Trip Report - "Wyndham" Reef Club & Sand Dollar Sports/Scuba: 12/2 - 12/9

[zzzScuba]

We just returned back from a fantastic vacation at the new "Wyndham" Reef Club.

We are Timeshare Owners at the Wyndham, so we stayed at the "Member's Only" Section of the Resort, with the All-Inclusive Option.

Check-in was easy, quick, and efficient. The staff was cordial and friendly throughout our stay.

We stayed in a Royal Suite (2 Studios w/Adjoining Jr. Suite), on the third floor of Building 36 (facing pool). Our other friends stayed in Buildings 33 and 34 (beachfront, w/some Corner units facing Pool/Beach ). All of our rooms were ready when we arrived, and in excellent condition. The refrigerator was stocked (daily) with soft drinks, water and beer.

There was a towel exchange right at the pool, so we didn't have to go to the hotel pool area for towels. The Beach Bar was also up and running.

Food at the resort has been greatly enhanced. Even the Buffet Restaurant (La Isla) has improved (with a somewhat varied menu, daily).

For breakfast, Member's can order off the menu at the Member's Only International Restaurant, or go buffet at La Isla.

Lunch is the same as it has always been, near the main pool section at either the snack shop (El Marinaro) or buffet restaurant (La Isla)... except that the food is better.

Dinner was available at Roberto's (Italian Restaurant by the Main Pool), the new Oriental restaurant at the Sabor Section of the Resort (can't remember the name), La Isla, or the International Restaurant at the Member's Section. All restaurants were open for dinner, on a NON-RESERVATION basis. Except for the La Isla (which was a buffet-style dinner) not having a reservation system could be problematic for some. If you eat early (6:00 - 6:45 p.m.), you probably will not have a problem getting quick entry for dinner. However, after 7:00 p.m. expect to wait. Sometimes as long as 30-60 minutes. I don't know if they will go back to "reservations" during peak-season, though.

Our only issue with dinner is that at all of the Restaurants (except La Isla Buffet) groups of more than 6 could not be seated, unless sitting at separate tables. I never understood why the Resort does this, but our group of 9 managed with two separate tables of 5 and 4. I just wish the resort would be more accommodating to larger groups. There doesn't seem to be any reason why they won't allow groups of more than 6 people to sit together. Even more annoying was when we saw that there was a table set for 12 people, we were told that the table was for the "Owners" of the resort. If they can accommodate dining for 12 for the "Owners" , then why can't they accommodate groups larger than 6 for the GUESTS of the Resort???

Scuba diving was easy to pre-arrange with Sand Dollar Sports. The staff was more than accommodating and our Divemaster (Gabriel) was tops. The Dive Shop now has its own separate area with rinse tanks, lockers, showers, small store, etc. The staff will even clean your gear, if you want (of course a tip is recommended). If you are a diver, you will DEFINITELY notice a difference since last year. They even have an efficient "sign-up" system for the specialty Dives (Wreck, Night, Devils Throat/Punta Sur). No worries here. They've got it together. AND (except for San Clemente Reef, which was still "sandy/dusty")... the Cozumel Reef System has vastly improved since Hurricane Wilma. I can't begin to express how much better the reef/marine life has changed since our last visit (July, 2006). It was GREAT DIVING.

As always, additional activities can also be booked through the Resort, eg. windsurfing, wave runners, etc.; take a tour of the city and/or Mayan Ruins; rent a car/moped; and much, much more (including renting a Harley through Sand Dollar Sports).

For those who haven't been here for a while, check out the new Shopping Area with some specialty shops and an AMAZING SPA.

All in all, this was a GREAT Vacation. I give high marks to the new "Wyndham" Reef Club. It is a well-maintained full-service resort that will provide a wonderful vacation experience ... especially if you are a scuba diver.

We can't wait for our visit... February 2008... Here We Come!

Jeff.

[h2odragon1]

Great report.
My wife and I are going to the Philippines in Feb. exchanging our Las Vegas time share for one week in Cebu. This will be our 3rd time we've exchanged for time in the Philippines. You should think about going. II has five offerings. If you are RI, there are more.
You do get more in the Philippines, we went in 2005 and our 1BR Vegas became a 4BR house in a place called Tagatay, Canyon Woods.
Good luck with your Feb trip.

[Big Mike]

Great trip report. I've been diving with Sand Dollar Sports before and they do a very good job. Glad to hear the reef system is better, our last trip was in April and it look fairly good then, if it's better now, I'll be in for a treat when we go.

[divingmedic]

Thanks for the report. We were thinking about going there sometime this summer.

[zzzScuba]

Our group is going back July 4 - 11.
You can check us out at: DIVERSIFIED DIVERS SCUBA - Home Page