Steve & Mary - February, 2004

We booked Hidden Beach through FunJet because of a direct connection out of Columbus.  This is a new service and we had a bit of problem with the travel.  The departing flight was delayed almost 11 hours, but we did arrive in Cancun.  The limo we had booked was waiting for us, and we traveled to Hidden Beach (1hour). Unfortunately, there was no one at either Hidden Beach or Eldorado who could assign a room in the middle of the night.  So, they put us back in the limo and shipped us to Eldorado Royale. (1 hour more)  We were four very tired people by the time we were in our rooms (about 4:00 am)
El Dorado Royale is a gorgeous five star, but not where we wanted to be. It is also extrememly large and we needed a golf cart to move our language.  We started calling for a cart at 9:30 and it cam shortly before 11:00.  We ate a little food and arrived at Hidden Beach about 1:00 pm.  One day of vacation gone.

Hidden Beach is lovely.  The staff does a great job.  The GM Reuben was very very apologetic about our travel probelms.  His assistants Judy, John and Mariella did everything we requested to make our stay first rate.  The food and beverage manager and his staff were very attentive and clearly know what their guests want. The grounds are very nice, the beach is fine white coral sand.  The food is incredible, just about anything you would want.  We had lobster three nights in a row.  The rooms are on a par with the Super Club Resorts.  The service is fantastic as well.  The only bummer at the resort is out in the water.  It is all stone and rock, and you have to wade out fifty feet over the stones to find a pool deep enough to swim in.  There is no snorkelling available at the resort.  The water is just too shallow.

The pool and hot tub are very nice as is the swim up bar. The hot tub tended to be on the cool side however. They are in process of adding an additional pool and hot tub which will be in a covered thatched building.  It ought to be really nice.

While there we went to Tulum to the Maya ruins, a trip you ought to do. (about 45 minutes away)  Go early in the day before it gets too hot, and the cruise ship people arrive.

Also we went to XEL-HA, which is a wonderful water park where you can snorkel, swim with the dolphins and river raft.  We went around noon and there were a ton of people.  Once in the water though the snorkelling was excellent, the biggest fish we have ever seen.

We also hired a boat (35 foot trawler) one half day and snorkelled off the south end of Cancun.  Two great forty-five minutes dives, saw a huge queen anglefish, and saw our first shark in the wild.  The sea fans are the best I've ever seen.

As to the guests at the resort, the were friendly and very nice.  Early in the week mostly Americans and Canadians.  Later in the week some Germans and Brits.  All got along fine and seemed to enjoy their holiday and each other.

This is a very laid back resort, perfect if you want to read or just lounge in the sun.  Saw no PDA's of any kind.  The airline did make a cash settlement because of the delay and the resort gave us a free day, so not a big deal.  We recommend this resort. Steve & Mary