Holiday Reviews > Caribbean > Mexico > Playa Del Carmen > Playa Del Carmen Hotels > Iberostar Tucan Quetzal Hotel > Read Reviews
Iberostar Tucan Quetzal Hotel Reviews
| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Mar 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs Juanita |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
Food very good provided you stick to mexican. If you eat 'American' you will come home the size of a barrel. The staff are very caring and cannot do enough for you. However, sun beds appear to be at a premium due to fellow guests requiring two each. Rumour had it that our American cousins had bagged them all by 5am and by 7am they were all taken. It was interesting to note that several were not occupied all day. This greed was also typified by the amount of food piled on plates. I suppose they have to feel they are getting their moneys worth. Thank goodness for English reserve. But that is enough of my rant. On the subject of trips out. We visited Chichen Itza, of course, o0n an organised tour. If I did this again I would hire a car and buy a good guide book, our guide was not able to tell us much about the site, indeed he spent most of the time telling us appalling jokes. I was dying to break away to do my own thing.
Cozumel. I expected a beautiful tropical paradise but no it was more like Rhyl. We were pestered by hard sell all the time. We ended up getting the next boat back. Xcaret. A very pleasant day out with a delicious lunch. Bird sanctuary just outside Playa del Carmen. A pleasant morning out and within walking distance of the hotel, a few interesting Mayan ruins along the way.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Feb 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs C WAND |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
We went to this hotel in March this year, having never been to Mexico before we were a little unsure what to expect. The hotel was great, the gardens were fantastic and the staff really worked hard to keep the hotel up to a high standard. My husband is a very fussy eater and even he had no trouble finding food he liked in the many restaurants options available.
The only thing to be aware of is the costal erosion in this area, however this hotel is well placed down the flater part of the beach so it shouldn't spoil your experience.
I would recommend this hotel without hesitation and I hope to go back soon!
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jan 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Miss NS Sullivan |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
The best holiday ever!!!
Mexico is the furthest place Ive ever been even though am only 17, but it was worth it. Mexico is the best holiday I have ever had it was amzing, I went to the Quetzal Hotel with my whole family (there was 27 of us all together!!) for my aunt and uncles wedding it was fantastic.
I didn't like the flight but who does like a 11 hour flight in standard class??
We all loved it and would love to go again the people that worked there couldn't do enough for us, the food was excellent and the drinks well put it this way they don't skimp on the alcohol!!
There was a club on site at the Quetzal for the guests and the drinks were free! as it was all inclusive I was there most nights with my dads girlfriends daughters getting drunk.
Meet some really nice people there it was really sad to leave. My cousin, his friend and one of my dads girlfriends daughters even knicked one of the maids special keys and were going to stay and go out every night and then come back in the morning and sneek into a room sleep then go to the beech then back out boozing. Thats how much we didn't want to leave I would deffinatly rccommend it!!!
xxxxxxxxxx
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Sep 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Trio |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
Just fantastic, helpful staff always entertaining, lovely rooms, great beach/pool, brilliant food and selection of drinks...cannot go wrong with this one! Can't wait to go back! It made our honeymoon!
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
May 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Direct Holidays |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs J SMITH |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
Hubby & I have just returned from a 2 week stay at this hotel and I have to say that it is the nicest hotel I have ever stayed!
Food was superb from the main buffet restaurant to the 5 a la carte restaurants (you even got to taste caviar in the buffet restaurant) - you could never go hungry!
The pool is huge and never gets overcrowded though you will have to fight for a sunbed!
There is all sorts of wild-life wondering freely from iguanas, peacocks, & monkeys and they also have enclosed flamingos, tortoise’s toucans, and parrots in the reception.
This hotel is beautiful and I would recommend anyone to stay there from couple’s families and "singletons.” The town of Playa del Carmen is only 5 minutes away in a taxi which will cost you $5 and you can sample the shopping, restaurants & nigthlife.
Senor Frogs is a must. If you want something a bit more exciting then I would recommend the "The Jungle Tour" where you can steer your own speedboat and snorkel - definitely a must for all those adrenalin junkies!
I have already booked to go away next year but we will definitely be back to this hotel.
The staff are really friendly and do not expect tips for any service they provide so when you do tip them they are very appreciative. The entertainment staff were great and always tried to talk to the guests and encourage you to participate in the games but if you didn't want to they didn't badger you, and they all worked very hard to entertain you in the evening.
Adios and have a great holiday!
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Apr 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs D Cross |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
Wow! I can't express enough, just how fantastic this holiday was.
My husband, myself and our 2 children (12 & 7) all had the best holiday ever.
The hotel was perfect, beautifully incorporated jungle; the children loved walking the jungle paths looking for monkeys and iguana (of which there were lots).
Our room was spotless and the staff couldn't do enough for us. Would definitely recommend this hotel, and will definitely be going back.
We could quite easily have spent our 2 weeks around the pool, which was never too crowded, but we wanted to get out and experience more or Mexico.
Although First Choice offered a small selection of tours, I would recommend Iberoservices in the lobby of the hotel. We did most of our trip through them and they were very helpful and slightly cheaper.
Trips that are a must are:- Xel-ha, and if you want to swim with dolphins Delphinus is a must.
For the more active I recommend Altournative tours. We the jungle tour, which involved going into the jungle in a 4x4 and snorkelling in Cenotes, then after lunch kayaking off a beautiful beach out to the reef to snorkel.
We also did their Mayan experience. This included a trip to Coba (the highest Mayan pyramid in Mexico), which is in the middle of the jungle, then we went to a Mayan village and did a zip-line over a cenote, then abseiling down to it, followed by kayaking through a swamp out to more cenotes where we could swim.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Dec 2006 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
kaybolton |
| Overall
Rating: |
8/10 |
| Comments: |
Went to Mexico as a pre-Christmas treat and chose this hotel based on these reviews.
They were not wrong; the hotel was fantastic best hotel I have ever stayed in!!
Excellent choice of 6 restaurants where the food was always good. Rooms were always cleaned to a high standard and the maids indulge with some towel art most days as well as chocolates on the pillows.
There were only 2 slightly negative points.
First was the beach. Having been to Cuba the year before where we were spoilt with crystal clear waters and soft sandy beaches the beaches here were good but not as pretty.
Second was the weather (which I know can't be helped) as it rained for most of the first week (meant to be the dry season) so we opted to stay in the pool during these showers. The 2nd week was pretty good though and we still made the most of it despite the weather.
Travelled with First Choice and had the Premier Class seats which were well worth the extra money. Managed to watch 4 films on the way over, had 2 good meals, a welcome drink and snack, extra leg room and unlimited drinks.
Also through First Choice we booked a number of excursions the best of which were the Tulum Extreme and the ATV & Speed Boats. The worst was Captain Hook which left from Cancun! This is advertised as a family night where you get a gourmet steak and lobster dinner (unlimited drinks) whilst sailing around the bay and being entertained by a pirate battle.
In reality the boat never left the dock and no-one informed us that this was due to windy weather until we complained to our rep. Also 'gourmet' I could have cooked better.
The only positive is the staff who work hard to put on a show. My advice do not waste your money on this excursion!
Anyway back to the hotel and I can't finish this review without mentioning the Star Friends who work some really long hours during the day putting on activities and then find energy to get up on stage and perform some great shows in the evening. Very friendly and always smiling really make a difference.
To sum up, this resort of Playacar is perfect for those who want a taster of Mexico and the hotel is the best place for a blissful, relaxing holiday.
Would definitely recommend it without reservation but next time I go to Mexico think I’ll go further north to sample some traditional Mexican life.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2006 |
| Tour
Operator: |
MyTravel |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs L Duggan |
| Overall
Rating: |
7/10 |
| Comments: |
We went to the Tucan in July and had a great time.
Cancun airport has greatly improved since the hurricane in 2005.
Hotel lovely very big, food was good but cold in most restaurants. Pool huge, warm as a bath, pool bar good cool and lovely. Staff were great and very friendly.
Would go back to Mexico but to a smaller hotel. Went to the Reef Coco Beach last year smaller but we preferred it only thing was the hurricane.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jun 2006 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Hils |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
Have just returned from the Iberostar Toucan hotel in Playacar. We were greeted with a welcoming drink on arrival and shown to our apartment. The hotel is in a beautiful setting and is set on the beach. The swimming pool is a good sized and there is always enough sun beds and parasols for everyone.
There are five al a carte restaurants which you have to book for but there's never a problem, and the buffet restaurant which is open from 7 - 10 pm for dinner. The rooms are spotlessly clean although the downside is there are only shelves and no drawers, but otherwise there is plenty of room, cleaned daily and fresh towels every day. The waiters/waitresses are really friendly and helpful and the food is excellent. If you are getting married there, don't buy fancy shoes as you have to walk on a sandy beach to get to the altar and most people were taking their shoes off or wearing flip-flops.
I would definitely recommend this hotel as they cater for all tastes and there is something for everyone. We never joined in the games but there are plenty of daytime activities if that's what you want, and evening shows with audience participation. I would give this hotel 9 out of 10.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jan 2006 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
sparkle |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
We booked premium seats, and had a fabulous flight. Moet Chandon on the way out! The food was fantastic, and loads of leg room.
The hotel was wonderful. Spotlessly clean, and the food was excellent.Superb choice of restaurants, Japanese, Mexican, Caribbean, Italian, and nothing was too much trouble for the smiling Mexican Staff. Very attractive sandy beach, plenty of sun loungers. The bar staff gave a very efficient drinks service on the beach. Didn't have to get off our sun loungers for an excellent Mohito!
Tips weren't expected by the staff, and they gave an excellent service whether we tipped or not. Enjoyed it so much, we have booked for next year.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Apr 2005 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs K Bennett |
| Overall
Rating: |
5/10 |
| Comments: |
We was really looking forward to this holiday we have never been to Mexico before this was a big holiday for us.
There was I my husband and two children and my mum and dad. My mum booked this holiday a year ago and booked all of us to have premium seats as they had them when they went to America the previous year and they thought they were great it made the long flight better as my mum gets back problems and doesn’t like flying like me.
Everything was going well we booked the luggage in the night before the woman on the desk said we was going on there new plane and everything was fine, it wouldn’t of mattered if it was there normal plane as we new what to expect.
The next day we went to the airport to find out latter that we was going on Holland excel plane, which had to land in Amsterdam and pick up a new crew and fly on to Cancun. This flight didn’t have any premium seat which cost £2000 for us all, and we didn’t get a meal till six hours into the flight which we got a breakfast, there was no sound for the in-flight movie it was terrible everyone was moaning they all filled in complaint forms.
The flight took us 13 hours and we didn’t get what we paid for everyone had the same all through the plane. When we finally got to the hotel it was amazing I loved it we had a great holiday I give the hotel and the people 10 out of10.When it came to going home we asked our rep what we was going home on and that we was not going to stop she said we was going on a first choice plane, so we thought we was going home on what we paid for.
When we got to the airport we went to the desk and they gave us a letter .I couldn’t believe it we was going on a silly 757 which usually goes to Spain and it said we had no premium seats
and we had to stop of in Canada to refuel. We got a delay in going and when we got on the plane we was all squashed up for 11 hours people were standing in the isle to stretch there legs there was know room usually we would of got a 767 which goes long haul not that silly little plane it was horrible everyone was moaning they couldn’t believe it.
This was all down to First choice re furbishing there planes shame they couldn’t of told us before because we wouldn’t of gone .By booking premium seat was the only way my mum would of flew. It’s a shame because the holiday itself was great but now we are at home instead of remembering the good things we can only remember the awful flights.
First Choice said they would refund 50% of the 2000 pounds, which is not good enough, and now there saying the premium seat were £275 each but we paid an extra £50 at that time and its shows we did on our invoice but they said we wouldn’t get that money. So we are still fighting and we will never use FIRSTCHOICE again .
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Nov 2004 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Not Specified |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs J Connor |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
Can't really say good enough things about this place, I think the other people who have reviewed earlier have pretty much covered it all.
We got married there and it was fantastic, everything ran smoothly and it was such a lovely holiday/honeymoon as well.
Really good service etc and food and restaurants are ace. Be careful of the water on salads, in ice-cream, ice cubes etc as there is something about the water that seems to upset the stomach of anyone who isn't native and can make you quite ill. Although I was careful, unfortunately I got it!
We went to a trip to Tulum and then out to the place where you swim in this open lake with all the fish etc which was really cool, even saw a turtle. Can't remember the name of it now (has a big blue dolphin as its logo). Quite cool in November but great fun! Also went over to Cozumel on the ferry and went to Dolphin Discovery to swim with the dolphins. Again very expensive but something that I always wanted to do.
One thing I would say is that I wouldn't go with JMC there as there is simply not enough leg room for such a long flight. Playa itself is pretty pricey (mainly prices have been pushed up by the Americans I feel) and to go on any trips is expensive. Taxi drivers say they never have any change ever and nobody is interested in bartering, that the price and that’s it.
Overall they are only little things so really didn't affect the holiday much at all. Apart from the odd trip we stayed on the beach a lot, walked around the town and looked forward to our wedding. Recommend this place to everyone!
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jul 2004 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Miss H Kearns |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
After staying at the Riu Cancun in January and had had a good stay I knew what to expect, but this hotel just blew me away.
The main thing that made this holiday was the standard of service at the buffet restaurant. Not having to get your own drinks etc. You sit there surrounded by tropical gardens and there are ponds with coy carp and turtles begging for food.
The food in the buffet restaurant was unbelievable. Have you ever had a buffet with lobster tails or fillet and sirloin steak?. There are 4 a la Carte restaurants (Italian, Mexican, seafood and steak) were you are allowed 2 visits a week but you can get on a cancellation list . They were good but for me the buffet was the best.
We as a couple (37 / 42) did not like the theatre . It was too childish for us but if you have children you will not see anything more entertaining. They are very into audience participation. I admit though most people did like the theatre but not our age group. We spent most nights in the toucan bar were there was a man playing guitar. There’s also a bar in the Quetzal side. They closed at about 12 but depending on your barman you could stay till well past 1 am. After you could go to the Dico, which is quite big, but it seemed to play nothing but northern soul
The main pool area was like a lake in size it was freeform with a huge fountain in it. Some people felt it was to warm , but there is the pool bar which is much cooler. The entertainment around the pool was fantastic, watch out for the chief chasing a chicken around the beech and into the pool, or an escaped convict running from a policeman.
The beech here is mush nicer than Cancun and you can walk into playa del Carmen, walk the other way there is a nudist beech.
The tropical gardens here are awesome! There are monkeys , flamingo’s peacocks turtles, lizards pheasants, toucans, parrots, a confused rooster (crowed at 10am), there’s a lot more things but I forget what there called, and could not spell anyway lol.
A lot on offer here from a bike ride to rifle shooting there’s a gym, scuba diving, water volley ball and polo aqua aerobics stretching, Spanish lessons , mug painting. The list seams endless.
Playa del Carmen is nice but you will get pestered. You will have to barter and I think it’s very expensive. If you want a shopping trip go to Cancun , there are several shopping centres and there are several markets in down town Cancun, which are much cheaper, but you will still get pestered. Pay about 1 dollar a gram for silver and make sure you see it weighed.
Playa del Carmen is being developed into a resort and in my opinion needs a few more years but you will spend most of your time in your hotel. My opinion this hotel is the best you can get and is suitable for everyone.
Must do trip is Chitzenitca. It’s a pyramid in the middle of a rainforest. There’s a lot of talk about stopping people going up it , so go before they do, it is awesome. You look over the canopy of the rainforest. Were trainers. It rained badly when we were there and it became treacherous underfoot. Even our guide fell over, but it did not spoil the day at all.
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| Board Basis: |
All Inclusive |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Mar 2004 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Signature Vacations |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr R Seelert |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
We have been to 2 other resorts on the Mayan Riviera, and found this one to be the best of them all.
The atmosphere whether during the day, or evening, is the best you could ever find. The food is fantastic with everything you can imagine to eat, from all sorts of main courses, meat, salads, fruits, seafood, and deserts. The staff are all friendly.
The rooms are always kept very clean. Check in and check out were fast and easy. We have not had any problem either time we were here. We will be back again, and again, and...
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