At Lagunamar

[Ken555]

Great unit at Lagunamar... though it seems we're the only people here! Two times at the main restaurant...both times only one other table (or just us) present...10:1 staff:guest ratio (!)... beautiful weather... only about 15 people by the pool right now (16 as soon as I finish this post) @ 12:30

They offered US$100+/- to sit through a presentation, but it doesn't seem worthwhile.

I'm here for a while, so if anyone has questions let me know

 

[pointsjunkie]

are you drinking the water from the tap, or bottled and what about ice,veggies, and fruit?

can you use the hotel pool also?

 

[BLUE AYES]

No hotel at WLM

 

[Quimby4]

How is the beach and sand in from of the property?
Swimable, any fish to see snorkeling?
Have fun!

 

[BradC]

Are there any reciprocal arrangements with either the Westin Cancun or Le Meridien Cancun hotels to allow room charges or pool/resort access?

 

[Ken555]

are you drinking the water from the tap, or bottled and what about ice,veggies, and fruit?

We're told the water at the resort is purified and safe to drink. I tend to prefer bottled water, so during our excursion to Wal-Mart (and wow, I've never seen a Wal-Mart where you can buy four different types of mole before! then again, they don't have Wal-Mart where I live...) we bought a bunch of water. Note: 4L of water at Lagunamar shop is 55 pesos, 5L at Wal-Mart is only 11 pesos. You do the math.

We will use the ice from the freezer in the unit, since it's purified.

I bought veggies and fruit at Wal-Mart, no problem. Seems good. But, I stayed away from the watermelon yesterday at lunch during our Chichen-Itza tour. BTW, the ruins were excellent but it was a long day. FYI, we booked via http://www.entertainment-plus.net for that and transfer to/from airport, and they were very good (thanks to others for the reviews and link!). I recommend the 'plus' tour option for the CI tour - it was worth a bit extra just to sit up front on the bus for the ~5.5 hrs rt travel (sitting up front seems to be an unwritten but normal policy for them).

can you use the hotel pool also?

Yeah...I wish there was a hotel next door! The only thing we've noticed that this resort lacks is services. It's very similar to WPORV in this regard.

 

[Ken555]

How is the beach and sand in from of the property?
Swimable, any fish to see snorkeling?
Have fun!

Well, there IS sand up front of the property. I haven't tried the water there yet, but I believe (from what I'm told) it's water than the pool water (which is C.O.L.D.). Even so, there was a small group enjoying the pool at the swim-up bar...I think the shot of Tequila every 5 minutes helped.

Haven't snorkeled yet, but plan to - either at one of the parks or off the island just north of Cancun, recommended by the concierge. I think we're going to do one of the eco-parks on Saturday.

 

[DeniseM]

Well, there IS sand up front of the property. I haven't tried the water there yet, but I believe (from what I'm told) it's water than the pool water (which is C.O.L.D.). Even so, there was a small group enjoying the pool at the swim-up bar...I think the shot of Tequila every 5 minutes helped.

And WHO is having shots of Tequila?

 

[Ken555]

Are there any reciprocal arrangements with either the Westin Cancun or Le Meridien Cancun hotels to allow room charges or pool/resort access?

Great question, and definitely on my list to find out. I plan on visiting the La Meridien (looks great from the outside) before I leave. The Westin and the Westin Regina are next to each other on the south side of the hotel zone.

I thought it interesting that this is the first SVN property I've been to that does NOT have a Westin shuttle going between the properties. That would be a nice addition.

Also, rumor has it that the resort is considering changing the purple/pink color combination. I haven't met anyone yet who likes it - it's much stronger in person than in the pictures (quite ugly...). Rumor is that they're having trouble keeping the colors clean - and we've seen numerous areas where the pink isn't pink any longer - and the purple tiles are damaged, etc. I think even just making it purple and white would be nice, but as it is it's a bit overwhelming.

 

[Ken555]

And WHO is having shots of Tequila?

Thanks, Denise! I've limited myself to XX beer today... though we did find a liquor store across the street and about 5 minutes walk south (toward a great Mexican restaurant the concierge recommended). We bought some Cuban Rum (!) and Tres Generaciones "100% Puro de Agave", and intend on making some margaritas...

It's a great time to be here as far as costs go, as well. Last month family were here and said it was about 10 pesos to the dollar. This week it's been about 13.25 to 1 (my ATM withdrawal, AFTER ALL FEES, was 13.10 per dollar - FYI, there are TWO ATMS at the resort - one that has US$ and the other Mexican pesos. I think this is the best way to get money when you're here). I think it's even gotten better in the last day or two...xe.net is showing 13.60 right now.

 

[DeniseM]

Great question, and definitely on my list to find out.

Ken - I was just making fun of your typing!

Originally Posted by Ken555 View Post
Well, there IS sand up front of the property. I haven't tried the water there yet, but I believe (from what I'm told) it's water than the pool water (which is C.O.L.D.). Even so, there was a small group enjoying the pool at the swim-up bar...I think the shot of Tequila every 5 minutes helped.

But remember, I'm not laughing at you - I'm laughing with you!

 

[Ken555]

Ken - I was just making fun of your typing!

You got me! I meant, of course, to say it's WARMER than the pool water.

Wow, I've been writing a number of business emails in the last 15 minutes and now I wonder what I wrote in those...

 

[DeniseM]

You got me! I meant, of course, to say it's WARMER than the pool water.

I'm just jealous because you're on vacation and I'm not!

Have a wonderful time and keep those reports coming - and picture - we need pictures!!!!!

 

[CeeWoo]

Ken-you've been a good help answering my newbie questions in the past so I'm wishing you a great vacation! (but I agree'Pictures, we need pictures)

BTW-If you add enough tequila to even the nonpurified water will it--naw, never mind-nobody wants to mess up good tequila

 

[Ken555]

Have a wonderful time and keep those reports coming - and picture - we need pictures!!!!!

Pictures... you got it! This is the 1-bedroom unit.

 

[Ken555]

 

[Ken555]

View from the unit:

 

[Ken555]

more later - need to import from my camera... these were all from the first day.

 

[DeniseM]

It looks lovely, and those views are absolutely gorgeous!

Remind me, is this a Staroptions exchange or a II exchange?

 

[Ken555]

It looks lovely, and those views are absolutely gorgeous!

Remind me, is this a Staroptions exchange or a II exchange?

Yeah... and we're only on the 5th floor (there are 8 total).

I'm using 79,200 WKR SOs to be here for 13 days. For 2008, my MF+Taxes/night expense for these Options is $60.36.

 

[Westin5Star]

Ken, I'm glad that you are having a nice trip in Cancun. My family and I just left a couple of weeks ago and had a great time also. I wanted to warn you of something that I heard while there. The kitchen water is filtered and the bathroom sink water is not; just a warning not to swallow when brushing your teeth. We are off to WKORV in 2 days. I'm looking forward to seeing you at HRA in May.

 

[DeniseM]

Yeah... and we're only on the 5th floor (there are 8 total).

I'm using 79,200 WKR SOs to be here for 13 days. For 2008, my MF+Taxes/night expense for these Options is $60.36.

You lucky dog! Did you get a good price on airfare?

 

[Ken555]

Ken, I'm glad that you are having a nice trip in Cancun. My family and I just left a couple of weeks ago and had a great time also. I wanted to warn you of something that I heard while there. The kitchen water is filtered and the bathroom sink water is not; just a warning not to swallow when brushing your teeth. We are off to WKORV in 2 days. I'm looking forward to seeing you at HRA in May.

Wow, thanks for the info. I'll ask again, but we were told TWICE that all water at the resort is purified and safe to drink.

HRA in May -

 

[Ken555]

You lucky dog! Did you get a good price on airfare?

$317.80 AFTER taxes. I bought just as the prices headed up last spring. Non-stop, as well. Okay...funny story:

The Mexicana flight from LAX was about 1 hour late leaving (the pilots overslept...) and then just after we started moving away from the gate a lady in the seat in front of me got up and announced she was on the wrong flight. The plane turned around and went back to the gate, and only then did Mexicana think it was a good idea to count the number of passengers...twice. Paper tickets w/o any review (they just took them as we boarded) = failure. We got here without incident, but were about 1.5 hrs late. However, they did serve food...something I haven't seen on a flight in years.

 

[DeniseM]

GREAT price!

How long is the flight from LA?

How did you get from the airport to the resort?

Are you renting a car?