I have never been more relaxed in a vacation than I was at this resort. It was a perfect all inclusive experience from the amazing fresh pressed juice in the spa, to the fabulous flaming coffee at the dinner buffet (thank you endrick!), to the beautiful beach and pool and the incredible service. I will absolutely be back soon and could not recommend more.
Don’t sleep on the Joia, the experience— we checked out the other resorts on the property and they do not compare.

4th visit to this beautiful resort after 5 years, the property still gives you the same feeling of being in a extravagant and palatial place. It is overwhelming when looking at the surroundings with the perfect garden, prestine landscapes, clean walkways and hallways, and it smells lovely throughout. Since, we have been here before, we stayed for 14 days instead of the usual 7 days.

Since the name change to Joia from Grand, it certainly changed the food quality immensely. Toni the steakhouse used to be my favourite, it is now a Mexican restaurant. I was really expecting the best Mexican food after all, I am in Mexico for the food also. I had the chicken fajita, the meat was smoked and burnt too much that it left an after taste that is not at all nice. I was only able to have about a quarter of my portion, hubby and I decided to leave and went to the buffet instead.

The Italian restaurant, Venicia is still amazing just like last time, fresh pasta and sauce. I had the ravioli, it melts in my mouth, full of flavour!

Ember had a new delicious appetizer, the bone marrow, it was grilled and so flavorful, it is something that I have never had in a restaurant before. It was so good, I was scooping the juice with my bread. Bone marrow is also good for your body.

The fish taco from Punta Sal was amazing, I had it almost everyday for lunch. Hubby had the burger with the works, he had it at least 5 times for lunch.

The Haiku Bistro was disappointing, Hubby and I only went once and never came back. Even the servers were not very enthusiastic to be there. After taking your orders, they actually just leave you alone, no small talks at all, it is like having a robot serve you, very cold treatment.

The Star Cafe near the lobby was an awesome addition, I did not have to go to the mall for a mid afternoon coffee and treats. High Five!

I think my favourite this time, is the French restaurant, L'Atelier, they did an amazing job with the lobster and the rack of lamb, we went to this restaurant twice.

The lobby bar is great as usual, Antonio is amazing, always smiling, he still makes the best mini beers! I also enjoyed their Whiskey Sour, so delicious! My favourite server from the lobby bar, Diany, always friendly and remembers our drinks every time!

I like the fact that we do not have to make restaurant dinner reservations, we just line up for the restaurant that we feel like visiting, or whatever we feel like eating that evening. The Gala theme at the Buffett is always a must go to! Since we were there for 14 days, we had the experience more than once!

The staff are always amazing and are really happy to serve you for whatever it is that you need. I would like to thank our amazing and super friendly butler, Luis, very thoughtful and thorough with our requests. The servers, Leticia, Frida and Paolo. Jonathan, Manuel, Mirna, Miguel and Omar from the beach and prestige area. I was great to see Mirna again, she takes care of everyone and makes sure, we are properly covered from the sun. She has a magical way of fixing the cabana so that the drapes stays intact. Very thankful for Carlos, Daniela, Andrea and Andres, what a super team they are together. My favourite greeter in the evening is Veronica who always remembers my food allergies, (Mango, Melon, Pineapple and Nuts), as soon as she sees me coming, she automatically writes them down for the waiters. I really appreciate Lithanie for helping us one evening, when we needed some salt for my sore throat (mix with lukewarm water). She let me borrow the salt shaker and kept it for as long as I need it. Thank you, the salt helped my sore throat a lot!

Thank you for another memorable vacation!

Was really hoping for a great experience and it did not deliver. First I emailed and informed them we do not drink, so please take the alcohol out of our room if possible. Was informed this would be done. It was not. No problem ……:so I spoke to front desk and they also said it would be done and it was not. Then the dinners. We went to the steak restaurant and wait 30 min for cold appetizers (bone marrow) then 50 min passed and we still had not gotten our entrees. The hostess (Fatima) asked us what happened and we told her. She said she knew us and had read our emails. Informed us that the alcohols should be taken out of the room. I told her it was not, she went and fixed that asap. (She was the only good part of this place) that just the beginning of the terrible time here and because it’s so much I’m just going to bullet point the other items

Drugs offered by 3 employees (one was the head bellhop at the Maya suites next door) we are both sober and this was not a good experience for us. Keep in mind we live in NYC and people are shooting drugs in the street but the staff that should be protecting you is offering you poison…. Just feels unsafe.

We where asked 8 times to join there timeshare program. They even offered $600 credits and I asked is this the time share thing and was told no. So we went to the front desk to get our credits and guess what…. It was for the time share.

Tried to get a car to town to do some shopping. The front desk told us it was $100 round trip we should take the group bus for $15 each. Then another front desk person said it was only $50 round trip. Just feels like they are trying to get your money at every turn.

We are at the airport now and leaving to head back home. We cut the trip two nights short. And they said they would not refund even one night. I just feel that is unfair. I understand having to charge us today but refunding the last night is the right thing to do.

If you are a fan of Applebees or sizzler this is the perfect place for you. Nothing wrong with that. But we like finer things. This is just an ok hotel dressed up as a fancy hotel. You can put lipstick on a pig and it’s still a pig. I should have know for $475 ish a night. My bad.

If you are from a large city this is not the place for you. Run away before you’re in my shoes and wishing you spent the extra $1500 to stay at a better place.