Great video. My family and I were there Feb 2024 during school holiday, place was packed but service still outstanding. Very accurate review, but a few comments: We did NOT have a club room, but finding chairs on beach was never a problem. Finding chairs around pool after 8 am was a problem. Also, best to book all dining as soon as you check in. Breakfast buffet was superb. Small complaint is that noise in halls (chatter, screaming kids, maids) is very audible in rooms. A underrated feature is that a large grocery, bars and restaurants are right across street, good way to save on sunblock, hats, etc. My kids and picky wife were all very pleased. Room service (including drinks) also included; mini-bar included and restocked daily. Love your reviews and so happy to see first-hand how spot-on you are!

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Great to know. Thanks for that!

Your travel content is always so well put together.!

Lovely review to end the series. What good management, professionalism and competency can mean and do for a hotel like this! Thank you and great to see your growth in subscribers accelerate after reaching the 100.000 mark, have you received your silver award yet? 🎉

@tfft

Ай бұрын

It is in the US waiting for me haha. Was surprised how quick they were with it. I originally thought it would be one of those ‘12-16 weeks for delivery’ deals 😂

Thank you Kevin! I really enjoyed this video. What a gorgeous resort - I think I would love it. It's got that charm and warm atmosphere, great food, and as you mentioned it's well looked after. I hope they keep that charm once they renovate and if I ever found myself in Cancun, this hotel would be at the top of my list.

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching 🩴

The old school decor and interiors of this place reminded me of the Shangri La KL where I stayed recently. Perfect service, old-school grandeur, spotless, and extremely well-maintained for its age. What I think really helps some of these older resorts is that they used a lot of really durable and "solid" materials in its construction. Some of the shots that you showed had solid looking granite/marble sinks and tabletops which even after a decade later will still look quite nice and not worn out. Same thing I noticed at the Shangri La KL, despite its age, the initial investment and non-cost cutting materials really held up the test of time.

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Yeah, the only difference being that this hotel is still middle of the pack when it comes to decor in the Hotel Zone, where as the SL in KL will soon be falling behind rapidly with many new property due to open. Thanks for sharing ✈️

@mikas2934

Ай бұрын

​@@tfft Shangri La KL is cheap though 🙃

oh man, really glad I discovered this channel....just straight-forward discussion without jazzy graphics, excessive chatter, or video of the narrator him'herself speaking!!.....the other popular travel channels are also good in many ways, but this one is just so easy to watch......watching the evolution and tweaks from video #1 to today is fun, too!!....thanks, Kevin!

@tfft

Ай бұрын

I would like to think that my graphics are at least 12% Jazzy... but ok 😂 Thanks for the other kind words haha.

@HotelSnob

Ай бұрын

The graphics are super jazzy!! Sheesh 🙄 and refined 👏🏽

Welcome to new subscribers this is a fantastic channel,,,,cheers as always Kevin, ,peace and happiness on your travels 😊😊😊😊

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

been to this hotel last July 2023. was never disappointed and made my level of expectation so high for an all inclusive hotel coz of GFACB. it was our first time coming there and was amazing all throughout. i will share ur video to the fb group of GFACB if u dont mind.

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Sure, go right ahead. Thanks for watching 🩴

Rincon de Guayabitos to me has been the best beach city experience in Mexico. I have been to 4 other areas that are very popular tourist destinations.

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing ✈️

highlight of my week, so honest and comprehensive unlike some others who announce their arrivals to airlines and hotels then complain about the state of vegan food on KLM😉.. Keep it up

@tfft

Ай бұрын

I laughed hard enough to wake up both of my dogs 😂

Pretty sure you’d like the Conrad Tulum (not actually in Tulum and either airport will do flying in bc the cab ride will be either 1 hour or 1 hour 20. Food is great, beach is on a bay, rooms have plunge pools on the balconies and ocean views from the shower. It’s a perfect place for adults and couples. Pools are almost empty! Lots of secret paths leading to restaurants, or hidden pop-up bars in the jungle. Very cool vibe. Perfect 3 day place ❤

@tfft

Ай бұрын

After Waldorf Cancun prices, I'm not sure I could afford to think about the Conrad, let alone eat there lol

@HotelSnob

Ай бұрын

@@tfft it wasn’t expensive….continental included for diamond. Food quality was impressive. Service too. And the picturesque beach puts that green Puerto morales to shame

My wife and I were there in May of 2022. We're definitely going back to this resort. We booked through Costco Travel and had an amazing experience and the service was great! Well be back in September of 2024. Short walking distance to the night life that was a plus.

@tfft

18 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching 🩴

In relation to the comparison with Asia or Dubai and distance to big cities, I did not think that the places were overpriced, on the contrary. Have you seen the prices in Bali or Phuket lately for good resorts and that is always B&B basis. However, I think that the whole Cancun combo is non hugely appealing to non-Americans. Crowded, AYCE which is quantity vs quality like in cruises, resort fees or pay for a beach chair, constant pressure to tip, lack of reasonably priced transport and loud guests. That shouts of a place catered to Americans in my book. Yes costal Places in Europe in summer can be expensive but it is a relatively short season so everybody is trying to milk it. Great content as always and really appreciate the series to get to know the options in Cancun. Now back to Asia hehehe

@tfft

Ай бұрын

If you are comparing apples to apples Cancun to Bali (for example) the prices aren't even in the same realm. Are there super expensive properties in Bali? Sure, but what you're getting for that money literally cannot be found in Cancun and it's surrounds. A nice 4 star hotel in Cancun for $450 would likely be 5-stars and under $150 in Bali. Thanks for watching 🩴

Stayed there in 1998, doesn't seem to have changed a lot, swim up bar looks the same and the mexican restaurant is fab. Great vid.

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

GFACB is the jewel of Cancun! Great review!

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

Nice property, looks like great value for the money especially for the food options. Drag about the Club section of the beach. The prices on the menus, are they for non guests? Great video as always 🎉😊

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Ah yes, they were for non-guests only. Thanks for watching 🩴

“Brushing your teeth, or having a cerveza 🍺?” 🤣🤣🤣🤣

@tfft

Ай бұрын

😉

Have always wondered about this one! Thanks for the review 🎉 Please go to Hawaii and skewer the Grand Wailea. It’s time! ❤🤞🏽🌈

@tfft

Ай бұрын

I never enter with a skewer in hand lol

@HotelSnob

Ай бұрын

@@tfft mmmm, you do channel a little Tom Wolfe, and we love you for it 🙌🏽

Hey @tfft when are going to drop a 'how I make my videos' video? Your editing is on point and your camera work is some of the best on YT.

@tfft

Ай бұрын

In the Summer of 2068 😂 Appreciate the kind words but no one wants to watch someone stare at a computer for 13 hours a day...

Would love to see you review TRS Coral and the Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Next time perhaps!

Great review, thank you! My family and I our headed here in July. My question is, How was the seaweed? We like to spend time in the ocean but not with a ton of seaweed. Thank you.

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Not bad at all. You can see a bit in the video, but nothing taking over.

Looking at the room, it could also be a Hilton in Phuket, a Westin in Bali, or a Marriott in Bangkok, all from the same era.

@tfft

Ай бұрын

For the most part, yah.

Thank You ✈️

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Thanks for watching 🩴

Great vid Kevin :)

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

Se necesita reservar para comer en los restaurantes? Cual es el horario del desayuno? Es facil conseguir albercas afuera?. Tienen bebidas premium incluidas?. Gracias

@tfft

18 күн бұрын

All drinks are included- besides premium wines- and yes reservations are necessary. The other two questions depend on the time of year.

are the lunch and dinner buffets also good ? big selection at all buffets ?

@tfft

27 күн бұрын

All food I’d seen at the resort had been at least, above average. Thanks for watching 🩴

Do they have nightly entertainment/ shows? Also what activities do they have for kids around 6 and 8 yr old?

@tfft

18 күн бұрын

As I mentioned in the video, this is not the typical American resort experience. Activities and the like are much more low key here.

Sushi 🍣 in Mexico can be shockingly delish

@tfft

Ай бұрын

In a very California way, perhaps lol

they don't have a lunch or dinner buffet except on the weekends ???

@tfft

18 күн бұрын

Likely depends on the time of year- I was there during shoulder season.

Interesting... I never thought...😂

@tfft

Ай бұрын

All it takes is great food, beautiful water and a bit of charm lol

@nunoalmeidacosta2417

Ай бұрын

​@@tfftyeah but sometimes an old vibe photo just doesn't make it appealing... by the way I would really love to see your "eye" in the newer top luxury resorts South of Cancun at Kanai and the newer ones emerging at Isla Mujeres... Nowadays I get the feeling that they can be over the top amazing but also a huge fail... as you keep teaching us 😂

@_I_am_Gkaro

Ай бұрын

​@@tfft when are you going to show us how your videos are made?

Me preocupa el sargazo. Hace dos semanaw vi esa playa cubierta de sargazo :/

@tfft

18 күн бұрын

Thanks for sharing ✈️

I like your Mexico video's to support your channel. I'm never going back to 🇲🇽.

@tfft

Ай бұрын

Appreciate that!

There are a couple of things I'd like to mention. The first one is that there are some resorts that have taken the All Inclusive concept to a whole new level, take for instance the Secrets Akumal or Secrets Maroma Beach, both 5 AAA Diamond which is a testament to the quality of their operation which is fully supported by what surely is an investment of a few hundred million dollars (they've got a new sister property in Costa Mujeres worth checking out). Secondly, I think Mexico in general offers unmatched value to its visitors to the point I honestly think it's a steal. Resorts should seriously consider increasing rates by a solid 50 per cent. One only needs to make a side by side comparison vs other destinations and cruises and the outcome will shock more than a few (I've done it and my comment is based on this and firsthand experience).

@dennisrettke

Ай бұрын

Why, as a customer, would you advocate for a steep increase in rates? And I honestly don't think you have been outside North America based on the fact you think this is a "steal". Are you a hotel owner in Mexico or something?

@justahomosapiens1861

Ай бұрын

@@dennisrettke For a very simple reason. I'd like Mexico to continue being on the top of my list when it comes to short haul travel. The only way to do this is for hotels to make enough money to continuously invest in capex and improve their service offerings. Note this video was referring to a high quality resort, forget about 2 or 3 star hotels, they may be your thing, most certainly not mine. Try and do the side by side comparison exercise when it comes to what you get with the hotel rate and for pricing use Expedia as Kevin did to book this resort. We can then continue this conversation.

@tfft

Ай бұрын

You lost me at the raising rates by 50% part. Pricing this resort starting at $600 or a Hyatt Ziva starting at $750 would be ludacris for this market. This is Mexico, not Monaco... that in and of itself should represnt value in and of itself.

@tfft

Ай бұрын

I'd also add that my comments are always relative to the market I'm talking about. Within the realm of Cancun hotel zone resorts, I love this one. But if you pick this resort up and put it in Phuket or Bali or Samui, it would fail miserably there for not being nearly competitive. My guess is you are looking at the state of hotels in Cancun and presuming they haven't been renovated and invested in more becuase they're not charging enough. I'd suggest exactly the opposite. ALL Hotel Zone resort owners know one thing very well, the hotel zone cannot be expanded, they have an absolute lock on the market. They will milk those dated interiors until there's not an ounce of life left in them simply becuase they already are making a fortune and cannot justify closing down completly and losing that much revenue when it's streaming in as it is.

@justahomosapiens1861

Ай бұрын

@@tfft Herein what I think is a flaw in the logic. Location does not equal quality level hence retail price. Focus on the experience (hardware and software) and simply compare it vs a similar one in other leisure destinations. Conclusion's obvious: Mexico is underpriced, big time and there's clear room for hefty rate increases.