|
Users viewing this topic: none
|
|
Login  | |
|
Nov 20-27 at Grand Sirenis - some pics now!! - 1/7/2013 6:01:54 PM
|
|
|
MissingMexico
Posts: 137
Joined: 8/28/2005
From: Winnterpeg, Manisnowba, Canada
Status: offline
|
Not sure if I've ever written a trip report before (way too lazy to look right now  ) but have been meaning to ever since we got back from our trip this time.
Arrived at Grand Sirenis at night and really missed all the sights along the highway that I usually see during the day. The staff at reception were wonderful and made every effort to accommodate requests. We were initially given a room on the 3rd floor in the 6th building (Jabon) but asked to be closer to the beach and they found us a room in the first building (Naab) 2nd floor. 2 queens instead of a king but that didn't really matter to us and the room was very spacious.
By the end of the first day we knew that this was a much bigger place than we would have picked but everyone seemed very friendly so it was okay. The beach beds by the pool drew us away from the beach for the first day as they were so comfy and so darn close to the bar... 
Wednesday morning I went to our concierge to reserve our restaurants and all the ones that others said were a "must" were full until Sunday... come back Friday to book. In each building there are two "concierge" - one that books restaurants and answers questions and one that tries to entice you into a "tour" of the VIP part of Grand Sirenis - I think it is very unfortunate that they are both in the same space as the second concierge started talking to me about my "free" couples massage (timeshare tour) and I honestly felt my chances of getting into the good restaurants was jeopardized if I didn't take the tour....
So, thinking "Hey, what's two hours that includes breakfast but will get us free massages and a dinner at the Japanese restaurant...???" and accepted. ERROR! Three and a half hours later on the sunniest day of the trip I was fuming mad and just wanting out of that room.
Anyway... now that that is out of my system, the food was great, tried the Mediterranean, Cajun, Steak House and Japanese restaurants and liked the Mediterranean the best (personal opinion only). Hubby is allergic to nuts so we had a laminated card with Spanish description of his allergies and a picture of the nuts and EVERYONE in the restaurants took it very seriously! Staff took the card to the chefs and came out and told us what he could and couldn't eat, even pointing out items in the buffet that weren't okay. Made eating out a breeze!!
Jose at the wet bar "Xaac" is the most awesome bartender I've ever had the pleasure of talking to! Ordered a round of tequila shots for 6 and he served them to me in stacked plastic glasses with the limes riming the top glass just like a palm tree (will attach pictures as soon as I have them) it was such a small thing but so cute! Anyone going there please tell him the Orrendian palm tree lady says he's FANTASTICO!
The tacos at the beach bar are a MUST! So is the Barbecue there at lunch, can't believe that for me the two best food areas were side by side each day at the beach... How convenient!!
Now for one last rant... The resort either has no idea what they have for an underwater showcase or they don't care. We were there for a week and I cannot tell you how many times I was fuming as travelers STOOD on the coral to adjust their masks, etc. and the life guards said NOTHING. Arggghhh! ****ed off more than our share of people when any of our group was in the water as we were NOT shy in telling people to get off the coral. They have no signage to make people aware that they are killing the sea life when they do that and there really is some wonderful coral and fish there. Also they have turtles in the bay feeding and travelers coming up and touching them, again because there's nothing telling them they can't or shouldn't. Wrote to the resort home office, will see what they say. Truly sad in my opinion.
Overall it was a nice enough place just not my preference. Enjoyed the sun, sand, turtles and food, relaxed for a week, laughed lots with friends old and new, but will be looking for something smaller next trip. Spoiled by ABR I guess .
Which reminds me, got to Akumal two days and on the second stopped to have what now turns out to be our LAST bucket of beer from the Moonrise bar (moment of silence...) but glad I can say I have that.
Adios for now!
< Message edited by MissingMexico -- 1/13/2013 10:43:52 AM >
_____________________________
ABR 1/05, 1/07, 1/09, 2/11
Antigua 2/10, Grand Sirenis 11/12, Turks&Caicos 2/13
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Nov 20-27 at Grand Sirenis - 1/8/2013 7:38:09 AM
|
|
|
uphillklimber
Posts: 5533
Joined: 2/17/2005
From: Bryant Pond, Maine
Status: offline
|
You just gotta like what the chef did for you folks in regards to the allergies. Top notch!
They never learn, the timeshare BS is a real downer to folks.....
_____________________________
Lovin life,
Bob
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Nov 20-27 at Grand Sirenis - 1/8/2013 8:50:39 AM
|
|
|
Jamie
Posts: 2551
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Southern California
Status: offline
|
Nice report and good for you for telling the folks not to stand on the coral or touch the turtles. Another turnoff for me is folks who insist in feeding the fish, some of them are becoming a bit aggressive and biting people.
Glad you had a good time despite the problems.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Nov 20-27 at Grand Sirenis - 1/8/2013 4:59:24 PM
|
|
|
MissingMexico
Posts: 137
Joined: 8/28/2005
From: Winnterpeg, Manisnowba, Canada
Status: offline
|
The most unfortunate part about the timeshare spiel is they insist that they are not selling timeshares as those are bad, what they are selling is a vacation club... Small differences but in my mind same thing.
And Jamie, yes they do feed the fish and I ended up with a little red circle fish bite on my knee, nothing serious - kinda cute for about 5 min, but getting into the water every other time after that I rushed past the feeding fish to get out a bit deeper. It was funny too because our group didn't believe me until I showed them the bite (thought my squeak from the water was cause it was cold..) but then they went in later and it happened to one of them too! 
_____________________________
ABR 1/05, 1/07, 1/09, 2/11
Antigua 2/10, Grand Sirenis 11/12, Turks&Caicos 2/13
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Nov 20-27 at Grand Sirenis - 1/9/2013 7:41:35 AM
|
|
|
Jamie
Posts: 2551
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Southern California
Status: offline
|
Gosh, sorry to hear that, never stayed at this place (too modern looking for me, just personal taste) but I agree they should put up signs. Of course they have them all over the place at some resorts telling people not to feed the fish (or the coatis) but people just ignore them. So sad.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Nov 20-27 at Grand Sirenis - 1/11/2013 10:48:42 PM
|
|
|
riggsie
Posts: 21
Joined: 3/18/2005
Status: offline
|
Going to GS last week of February. Could you tell me more about the timeshare presentation so we know what to expectd during the 120 mins. did you try and leave...why were you there for three hours. Did they treat you any different after you refused. Thank you for you time and any advice or hints for the GS.
_____________________________
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Nov 20-27 at Grand Sirenis - 1/13/2013 1:38:53 PM
|
|
|
MissingMexico
Posts: 137
Joined: 8/28/2005
From: Winnterpeg, Manisnowba, Canada
Status: offline
|
There were actually a few chips hiding under the pico de gallo but I did end up eating it all as it was fantastic.
We had booked an Air Transat "Le Mirage" package with oceanview room so I guess we had paid a bit more for the view. I don't know that there would be bad views on the Mayan Beach side as they did work really hard to preserve the jungle on the garden view sides. Don't know about the Riviera Maya side though...
I feel like I really must take a moment and say that it seems as if I'm being quite negative sometimes but I think people need to hear the bad as well as the good. I hope it wasn't too much.
Having said that, we did have a great vacation there, a different type of resort than we were used to but having the beautiful paths through the jungle areas, the lazy river, the excellent snorkeling, the super staff, and the mexico sun... It was all good!
I truly believe that your vacation is what you make it. I was not knee deep in -30 snow, I did not have to cook or clean, I could have whatever I felt like to drink or eat whenever I wanted, swim, snorkel, sun, sand, etc. It would take something really horrific to make all that seem like "The worst vacation ever".
Enjoy! Cheers!
P.S. Thanks Crunch for helping me get the pics in here!!!! Muchas Gracias!!
< Message edited by MissingMexico -- 1/13/2013 1:48:11 PM >
_____________________________
ABR 1/05, 1/07, 1/09, 2/11
Antigua 2/10, Grand Sirenis 11/12, Turks&Caicos 2/13
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Nov 20-27 at Grand Sirenis - 1/18/2013 10:08:11 AM
|
|
|
MissingMexico
Posts: 137
Joined: 8/28/2005
From: Winnterpeg, Manisnowba, Canada
Status: offline
|
So I did receive a response from Grand Sirenis yesterday. Here's a piece of the letter...
"To make reference to your letter, we would like to mention that Sirenis Hotels and Resort it is eco friendly and is one of the reasons why we are working hand to hand with Marti (The MesoAmerican reef tourism initiative) and GPPA (Management consultants, politics and environmental planning).
It is very sad to hear that guest do not care of the environment while they are enjoying the snorkel, it is true that at this moment we do not have any signal advertising about the importance to not touch the coral. Even so we are working on all this matters and very soon we will put all the signal information around the resort to raise awareness about coral care and lots of more initiatives regarding the environment. "
I guess I'm happy to hear that they will eventually have signage up...
_____________________________
ABR 1/05, 1/07, 1/09, 2/11
Antigua 2/10, Grand Sirenis 11/12, Turks&Caicos 2/13
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Nov 20-27 at Grand Sirenis - 2/9/2013 4:21:07 PM
|
|
|
sugarplum14
Posts: 5
Joined: 2/9/2013
Status: offline
|
Any tips and tricks for a first timer? Traveling with our daughter (almost 5) and my Mother-In-Law. Anything you didn't pack, but with you had while you were there.. or anything you packed and wish you hadn't (I am a classic over-packer).
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts
|
|
|
Printable Version
and although there is no "beach" attraction along there (rocky and waves) I love walking the shore line to see what treasures I can find. 
