My husband and I visited the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach with a couple friend from June 13-June 18, 2008. During our stay, we spent the majority of the time at the hotel mixed with a few excursions.

I have read a few mixed reviews about this hotel and wondered whether the Five Diamond rating this hotel receives year after year would live up to my expectations. I will preface that I have stayed at a few nice hotels in my time (the Ritz Carlton Tokyo being tops) and a small number of Caribbean resorts. I will compare this hotel with what I am familiar with.

Recipients of this distinguished award must undergo a rigorous evaluation process focusing on management and staff; housekeeping and maintenance; exterior, grounds and public areas; room décor, ambience and amenities; bathrooms; and guest services. In order for the esteemed Five Diamond rating to be attained, all elements must represent a first-class experience. In my opinion, this hotel lives up to its rating in all of these categories.

Rooms: We booked a Junior Partial Ocean View suite with a non-smoking room and king bed. Upon arrival, we were informed that a king bed was not available and we could either wait about an hour for a room to be ready or take a double bed. The reservation desk, as a consolation, offered us a room on a higher floor that was considered an Ocean View. We gladly took the double bed on a higher floor as we were excited to get our vacation underway. Upon arriving at the room, we were pleased with the accommodations. The rooms were clean with marble floors and bath and a little sitting area that leads out onto a balcony. This hotel was built in the 90s, I think. Although I felt like the rooms were lovely to look at, it is clear that they will need to make a few updates to the rooms to keep up with some of the newer hotels. My only complaint for the room was the shower area, which did have a slightly larger than standard tub, but when the curtain was closed, the area felt unusually dark. Additionally, the lighting fixtures in the shower area and vanity area need some update.

View: Now, I have no complaints about our view because we booked a Partial Ocean View. The view, if standing in the room staring straight out, all you could see was the resort’s coral colored units on the other side of the building. However, if you stepped out onto the balcony, you could see the entire ocean, pool, and beach below. Being a partial ocean view, I was very satisfied with the view. If it was a full ocean view, I might have been disappointed to not be able to view the ocean when standing inside the suite.

Balcony: The balcony was a nice size with little chairs to sit at night.

Beach: Okay, so I’ve read on this site some complaints about the Cancun beaches being washed away and un-swimmable with rocks. If you are looking for a great beach, check out this hotel. The beach was pristine with a large stretch of powdery white sand. Every day we were there, a yellow flag was flying. The waves were calm (as being broken by the reef offshore) and it was easy to swim and float in the water. We even saw some friendly locals swimming at the FAGCB beach which I took as an obvious sign that this is a good place to be. My last visit to Cancun (pre-Wilma), we stayed at the Royal Sands which is on the long stretch of the seven. The one comparison that I can make between the long end of the 7 and the FAGCB that no one has previously mentioned is the fact that not once during our stay did we see anyone ‘peddling’ things on the beach. In my previous visit to Cancun on the long end of the 7, I was constantly bothered by someone trying to sell me something, which after a while, got tiresome.

Pool: My husband and I are beach people. Our couple friends are pool people. Both of us, though, can say that the FAGCB is absolutely splendid. It is actually 4 pools combined into one pool with little waterfalls that separate each. There is one pool with a playground area nearby where most families sat. There is a small pool with a volleyball net over the water for activities. There is the Grand Club Pool, which most of the chairs are reserved for priority guests. And then there was the pool we used. It had a lovely infinity edge that stretched out about 3-4 feet where you could lounge in about 1 inch of water and look out onto the beach. Or, you could stretch your arms over the edge of the infinity pool and look out at the crashing waves. It was so relaxing. The little waterfalls that connect each pool were wonderful as you could climb up on the steps and sit and let the water rush over you – very relaxing. Oh, and the pool bathroom … no one ever mentioned this, but it was clean and as nice as the bathroom in your suite. They even provided hand towels instead of the normal paper product and a little thing of lotion and soap for you to use. Very well thought extra touch.

Food: We ate breakfast one morning and ate at the pool bar twice. Breakfast – one of us got the buffet and 2 of us ordered a la carte. We have no complaints. I think if you are hungry and can enjoy the quantity of food at the buffet, it is worth the $30 price tag. If you are not that hungry, order a la carte and get just what you want. Both are very good. As for the pool bar – this is my ONE complaint of the whole hotel where I believe it does not live up to its status. In my opinion (as well as my traveling companions), the food was TERRIBLE. I know pool food is not usually good, but given how amazing everything else is, it was blatantly obvious how off it was. Do not get the chicken burger. I guess I was expecting a piece of grilled or fried chicken or maybe even something processed like McDonald’s. Well, to compare … I don’t know if it was chicken – it didn’t taste like chicken – and I would rather have eaten at McDonald’s. If you are expecting good pool food and want to eat there every day, you will likely be disappointed.

Service: The service at FAGCB is what puts this hotel above anything I have stayed at before (besides the Tokyo Ritz). The people of Mexico are so helpful and polite. Upon arrival, we received a nice cold towel and a fresh glass of fruit juice. Then, we were greeted by the bellman who took our bags immediately to our room upon checkout, explaining the resort as we went. The maid service was quick and efficient, even taking the time to stack my husband’s golf tees that he had left out on the dresser. They have a nightly turndown service. The maid service always happened to stop by our room for turn down when we were in the room cleaning up from the pool and getting ready to head out for dinner. After a few nights of noting that we were in our room, they made a special effort to time the turn down on our last night at a time they knew we would be out. Soft lights, a chocolate candy, etc. it was a wonderful touch, and expected for a 5 diamond hotel. Another nice touch were the many bellmen waiting at the front door of the hotel to sweep open the door for anyone arriving or departing. I got so spoiled with not having to open a door when we exited, I kept wondering if one of the bellmen has every forgotten to open a door and witnessed a guest smack right into the glass!

Taxi’s! Here is a really great service that the hotel offers. When we arranged a cab to take us downtown for dinner at La Parilla (yummy!), our cab driver arrived with a brand new taxi cab. One of my traveling companions began to ask him about his car and he explained his cab by pointing at the five diamonds in the side window of the car. He further explained that only a select number of cabs are able to pick up any guests at the FAGCB and the taxi cab and driver must meet very high standard qualifications to obtain the 5 diamond. Without that sticker, they are not permitted to transmit guests of the hotel. When we asked our driver to come pick us up after dinner, he was very happy to oblige and was waiting for us at the designated time and location we requested him to pick us up about 2 hours later. It is the little things that make the amenities at this hotel top notch.

Concierge: We made dinner reservations off site for all of our evenings. The concierge booked all of our reservations with no difficulties prior to our arrival via email, providing us with an itinerary with confirmation number and various pertinent information. We experienced no problems with this service.

For anyone who would like to complain about any of the people who provide service to travelers in Cancun, please make a trip down to Tulum before you consider saying anything. My eyes were opened as we took a private tour from the hotel zone to Tulum, driving down the main highway and seeing the poverty that exists for the people of Mexico. They are very dependent upon tourism for their livelihood. It opened my eyes to see that what a few dollars to us might mean a huge difference to them. So, before you buy that souvenir or spend a little extra on one more drink, please make sure that everyone that serves you is properly tipped and taken care of. They really do deserve it!

We truly enjoyed our stay. Many people complained about the cost of items at the hotel. Well, I don’t think the cost was any different than if you ate or did anything at any other hotel. Hotel food and water is expensive at any hotel you visit. Period. If you want water or food, walk out the hotel door to a liquor store right across the street that also has water for about $1.5 for a 2L bottle.

We truly enjoyed our visit to Cancun and loved this hotel! We would stay here again, no question.

My husband and I had not been to Cancun since the hurricane, but have been there over a dozen times prior. I had been yearning for the turquoise water and wanted a nice beachfront hotel. The grounds were very well cared for. The location of the FAGCB is on the calm side of the island, and we were able to enjoy the beautiful ocean every day. I know it's minor, but I loved not having any towel cards. I requested 4 towels daily, and just took them back when done- no hassle! Our experience was very positive right from the beginning, when a young man escorted is to the reception desk and provided us with a drink. Our room wasn't ready (it was noon) so we were provided free drink coupons. The room was nothing special, but the view was! Our housekeeper was the best ever- I tipped her daily, so whether or not this was the reason she took such good care of us, I was not willing to find out. She folded all my dirty clothes, arranged my jewelry, arranged all of out toiletries on a towel, arranged my shoes- she was great. The pool area is sprawling with three swim up bars. The Isla Contoy Restaurant was absolutely beautiful in the evening, although pricy. ($145 for two drinks, 2 soups and two fish entreee, including a tip.) I used the concierge daily for all our dinner reservations, and used their recomendations. Our favorite meal was Lorenzillos (why more people don't go to their beautiful bar is beyond me!), but Harry's was also very good (and absolutely beautiful) and la Distereria was good as well. We ate at Thai at La Isla, and it was the most unique restaurant I have experienced! We had a private hut built over the water and the food was good too.(Take your bug spray!) As always, we ventured into town to go to Mercado 28 for lunch at El Cejas and La Parilla for dinner. We joined the locals an the lobby bar in the Parador Hotel downtown and had a blast as we were the only gringos. Cancun seems to be catering more to the well heeled or the partyers- the line for Coco Bongo was 500 people deep one night. I preferred it when the restaurants were more reasonably priced and there was more within walking distance. We enjoyed cocktails each evening in the lobby bar, and the entertainment they had was quite good. No matter what staff member I encountered, whether on the phone or in person, they always said "my pleasure". The prices at the hotel were high ($5 for a cup of coffee, $43 for a drink, a beer and two burgers) but it is a high class place. We will most likely stay here again, but not for a few years.

We have stayed at the Coral Beach for the last 6 visits to Cancun. Our family has been vacationing in Cancun for 20 years. It has been our Spring Break destination but we have also been there at Christmas. We have stayed at six or more different hotels and the Coral Beach is the best for beach, location and view. Many tourists do not know that Cancan is shaped like a 7. The calmer water is at the top of the 7. The Coral Beach is designed so that every room has a view and a balcony. Eating all meals at the hotel can be expensive but there are many wonderful places to eat that are within walking distance. All of the clubs are within walking distance. So are the tourist places such as Carlos & Charlies and Senior Frogs. We have always recieved wonderful service and the rooms have always been great.

At this hotel, the hotel looks like it's photos

My hubby and I stayed at the FAGCB for our 2yr. anniversary. All-in-all this was a great stay. I would definitely rate it a solid 4.5 stars.

1) The decor: Very elegant. The hotel is open, spacious and full of fresh flowers and plants that are inviting and tropical.

2) The rooms: We had a mater suite that was HUGE. It was on the 10th floor and, in my opinion, the greatest view I have ever had from a hotel room. The bed was firm, but not hard. We had a Jacuzzi which was very nice for a romantic evening. The bathroom was nice with his/her sinks and wondering double-head shower. The view, the view, the view.

3) Service: We thought the service was a true 5*. No complaints here.

4) Beach and Pool: The beach was awesome; calm, turquoise and never over crowded. The pools were nice too, but with a beach like that, who needs a pool. Service on the beach was top notch as well.

5) Food: this was where my greatest disappointment lied. The food was overpriced and mediocre at best. I do not mind spending for a nice dinner, but the food was just totally missing the mark of a true dining experience. Many nice restaurant off of the resorts, do take advantage of them.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay at the FAGCB and would highly recommend it to family and friends.