TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

I can say that the facilities were clean and kept that way. Staff could be seen cleaning constantly. I can say that the beds were extremely comfortable. However, I can also say a moron designed the bathroom - the long (double sink-sized) counter had ONE sink on the far right, and that was all the way down the counter from the hand soap dispenser on the far left. The shower controls were unnatural - the volume of water affected the temperature, and testing the water without standing inside the shower was problematic - again, poor design. The room had but two accessible power receptacles, but otherwise was well appointed. Our biggest problem was the lack of maintenance. The elevator to the lobby (the only apparent access to/from the grounds other than two flights of broad exterior stairs) was out of service for the entire week, and others told us it hadn't worked for weeks. Other elevators to the rooms were also out of service, and the only working elevator in Building #2 had a capacity of 4 comfortably, and 6 in a tight squeeze. The food was disappointing for a resort of this reputation, with the Veranda buffet being the most popular, as reservations to the dining restaurants were problematic with snafu's. The service staff was wonderful - the best part of the resort. Always accommodating, always with a smile. The pools were expectedly cool to cold, as this was December, but the two "hot tubs" had no heating elements, nor any water jets. No guest used them for the entire week we were there. Overall, this was a 3-star resort, masquerading as a 5-star.

The front sign is not fixed. Overall, it is an average hotel. Maintenance is awful the place is run down and this is obvious. They do work hard at keeping the grounds clean. We had a room leak for 3 days - maintenance came 4 times before they would change our room. UNACCEPTABLE.

My family and I traveled to Grand Park Royal Cozumel on November 24-December 1, 2024. We are three adults and a 13 year old. If you look at my profile we have traveled extensively through all inclusives in Caribbean and Mexico. I booked this hotel after reading the negative reviews. My approach is if I can live with the negative reviews I will be fine. I chose this resort for cost as well. We flew Air Canada on an afternoon flight. Here is our experience for the week we were here: Lobby is great open concept. Upon check in we were charged with $12usd for resort fee. No option for a cot. Bell men did not approach us but talked to other guest that spoke Spanish behind us. We then went to look for our room. Basic room with two queens. Washroom is beaten, toilet flush after holding down handle and shower hard to navigate between hot or cold. Resort is small and divided into two buildings. A buffet, 3 ala carte and 2 snack bars. Beach is small and man made that overlooks the Cozumel port. The pool by the beach is where we would spend majority of our stay. Buffet is basic, you will find something to eat although it reminded me of Cuba with a little more. Dishes were recycled from lunch to alleviate waste etc. We spent most of our lunches at the seafood restaurant which is by the beach. Fish tacos and fried fish was the highlight there. The seafood restaurant changes menus nightly although we were only able to eat Italian here and other nights there were nothing going on. We dined at the seafood and the Italian ala carte. Better food than the buffet but still less than expected from a Mexican resort. Snack bar by pool at the beach served hamburger and hotdogs which are minimal compared to what we get in Canada in terms of taste and flavor. This was surprisingly disappointing. The snack bar by the buffet servers fresh ceviche, tuna, fish, shrimp and salmon. This was my highlight. I paid $22usd for a fish ceviche outside the resort and the snack bar was way better. We had no issues getting beds by the pool as we are usually up early. While staying here we notice that there is an abundance of Spanish speaking people. In conversing with other guest and staff it was clear that there is majority of Mexicans from other parts of Mexico that come here. I was only approached once in terms of the time share. A presentation that would have lowered a snorkelling trip to 3 sites for the family from $200 usd to$110 usd. I passed as we own property in Costa Rica and did not see how else they could elevate the experience at the hotel. This was after meeting members of the time share and they explained their perks. We went out a full day by renting a car and driving. On another day we took the taxi and went into town, $20usd from 6 people each way. We only caught 2 shows but it was enough to be happy to miss the rest. Mostly in Spanish and less than mediocre. This resort is a sleepy resort. After 9pm there is nothing to do, the sports bar is barely attended. In the mornings, the animation staff, do a great job supporting each other and getting guest involved and entertained. From yoga, pool aerobics, beach volleyball, guess the song, and crazy game they go the distance. Pros Has an actual beach most hotels have a dock Easy to navigate hotel Good animation staff Cons Heavy focus on locals Food is sub par for Mexico expectation Entertainment after hours is lacking

We have been going to Park Royal Cozumel for many years. It is our home away from home. In all the years it has been rare at any time that all elevators have been working. We have heard all the good reasons why they do not work but it still stays the same. This last time, a week ago, the elevator from the main lobby was also OUT OF ORDER. This is a disgrace to the hotel, the management staff, the people called to repair the elevators , and to the manufacturer of the elevators. That manufacturer happens to be World Wide Otis Elevators. Two new elevators were put in about a year ago with the understanding that they were going to be so much more reliable. Only one is now working. Come on someone get this fixed. Don't be the hotel that every one refers to as great but No Up Down transportation. Even the service elevators have been out of order frequently over the last six months making it nearly impossible for the bellmen and housekeeping to do their jobs. I am not one to complain about little things. However, after so many years I have to say something. We love the Park Royal its staff have become family to us. We hate hearing people in the pool and around the resort complaining about things - most of those things we can shrug off as people being picky but the elevators are a real issue for so many. For folks with mobility issues getting from the lobby to the resort areas alone has become a safety issue - this trip we saw many people having trouble even getting DOWN the stairs. There has to be someone that has the ability to install and maintain this system. Who can get this fixed?

Staff was wonderful and that is the nicest thing we can say. The food was awful. It was often lukewarm even from restaurants. Very cheap quality and flavor fell flat. We chose this resort because it was an Ironman host hotel and we didn’t want to have to walk or taxi far to eat before and after the race. We ended up spending ten dollars each way on taxi rides to get to city center to spend more money to go out to eat because the food was so awful. We tried every restaurant, the buffets, and snack bar. Coffee was good. Fruit and omelette bar at breakfast were good. That was about it. Nacho cheese stained my fingers yellow and the burger patties were something from a bad childhood school lunch. Any pictures of food were misleading and the food looked nothing like the photos. Also, be wary that the deluxe ocean view often just looks out into the ocean at the cruise ships that come to port everyday. You have a thermostat in the room but we could never get the temperature up or down despite being able to change the thermostat settings. Some good restaurants in walking distance for local fare like Paprika and Coco Cafe but again- to pay for all inclusive and have to seek out daily food seemed a waste. I would love to receive some money back from that trip for food alone. Ironman Competitors: there was a mechanic on site the three days leading up to the race. They did have a shuttle to T1 morning of the race. They did open the breakfast buffet at 0430 the morning of the race but again-the quality wasn’t there and at that point it was just trying to get in carbs. Many mechanics available around the IM village though. Would recommend staying near city center and renting a scooter to get around.