Paradise Here on Earth

Cancun is just a piece of heaven here on earth, with its white beaches, its wonderful climate, and its great location, ideal for all types of water sports. The best of the water sports you can do in Cancun is scuba diving and snorkeling. Its turquoise-colored calm waters and multicolored fish will blow you away. It's basically a must-have experience. Nightlife in Cancun is also amazing. It is extremely varied, from mariachi music to the latest tunes. You can find some of the largest discothèques in the world here.

What about the food you ask? Well, I can only sum it up by saying that you can find some of the finest restaurants here with some of the world's most-famous chefs.

Need any more reasons to go? Well, I can't leave out the fabulous Mayan ruins that will take your breath away, such as Tulum and El Rey, the last one close to the Melia resort. You can also go visit the two wonderful ecological parks called Xel-Ha and Xcaret, which are great for day tours.

If you are a shopper like me, you won't be able to get enough at all the malls and plazas you'll find in the hotel zone, where you can get everything from handicrafts to top-of-the-line designer clothing. Most of major airlines fly into Cancun International Airport, and although fares can get a little pricy, it is very worth it.

Quick Tips:

If you're looking to go to Cancun to do more than relax, you can actually get a tour every single day to sightsee and do activities. One on your to-do list should be swimming with the dolphins!!!!

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way to get around if you are in the hotel zone is on the buses that run up and down Kukulkan Boulevard (that's the main street in Cancun). Of course, if you want enjoy other wonders of the state of Quintana Roo, rent a car, because there's a lot to see out of Cancun, too, like Playa del Carmen, the eco parks, the Riviera Maya, etc.

Best Things Nearby:
EVERYTHING! Beach Palace is located right in the heart of the hotel zone, near all of Cancun's main shopping and entertainment area. Many clubs and restaurants are just across the street from the resort. The airport is only 30 minutes away and only 15 minutes from downtown Cancun. The lagoon is also right next door.

Best Things About the Resort:
Definitely the location is its best feature, as it is right on the beach, and as I wrote above, close to EVERYTHING! The mandatory all-inclusive is really good here too.

Resort Experience:
The Beach Palace is a family-oriented, all-suite resort that has a kids' club. All rooms have either a lagoon or an ocean view, so you will be delighted. The rooms are comfortable, although they are not the greatest. This was the first of all the Palace resorts I stayed at, so I was actually expecting the rooms to be a little bit better. Everything was clean, but the furniture could use a little updating, and the facilities themselves could use some work. We stayed in a studio unit for four people with two double beds with an ocean view. Because we went on an exchange through RCI, upon arrival, we requested to have an ocean view, and they gave it to us because it was available. Our unit also had an ironing board, coffee maker, hair dryer, safe, TV, and telephone. The resort has all necessary services, such as concierge, beauty salon, a mini spa, dry cleaning and laundry service, golf packages, Internet, and other basics.

Something I thought was great is that they provide cribs and rollaway beds if you need them. The resort has two interconnected outdoor pools with a swim-up bar, although they are not very large. Because it is a family-oriented resort, it also has a kiddies' pool, which is great so the adults can have their own fun. There's also a gym, billards, ping-pong, table games, dive tank, and a whole bunch of activities all day long, such as beach and water volleyball and supervised activities at the kids' club. In the evening, you can enjoy theme parties or shows at the resort. There are three restaurants on-site, and all are part of the all-inclusive you pay, so you can eat at all of them. What I really enjoyed about the all-inclusive is that it is not your typical all-inclusive, where all you get are buffets. There is actual a la carte dining at the restaurants, and the food was great. Service is okay; you get what you need, but it's not like they really go out of their way for you. The all-inclusive also includes all taxes and gratuities, meals, snacks, domestic and imported drinks, nightly entertainment, and two tours--several to choose from go to Tulum, Chichen-itza, Isla Mujeres, Cobá, and others.

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Fair
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Good

The Floresta restaurant is located inside the Beach Palace resort and is part of the all-inclusive there. It is right on the ocean, and they serve breakfast and a lunch buffet. This is one of three restaurants at the Beach Palace and the only one that has buffet, as the others are á la carte. The food is good, and it is international cuisine, so you can pretty much find anything to your liking. Because of the all-inclusive, it is all you can eat and drink, so TAKE ADVANTAGE!!!!!!