hacker0124
TUG Member
We are winding down our two week stay here at the WLR. In a sentence .... we are exceptionally pleased with the entire operation. Here are our thoughts!
This is a post that can be considered relative by some and biased by others.
“the best beach in the world is the one I am walking on right now”
It should be understood that Cancun is in a foreign country, although greatly Americanized and tourism intense, Mexican culture and customs still very much prevail. When obtaining a perspective on what any resort is like (in a foreign country), it should not be compared to an experience in an American resort. They will not be the same, nor would I want them to be. Remember that English IS a second language so be patient. The most fluent English speaking person will still struggle understanding what you are saying and this may cause the perception of some slight or drop in service or attention.
Westin Laguna mar
The Westin Laguna mar is now our home resort, as we purchased in October (developer - 3*). On the face we are entirely pleased with the experience. This being said I am sure there are, as with so many other things, qualifiers.
The Resort
The resort is not complete. Phase I has a total of nine buildings. Building one, eight and nine are not ready for occupancy. Building two and seven appear to have facilities for partial occupancy. Phase II is currently at the stage where the infrastructure (building frame) is complete. In Phase I there is quite an amount of space that is earmarked but not yet occupied. The resort itself has a gaudish purple tile accent to the exterior (a Caribbean thing??) and lavender accents. It got much easier to look at throughout the week!
The resort has a glass enclosed entrance, which leads to a veranda encompassed by large fountains. The aesthetics are beautiful. The pool is as promised; very large, and quite inviting, until you enter; it is then quite cold!
The pool has warmed and is now tolerable. The issue is that the heater was not correctly sized for the large pool. The heater is being redesigned because a second sister pool is being installed in Phase II. The resort has the standard Westin Workout area. One point to consider; this is a new resort. All or most of the employees are new to this hotel service and possibly new to Starwood. There will be a learning curve. Also, things move at a different speed in Mexico than they do, say in Chicago or New York. Much more laid back, so when issues are confronted, patience. The design of the resort affords some view of the ocean from every room!
Check in
We were on the 8:25 flight from Chicago. Our flight arrived 30 minutes early, touching down at 11:40. American Airlines is now in the new terminal three. We were gathered by the Dollar shuttle and after a 30 minute event at the rental office had our car and were on our way to the resort. Our check in was early, and our room was ready. After about 10 minutes at the front desk we went to our room. Check in was polite and the service exceptional. We were asked about any special needs we may have.
Parking
Parking (currently) is close to buildings three/four with an elevator accessing the ground floor. Quite easy to get to the room level from the parking area.
Rooms
Our ownership consists of a one bedroom premium. The room is a bit smaller in square footage than those at WMH or WKV resorts. That being said the one bedroom premium at WLR has been reconfigured to provide more bathroom space, and more bedroom living area. The sacrifice was made in the dining room, which is much smaller. This is a fine trade off for us.
Added amenities include more storage for our clothes in the way of dark cherry shelving units with drawers. The jetted tub is a bit larger, and will nicely accommodate two. The lighting in the villa is layed out a bit strange.
The furniture is standard SVO fare. Maybe a bit more up to date than WKV.
The Shower…As stated in an earlier thread…the shower could have been designed differently, for sure, but it is fully functional. All that is needed is to make sure the shower head IS NOT spraying on the shower door. The shower basin is recessed about a half an inch and this will accommodate any water level created, unless the drain is plugged.
The standard amenities are there, with an upgrade to flat panel televisions in the living room and bedroom. A large lanai can be accessed from both the living room and bedroom. There is no oven; the microwave is a microwabe only. No report as to why.
The Beach
The beach in Cancun suffered greatly from hurricane Wilma; the erosion affected about 4 foot of elevation and about 75 to 100 feet of beachfront. This means that considerable beachfront was lost at the location where the Laguna mar resort is built. (Hotels at the far south end, Westin hotel, have not realized such a dramatic loss of beachfront). Even with the beach being impacted by erosion, the color of the water is still that translucent aqua blue…wonderful!
And contrary to previous posts it is calm enough for swimming, although as the tide returns the depth of the water increases between the sandbar and the beach, and the wave action increases (this is generally in the late afternoon).
Mike and Tammy
This is a post that can be considered relative by some and biased by others.
“the best beach in the world is the one I am walking on right now”
It should be understood that Cancun is in a foreign country, although greatly Americanized and tourism intense, Mexican culture and customs still very much prevail. When obtaining a perspective on what any resort is like (in a foreign country), it should not be compared to an experience in an American resort. They will not be the same, nor would I want them to be. Remember that English IS a second language so be patient. The most fluent English speaking person will still struggle understanding what you are saying and this may cause the perception of some slight or drop in service or attention.
Westin Laguna mar
The Westin Laguna mar is now our home resort, as we purchased in October (developer - 3*). On the face we are entirely pleased with the experience. This being said I am sure there are, as with so many other things, qualifiers.
The Resort
The resort is not complete. Phase I has a total of nine buildings. Building one, eight and nine are not ready for occupancy. Building two and seven appear to have facilities for partial occupancy. Phase II is currently at the stage where the infrastructure (building frame) is complete. In Phase I there is quite an amount of space that is earmarked but not yet occupied. The resort itself has a gaudish purple tile accent to the exterior (a Caribbean thing??) and lavender accents. It got much easier to look at throughout the week!
The resort has a glass enclosed entrance, which leads to a veranda encompassed by large fountains. The aesthetics are beautiful. The pool is as promised; very large, and quite inviting, until you enter; it is then quite cold!
The pool has warmed and is now tolerable. The issue is that the heater was not correctly sized for the large pool. The heater is being redesigned because a second sister pool is being installed in Phase II. The resort has the standard Westin Workout area. One point to consider; this is a new resort. All or most of the employees are new to this hotel service and possibly new to Starwood. There will be a learning curve. Also, things move at a different speed in Mexico than they do, say in Chicago or New York. Much more laid back, so when issues are confronted, patience. The design of the resort affords some view of the ocean from every room!
Check in
We were on the 8:25 flight from Chicago. Our flight arrived 30 minutes early, touching down at 11:40. American Airlines is now in the new terminal three. We were gathered by the Dollar shuttle and after a 30 minute event at the rental office had our car and were on our way to the resort. Our check in was early, and our room was ready. After about 10 minutes at the front desk we went to our room. Check in was polite and the service exceptional. We were asked about any special needs we may have.
Parking
Parking (currently) is close to buildings three/four with an elevator accessing the ground floor. Quite easy to get to the room level from the parking area.
Rooms
Our ownership consists of a one bedroom premium. The room is a bit smaller in square footage than those at WMH or WKV resorts. That being said the one bedroom premium at WLR has been reconfigured to provide more bathroom space, and more bedroom living area. The sacrifice was made in the dining room, which is much smaller. This is a fine trade off for us.
Added amenities include more storage for our clothes in the way of dark cherry shelving units with drawers. The jetted tub is a bit larger, and will nicely accommodate two. The lighting in the villa is layed out a bit strange.
The furniture is standard SVO fare. Maybe a bit more up to date than WKV.
The Shower…As stated in an earlier thread…the shower could have been designed differently, for sure, but it is fully functional. All that is needed is to make sure the shower head IS NOT spraying on the shower door. The shower basin is recessed about a half an inch and this will accommodate any water level created, unless the drain is plugged.
The standard amenities are there, with an upgrade to flat panel televisions in the living room and bedroom. A large lanai can be accessed from both the living room and bedroom. There is no oven; the microwave is a microwabe only. No report as to why.
The Beach
The beach in Cancun suffered greatly from hurricane Wilma; the erosion affected about 4 foot of elevation and about 75 to 100 feet of beachfront. This means that considerable beachfront was lost at the location where the Laguna mar resort is built. (Hotels at the far south end, Westin hotel, have not realized such a dramatic loss of beachfront). Even with the beach being impacted by erosion, the color of the water is still that translucent aqua blue…wonderful!
And contrary to previous posts it is calm enough for swimming, although as the tide returns the depth of the water increases between the sandbar and the beach, and the wave action increases (this is generally in the late afternoon).
Mike and Tammy
