Golden/Great Parnassus is the BEST in Cancun!

[HammieJ]

So we are returning in March 2010.....and I think this is trip #5 or #6. Slightly setback that all thee visits we could have been visiting other places in the world.... but we are wayyyy too in love with cancun and the golden parnassus. the great is awesome too! Can't wait to say hi to our favorite waitress at the buffet at the golden.....Gamaliel <3

I LOVE CANCUN!!!!!

[esteban]

Originally Posted by HammieJ

So we are returning in March 2010.....and I think this is trip #5 or #6. Slightly setback that all thee visits we could have been visiting other places in the world.... but we are wayyyy too in love with cancun and the golden parnassus. the great is awesome too! Can't wait to say hi to our favorite waitress at the buffet at the golden.....Gamaliel <3

I LOVE CANCUN!!!!!

What is your take on Golden Parnassus versus the Great? Stayed at the Great before, checking out the Golden this year...

[HammieJ]

Originally Posted by esteban

What is your take on Golden Parnassus versus the Great? Stayed at the Great before, checking out the Golden this year...

well we stayed at the Golden 4 or 5 times and the Great last year(only because they offered to move us since something was happening with their air conditioner in the room they had for us..... and since they through in 12th floor oceanview including VIP wristband..... and our very own breakfast restaurant, lol we gladly accepted). I would say the great has a better variety of restaurants. But I just truly love the Golden. I love the hot tub and tequila volleyball... i love my waiters at the buffet. I tried the barn, buffet, and the seafood restaurant. The barn is pretty good, buffet is amazing but people complain because it usually similar things daily.... but i could never tire of their delicious food. I definitely recommend their morning omelets(spell check isn't correcting that but it looks terribly wrong, lol)

The seafood place does give you small portions.... but since food is included you can definitely order more. I still have yet to eat at sumo or the other restaurant on the side.

I definitely recommend a massage at their spa. They ARE def pricey... but worth it. I did an hour long massage, seaweed wrap, and even a foot massage..... and they are allll amazing. It doesn't matter who you get, everyone is GREAT! lol. I think if I remember correctly the one hour massage was like 110 or 120 USD.

The entertainment is fun.... even if you don't want to participate. They have trivia questions(name that tune), dance contests, tequila volleyball(my personal favorite.... but beware of KFC if you lose! lol), morning yoga poolside, water aerobics. I love their entertainment staff. Always cracking some sort of joke.

The tiki bar is a hot spot after 9pm-2am or whenever the crowd dies down. Some amazing and crazy memories can be made there and sometimes leads to steamy events in the jacuzzi.

Everyone complains about the jacuzzi being too cold.... but honestly... i found it perfect for me. I don't like my bath water scolding hot.... just nice and comfy... and the jacuzzi is not that far off..... even though it claims to be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Don't go expecting to see everyone topless. When I went, I was the ONLY one last year. Maybe I just caught it on bad days because all the other years more chicks did it. It's kinda like.... once one chick does it.... some follow along.

the Golden is a short walk to the bus stop.... but nothing to strenuous... just a minute or two. At the bottom of the driveway you can go to the left or to the right. There is one both ways once you meet the main roadway.

Dont think that just because you are staying at the Golden you can't go to the Great. There is a free shuttle that takes you back and forth. So if you need a change in restaurants, no problem. Just tell the front desk and they will reserve a seat for you. I believe it goes every hour or so.

hmmm what else? oh! Girls ARE aloud into the mens locker room..... but men are NOT aloud into the girls locker room.

and if you bring back a chick it's usually 120 per night(an expensive bang if you ask me) lol..... and sometimes you can bribe them but its not likely. If you meet a chick and the golden or the great.... it's quite fun and risque to bang on the balcony. It's also fun to just lay butt ass naked(or walk out butt naked) and just look out into the ocean(or lagoon) on the balcony. Don't be alarmed of the gardeners in the morning though. They crawl up and down and over the balconies to water the plants. This just means that you shouldn't sleep butt naked with the blinds open.... unless you dont mind the chance of the gardeners accidentally catching a glimpse! lol. Sometimes in the morning i purposely walk out naked, and yell out to the gardeners, and jump up and down waving to them! lol it's hilarious to watch their reactions....

Beware of ants sometimes on the balcony at the Golden.... a problem i didn't notice at the Great.... but still no biggy. I may bring some ant spray lol. The golden is definitely more dated, but still beautiful. The beach is definitely better at the golden.... BUT you will want to wake up at the ass crack of dawn to put a towel or something out at the pool or you will NOT get a lounger. lol. Just a forewarning.

okay i think i wrote wayyyyyyyy more than asked.... but i truly hope i helped! I have more if you need it!

[esteban]

Originally Posted by HammieJ

well we stayed at the Golden 4 or 5 times and the Great last year(only because they offered to move us since something was happening with their air conditioner in the room they had for us..... and since they through in 12th floor oceanview including VIP wristband..... and our very own breakfast restaurant, lol we gladly accepted). I would say the great has a better variety of restaurants. But I just truly love the Golden. I love the hot tub and tequila volleyball... i love my waiters at the buffet. I tried the barn, buffet, and the seafood restaurant. The barn is pretty good, buffet is amazing but people complain because it usually similar things daily.... but i could never tire of their delicious food. I definitely recommend their morning omelets(spell check isn't correcting that but it looks terribly wrong, lol)

The seafood place does give you small portions.... but since food is included you can definitely order more. I still have yet to eat at sumo or the other restaurant on the side.

I definitely recommend a massage at their spa. They ARE def pricey... but worth it. I did an hour long massage, seaweed wrap, and even a foot massage..... and they are allll amazing. It doesn't matter who you get, everyone is GREAT! lol. I think if I remember correctly the one hour massage was like 110 or 120 USD.

The entertainment is fun.... even if you don't want to participate. They have trivia questions(name that tune), dance contests, tequila volleyball(my personal favorite.... but beware of KFC if you lose! lol), morning yoga poolside, water aerobics. I love their entertainment staff. Always cracking some sort of joke.

The tiki bar is a hot spot after 9pm-2am or whenever the crowd dies down. Some amazing and crazy memories can be made there and sometimes leads to steamy events in the jacuzzi.

Everyone complains about the jacuzzi being too cold.... but honestly... i found it perfect for me. I don't like my bath water scolding hot.... just nice and comfy... and the jacuzzi is not that far off..... even though it claims to be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Don't go expecting to see everyone topless. When I went, I was the ONLY one last year. Maybe I just caught it on bad days because all the other years more chicks did it. It's kinda like.... once one chick does it.... some follow along.

the Golden is a short walk to the bus stop.... but nothing to strenuous... just a minute or two. At the bottom of the driveway you can go to the left or to the right. There is one both ways once you meet the main roadway.

Dont think that just because you are staying at the Golden you can't go to the Great. There is a free shuttle that takes you back and forth. So if you need a change in restaurants, no problem. Just tell the front desk and they will reserve a seat for you. I believe it goes every hour or so.

hmmm what else? oh! Girls ARE aloud into the mens locker room..... but men are NOT aloud into the girls locker room.

and if you bring back a chick it's usually 120 per night(an expensive bang if you ask me) lol..... and sometimes you can bribe them but its not likely. If you meet a chick and the golden or the great.... it's quite fun and risque to bang on the balcony. It's also fun to just lay butt ass naked(or walk out butt naked) and just look out into the ocean(or lagoon) on the balcony. Don't be alarmed of the gardeners in the morning though. They crawl up and down and over the balconies to water the plants. This just means that you shouldn't sleep butt naked with the blinds open.... unless you dont mind the chance of the gardeners accidentally catching a glimpse! lol. Sometimes in the morning i purposely walk out naked, and yell out to the gardeners, and jump up and down waving to them! lol it's hilarious to watch their reactions....

Beware of ants sometimes on the balcony at the Golden.... a problem i didn't notice at the Great.... but still no biggy. I may bring some ant spray lol. The golden is definitely more dated, but still beautiful. The beach is definitely better at the golden.... BUT you will want to wake up at the ass crack of dawn to put a towel or something out at the pool or you will NOT get a lounger. lol. Just a forewarning.

okay i think i wrote wayyyyyyyy more than asked.... but i truly hope i helped! I have more if you need it!

Awesome, awesome info - muchisimas gracias!

[Cape Couple]

Originally Posted by HammieJ

well we stayed at the Golden 4 or 5 times and the Great last year(only because they offered to move us since something was happening with their air conditioner in the room they had for us..... and since they through in 12th floor oceanview including VIP wristband..... and our very own breakfast restaurant, lol we gladly accepted). I would say the great has a better variety of restaurants. But I just truly love the Golden. I love the hot tub and tequila volleyball... i love my waiters at the buffet. I tried the barn, buffet, and the seafood restaurant. The barn is pretty good, buffet is amazing but people complain because it usually similar things daily.... but i could never tire of their delicious food. I definitely recommend their morning omelets(spell check isn't correcting that but it looks terribly wrong, lol)

The seafood place does give you small portions.... but since food is included you can definitely order more. I still have yet to eat at sumo or the other restaurant on the side.

I definitely recommend a massage at their spa. They ARE def pricey... but worth it. I did an hour long massage, seaweed wrap, and even a foot massage..... and they are allll amazing. It doesn't matter who you get, everyone is GREAT! lol. I think if I remember correctly the one hour massage was like 110 or 120 USD.

The entertainment is fun.... even if you don't want to participate. They have trivia questions(name that tune), dance contests, tequila volleyball(my personal favorite.... but beware of KFC if you lose! lol), morning yoga poolside, water aerobics. I love their entertainment staff. Always cracking some sort of joke.

The tiki bar is a hot spot after 9pm-2am or whenever the crowd dies down. Some amazing and crazy memories can be made there and sometimes leads to steamy events in the jacuzzi.

Everyone complains about the jacuzzi being too cold.... but honestly... i found it perfect for me. I don't like my bath water scolding hot.... just nice and comfy... and the jacuzzi is not that far off..... even though it claims to be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Don't go expecting to see everyone topless. When I went, I was the ONLY one last year. Maybe I just caught it on bad days because all the other years more chicks did it. It's kinda like.... once one chick does it.... some follow along.

the Golden is a short walk to the bus stop.... but nothing to strenuous... just a minute or two. At the bottom of the driveway you can go to the left or to the right. There is one both ways once you meet the main roadway.

Dont think that just because you are staying at the Golden you can't go to the Great. There is a free shuttle that takes you back and forth. So if you need a change in restaurants, no problem. Just tell the front desk and they will reserve a seat for you. I believe it goes every hour or so.

hmmm what else? oh! Girls ARE aloud into the mens locker room..... but men are NOT aloud into the girls locker room.

and if you bring back a chick it's usually 120 per night(an expensive bang if you ask me) lol..... and sometimes you can bribe them but its not likely. If you meet a chick and the golden or the great.... it's quite fun and risque to bang on the balcony. It's also fun to just lay butt ass naked(or walk out butt naked) and just look out into the ocean(or lagoon) on the balcony. Don't be alarmed of the gardeners in the morning though. They crawl up and down and over the balconies to water the plants. This just means that you shouldn't sleep butt naked with the blinds open.... unless you dont mind the chance of the gardeners accidentally catching a glimpse! lol. Sometimes in the morning i purposely walk out naked, and yell out to the gardeners, and jump up and down waving to them! lol it's hilarious to watch their reactions....

Beware of ants sometimes on the balcony at the Golden.... a problem i didn't notice at the Great.... but still no biggy. I may bring some ant spray lol. The golden is definitely more dated, but still beautiful. The beach is definitely better at the golden.... BUT you will want to wake up at the ass crack of dawn to put a towel or something out at the pool or you will NOT get a lounger. lol. Just a forewarning.

okay i think i wrote wayyyyyyyy more than asked.... but i truly hope i helped! I have more if you need it!

Wow, Hammie, that's one of the most detailed TRs I've seen about the Golden (and I font think I've ever read a report with info about how much the girls cost and about "banging on the balcony", lol. It's been a couple of years now since we stayed at the Golden, but we really enjoyed it and would like to return sometime. Your report brought back memories! Maybe we'll see ya there!

[HammieJ]

Originally Posted by Cape Couple

Wow, Hammie, that's one of the most detailed TRs I've seen about the Golden (and I font think I've ever read a report with info about how much the girls cost and about "banging on the balcony", lol. It's been a couple of years now since we stayed at the Golden, but we really enjoyed it and would like to return sometime. Your report brought back memories! Maybe we'll see ya there!

haha I was going on and on with it..... on a roll. I had soooooooo much more i wanted to say but i knew i already wrote a novel! lol.

I would love to meet you guys one day too!!! I thought last year was my last visit since i was married and trying to have babies... but since he proved himself to be a complete COCKer spaniel.... I am looking for a replacement! lol apparently it'll be a few more years and few more trips to cancun! The greatest place on Earth!

[HammieJ]

Originally Posted by esteban

Awesome, awesome info - muchisimas gracias!

See previous post

[esteban]

Originally Posted by HammieJ

haha I was going on and on with it..... on a roll. I had soooooooo much more i wanted to say but i knew i already wrote a novel! lol.

I would love to meet you guys one day too!!! I thought last year was my last visit since i was married and trying to have babies... but since he proved himself to be a complete COCKer spaniel.... I am looking for a replacement! lol apparently it'll be a few more years and few more trips to cancun! The greatest place on Earth!

Just have a few drinks and continue the trip review then with your additional thoughts :-) Some of my best college essays were started at 1 or 2am when I returned from the bar. Absent a few typos which were easily corrected sober, the creativity was bar none

[HammieJ]

Originally Posted by esteban

Just have a few drinks and continue the trip review then with your additional thoughts :-) Some of my best college essays were started at 1 or 2am when I returned from the bar. Absent a few typos which were easily corrected sober, the creativity was bar none

haha surprisingly i barely drink. if i had ONE smirnoff ice... i would be either on the floor or sleeping... i am a majorrrrr lightweight! lol

i wouldn't consider it a trip review.... more or less a hotel review with info. It's too many trips consolidated into one! lol.... unless we call it mass 'cun review. lol

[NC Gal]

Going last week in Feb and cannot wait to get there.

[HammieJ]

Originally Posted by NC Gal

Going last week in Feb and cannot wait to get there.

Awesome! are you a regular or first timer!? We will anxiously awaiting your beautiful pictures and awesome trip report!!!

Say Hi to Gamaliel(very tall handsome buffet worker) for us! (theres a pic of him in our gp album)

[AGU]

This thread seems to be active, therefore i'll post here. We are looking to go Mar29-2010.

Hi Everyone,
Can you help the Newbies out?
We haven't travelled for awhile and definitely have not been to a resort since the honeymoon.
We are interested in the Great Parnassus because it is one of the only few resorts that will accommodate three kids with 2 adults in one room. (family room)
My questions, I hope, will be easy to answer.....
Are the kids exhausted after the kids club? lots to do? oldest is 13?
If we stay at the Great can my wife and I head over to the Golden during the day and enjoy some of the features and benefits?
Is there an advantage to book your room directly with the resort and fly down on your own or book through a travel agent and go with a charter company like Sunwing? We are coming from Ontario, Canada.
Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[GCPSgirl]

Many of us here that have been to the Great, do not have kids. We don't, but we have known many on the entertainment staff there. They have quite a bit of things going on for the kids. The teens might not have as much to do, but the little ones have a lot going on.

As far as going over to the Golden. Yes you can. We ran into many parents that went over for a few hours on a daily basis, while their kids where at the Great. The vans go back and forth on the top of every hour....so its easy to get there and get back.

We usually book with a charter company, or book on our own through Applevacations....booking with the resort and then getting your own air may work if you can find air at a decent price. You will then need to book transfers to and from the airport as well.

I have a travel agent in Cancun that does a great job if you wanted to get in touch with him I can leave you his name. Many on this site use him.

[HammieJ]

Yep... We are right along with GP girl.... no kids yet. However the kids water park seems amazing! Kids are always playing there. If you wanted, you could enjoy a meal at the mexican restaurant while watching them through the window.

We also always go back and forth. Some years its cheaper to stay at the great, even though we prefer the golden... but its nice to experience a different room and different dining options.

I've booked with applevacations.com 2 years, Goldenparnassuscancun.com 2 years and this year we used orbitz. the middle one is usually the cheapest. Apple usually always includes airport transfers, but you can get a shared transfer for 9 bucks or less each way. We loveddd orbitz this year, because we booked early they gave up our flight free plus almost 100 off our hotel stay! we are staying for 14 days and got it for barely 1400. Last year for one week it was 1350!

We will be leaving by the 23rd but have a wonderful trip!!!

[stlouiscouple]

Well hello all. After deciding on and rethinking hedo 3, deciding on and then rethinking temptation, we have decided on the Golden Parnassus for our trip in April. Any tips? We are booking airfare and hotel seperately so does anyone know what we should expect to pay for taxi fare? Also Is the GP within walking distance to a shopping center? I get a little stir crazy on the resort and enjoy hitting some shops everyother day. Also how can you beat a trip to the cancun walmart!! Any help would be great!

[Cape Couple]

Originally Posted by stlouiscouple

Well hello all. After deciding on and rethinking hedo 3, deciding on and then rethinking temptation, we have decided on the Golden Parnassus for our trip in April. Any tips? We are booking airfare and hotel seperately so does anyone know what we should expect to pay for taxi fare? Also Is the GP within walking distance to a shopping center? I get a little stir crazy on the resort and enjoy hitting some shops everyother day. Also how can you beat a trip to the cancun walmart!! Any help would be great!

Tip - when going to the party zone (i.e., Coco Bongo, Senor Frogs, The City, etc.), go with the hotel group. You'll get better service and have a more enjoyable time than if you try to go alone or as part of a small group. Enjoy the tequila volleyball and be sure to stop by the Tiki Bar for a nightcap. Many nights it can be THE place to be at the Golden Parnassus...good drinks, good service, good friends, and, every now and then, a little bit (or a lot) crazy! Just don't do like I did and try to drink 5 "slammers" in 5 minutes...my wife says I babbled until 5 in the morning and the next I knew I was on Isla Mujeres!

[HammieJ]

Originally Posted by stlouiscouple

Well hello all. After deciding on and rethinking hedo 3, deciding on and then rethinking temptation, we have decided on the Golden Parnassus for our trip in April. Any tips? We are booking airfare and hotel seperately so does anyone know what we should expect to pay for taxi fare? Also Is the GP within walking distance to a shopping center? I get a little stir crazy on the resort and enjoy hitting some shops everyother day. Also how can you beat a trip to the cancun walmart!! Any help would be great!

Hey!! Congrats on booking!!! I definitely suggest getting an airport transfer through Cancun Airport Transfer | Shared Cancun Transfer Just $9 it is super cheap!!! best rate ive seen so far!

GP is in walking distance to a little store.... but if you hop on the bus which is dirt cheap to take you anywhere(convert about 10-20 bucks to pesos for the bus to avoid being ripped off!) it will take you downtown and to shopping plazas in minutes!

I have actually never been to the walmart! lol.

Good luck though, if you have any questions I'm here!!!

At the golden.... tipping definitely goes a long way. The more you tip, the more you get treated like royalty and the stronger your drinks get.

[AGU]

Thanks GCPSgirl and HammieJ,

Your info was helpful, and i thank you. We decided to book "THE GREAT" from the 19-26 March. It worked better with our schedule.
Now, if everyone doesn't mind, I need some help with few more answers. I have been through most posts on the forum and it has been helpful, however, i'm missing a few more details.
I know we can head over to hte Golden to hang for awhile during the day but does that also include the nighttime/life? we were hoping to head over in the evening/night!
Any idea what time the last shuttle is heading back to the "Great"?
Is there a shuttle to the cancun bars? or is the nightlife at the great or golden enough to keep us busy?
How do the cell phones work down there?
More inquires tocome....I'm off to bed now.

Thanks

G

[HammieJ]

Originally Posted by AGU

Thanks GCPSgirl and HammieJ,

Your info was helpful, and i thank you. We decided to book "THE GREAT" from the 19-26 March. It worked better with our schedule.
Now, if everyone doesn't mind, I need some help with few more answers. I have been through most posts on the forum and it has been helpful, however, i'm missing a few more details.
I know we can head over to hte Golden to hang for awhile during the day but does that also include the nighttime/life? we were hoping to head over in the evening/night!
Any idea what time the last shuttle is heading back to the "Great"?
Is there a shuttle to the cancun bars? or is the nightlife at the great or golden enough to keep us busy?
How do the cell phones work down there?
More inquires tocome....I'm off to bed now.

Thanks

G

Sweet! I'll be at the golden til the 23rd! make sure to say hello! It includes everything at the hotels! now if you are talking about going out to the clubs WITH the people from the golden... they go to different clubs every night and usually have their own section/vip.

I believe the last shuttle goes between 8 and 10pm. however, if you miss it... instead waiting for the next hour... u can just walk to the bus stop and take the bus a few stops for like 7.50 pesos.... which is like 55 cents american or so.(should pay in pesos though or they will rip you off each time for a buck a ride)

The shows are fun at the golden.... and late at night... usually 11-2am the tiki bar poolside is bumpin. fun things can happen from there..... but most people usually go out to the clubs downtown and re-unite at the tiki bar afterwards. The clubs are veryyyy expensive. I recommend just hanging out at slices, terrasta, carlos n charlies or other free/inexpensive fun places. Maybe go to the club once just to experience it.

Cell phones: It all depends on your carrier. Some carriers can only receive calls.... and can't receive texts(i got all mine once my plane landed back in the states)
Last year my friend could send and receive calls. but no texts.
me personally. i downloaded skype (skype.com) and i buy a few hours of internet at the hotel lobby(at the great) which is absolutely beautiful any hour! but i skype with people online to check in..... and i also get in touch with friends that way. It's good to give your room number or talk about meet ups in cancun that way. Very easy and efficient!

I'm here for you and will answer as best as I can!!
Congrats on booking!!
I'm excited for you!!

Only 10 more days for us!

[stlouiscouple]

I have been wondering about cell phone usage also. I am with Sprint and will probably call them to see if it is usable down there. Would be fun to take some pics and send to everyone at home to rub it in so to speak. I can't wait till we get there.

[Funsuncouple]

Sprint works there it is $1.69 per min and text are 20 cents each. Make sure you call and add international calling to your plan before you go. We will be there in 3 days!!

[HammieJ]

how exciting!!! I still have 8 days.... but everyone be safe and have soooo much fun!! <3

[azmodan]

Hi,

I´m planning to go to Cancun for Spring break 2011 flying from London. That would be our first time in Cancun... We might be staying at Golden Parnassus... I´ve read few posts about this hotel and I´m curious what is the average age in there like? 3 of us are 26 y.o and one is 34 y.o
are there any students coming to that hotel or not really? Would you rather go to Great Parnassus?

Thanks for any advice

[GCPSgirl]

Neither is a spring break type resort. Average age is couples in their 40's, but all ages are there at the Golden. It is adults only. The Great is a family place and well down from all the action up by the clubs and stuff. I'd go somewhere else.

[azmodan]

Thank you very much for you answer. We are going there for the first time and we decided to try The Great Parnassus cause the choices from UK are bit limited.. for me this hotel looks fine and I read many positive reviews... we will stay there from 13.3 till 27.3... we all are looking forward

Can someone recommend any good diving school in Cancun?