They just opened their new Royal Bandstand, which offers different types of music and competition prizes depending on the day of week, as well as dinner cuisines. The resort offers two fine restaurants, which are dress down casual or formal depending on evening events.

Royal Resorts is II affiliated, not RCI. It's too bad for RCI, this resort is rated as #1 in accomodations, satisfaction and service for 3 yrs. straight. Overall, it's what you'd expect from a five-star resort. . .and then some!

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

My wife's favorite is lobster tail with jumbo shrimp. They offer different cooking preparations for your lobster, either steamed or grilled. The jumbo shrimps makes our jumbo shrimps look like baby shrimps. Think I'm kidding? Try two to three inches in length!!! HUGE!

But just the way they prepare the food is amazing, with just the right flavor and condiments!

If you're in the mood for cold soup, try the avocado soup--you'd wish the plate was bigger!

If I continue about this place, I'm going to run out of space. La Habichuela is a keeper. It will have you coming back!

The welcoming is pleasant and enjoyable. It's by the lake and if you're lucky, you can meet the restaurant's long time friend Mr. Alligator, who seems to enjoy leftovers from guests. He has yet to complain about the food and service there. Don't worry, the restaurant is elevated and Mr. Alligator is a harmless friend, so they say.

This place never disappoints me. My wife and I have been going there for three years and nothing's changed. . .except for the better! They are located across the street from the Royal Mayan and Royal Caribbean in the Hotel Zone.

Of course I had to have my lobster with shrimp and my wife had a variety of cooked shrimp dish. If you like the chocolate banana taste, you have to try their Monkey Banana drink--awesome! My wife had a mango drink which was very refreshing.

What's even more refreshing is the discount we always get because of our membership with Royal Resorts!

Friendly and pleasant environment, and if you go just before sunset, well, I don't hold myself responsible for what could happen that night.

Only one thing this year. It seemed like we had to wait awhile for our check. Maybe it was because we were tired and needed to get ready for our flight the next day. But you go to Cancun to relax, I guess we just didn't want to leave.

The settings were welcoming as was the environment. Yes, there is romance here and yes, we were greeted gracefully. So what's the problem you ask? The service wasn't great at all. After placing our order, we waited for what seemed like an eternity for the food, starting with the appetizer. The intro, or pre-appetizer, which usually consists of breads and/or crackers, were dry and seemed to be from that morning. The salad didn't seem to be fresh but maybe was sitting outside of the fridge, and the main course wasn't something to brag about being bland and unimpressive in taste! I, as usual, had my seafood and my wife did as well. In addition, we waited over 30 minutes for our check.

I really wish I could brag about this place, but I can't and it would definitely be misleading to you if I did! Maybe at one time, when customers mattered, they were phenomenal. But not this time. I had some bad news to tell my friends when I got back home. There seems to be alot of competition growing between restaurants and Bogart's is falling through the cracks.

Maybe what once was isn't any longer.

I told him, "We'd like to go somewhere to eat where it's cheap, but the food good." I didn't think a place like this would exist, but I took my chances and went to La Malquerida. Here you will find ONLY local dishes like tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more -- just your typical Mexican food. BUT (I have to stick it in here) . . . the amount of food is NOT typical. First, we tried their tomato soup; you then add your avocado, noodles, cheese, and some other goodies. With just the soup alone, I was halfway full. When it was time for our meal, I barely finished it. I don't remember the exact name of what I ate but it consisted of chicken, pork, bacon bits (not the ones we see in the US), cheese, guacamole, and avocado on a bed of "masa de maiz". My wife had 'rolled tacos' stuffed with chicken and pork with, of course, the mentioned goodies above. They had a very good selection of preparations for whatever you were in the mood for: tacos, burritos, etc.

The service was excellent and very down to earth. So if you're looking for something out of the ordinary without putting a dent in your wallet, this is your place. Honestly, we've never eaten traditional Mexican food so we were coming here a little skeptical, but we trusted my friend's word. Needless to say, we were very happy and delighted to go. No regrets!

Only one thing, they don't speak/understand English well, so you'd have to be very patient in trying to communicate. Their menus are not really translated correctly in English, but if you're looking for the 'down to earth', without a care in the world atmosphere, then this is the place. FYI: there's no A/C and it's an open area with ceiling fans. If you go at night, make sure you don't give the mosquitoes a reason to celebrate.

This is another place where you can enjoy fine food. Seating area is a deck over the water and the sunset makes the mood just right; you're on your own with what happens after that! The restaurant's food is very good, from simple juicy steaks to fine seafood! My wife and I have no mercy... we get the seafood. :-)

You're greeted with excellence and service doesn't wait for your food to arrive to serve you. They'll even show you around and let you get to know the chef. We were so amazed, we forgot to take pics of the food. Anyway, this place is surrounded by other restaurants, but don't be fooled. You'll regret it if you don't go. Don't say I never told you!!!

First, I'll admit, I don't swim in open waters as I've already lost two relatives that way, but when I saw a 5-year-old boy jump in the water like it was his bathtub, I said, I'm not going to let this kid punk me! So, with my life vest and my wife we snorkeled/swam for a good distance (about maybe two miles?), through the caves and into the woods (kidding on the 'woods' part). But I had an awesome time. My wife doesn't know how to swim and she was taken away (no pun intended). Amazing to see the fishes just pass below you and brush side you (the daring fishes :-) ) There's so much to write but I don't want to give everything away, so I'll let you be surprised. There's sea turtles the size of coffee tables (not where you snorkel but somewhere else to see). Many other amazing animals there. The restaurants there are a bit pricey but their service was very good. Oh, before you leave, you better buy a souvenir; so at least you have something to throw in your friend's face when you get back home.

Overall, it was a great time. Very tiring, but awesome. Be prepared to spend the whole day there. We went in our rental, but they have tours that take you there... if you're not into driving after a long day, take the tour. Either way, you still won't be disappointed!!!