Originally Posted by cmjaffe

I'd feel slightly uncomfortable at check in.... esp if you are diamond.
we were considering this location for xmas, but decided to go to either cabo (if initial buz is positive) or Jamaica....
thanks for your helpful report.

Originally Posted by LASUA1K

I just completed a 2 night getaway with my wife. We enjoyed ourselves. I reserved the pick up/drop off from the hotel the night before. I'm happy I did that, as our driver was waiting for us and got us to the hotel in 20 minutes. The Lincoln Navigator was clean, and very cold, which was very welcomed in a hot Cancun.

Check In, this was the one and only downside of the stay. They took me to a room to check in, and the gentleman was not the friendliest. He was borderline rude, and we had an oh oh thought with him. He mentioned 5 times, yes I counted, that we were using points. At one point my wife spoke up and asked what the point was. I saw others with Champagne, we were not offered. I was told since I was using points, I couldn't book 2 of the restaurants and since I was using points, I was given the best room available, again, with points... Room wasn't ready at 145pm, which is not a problem, I was asked to return at 3pm, I decided to come back at 230pm and it was ready.

The room itself, is very comfortable. I would not use the hot tub as it looked a bit too beat up for my taste. Bed was comfortable, shower was nice, with a window where we could see the ocean. It was on the 7th floor, which we were thankful for. The one side was blocked by a wall, but the other side was not, with our neighbors always being on the balcony and always wanting to chit chat. We didn't stay much in the room, so this wasn't an issue.

The beach has been criticized a bit with seaweed, but it really wasn't that bad. On Friday the beach was choppy, with some seaweed. We had a chance to jump in for about an hour, then we got to enjoy the pool. On Saturday, the seaweed had cleared out, and we spent the entire day at the beach. We spent from 730am until 7pm in the Cabana. We had no issue getting a cabana beach front on Friday, Sat or Sunday. People were mostly hanging out by the pool, but when I go to a beach front hotel, I'm going for the beach not the pool. I'm a beach person as is my wife, I can go anywhere for a pool. The water was smooth all day Saturday and Sunday morning.

The pool was also nice and relaxful. The music wasn't loud, they do have a swim up bar, and the water temperature was fantastic. I didn't spend much time in the pool, but a pool person would enjoy it.

Drinks were fantastic, with the Tequila freely flowing. It was fantastic to just order what you wanted as many times as you wanted. No issues getting what I wanted when I wanted.

Food, this is where it is slightly off. The Buffet is good, and Asiana was ok. Pelicans was pretty bad, and Maria's was not very good either. For a 2 day stay, we were fine with the Buffet and Asiana. The lounge had some good wings and good snacks. Note, you can't take the food out of the lounge. We were going to take some chips up to our room, but we were stopped and told to order room service. No problem with that, just wish they had a sign that stated no taking out food. The restaurants are open until 11pm, and the lounge is 24 hours. This is fantastic!

Entertainment, the show was good on Saturday. They do a show in the center lobby at 8pm until 830pm. At 9pm they start the music at the lobby bar. The Friday entertainer was very good and got people involved. The Saturday music was lacking as they had some issues with the sound system.

At the end of the trip, 25K points per night, was a wonderful value. We wanted to try the Jamaica Zilara, but we couldn't find last minute cheap fares on Southwest, but did find a steal to cancun for 6K points from MDW.

The service was fantastic from everyone. Everyone was very friendly, and it was great to not have prices on menus and just order what you want. This all inclusive is fantastic and I'll be looking at booking Cabo or Jamaica in the next year. I would def stay here again.

FYI, the swim up suites look pretty gross. They are on the ground level, and you have people just drinking in the pool all day, spilling there drinks in the water consistently. I would highly suggest to NOT book those rooms. Those rooms offer 0 privacy and you have to share with loud obnoxious people. Otherwise, I didn't see many people acting routy except for those rooms.

Originally Posted by LASUA1K

Funny you mentioned the tip thing, my wife actually mentioned if they had a recommendation on tips, and he told us no tips expected as it's all "inclusive" BUT, if they go over the top, a tip is appreciated. We still tipped restaurant waiters and bar staff. Some more than others. I felt a bit weird just eating and walking up and leaving, so i did leave some tips. More for people who were genuine with the service.

Again, I had a fantastic stay here, if you are looking for a 2-3 day getaway, this is the place. I never left the resort. If it was a 5 day stay, I think I would be a bit tired of it, but for 2-3 days or long weekends, this is a great use of points. It's like a cruise on land, and I hate cruises, but this place is a great value for points. All rooms face the ocean.

Originally Posted by mastermc54

I had a question regarding the use of Chase Free Nights at Hyatt Zilara Cancun. Would they allow 4 adults on a Chase free night reservation or would they cap it at 2 adults? Or would there be an all inclusive supplement for the 3rd and 4th adult? I checked some dates and verified that the property does allow 4 adults in rooms (hoping to book a room with 2 double beds).

Originally Posted by DIMKA448

Could someone comment on seaweed situation on the beach and in the ocean? Also, I see that a lot of people complain on chairs availability at the pool? But what about the beach? Do the chairs at the beach have umbrellas?

Thank you!
D

Originally Posted by ronbo83

Have not been there in a few months but the seaweed was pretty bad. They were trying to gather and then bury it on some of the mornings to clear the beach. The only issue we had with it was it was pretty scratchy if you were to wade into the ocean and left some scrapes on us, although minor.

The cabanas near the pool were taken each morning by 8 AM so we never had one. They did clear out towards the afternoon. Mostly people just left stuff on them and were not seen for hours which stinks IMO. The beach cabanas were always available and do have shade provided by side and top curtains.

Originally Posted by Sunburn644

I thought they capped it at 2 adults for booking with points.

Originally Posted by DIMKA448

Thanks, we just booked 5 day trip at the end of January. Hopefully by then seaweed would not be such an issue. We are beach people as thats the whole point to go the beach resort in Caribbean/Mexico! To hang out around the pool we could do virtually anywhere else in the world. Good to know that beach cabanas are in not such demand as those around a pool.

Originally Posted by mastermc54

I had a question regarding the use of Chase Free Nights at Hyatt Zilara Cancun. Would they allow 4 adults on a Chase free night reservation or would they cap it at 2 adults? Or would there be an all inclusive supplement for the 3rd and 4th adult? I checked some dates and verified that the property does allow 4 adults in rooms (hoping to book a room with 2 double beds).

Originally Posted by DIMKA448

Could someone comment on seaweed situation on the beach and in the ocean? Also, I see that a lot of people complain on chairs availability at the pool? But what about the beach? Do the chairs at the beach have umbrellas?

Thank you!
D