; please consult with Oasis Plus upon arrival.

The all inclusive package includes all meals and drinks, non-motorized water sports, children’s club, tennis, theme parties and all activities by the Animation Team.

Located at Km16 it is a 20 minute bus journey to the party center. This hotel is Ocean side. Downtown is a 40 minute bus journey away.

Check the links below for availability and pricing with the following operators:

Best Day Cancun

Expedia

Cancuntravel

Travel Center

[cancuncouple]

Laura and I stayed at the Grand 02/04. The beach is great and of course
the hotel is beautiful. We had a lagoon side room and it was very nice.
When you stay at the Grand, they have their own beachclub area. Nicer
lounge chairs and very good service. The food was pretty good. If we
ever do another AI trip, we will go here.

[frenchi1971]

We just returned from the Grand Oasis, Cancun this morning and I could not wait to post this review of this hotel. Here are our comments, but I will highlight our main annoyance here…NOWHERE ON THE HOTELS WEBSITE OR ON ANY INFORMATION DOES IT STATE THAT THERE IS A MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT TO EAT THE GOURMET RESTAURANTS. CHILDREN MUST BE AT LEAST 12 YEARS OF AGE TO EAT COCOA AND CAREYES AND ANOTHER GOURMET RESTAURANT. WE TRAVELED WITH A 7 YEAR OLD. MORE ON THIS IN THE FOOD SECITON BELOW! :

HOTEL: The hotel itself is really nice. Our expectations were not the Ritz Carleton, so we were satisfied. The lobby is pretty and has an earthy feeling with all of the plants hanging from the balconies. The staff were always accommodating, especially the manager and the concierge (2 of the concerieges were wonderful…..CUDOS to Glen and Stephanie). There was always someone walking around cleaning and painting the property…..

ROOM:
Pros:The room was nice. We upgraded to a Jr. Suite so we would have extra space in the room. The room was spacious…very Mexican feeling to it. Big bathroom. Jacuzzi tub and separate shower.

Cons: The beds were hard, but we adjusted to them enough to sleep on them every night. We had an “Ocean View”, but not really. We were ocean side and saw a bit of the ocean, but mostly the grounds and the pools. So be aware and ask if you can really see the ocean from an “ocean view” room. The toilet broke 2 times. It was fixed both times. There was a problem with the water and we had no hot water for most of one day. The water had a terrible gas like smell to it. The water was yellowish. There were not enough towel bars to hang wet towels and suits.

FOOD:
Pros: The Al a carte restaurants were nice..pretty decent food. The Grand’s buffet was pretty good, especially for breakfast. The food was average at the buffets…not too bad.

Cons: We thought that only Grand guests could eat at the Grand restaurants, but we always saw other Oasis guests in there. We had to wait several times to eat, as they were full, sometimes with non-grand guests. This was frustrating. Hard to get reservations at the gourmet restaurants. You have to come down to concierge at 6:30 or 7am to book for the same day or they fill up.

BIG CON: When we were making reservations for Careyes (the shee-shee-poo-poo restaurant) we were told that our daughter (age 7) did not meet the age requirement of 12, therefore we could not eat there. I asked to speak to the hotel manager. I expressed my frustration. I told him THIS WAS NOT ADVERTISED ANYWHERE…EVEN ON OASIS HOTEL WEBSITE. He contacted corporate who told him that they choose not to publish this (age restriction) as they do not want this to deter people from coming to the resort. They say that they have this restriction because honeymooners want a peaceful meal…I told him that they should then go to a couples resort like Sandals. He did not like that comment. To make a long story short, I do not lose battles that I start. I demanded, in a polite way, that we eat at this restaurant with our daughter. They made an exception and allowed her. Let me tell you, what a joke. They were watching us like hawks in the restaurant that they called gourmet. The food was good but it so funny because normal every day people come to this resort, including loud obnoxious partiers. My daughter sat so beautifully and was better mannered that several of the tables in there.

BEACH:
Pro: very pretty. Comfortable lounge chairs. Butler service was ok…..

Cons: WOW was the water rough! Red flags (highest warning) posted on the beach of the grand. Chairs were hard to come by during certain times of the day. The Grand Oasis exclusive beach, my butt! There were always people from the other Oasis hotel on the “exclusive grand” beach taking up chairs. Security was not assertive enough asking them to leave. Grand guests sometimes were without chairs while non-Grand guests lounged on our paid for chairs!

POOLS:
Pros: Lots of pools. Between the grand, phase1, and phase 2….big variety of pools to swim in. Swim up bars at the pools.

Cons: The pools were only open until 6pm, although there were times I saw people in them until 7pm. The pool with all of the young people partying…well, it smells like throw up!

BIG CON: People come down to the pool and reserve chairs by placing their towels on them chairs at 7am. There were days that I saw the same chairs reserved by the same people and they did not come down to sit in them until 12pm!!!! They held chairs for 5 hours and did not use them until 12….very rude!!!! VERY HARD TO GET CHAIRS AT THE POOL OF THE GRAND….CHAIR PADS ARE GONE BY 7:30AM. CHAIRS ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITHOUT THE PADS

ACTIVITIES:

Not quite sure what activities. We were under the impression that non-motorized aquatic sports would include a snorkeling mask and tube but not!

OVERALL:
We had a really nice time while at the Grand Oasis. The vacation was a bit more expensive than it should have been for what you get.

[Lucifer]

5 irresistable guys going down to Oasis
1st week in May!!

[TeriA]

What a fantastic trip!!!
We took our 19 and 17 year old kids, and we had such a wonderful time. The Grand is almost back to the way it was before the hurricanes. The fitness center isn't open yet, and the spa is only in the grand building, but, overall, it's good as new. The beach is great, a little on the shelly side, but, still great. Las Palmas has moved to the area outsie Ibiza. Where Las Palmas used to be, they have opened a Thai restaurant, Akeru. There is also a sushi bar outside Akeru.

La Galera is now called Dos Lunas, but is pretty much the same. There is a new sports bar open in the area that used to be occupied by the Tatish buffet. Tatish is still in that building, but, set up a bit differently.

Phase two ocean front is not open yet, but, from the looks of the progress they are making on it, I suspect it won't be long before it is. The pool is completely retiled. Most of the palm trees have been replaced, and new ones are being put in on an ongoing basis. Ulysses, one of the waiters at Dos Lunas, told us that all 900 employees were put to work doing the repairs on the resort until it was ready to open. He also told us how they stayed with the guests for the entire three days that Wilma raged, and did not go to check on their families at all during that time. They took care of their guests. Incredible.

As always, the food is fantastic, and the service is above and beyond. There are still structural problems here and there, but, they are working on them as they go. Our hotel room door frame had some serious issues. It was off center or something, so, after an effort to replace the door, I think they decided that they would just pull the whole thing off and fix it after we checked out. It was no big deal, just one more bit of evidence that this hotel had gone through a catastrophic hurricane not too long ago. They're still recovering but doing an amazing job of it.

We spent 8 days, 7 nights. A wonderful trip.

[Bloxo]

There's about a dozen of us from the UK looking to stay here in March 2007 (can't wait!).

But I've read elsewhere that the Grand doesn't take "Spring Breakers", is this the case?

We might be able to swing it as we're not students, we're aged between 24-35, working professionals just looking to get loaded and stay in a decent hotel!

What do you guys think?

Cheers.

[Lucifer]

When I 1st walked into this place I stopped in my tracks and was impressed.
First time in a five star for myself; the inside of the pyramid is hollow with an actual oasis & waterfall.

Oasis resorts are on either side but they do not have access to the Grand Oasis restaurants (there are several). The Grand Oasis has its own pool but the action seemed to be next door so we usually headed there.
It's a lot quieter here and the people staying have more money.
24 hour room service was pretty good, as well as the variety of restaurants.

If your not a cheap potlicker, tip the staff here and there a few dollars and you will receive unbelievable service.

Most of the rooms are great, I stayed in a few of them, my favorite gets the sunrise in the morning (facing the ocean).

The beach kicks ass, and there's a girl who brings you drinks while you sit there and burn. If a big part of your trip depends on the beach living up to expectations this is a good place. I expected beach as far as I could see and this is what I got. [I checked out a hotel on the lagoon side and there was only about 10 feet of beach].

I also recommend jet skiiing on the ocean $45 US - just be careful - cause I almost knocked my teeth out on the handle bars when I landed some big air.

Bringing someone back to the room will set you back $50 US unless you work the staff.

There are a bunch of peacocks that are noisy, so bring some valium and put it in something they will eat.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Lucifer

There are a bunch of peacocks that are noisy, so bring some valium and put it in something they will eat.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[debba9802]

Beware of this hotels bait and switch tactics. If they tell you that you have a "Grand" Oasis room in one of the other 4 buildings, you are in for a surprise.

We were supposed to have "Grand" Oasis rooms but were put into building one (not sure what "phase") which they told us was also Grand Oasis. This was apparently a lie. I've now heard from other travelers that the outer buildings are actually the Oasis and only the main building is Grand Oasis. It doesn't matter what you call them - ALL 4 outer buildings absolutely disgusting!

There was water flooding the rooms/hallways, plumbing backed up from the toilets, smelly water leaking from the sinks and toilets, NO hot water and NO a/c when we got into our rooms.

The pics on the website were obviously taken a long time ago b/c this is what the property looked like Nov 1 - 6, 2006:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...=8EaM3DJo4aN1Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8EBiMeeDHA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52Hht-2b1w8

[TeriA]

Just wondering if anyone has been to the Grand Oasis in the last month? I really would like to know if phase two ocean front is open yet. It wasn't when we went in June 2006, and since we loved our room in 2005 that was in that building, we were hoping the repairs are done for our upcoming trip this June.

I have followed fairly closely the reports on other sites about the Grand, and from what I can gather, it seems that building may be up and ready.

[EngineerGuy]

I was just there march 9-16 2007, and all the phases were open, and looking nice! Still some maintanance going on, painting, ect............ but the place looked good!

[TeriA]

Can't wait to get there. seven and a half weeks and counting.

[gronsk]

We have just finished a week at the Grand Oasis and it was great. Two years ago we went to the Oasis (phase III) and also had a great time. Two years ago I booked the trip on Wednesday night and we were on a plane to Cancun Friday night. The Oasis was my fifth choice and all the other places were booked. After I booked the trip I went and read the reviews and was very apprehensive and scared of what we would encounter.

When we arrived they did not have our reservation, but we went and camped out at phase III ( I had read that phase one was wilder and had more drunken kids staying there). We met a wonderful concierge , Yasmin, who talked to us about the property and gave us a good foundation of the property. After about an hour they gave us a room on the 4th floor.
The room was average, air-conditioning worked ok toilet only stuffed up once or twice during the week. Expecting the worse we were very happy... The grounds are awesome and the beach is fantastic. We thought the restaurants were very good, and gave you a lot of variety. Biggest problem was that one elevator did not work all week (they were never working on it) and when we went to phase I one of their elevators were broken also...

When we were planning to go back we really didn’t want to go anywhere else. We decided to pay more for the Grand so we could go to all the restaurants and have a better room.

We were very pleased with the Grand, much has changed with the Oasis due to Wilma, and they have changed their restaurants a lot. We still were very happy with the choices and the quality of the food. It was was very good - and you could always find something you would like. We ate at most of the restaurants so the change was nice- we even got vouchers (20 dollars each) to eat at a restaurant outside the property.

All elevators were working -- I was surprised. we stayed in the pyramid and it was quiet and very nice.... it seems they are now calling the ocean front buildings the grand oasis now. I don’t think they did that 2 years ago. Those rooms should have a great view of the ocean, but I would worry about the quality of the construction.

The first few days the waves wer big and exposed some rocks....water was very rough. the rest of the week the waves were small and the red flags were changed to yellow... and we saw no rocks....It seemed like the beach is smaller and there was a big step to get in the water. I think they lost about 20 feet of beach during wilma..... the water was still fantastic. Two years ago we traveled to Oasis Viva Beach and the water was perfectly still, like bath water... we did not like that.

Some things could be improved, but they were minor to us, I am sure anal people would be upset over anything. The value cannot be beat and I cannot imagine a better place without paying a lot more money .

[TeriA]

Just got back last Wednesday, June 13th, and had a wonderful time. We brought our two teenage daughters, and stayed in phase 3 with two garden view rooms.

The surf was really rough, and there were a lot of huge rocks exposed on the beach, so our girls were disappointed that they really couldn't swim in the ocean. So, we made arrangements with the hotel to use their runaway program and spend the last four days of our trip at the Grand Oasis Riviera Maya, since the beach was going to have calm surf and soft sand. They were jazzed about that, but, after spending a few days at the Cancun Grand Oasis, they were disappointed by the Riviera Maya location as it was nearly all honeymooners and old couples. The only single people we encountered were little kids with their parents, so, they begged to go back to Cancun. Normally you can't do that, as the program states you agree to spend the remainder of your trip at the new location and effectively have checked out of the previous resort. Well, let me tell you, the concierge at the Grand Oasis' went above and beyond in getting us rooms back at Cancun Grand, on the same floor, and one of the rooms was the very same that we left. The girls were delighted. Our trip was saved, and we spent a happy trip continued in Cancun.

On two side notes, the Grand Oasis Riviera Maya gets high marks for anyone looking for romance and solitude. Just fantastic, and we are planning to go back for the runaway program on our anniversary trip when we plan to spend a week in Cancun and a week in the Riviera Maya.

The second side note is kudos to Entertainment Plus for their high level of customer service. We booked our airport transfers through their USA Transfers service, since we used them last year and were very happy. When we planned to transfer to Riviera Maya, we called them up from our hotel and made arrangements to have them take us there, and pick us up for our flight home, with a very reasonable additional charge.

Then, when the girls begged to go back to Cancun, we called Eplus up again, and asked how hard it would be to get a van to come get us that day and bring us back to Cancun. He had a van there in less than 2 hours. By the time we checked out, the driver was there with our luggage loaded and ready to go. The whole experience was very pleasant, and we highly recommend USA Transfers and Eplus over any other service. When we go back next year, we will be using them again. The vans are private, clean, comfortable, and the drivers are very friendly and helpful. We liked them all so much. that each trip we hoped for the driver we had on the previous trip, until we met the next driver, and hoped we had him for our next trip. They are all great.

Back to the Grand Oasis review. The resort is nearly back to the way it was before the hurricane, with a few notable improvements. The beach front spa is nearly fully functional, and massages can be booked now at that spa location, or you can still use the indoor spa in the pyramid. The fitness center on the beach is nearly ready for use. The beach had some rocks the first few days, like I said, but, that seems to be when the surf is kicking up from stormy weather. As soon as the tropical storm effects left the area, the surf calmed and the beach returned to cover nearly all the rocks. So, by the time we were back at the Cancun Oasis, the beach was thoroughly enjoyable and we spent plenty of time in the beautiful blue water.

I really do wish Oasis resorts would double or even triple the number of palapas they have on the beach, and double the number of pool lounge chairs, and add some shade here and there around the pool. It gets pretty hot, and uncomfortable if you don't have a chair conveniently located under a palm tree. I also wish they would have some dance music playing outside somewhere, latin dance music, perhaps over by Cocoa, up on the pool walkway area. It's certainly large enough to accomodate dancing, and would add something to do in the evening outside with the gorgeous ocean as a backdrop. They do have music by the pool down by phase3, so that's nice, but, really want to see that in the evening.

During the morning and early afternoon, they have a couple of guys going around the pool with a monkey or parrots, and even an iguana, to have your picture taken with. It costs $12 USD if you want one, but, we thought it was well worth it, they were really good quality. I will add a few of them when I get a chance so you can see them. They don't charge you up front, and take several poses. You just go over to phase 2 by the elevator and look them over to see if you want one. They don't take credit cards, so bring your cash.

The restaurants were really good, especially on the last couple of days when they had a whole convention of executive chefs from resorts all over the world staying at the Grand. It was great. The Grand Oasis chefs were going overboard trying to impress these other chefs, and they did a fantastic spread in the buffets. It is always really good, but, they just added that little something extra for good measure.

The peacock population at the resort has really expanded. We counted over a dozen of the males, and a bunch more females with babies.

One thing I did notice was the absence of the guy with the tractor who used to groom the beach a couple of times a week. Never showed up that I ever saw, and the beach could really use it.
The phase 4 and 5 end of the pool is always cluttered at the end of the day with plastic cups, cigarrette butts, garbage, and sometimes vomit. They leave garbage all over that end of the beach, too. It just bothers me to see this beautiful place treated this way, and I hate to see these hard working staff having to clean up night after night after night with no end in sight. Maybe it's the under 21's, not sure, but, I do know they are the guests that stay in those buildings. I haven't seen that happen anywhere else on the resort. Just don't get that.

Anyway, the Grand Oasis is a truly great place to vacation. Beautiful. The staff are always quick to smile and say Hola, but, usually wait for you to initiate, probably just trying to not intrude on your vacation if you just want to be left alone.

The cleaning staff usually works through the rooms in a predictable pattern, and take care of the rooms who have their "clean this room" tags hanging on the doorknob first, and then go back through those without a "do not disturb sign" second. If you want your room clean early, put your tag out, and try to notice where they start and what the pattern is so you know what to expect. They also are busy getting rooms ready by 3pm check in, so, if you don't put your tag out, your room may not get cleaned in the morning.

The mini bar is stocked by servi bar, and to get it stocked or restocked, you need to contact that desk at the number in your hotel directory. Also, if you have any problems, you will get quicker responses by going to the concierge that is assigned to your building. In phase 3, she would come in at about 9am, and sit at the table on the second floor. Trying to get things done through the front desk is just not going to be easy, as they are so busy, and often get swamped with people either checking in and out, or people needing safe locks, money exchange, room changes, whatever. The building concierge has just one function, to take care of the guests in that building.

Also, if you leave a buck or two on the bed with a little note saying Gracias, for the maid, you will be surprised at how much quicker your room gets cleaned in the mornings, and how well stocked you will be with towels every day.

We joined the Oasis Loves You, frequent guest program, and will be interested to see if our experience is any more pleasant than it already has been during the three visits we have spent there. This last time, we actually were given vip check in complete with chilled glasses of juice, and expedited check in. It was great.

Any questions I haven't covered, ask away.

[Michael F.]

I suppose that the beer featured at the Grand Oasis is the same as for the other Oasis resorts, but could you tell us what was stocked in the mini bar and fridge (if there was one)? thanks for the TR

[TeriA]

The minibar is stocked with bottles of water, pepsi and pepsi light, orange soda, and beer, dont recall what brand but it was a name brand like Miller. You can have the fridge stocked with a whole list of items that you can order from servibar. Anything from snack foods, to candy, to cigars and cigarettes.

[Kaluta]

Is the Grand Oasis THAT much quieter than the other Oasis hotels? Probably gonna choose the Grand, simply because its situated beside the biggest party in Cancun.

[Kaluta]

By the way, is the booze in the minibar free, or is that one of the things the hotels catch you on (meaing all-inclusive at the hotel bars but NOT in room)?

[PaulAndDarcy]

Is the foam party at Up and Down a tickets event or 1st come first serve? We're going to be staying at another resort in October (Oasis Cancun) but we want to check out the party. Any information on getting advance tickets or advice on how/when to show up to make sure we get in?

[leonardito]

any changes at Oasis from April 2007
as shown on :
http://leonardito.com/oasccunn/oasccun.htm
thanks

[Tacoma101]

When I was there a few years back, the beer in the fridge was included with your stay. No charge. Be sure to take care of the worker who comes around and fills up your fridge. You can usually flag them down, tip them, and get a fridge full of beer.

The foam party is no charge for those staying at the Grand Oasis. I believe it was maybe $20 for everyone else. I think. We never went as it was a total sausagefest waiting in line.

And if you stay at the Grand, you have to stay in the pyramid overlooking the ocean. Its the BEST

[Canoergal]

Can anyone tell me what teh FOAM PARTY is at the Grand Oasis? We are going there and that was one of the things it mentioned. Thanks!

[Tacoma101]

They have a club attached to the hotel called the Up and Down club. On Thursday night (I think) they put on a foam party. The dance floor gets pumped full of soap suds/foam and people go crazy dancing and partying in it.

Just be careful cause that stuff can mess up your clothes and you are truly scewed if it gets in your eyes. Salty veterans know to wear low ball caps.

Hope this helps and welcome to the forums

[PARTYCOUPLE]

Anyone going to the Grand Oasis or the Oasis these days. 2 Wisconsin girls going to party for 5 days whooo hooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EngineerGuy]

Originally Posted by PARTYCOUPLE

Anyone going to the Grand Oasis or the Oasis these days. 2 Wisconsin girls going to party for 5 days whooo hooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

whats days??

[DConCT]

Originally Posted by CollegeGuY

whats days??

down, boy...

Jan 5th thru the 10th.

:lol:

[EngineerGuy]

lol was just trying to help them out, didnt see any dates..............I wont be there but I am sure there will be peeps there!

[Tacoma101]

He smelled fresh meat, ya cant blame him.

[DConCT]

Originally Posted by Tacoma101

He smelled fresh meat, ya cant blame him.

lol... oh I know.

[EngineerGuy]

Originally Posted by Tacoma101

He smelled fresh meat, ya cant blame him.