All wet: The swimming pool at the Grand Oasis Palm in Cancun, Mexico. |
BY MARK CHESNUT
Cancun is known as a family-friendly destination, thanks to its array of activities and hotels that offer children’s programs. But not all hotels are created equal. So when I set out to research a family vacation for the 50th wedding anniversary of my in-laws, I was especially interested in checking out the Grand Oasis Palm and Oasis Palm resorts, two all-inclusive Cancun hotels with similar names, but different price points and features.
This is the third of a three-part series of reviews of the Oasis Hotels & Resorts located in the Cancun Hotel Zone. To read my review of the Grand Oasis Cancun Hotel and Resort, click here. To read my review of the Oasis Sens Resort, click here.
Palms at the pool: Swimming at the Oasis Palm in Cancun. |
THE STYLE: These two all-inclusive hotels, which sit side by side, offer different price ranges and levels of service, but both are aimed primarily at families. The lobbies of both are contemporary and handsome (at the more upscale Grand Oasis Palm, the lobby is slightly larger), and the swimming pools at both are nicely landscaped (the pool at the Grand Oasis was a bit quieter during my site inspection). Guest rooms are similar in décor to the larger Grand Oasis Cancun, with conservative but attractive furnishings; there are no balconies, but the views from all angles are better than at some hotels.
Submarine sleep: One of the children’s rooms at the Oasis Palm Resort in Cancun. |
THE AMENITIES: Families looking for extra space might want to consider a junior suite, which has a living room with bed, or one of the special children’s rooms, which are delightfully decorated accommodations painted with either sea or jungle themes.
Guests at the Grand Oasis Palm pay a bit more for a few additional amenities and upgrades that aren’t available at the Oasis Palm. They’ll have access to a quieter, less crowded pool (but can also use the busier but still pleasant pool at the Oasis Palm). Guests at the Grand Oasis Palm also have room service included in their room rate, a wider array of alcoholic beverage brands and access to restaurants at both their hotel and the Oasis Palm next door (guests at the Oasis Palm are limited to restaurants within their property).
Guests at both properties can make use of the impressively large kids’ club, which is free for children age four to 12 and features a separate dining area, an outdoor pool with waterslide, playground, computer room, a bunkroom for overnight stays and even a dance club with karaoke. The hotel beach — located on the northern stretch of the Hotel Zone, away from the larger waves — has shallow, calm water and is ideal for families.
All in the family: The kids’ club at the Oasis Palm has its own pool and water slide. |
BEST FOR: Families looking for a value-priced all-inclusive resort will do well at the Oasis Palm, which has prices starting as low as $69 per person, per night, double occupancy. Families looking for more amenities (for example, access to a quieter pool area and more restaurants) should opt for the Grand Oasis Palm, which is still a bargain at prices that start at $99 per person, per night, double.
(Personal note: After inspecting the Grand Oasis Palm in person and comparing prices at other family-friendly all-inclusives in Cancun, I’m convinced that this is such a good deal that I just booked my in-laws’ reunion vacation there for July, which will include seven adults and two children. Stay tuned for the report on how that goes!)