We have stayed here 3-4 times per year each year since 2002 and we come here for the incredible service, with many of the same employees still here from our first visit. They’ve watched our kids grow up. Such a special place!
I stayed at this property in the year 2000 when it was a Ritz Carlton and it was at the time the best luxury in the Cancun hotel zone. Now it looks sad and tired for the price. I had considered returning to this hotel later this year. After your helpful video, I will choose somewhere else. Thanks for the review.
Thanks Kevin. Always great vids. The COLLAPSED daybed is nuts. That's not a five star resort. That's a wishfull thinking 2 star hotel. Keep 'em coming we love all of your work.
I stay here often. Sadly they lost the Ritz/ Marriott Brand and converted over to Kempenski. They have spend a lot of money over the past few years doing renovations. I have been told they will be doing a remodel outside for the pool etc later this year. The best thing about this hotel is the service and the food. I have stayed at many hotels in cancun and this one is always top notch for food and service. The owner is old and has left his daughter in charge to run things. I would not be surprised to see this hotel be sold off in the near future.
Thank you so much for this video. There are a couple of short questions, I would appreciate it if you would answer them. 1) What exactly is included in their all-inclusive system? 2) which restaurants are included in the ala-card system (i.e. for which you do not have to pay extra)? 3) I'm afraid to even ask how much does a regular beach lounger with an umbrella cost?
I do love Isla Mujeres, used to do day trips up there every year. Wasn't sure of the demand (on RU-vid) for resorts up there, so didn't do any yet- but surely in the future.
Looking at the lobby, I would not be surprised to find a huge CRT TV in the room with a keyboard for "internet" and a LAN cable at the desk... I continue watching later.
Hey Flip Flop, I am big fan of your work. if you ever decide to visit in Sri Lanka I highly recommend a hotel called "Ahu Bay". its a Ceylon Tea family owned hotel, they only run 2 or 3 hotels total. I don't get anything from recommending this, I am like you I just love to travel and share great experiences!
Glad Kevin you are back and that your hotels review are back. Not having visited Cancun before, I have to say that your series left me with no desire to do so. Compared to Asia and Dubai, none of the hotels were impressive. Also, it is too American - resort fees, big all you can eats or extortionate prices for a la carte and paying for sundbeds, no thank you
Thanks so much for this review..it keeps coming up on my IG and FB feeds although I’d never heard of this brand before…resort and cabana fees?…Nah, I’ll stick to the Hyatt Inclusive brands…😊
Got a great rate for a junior suite here a few years ago when it was the Ritz. Food was MEH I got food poisoning & the executive chef himself came to my suite to apologize. Room was huge with wrap around balcony. Dated but enjoyed the stay.
Everything has the correct price- surely this one is no different and I'd be happy to return for the prices they should be charging. Thanks for watching 🩴
You were too hard on this hotel. It is indeed an older properly but that is apart of its charm. Breakfast buffet is AMAZING and honestly one of my favorite parts. I’ve been to the Kempinski Cancun three times and at 31, I’m sure I’m on the younger side of their clientele. On my most recent trip, I thought about trying the Waldorf Astoria but was put off by its modern design and sterile decor/aesthetic. I’m sure that will be the popular choice for the influencer/ social media crowd and I intentionally wanted to avoid that. Kempinski 4.5/5 stars.
There are bright spots at the Kempinski but I wholeheartedly disagree with the breakfast buffet. It was a pathetic offering for $50++ at a Kempinski. Other Kempinskis on my channel have buffets that would make this one cry lol.
@@tfft Maybe that is slightly overpriced but isn’t that to be expected buying food at ANY hotel? You should also highlight the buffet is complimentary for 2 guests when you book the hotel through AMEX FHR.
My understanding: It is MX federal law that menu prices reflect IVA included. I had a similar instance at an upscale taco restaurant in Campeche. I brought it to the attention of the wait staff. The IVA was removed from my check.
@@tfft Yes. It can be confusing. Sometimes, especially super markets, the final receipt reflects the shelf price of items, but the IVA is broken out as a non charged item.
Perhaps I’m just used to spending most of my beach resort holidays in South East Asia, but these Cancun hotels just seem like an overpriced version with lesser quality food. Appreciate your Cancun videos convincing me to stick to what I know and love though!
I do think there’s a difference though and a place for both kinds of resorts/destinations. Cancun is 1-5 hours away from all of the population centers in North America. Part of what you’re paying for is that proximity. Same how I don’t think Ibiza and the Canaries are the best resorts on earth, but again, they’re a quick one and done flight for all of Western Europe. Even Hawaii is the same. Hawaii is more beautiful for sure, but their insane prices are simply bc they’re a narrow body flight away from the west coast.
i see the soap in bathroom had their sticker on it........or....did they place the sticker over the former hotel logo.....😄😁....great job....and review......safe travels
Will you review the Etihad residence? I watched the review on Etihad’s first class apartment and thought you should review the residence, especially when Etihad has its a380 operating from Abu Dhabi to JFK, just a suggestion.
No plans on it, not much more I can add about it now that it's simply a 'bigger' First Class seat as opposed to the full original Residence white glove experience.
bummer, why u didnt stay in JW or Marriott in this series? There are more bonvoy members than any hotel loyalty program, so these 2 properties are highly searched and researched... :(
Highly searched, researched and highly reviewed lol. The Marriott was closed for reno while I was there and the JW's prices were sky high due to the vacuum of not having the Marriot (and the RC, perhaps). The new AI Marriott, I'd visit.
Resort fees? 😢 Cripes - you Americans have a lot to answer for! What makes for a good beach in places like this? I like a lot of palm tree/jungle-edge action and a smattering of decent beach-bars to break up the monotony of one hotel after another - like the one at the top end of Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. Cancun kinda failed that test for me. Good review, with great choices of music, neat sound-editing and nicely-shot moody skies.
In my mind, they are two different things. For some trips, I like the action of a place like Cancun (and therefore my "beautiful beach' criteria is all about the water and sand...)... for other types of trips, yes I agree with you.
Well 😮 I so badly wanted to go there. Taught it was the best in Cancún. Thanks Kevin. I will save myself a LOT of money and go somehwere else I guess . AND i might have a better ‘vaicai’ !
I have stayed at this hotel 2-3 times a year for 10 plus years now. It is a great place to stay. I enjoy it because it is not all inclusive and the staff treat me great. I usually have my breakfast included. It is in a great location as well. The beach and service is some of the best around IMO.
OK, I finished watching your trip back in time, thanks for making me feel 20 years younger. The property seems a rip off, nothing new when it comes to old hotels trying to keep up with their old grandeur. I am not surprised about the service, most likely staff there since 20+ years with their minds on retirement, knowing what to do and doing it well to repeater guests, but uninterested to majority of the others. As for what Kempinski has done here and their properties in Asia, let's not forget they are a management company, depending on owners. The owner of Apurva Kempinski spent a lot of money, same as the Sindhorn Kempinski in Bangkok, to note two of the new ones. Or the doubtful (by many people as I heard) origin of the money spent in Siam Kempinski. I do agree they could have selected better as access to the market, however I also believe the one in Havana is the true showcase for them for America.
@@tfft Perhaps they are not so interested in the US market in America. In any case, let's not forget plenty of their properties in China are also old and not in a pristine condition. The one in South Spain, same story. Perhaps you, like me, have been spoilt by being introduced to the brand at their top properties, in my case Siam and Apurva.
This seems to be a problem at many locations throughout the world. With travel demand sky rocketing, so has the greed. To do any type of decent traveling anymore really takes a total financial investment and a huge budget.
Ah, I took "in" as "to"... you cannot get an Uber from the airport, you can only get one to the airport. Maybe you can walk a long distance to get one, but considering the tension between taxis and ubers in Mexico, this would not be advisable.
The building and the beach are very nice. Breakfast is lame but if it were free, that could be looked over, and if the dinner prices were lower and if the broke ass loungers were free...surely they don't charge for the broken ones do they?!
A very bog standard U.S. room style set up, functional and uninspiring. This overpriced Hotel looks dull in places, lacking atmosphere. I certainly wouldn't choose to stay at this property. The sad Breakfast Buffet offering didn't match the Mexican Sunrise especially after seeing what the Al Bustan Palace served up in Oman. Surprisingly; very disappointing, not what I would expect from Kempinski Brand. There are surely solid 4****, perhaps even 3, that I would enjoy a better holiday stay.
Without consistency, a luxury brand is sure to be thought less of. I know I think a lot less of Kempinsky now. The sheer nerve of setting out a kline like that...
What a dud…lacking any character and so uninspiring! A real shame knowing how capable they are of pulling off a showstopper infused with local influence. Hope you feel better soon and thank you for the review 🙏🏼
Yupp, been a long time since I've seen such an imbalance of a deal. Almost makes me think something was used against Kempinski to accept the deal lol. The local owner got away with a coup!
To each their own. I know plenty of people with the same opinion and I understand it... but at the same time there are like 500 flights landing per day... so yeah, everyone's idea of paradise is a bit different.
