I had a room on the second floor with a view of the ocean that was wonderful. When you walk into the room, there is a nice bathroom with a tub and jets. There was a blow dryer, coffee maker as well. Just past the bathroom was a nice wet bar, with a mini refrigerator. Then, there was a nice couch with a coffee table. Finally, there was a step down and two queen beds. They were pretty comfortable, had nice linens, and were in good condition. There was also a TV with many channels in both English and Spanish. There was also a balcony with two chairs that overlooked the ocean. How beautiful!! We could see the beach, the pools, the gathering places. It was perfect!

Each day when we came back to our room, there was a new animal made from our towels. The employees would find something of mine to pattern their towel creations from. We loved to return to a new animal each day! I would highly recommend this resort, especially to anyone with a family.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

BP offers included round-trip airport transportation. Upon arrival, you're seated in the lobby and immediately handed a drink as you are greeted by a front desk clerk who takes care of the check-in process while you languish on the sofas with the drink and floral necklace.

However, upon arrival in our large studio suite, the honeymoon was clearly over. URINE on the toilet and toilet paper inside was a shocking discovery for a Gold Crown resort. And the bed sheets were stained. We pointed out the oversight to the front desk. To our disappointment, they didn't offer us another room. So we requested another room. They offered us a comparable room. Granted, the room was large and had a balcony. These are the largest studio rooms I'd ever seen; it had a double bed with a bar area for eating (no bar/alcohol/refrigerator), a large Jacuzzi (older model) in a small bathroom, and limestone floors. Although our new room had no balcony, it was nicer with a king bed. Naturally we checked the toilet (and routinely left toilet paper to make sure that the maid cleaned it -- at least we know she flushed it). I noticed strands of hair on the shower wall that wasn’t mine. I left a note requesting that the shower be cleaned; the hair was still there on days four, five, and days.

Aside from poor housekeeping, the service is superior. There was never any reluctance to get anything that we requested. The quality of the food was good. We had the option of paying the least expensive AI rate and have access to all the Palace Resorts. The food at all the PR was comparable with the food at BP. So we didn't pay more for the same quality food (of course, maybe we wouldn't have had PEE on our toilets at the other PR).

The pool, daily and nightly activities, and beach services were good. The pool was the perfect level at 3’7” for my five-year-old to swim without me. You could get drinks and food at the pool bar -- usually hamburgers, salmon, nachos, or pizza. The grilled food was the best. Desserts were average -- they have an affinity for coconuts, which is easy to develop with coconuts growing overhead. I viewed a Mayan ceremonial dance at dinner by the poolside; another night they had karaoke; I missed the other entertainment. During the day by the pool/beach, they had volleyball; the staff was entertaining and they played a wide variety of music, suitable for all ages. They played music from Frank Sinatra to Shaggy to Hillary Duff (Lizzie McGuire). It was great!

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

ALL INCLUSIVE IS THE WAY TO GO in Cancun. It seemed expensive before I learned that Cancun prices are spendier than in the States. $9.90 for a (not McDonald's) hamburger, $9 for a bagel w/cream cheese and lox, $15 for Chinese lunch for 2 IN A MEXICAN NEIGHBORHOOD. I don't know how the locals, who earn so little, do it! All-inclusive becomes an even greater bargain when you can eat and drink at any of the 7 newer, more luxurious, Palace hotels at no additional cost.

Rooms: Try to get a remodeled oceanside room on one of the top two floors. There's a night and day contrast between the newer rooms and those found on the bottom 6 floors of the hotel. I would have forgone the balcony for the ambiance, and still enjoyed a stellar ocean view.

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent