Ocean Coral & Turquesa

The Ocean Coral & Turquoise is a massive, resort hotel where booking includes access to pools, the beach, and meals. Beachy Caribbean buildings with flat yellow facades and terra-cotta roofs are spread through palm-tree studded lawns and encircle this property's massive pools. The grounds lead right up to the ocean's edge, where lounge chairs sit beachside under thatched umbrellas. The lobby is large and casual with brown tiled floors, bench and armchair seating, and a partially thatched roof, and guests occasionally note wear-and-tear, but mostly the property is well-kept and clean. Restaurants are decorated on-theme with the cuisine -- Route 66, the American restaurant, has a classic diner feel complete with red-and-white gingham tablecloths and a statue of Marilyn Monroe, while the Mexican restaurant, Hacienda Los Girasoles, has a tiled floor, wood beam ceiling, and wrought-iron chandeliers. Guests here include a range of leisure travelers, including friend groups, couples, and lots of families.

The Ocean Coral & Turquesa is a oceanside resort situated in a fairly remote spot along the Riviera Maya -- it's an area south of Cancun (a 35-minute drive away) that is famous for large all-inclusive resorts, smaller boutique hotels, and fine-dining restaurants. This family-friendly option is near the fishing and diving hub of Puerto Morelos (12-minute drive). The town has snorkel and sport fishing boats, while private yachts make their home in the man-made harbor just south of town. Cancun International Airport is a 20-minute drive, or guests can head to Playa del Carmen, a 35-minute drive in the other direction, for the ferry that leaves for Cozumel. The resort concierge team can help arrange day trips and adventure excursions around the Yucatan Peninsula. Airport transfers can also be arranged, and free parking is available. 

This all-suite hotel has spacious rooms with basic decor that vibes with the rest of the hotel -- cream-colored tiled floors, white walls, and dark brown accents, like wood furniture and brown bed skirts, plus sitting areas with beige couches. Bathrooms are beige-tiled usually with separate or combo showers and tubs, but they may only have frosted glass for privacy, rather than a solid door. Rooms are air-conditioned and include terraces or balconies, flat-screen TVs with international channels, free Wi-Fi, coffee machines, mini-fridges or minibars (the contents are free and restocked daily), and toiletries. Upgraded rooms add decorative details (purple ceilings in some of the Privilege Rooms) and various extras, from bathrobes and slippers to jacuzzi tubs on outdoor terraces. Guests sometimes complain of wear-and-tear and that humid conditions create musty rooms or bathrooms that could use an extra scrub. The pool bar is a hit for nightlife, so light sleepers may want to request a room set away from the action.

Like a little village in itself, this resort property has everything guests expect to find and more, making it easy to enjoy a vacation without ever leaving the property. There is a huge range of restaurants serving decent food -- though it's not always exceptional -- and featuring all kinds of cuisine: Mexican, Asian, Italian, American, and International foods are highlighted in themed-restaurants. There's also a creperie, coffee shop, lobby bar, and poolside drink and snack bars, though waiting at restaurants can be an issue. Note that "all-inclusive" options include a buffet breakfast, a buffet lunch, and dinner, without alcoholic drinks, at six of the hotel's restaurants. Some guests complain about the distinction between "Privilege" and "Non-Privilege" guests, which are demarcated by wristbands that guests all must wear during guests' stays. Privilege guests are offered additional dining options (like a la carte breakfast, breakfast-in-bed, and a lobster dinner), premium top-shelf drinks, and access to a private beach area and a private lounge, among other extras. Recreation options include scuba diving, tennis, and many non-motorized water sports, like windsurfing and kayaking -- though some of these may cost extra fees. Other activities are also available, like volleyball, tennis, bocce, and live entertainment. The spacious beach and four outdoor pools, children's pool, and jacuzzi offer plenty of space to relax, although lounge chairs can sometimes be difficult to snag and towel cards can be a nuisance. The pool bar is popular for nightlife, too. Guests will also find a full-service spa on-site, with six treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, beauty parlor and salon, and more. There's a exercise room, too, with plenty of cardio and weight-lifting equipment.The property also has many amenities tailored towards families -- there's a popular kids' club (The Daisy Club) and teen club with supervised activities, kids' menus, babysitting (extra fee), and even special rooms geared toward families with kids' TV channels, crib warmers, bathtubs, and other extras available. The property also has lounge spaces, a business center, meeting and event rooms, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, room service (limited hours), concierge service, and staff can arrange for laundry service, airport transfers, and off-site tours.