Just got back from a stay at this hotel with our three boys 4, 3, 1. They all loved it which means we loved it. The reviews were all true to a point but we will definitely be going back. When we arrived my wife said this is not a four star place. We've stayed at a few Ritz Carleton's, Hilton's, and a few four and five star places in Cancun so that is our reference point. By the end of the trip she said the place won her over so if you are willing to accept a few faults and you have kids, go. If you are a couple, I don't recommend it.
Arrival: The lobby area is kind of blah with a newer feel. The reps behind the desk were nice as long as you were. I noticed a couple next to us having difficulty, being Irate and getting attitude back... normally I would expect more patience from the staff. But for me, I asked FOR A ROOM FACING SEA WORLD IN THE TOWER. This is a must. Reading the other reviews it seems like people hated the low rise buildings (Bay I & II). From our Balcony, (room 1603) you could easily see the fireworks at Sea World each night. I got the room and was pleased.
Room was clean and well laid out. We fit two cribs in nicely into the room and never felt squeezed in. The halls were clean, the elevators although a little slow always worked well and we never heard them from our room.
We never had the room cleaned, we were there for three days and just asked for new towels and shampoo which they gladly gave to us.
Parking is a Rip and the spaces in the east lot are tiny. Go to the west lot (other side of the hotel) and the spaces are much larger.
We normally ate at a restaurant on Sports Arena Blvd... There were many there... In & Out; Papa Johns, Chile's, Olive Garden, and all the fast food joints.
On the other side of the bay just across the bridge is a great park with a bay beach. Good sand for sandcastles with minimal waves. If you like the waves, a few hundred feet down the same road (w. mission bay rd) and you hit the Pacific Ocean.
Kids stuff... Our four year old loved all the water slides (you have to be at least 42"). Our three year old loved the kiddie slide and out non walking toddler loved the slanted beach like pool where he could crawl down. For some reason the kiddie slide pool was colder than all the other pools, couldn't figure this one out. Each night you can roast marshmallows and make smores by the fire. They also had movies or other activities for kids through the day. Like I said, very kid friendly.
The Water taxi is awesome. The tickets at the concierge are $3.00 per person but you can go and come back from SeaWorld as often as you like. Next time we go our plan is to go in the morning, come back for lunch and pool time, then go back in the evening for the night shows and fireworks.
The breakfast if you have it included is ok. Definitely not one of those Vegas ones but enough to where you will have a decent breakfast if you can get it included.
All in all, if our kids had a bad time, I would be negative about the amount of money we paid for the hotel but the smiles on their faces makes the money we paid seem less important.
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