Posted by judy on April 18, 2001 at 19:58:50:
Akumal Beach Resort Trip Report We had a wonderful weeklong trip at the Akumal Beach Resort March 14 – 21…..Our first priority in choosing a resort is the The resort has just recently been expanded and is now being represented by Apple Vacations in the US/Canada. Previously The pool was the center of activity during the day…it was noisy and crowded…there seemed to be plenty of activity for We found everything else about the resort very positive. The building where our room was located was 50 steps from the The rooms were very simple…nothing luxurious, but clean and adequately furnished. They either had two double beds or The grounds and public areas of the resort were beautiful…the beach absolutely gorgeous. The south end of the beach was There was entertainment every night…just like all other all inclusives. We hit a few of the shows, and they were not The lobby area of the resort was a very pretty and comfortable, inviting space. I’m in the interior design business, and found We took one trip out of the resort to Xel-Ha. We taxied there for $10USD and got to the park shortly after it opened. I would In conclusion…we would return to this resort in a minute. It offered just the kind of atmosphere we look for when we One last note…my husband had e-mailed the resort using the contact form from the Karisma Hotels website…He had
proximity of the rooms to the beach…our preference is All Inclusive because it provides the ultimate in relaxation…no
decisions to make where to eat and no stress involved in driving. We were very satisfied with the Akumal Beach Resort. Our
days were very routine. We’d be up at 6AM to catch the sunrise from our balcony…head straight to the beach for a morning
walk…have breakfast at the buffet…take a walk into Akumal from the beach to e-mail our kids and pick up water at the
Super Chomak… then head back to the resort and gather our beach supplies for the day. We always had our choice of
lounge chairs and palpas on the very quiet south end of the beach.
this resort was owned by an Italian group, but was purchased by a new hotel group called Karisma Hotels and Resorts. I
understand that a former CEO of Allegro resorts started this company. It has been known as the “pink hotel” by Akumal
locals…and the source of the half-naked Italians that walk the Akumal beaches!!! At the time we stayed at the resort the vast
majority of guests were still Italian. However, it seems that the resort is almost two separate properties. Most of the
English-speaking guests seemed to be staying in the new buildings at the south end of the resort…the Italians were in the
older buildings at the north end. They stayed to themselves…we felt we were a minority…which was fine, we enjoyed the
privacy of the south end of the beach…Many afternoons we were the only couple on our end of the beach! Most of the
American/Canadian guests spent their time at the pool. The Italian/Europeans stayed on the north end of the beach where it
was VERY crowded….but the beach was smooth and soft.
those who were interested in participating. The pool was also the center point of the resort. There was a large pool
bar/snack bar, but not a swim-up bar. Just beyond the bar area was the buffet restaurant. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were
served here everyday “buffet” style. There was one specialty restaurant that required reservations…it was Italian one night,
the next night it would be Mexican…alternating through the week, Italian/Mexican. The biggest disappointment for us at the
resort was the food. There was a very heavy Italian/European influence in what was served…very little Mexican food was
offered. We would suggest that anyone staying here to be prepared to eat several meals outside the resort if you like
Mexican food. Akumal is a very easy walk, day or night, and we ate at the Lol Ha Beach Restaurant where we had a
wonderful Mexican meal at a very reasonable price and a beautiful atmosphere. Even when we ate at the Mexican specialty
restaurant at the resort…they didn’t serve authentic Mexican…I didn’t even get tortillas with fajitas!!!
beach. We had a balcony that overlooked the beautiful ocean that was furnished with two chairs and a small table…perfect
for catching the gorgeous sunrises in the mornings and the starlit skies at night. We were able to keep the balcony window
open every night to catch the sounds of the ocean and the cool breezes.
one king…we had a king. There were a couple of chairs, two bedside tables and a built-in counter/vanity and mirror across
one end of the room. There was a large dressing area that had a sink/vanity and a large closet with shelves…the shower
and toilet were in separate rooms at the end of the dressing area. The room was a good size…we didn’t feel crowded. The
beds were hard…but we’ve found this to be the “norm” even in the 6-star properties we have stayed at in the past. There
was an iron and ironing board, a small clock radio, cable TV…with English channels (ESPN, CNN, etc.) and a room safe in
the closet. There was not a mini bar…
rocky, which we decided is what kept most people at the pool and at the north end of the beach…the north end was smooth
and sandy. We took long walks everyday…just south of the resort is Jade Beach…it is a beautiful beach area with homes
and condominiums. We also walked to Akumal just north of the resort everyday. There is a travel office that offers Internet
service for 3 pesos per minute. We were able to communicate with our son at home every day for less that $3 USD! It sure
beat using the phone system! We also picked up bottled water and anything else we needed at the Super Chomak grocery
store in Akumal.
bad…people seemed to be having fun. One night there was a Mexican Folklore and another night a Musical Medley…they
were both very good. It always amazes us that the same girls/guys that are coordinating and participating in the daily pool
activities are also the ones doing the shows at 10:00 at night…what energy!!! Most of the entertainment staff at this hotel
was Italian…the people that ran the front desk, bartenders, waiters, servers, groundskeepers, etc. were all Mexicans. They
were all very friendly, sweet and ready to please…we left many $$ in tips for these hard-working people.
it to be very beautiful. It was all authentic thatch-roof construction…the lighting was handcrafted Mexican tin punched stars
that were very beautiful when lit up at night. There was another sitting area connected by a walkway from the main lobby
that was furnished with over-stuffed rattan sofas and chairs and soft lighting. We spent several evenings just relaxing
here…it was a wonderful place to enjoy quiet conversation with one another away from the bar action.
HIGHLY recommend getting there early…after 11:00 it is so full of people that you begin to feel like your at Disney. We got
some awesome snorkeling in before the crowds. We had a wonderful meal at one of the restaurants…took nap in the
hammocks…then escaped to the private beach…not a soul to be found! We’ve been to Xel Ha 3 times and this was the first
time we discovered the beach…it was beautiful. The ocean was very rough that day and the waves were crashing into the
rocks…the sky was clear, clear blue. It was absolutely gorgeous!
vacation…total relaxation and a beautiful beach. We knew we were vacationing in Mexico…not some glitzy resort that could
be in the middle of Miami! There were a few minor inconveniences we think will be worked out once the new ownership gets
feedback from guests. They did not offer bottled water in the rooms. There were coolers through out the hallways, but it was
inconvenient not having a supply in your room. This is why we made trips to the grocery store in Akumal everyday. We loved
being able to walk to Akumal. It is a magical, peaceful little village that offers some real lessons to us busy, materialistic
Americans…simple is good………………………. When we return, we will plan to eat out more in Akumal…there were
several restaurants we could have tried…next time we will be prepared. If you were looking for glitz and glamour in a
resort…this one would not be for you. But if simplicity, relaxation and beautiful beaches are what you look for in a perfect
vacation spot…this one fits the bill!!!
requested a bottle of champagne in our room upon our arrival because this trip was for our 26th wedding anniversary. The
gentleman at the front desk assured him that this had been taken care of and offered us very gracious and sweet
congratulations…we could not have felt more welcomed! When we were taken to our room there was a chilled bottle of
champagne waiting…a beautiful start to a perfect vacation! When we checked out, he was there again and wished us many
more years of blessing and happiness together….an equally beautiful ending……………….