BookIt.com Verified Traveler Dawn Lawera from Romeo, Michigan Usa

"We arrived and found our first experience to only be one of many disasters to come. I read many reviews prior thought I did my due diligence-do not make the same mistake we did..........not sure how they got any favorable reviews. I spoke to others when I was there and they also had the same issues and said they would not return- the elderly found it too difficult to get around.
The only way you enjoyed this food is if you are from a third world country and do not know any different.
At the buffet by the pool the food was minimum as far as what was left and all looked like leftovers. The hamburgers and hotdogs were cold and dried out the fries were cold and the rest of the selections looked like they had not been refreshed since put out. I feel that you should have a selection whether the first or last to eat at the buffet. We also visited the main buffet- worse-the cheese was warm, and not because that is how it suppose to be served. The selection was garbage!!! Cattle call filler..Most you could not figure out what is was they were serving it either had no flavor, swimming in grease, or you simply could not identify. Let me also say I realize the food is not like home I have been to Mexico many times I am not a food snob but I do expect edible. There were four of us it was across the board on how bad the food was. Toast machine does not work for breakfast, the hash browns were fried in the same oil everything else was-tasted like dirty oil. I saw one girl that was preparing sandwiches for the buffet putting can ned vienna spread that you buy at the dollar store on roll maybe a half of teaspoon then putting a tomato and lettuce and setting this selection out on trays. The milk I think is powdered- when they let it go warm it doesnt spoil(I think) my son tried to at least have cereal and said this is not milk and could not eat it. They had bowls of eggs next to a hot grill-cannot imagine the bacteria. At lunch they had trays of raw hamburger next to the hot grill leaning up against it the meat had that grey tint to it. Things many times were not filled and some stuff I never saw anyone eat. You would think they would have less selection and more quality choices. I would rather see half of the selections and have quality edible choices of food. I took photos of rotten fruit and a tray of food that was left from the day previous that they were going to reheat and use. Amazing due to the fact when I spoke to customer service they said food has to be discarded every four hours. This was not the case I inquired at the buffet in the morning and they said that they were going to reheat it for the afternoon. This was not prepped that morning this was left from the previous day it was not a full tray of one thing it was several different meats, burger, dogs and something else in a tray together and looked like leftovers.
Within an hour of our arriving I called the front desk/reservation and cried-I have not been on a vacation with my children in over ten years. I am a single parent and have busted my tail to save, It took me five years to save for this trip. The gentleman I spoke with said that he would have someone call me and take care of it.I waited no one called. I called back and he said that he could not get ahold of the general manager(how about a call back) and that someone would call me the next day. My son pulled his covers back and the bedding was all stained!! The rooms smelled like mold!! The bedding and furniture looked very worn not like the advertising photos. I called the manager of housekeeping and he arrived, they brought four sets of linens and the forth one was the original first stained one. My son and girlfriend ended up staying in our room.
I waited again for someone to call me from the hotel, and finally I phoned again, the guy who answered acted like he was the same person I spoke to previous day. He got a manager on the phone I explained the situation with how disgusting the food was and the room issue this was not going to work for us. He said there were no other rooms to move us to the food selection was different every day. I said so I am suppose to wait until my trip is over to see if the food gets better??It was not a matter of selection it was quality. He had a bad attitude and it was very apparent that he could care less, He said that I needed to get approval from the company that booked me to be moved and I would have to call the U.S. WHAT A NIGHTMARE.I had a friend of mine call the company however the girl who promised to phone me never did. So I was stuck, hungry and miserable for the next eight days. I had to eat off site picking up the tab for the rest of my party, And understand it was not just food you had a mile walk to the front of the hotel to get to the road to get(pay)for transportation and it was a twenty five minute ride to play del carman. OMG. I did not expect to have to eat peanut butter and jelly for eight days on an all inclusive. The alcohol was almost non existent if you gave a tip you got some well liquor but if you didnt tip you got maybe a splash of alcohol. Another expense I felt like I was nickel and dimed to death, It was like buying my drinks! I asked for bottled water in my room since housekeeping did not replenish the mini fridge unless......you got it you tipped. When I call the desk asking for bottled water they wanted to charge me!!!!!! I told them to forget it. One day I ran out of toilet paper-no surprise there, I used enough of it. Had to call and ask for more. It was a disaster from the word go. If I am the exception then I got every possible thing go bad. But I do not think so, we went to the specialty ala carte meals and first of all I tried to book before I even went to the room-only times you could get in was late some eight or nine. The food there was terrible, the steak was like shoe leather oh and make sure to wear pants to dinner guys to enjoy this awful food. My son had dress short and polo and he had to change. Although immediately after a family came in and the boys in the party had shorts and crocs on???go figure. The japanese was okay the best thing was the pineapple mojitos. A man sitting across from us about half way through put his arm in the air and said 'enough' no more food this is terrible. He wasnt even with us. The brazil one was the best out of all the ones I tried but the sides were cold and the potatoes were hard. We were offered an additional choice of the italian on our last night. The lasagna was not lasagna that is all I am going to say, my daughter got chicken with a lemon sauce and when she cut into it the chicken was RAW not pink RAW. I got up and left. So if you want to lose weight and do not want to eat any food this is your place. Be prepared to tip heavily and walk your butt off. Elderly beware-even though they have shuttle service you are waiting looooooong times to get one and the marble everywhere has to make it tough slippery to those with walkers and canes. I feel like I walked to Mexico and back everything is so far apart. I asked to be taken to the front of the hotel to catch a bus and they don't even do that. They should have a gulf cart that could do that it is a mile to the front of the hotel!!!!!! The grounds are pretty the staff is friendly and outside kept very clean. The beach sand is rough snorkeling is okay not what I read in other reviews. I went to akumal to eat and snorkel with turtles. All I can say is you have been warned..........the price is not worth any savings once you tip and go off site to eat pay for transportation etc. Good luck. I would not recommend this place to anyone. If nothing is resolved I am going to try to contact local tv network to possibly investigate, this was not a matter of taste the bacteria has got to be dangerous. In these tough times people work too hard for there money to be taken with no regard.
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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Tom from Erie, Pa

"This was our third visit to the Grand Sirenis, and it is not the hotel it once was. Although the grounds and pools are spectacular, the rooms are run down and the musty smell is very strong, lingering at home weeks later. It seems their attention has shifted to their condos and time shares. Also, a new towel policy at the pools lets visitors take as many towels as they want so they can save as many lounge chairs as they want. Although it seems like a small matter, I don't want to have to get up at dawn to get in a race to claim a lounge chair, which is what is required if you want a shaded chair at the pool or beach. Not a relaxing way to start a vacation day. Also, as returning guests and members of the Grand Sirenis Club, we thought we might get some token of appreciation, but at check-in, knowing we were returning guests, we were offered nothing and told it would be $300 for an ocean view room. We have stayed at other resorts in the Riviera Maya, which we will consider in the future.
An option for whether you would return or recommend this hotel should include 'Uncertain' or 'Unlikely.'"

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BookIt.com Verified Traveler Tom from Eden Prairie, Mn

"Beautiful Property and Beaches. Great snorkeling right off beach in protected bay. Large Rooms, Great Staff and Service. Food just good, not great. Overall a great trip."

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"I just returned from a 4 night trip to the Grand Sirenis and here's a summary:

1. The resort is nice, beautiful water and pools; albeit a bit far from Cancun.

2. The food is bland and mediocre at best. We upgraded to a gold package to eat ala carte every night, but should have stayed at the buffet as the food was a little better there. DO NOT UPGRADE!!

3. The chromotherapy at the spa is a hook to get you in to buy more services. These services were good, and we had a good massage, but it cost us $145

4. The staff are very nice and accomodating.

5. Be prepared to walk a lot.

6. Avoid the salesmen at the shows, you get better souveniers off the resort in town.

7. DO NOT TAKE THE TIME SHARE PITCH (no matter what they thow at you).

8. The ONLY beer they have is Corona...not great.

It was nice, but when I think 'all-inclusive' it has to be of a quality that I'd be into if I was paying, because what's the point of having all the 'mediocre' food and drink you can have?



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