We stayed here for 2 weeks in September. First impressions were good... lovely welcome at customer service. We then noticed a sign on the desk stating the margarita restaurant shut down the day before..We went to our room, block 3.. room looked nice enough, until we opened the curtains and doors..right in front of us was a different hotel under renovation, so you can imagine the noise, plus all of our hotel workers back and forth with there large trollies on the path below. Went back to reception where we asked to be moved..he showed us block 5, which looked better, so accepted that, but had to wait 24hours before we could move. The following morning we met our reps, only to find out we should of received an email explaining the refurb going on another of tui's hotels, the palace but wasn't and neither told about the restaurant. We later went to the beach, which was covered in seaweed, and the water looked dirty, no one's fault. But TBF, they worked hard clearing it each day. There's not a lot of shade as the trees are very high, and as it was around 40 degrees, you were chasing the shade. On our second day, Tuesday, we decided to try out the pools..big mistake.. late morning, workmen entered the restaurant and started work.. the drilling, sawing, hammering and other electrical gadgets being used was awful..our reps denied any knowledge of a refurb being started. Then in the afternoon, the boards started going up.. eventually, we left..relaxing it wasn't..the following day was just as bad, only now there were plumes of dust coming over the top of the boards, so you can imagine the pools and sunbeds, that's why it was always empty even though they played the music loud to drown out the building noise. This was from 9 - 5.30 daily except sunday..friday was till 8.. As for the "swim" up bar, nicknamed the "pee" bar, because they stayed in the pool all day and never got out..we spent our time between the quiet pool and beach from there on..at the quiet pool you were lucky to get an umbrella that would open. lots of the tiles on all pools were either cracked, chipped or broken and many people had cut there feet..although the margarita was shut, you still had use of the speciality restaurants, located within the lobby and at the side of main restaurant..during our first week, we tried them all, the mexican was our least favourite so didn't go again .not having to pre book was so much better..the second week the service in the steak restaurant was awful, from our starter to main it took 1 hour 15 minutes, we then left. The main restaurant always had plenty of food to choose from, although very repetitive..food was "ok".. the entertainment wasn't much cop, as for the queen tribute, was 1 bloke and 4 women, not the best ...the cocktails were really good..they will make you any cocktail of your own choice..spirits are branded names, always a plus..at the side of the lobby is a book drop off, but be warned, hardly any english to choose . Pesos and dollars are accepted everywhere..if you fancy a walk to 5th avenue, it takes around 30 minutes, and 12 dollars in a taxi ... You can purchase cigarettes from the small shopping area by Tequila..we paid approx 90pesos for 25's L&M.. capes are easy to buy but probably get a better deal at the beach if you haggle with the lucky lucky People.there are 3 designated smoking points at the hotel. We did smoke on our balcony but if your neighbour complained you'll be asked to stop..our neighbours were smoking weed, awful, yet as cigarette smokers we didn't complain.."The room" very comfortable..large comfy bed, we asked for 2 extra pillows, which were brought straight away..tea coffee facilities..mini bar..optics .iron & board..fridge with water and soft drinks..plenty of wardrobe space and hangers and lots of drawers .. the shower area is not private, you can chuck a towel over the shower door or ask at reception for a shower curtain. Our fridge wasn't filled at all. I repeatedly had to order on the app for soft drinks .the shower was often cold and water in sink taps brown. Maintenance was called a few times with this issue, who told us to run the sink taps for a while for the shower to work..also to leave the tap running until it clears which could take a few minutes..although the room was always clean we felt there was no heart in the hotel, as they're closing for a refurb I felt they couldn't be bothered. The staff in all areas were lovely.. towards the end of our first week it was mainly Mexicans staying ...as it is now, I wouldn't recommend it or rush to go back again. With the restaurant shut down and a refurb already started I can't believe the price of this holiday hasn't dropped in price.
