We had been in Gran Bahia Principe Coba for a week in January.
I do not want to copy all 2000 reviews you already had, so it is just my observations:

1. Location: it is far from the airport, but extra 1/2 hour does not matter. Coba is far from the beach, but "far" means 5 to 10 minutes walk. i do not understand the reason of why the people use the cars to get around at all. May be to get to Tulum or to the golf. For the rest of the trips, just walk.

2. Beach: first of all - you can't swim in the water. It is up to 3' deep at the most. Or you have red flags, waves and rocks. On the plus side, you could walk to the water with children and see fish.

3. Pools - good, but not enough. No, pools are big enough, but you have to reserve a bed before 6am to get a best spot in the shade. By 7am it is all taken.

4. Restaurants: the main buffet is good, but too busy. The smaller buffet does not have that many choice of food. We went to all the rest of the restaurants, and only French was OK, the rest did not know of how to cook the dishes. The worst Japanese restaurant in Boston is better.

3. Service: talk to Felix if you want to get something done. He is good. Contact him before the trip. Room is good and clean.

4. Drinks: disappointing. I expected to to see not-so-good cocktails, but it was below all the 5-star resorts we had been before. We did not use the pool bars or beach bars, and went to the lobbies for the best drinks, but we could not drink even the Bloody Mary. And no premium drinks at all? Cappuccino was far below the Starbucks. On the plus side, every lobby has a tea with all sort of teas.

5. Entertainment: life music in the small lobby every night was good. TV in the room is small, but it is not true that 99% of programming is in Spanish. We had CNN, BBC and at least 4 or 5 channels with movie and/or shows.

Overall: not a 5-stars. Lack of good drinks and premium beds next to the pool. Next time will be back to Grand Princess.

We felt very safe the entire trip in Mexico. The airport in Cancun is a mad house but it is wram when you get off the plain. Remember to bring a pen on the plain to fill out your imigration papper work. do not stop to talk to any one in the air port go out side first. The resort it self is awsome never nothing to do and alot of awsome help. Osccar chan carechrez was one of the best bartenders ever he made wife drinks she liked and didnt turn her stomac.

lust like to say were not too impressed with hotel ,however were very impressed with our waitor in the tequila restaurant ,could not have been more helpful
name is Alfredo deserves all the promotion aspects he deserves
Hugh

First off, we felt very safe in Mexico. The employees we're professional and extremely hard working.

Cancun Airport (where you'll arrive to go to Bahi):

Cancun Airport, lots of people trying to sell time shares, and taxies. Also lots of "poters" who takes your bags, then expect a tip. This was annoying. Don't talk to anyone until you leave the airport.


Approximately 2 hour bus ride from airport to the resort. There's a lady on the bus who serves Corona for $3.00 American a drink. The ride was on a highway, so it wasn't terrible, but I wouldn't do it again. It was too far for us, especially after a long flight.

Check-in: Received a complimentary bottle of tequila (500ml) good way to enter the hotel. Also while in line, they served us champaign! The check in was smooth, the staff at the counter was friendly and helpful.

Size of resort: It's a massive resort (1.5KM of beach, golf course, and three different lobbies all under the Bahi company) Coba, Akumal and Tulum. If that's not confusing you enough, wait for this: Coba has two lobbies. We checked in at the smaller one. It took us all of seven days to find our barrings.

The resort is so big that they actually have these go-carts that take you to your room, a la carts, the beach and between lobbies.

21 bars. That says it all.

Best a la carts: Japanese, French (gormet), Brazilian, and Italian. Get them ASAP or you won't be able to get reservations.

Staff: Hardest working staff I've ever seen. Very friendly. Must be 100+ landscapers. Every single light in the resort works, every plant is groomed, the walkway is perstine. Even some guy goes around and puts the Bahi symbol on sand on top of the garbage, every day!

Buffett: Never had issues finding a table, staff are friendly and efficent. One lady actually complained that the ceiling fan (which keeps us cool in 40+ weather) was making her food cold. Really? That's what you're complaining about?

Pools and beach: People would "reserve" beach chairs at 7AM, by using their towels, magazines or sunblock. Without anyone actually physically reserving them.

If you get up at 9, there's no chance you'll find any beach chairs as they all will be reserved. Wake up early to "reserve" one, or you will have to use your towel to lie on the beach. Annoying. Especially since the resort clearly states that reserving chairs (while not being there) is against the policy, but it's clearly not enforced.


Pool is very clean, some guy actually takes a rag and cleans the side of the pool every day, Amazing. Beach is nice, though some large rocks that I occassionally stubbed my toe on. Water is warm, lots of snorkling and waves in some areas. Calm, sky blue sea in other areas. Beach is very busy spot.

Room: Has musty smell, but it's a nice Caribbean smell that we got used too. Large room, nice couch, and very clean.

Fridge: Stocked every day, small bag of chips, snickers, beer and pop. Large bottles of water and coffee maker.

Beds: Rock hard,, pillows thin, and small. Bring your own pillow and a foam mattress if you can. Bed was terrible.

Bathroom: Marble bathroom, hot water, jacuzzi bathtub. Nice.


Overall a good relaxing trip, with some minor issues. For the price we paid, the service, the quality of food and drinks we received. It was a great resort! We had lots of fun, and you will too.