We just got back from 2 weeks at the CAT and there have been changes since our last visit (this was our 3rd visit) - some are very positive, but there are still some issues that need attention. Overall, it's a great place and a very good value for you money - unless you're expecting the Ritz Carlton, you'll likely enjoy your vacation there.

ADMINISTRATION: (Front Desk): Our arrival for the 3rd time was much like our first arrivals - screwed up! I have a mobility handicap and use a walker to get around - they were made aware of this in our reservations by requesting a "Privileged:" room on the first floor, preferably in buildings 7 or 8. On the first visit, they had us in a standard room on an upper level - we ended up with a 1st floor room in bldg. 8. 2nd visit had us on the 3rd level of bldg. 8 (no elevators in these buildings), however we ended up on the 1st floor of bldg. 7. This time our travel agent gave them 4 room preferences (6 months in advance), and I followed up with a letter again stating my handicap and room preferences in the "Privileged" bldgs. They had us on the 2nd floor again. We ended up on the 1st floor of bldg. 4 and moved to our preferred room 2 days later. Although we eventually got what we requested, you should not have to put up with this incompetence, particularly with the management and scheduling software available to resorts. This reception is unfortunate because they only get one chance at a first impression and fortunately, it's not representative of the rest of the vacation experience at the CAT.

PRIVILEDGED ROOM: On the Riviera Maya side - it's well worth the upgrade (do it online rather than when you get there - better deal). The room is large, extremely comfortable bed, stocked refrigerator, safe, plenty of storage and is equipped with a large umbrella, iron and ironing board. The shower is marble and 3' x 5" - very nice.

HOUSEKEEPING: I can't imagine it being any better.

BARS and LOUNGES: We frequented the Margarita Pool Bar and the La Terraza mostly because of the bartenders. Greggorio is at the Margarita and Savadore at the La Terraza - both are the best bartenders around. Not only do they know how to make drinks properly, but they are attentive and hard working and the Margarita has Ariana serving drinks around the pool area – what a sweetheart she is!. We visited the other bars and lounges and all were very good, but the 2 mentioned here are the best.

RESTAURANTS: Most opinions on the food served are subjective, so I'll keep my discussion on the more objective side. The buffets have a great variety on most visits, however, the food needs to be kept at a higher temperature (there are staff members constantly taking the temperature of food in the buffet, so I'm sure it's safe, but by the time you go through the variety and get to your seat, the food is cool - not hot.

Breakfast meats have improved over the last 2 years - the only thing missing is home fries - the pre-packaged hash browns are more suitable for a Mc Donalds. Everything else is very good. The variety at the snack bar has also improved. Lunch and dinner has many choices, however, the meats are not the best quality - taste fine, but could be a much better quality.

SPEIALTY RESTAURANTS: Japanese, Mexican and Tapas are great and well worth a visit. The steakhouse is also pretty good but suffers from the quality of the beef. If that’s the level of quality they're going to serve, they need to invest in some sharp steak knives. The Italian was our favorite over the past 2 years - this year we visited there on our first night and were extremely disappointed - again this is subjective and other people raved about it. In other years we really enjoyed the Carpaccio (paper thin raw beef slices with garlic infused olive oil and parmesan cheese shavings. I won't even describe what we were served, but it wasn't even close. The Veal Parmesan had a small piece of meat from the roasted leg of veal (or possibly the shoulder) with a 1/2" x 1-1/2" slice of cheese over the meat.

Overall, the specialty restaurants are worth visiting. One very small thing - in a hot and humid climate, they need to add rice to the salt shakers - again, very minor point, but over a 2 week period, it becomes annoying (shouldn't be using salt anyway, I guess).

The Crépery (spelling ???) Cannot be improved – fantastic ! ! !

GROUNDS: In my opinion, I think they are more attractive and better maintained than in previous years. Everything is properly trimmed and colorful - the decks ate scrubbed every night and the place is generally immaculate.

BEACH: The coarseness of the sand and rocky shoreline unfortunately, take away from the beach experience, however, the snorkeling is great and there is a lagoon with calm water and is all sand - no rocks.

BOTTOM LINE: Would we go back again? Yes, absolutely. It’s a great resort with the friendliest and most helpful staff you could every encounter. There is obviously new management in charge – first impression is they changed a lot of things and nobody likes change. But, once you are there for a couple of days, it’s obvious that the resort is run more efficiently which will allow them to continue to provide a more enjoyable experience. Try it – you’ll like it!

Jane and Paul

We have just returned from the Catalonia Riviera Maya, Wednesday 8th Feb, we were there for three weeks. The Hotel was as all reports I read before going out, was very good and very clean. But it does need some updating,like a coat of paint on the doors and external walls,. which to the hotels credit has been started The rooms are very large, and clean, and most have two double beds in. Bathroom had a bath and shower, The daily cleaning of the room was excellent. Noise was very limited, we were in block B. If you are in block A, around the back, I would suggest you get out very quickly, there is a access road, and a lot of noise from delivery lorries and Airconditioning plant. Meals in the main dining room, were varied, and very good. The a la cart restuarants were O K, but a little bit of a let down, have been in a lot better ones. If you want to dine in any of them, which there are 5, you either have to get down to them by 6pm, and by then there is usually a queue, or smile sweetly at the girl and hope you are lucky. They say it is first come first served, and do not book, That is Rubbish, we saw people in the steak house more than once. ( the steaks were very chewable) The beach was a little dissapointing, just a small strip near the boardwalk, and all packed in like sardines, there is a area near the lagoon but again to many people and not enough space. Pool area again the same, and if you want a pool lounger, get up early or they will all be gone. The snorkelling that all people raved about before we went, was very dissapointing, I have seen more tropical fish in a fish tank. The sea you have to get in by going over rocks. The brochure says that, you can share the sister hotels facillities, The Tropicana. Yes you can, but they have only one bar, and breakfast room, they share with you, which is why it is overcrowded. All staff are brilliant, and very friendly. There was a problem with leaking sewage on two occasions, and some people complained about the sewage coming back in the bathroom. But all in all we had a good time, but we will not be going back.

when we booked our holiday in the Catalonia, we checked the reviews and saw there were some mixed reports...we are delighted to say that we were very happy.When we got there, before seeing our standard room, we wanted to upgrade but we decided to check it out first and we were very pleasantly surprised...the standard room was lovely, clean, fresh, quiet with a lovely big bed and big bathroom...ok there was no fridge but that didn t bother us.
every day the room was cleaned and there was a different towel sculpture on our bed (compliments to the cleaners work of art).
I am italian, my wife is irish and I am a chef, we love our food!! we enjoyed all the restaurants apart from one unlucky experience in believe it or not.....the Italian restaurant.... it was not italian food and especially the Tirami su....I have no idea what it was....apart from that we enjoyed all the others, our favourites were the Spanish and the steak house.
both the buffets were very good, with diferent selection of food for everyones taste...and daily fresh fish cooked on the grill in front of you...
the drinks were in great supply with a good selection....a special thanks to Jeremia (chill out bar) and Alfonso (tequila bar) they were really friendly and couldnt do enough for us.
The service was excellent in every part of the hotel, all the staff were really friendly and always smiling.
there were plenty of different pools with a lot of entertainment.....but we are beach people and we loved the fresh towels every day and it was very close to the hotel...if you like wild life, my wife loved to feed the seaguls and fish...it was a lovely experience....
speaking of wild life, I don t see many comments about the beautiful Marina, just 5 min walk from the hotel, where you can see the dolphins and seals playing at any time and also is very nice to go down for a drink or for a bite to eat....
The hotel offers plenty of excursions...we went to Chichen Itza, great trip and Coco Bongo.....you have to see Coco Bongo to believe it!!!
Every second night around the pool, there were mini markets where you could buy lots of little mexican gifts.
We are a middle aged couple but we believe that the Catalonia hotel is perfect for any age and also for families.
If you want to go to Mexico, we totally reccomend this Hotel, we would have no hesitation going back.
Our two weeks there flew in and we were sad to leave.
If you go make the most of it, be nice to the staff, that work so hard, and they will do whatever they can to make you happy.
Massive thanks to all the staff in the Cat...
Luca & Caroline Mininno

hi john here
just returned from our holiday in mexico this is the second time we have stayed in this lovely hotel and again could not fault it we had the same room as last year it is a privalage room thay are a little expensive at around £230.00 for two weeks but they are very good and comfortable but if you think it is to much to pay the standed rooms are quite allright you are very well looked after by all the freindly staff the rooms are very clean and in our room they even came in the evening and turned the bed down and cleaned up again and restocked the fridge again this hotel well deserves the 4* rating they are allways doing cleaning painting act any were in the hotel and the gardens are imaculate all in all a lovely position and good food there are 4 resturaunts to eat in so there is allways someting you would like ...there are one or two finner points that need addresing but not worth bothering about as you are on holiday so just enjoy as we did . both me and my wife are in our 60s so you can be quiet or join in some fun round the pool if you whant give it a go .,regards john