Grand Oasis Cancun Focuses on Entertainment

Feb 06, 2012

Standing on the grounds of the Grand Oasis Cancun, it’s hard to imagine that anyone could describe the resort as flying below the radar. With more than 1,500 rooms in five buildings, as well as 17 restaurants and bars and 32 acres of gardens spread out along a half-mile of the Cancun coastline, the resort feels massive. Walking around the property on a recent visit, I kept thinking I had somehow wandered over to a neighboring resort, only to discover that I was still at the Grand Oasis Cancun. Yet despite its size, the property — along with the other 10 or so hotels in the Oasis chain — is often overshadowed by more familiar brands in Cancun. According to company executives, however, that will soon change, as Oasis Hotels & Resorts has a new emphasis on defining and promoting its properties to travelers and agents.

Grand Oasis Cancun
The mother ship of the Oasis brand in Cancun is the Grand Oasis Cancun. The emphasis at this sprawling property is on entertainment, and the company defines this concept as “The ultimate all-inclusive entertainment resort.”

With its youthful, energetic and even artsy vibe, I discovered surprises waiting around every turn throughout my stay. There were performers dressed as vampires walking casually around the resort, while another group dressed like an Arab sheik and his harem. There were stilt walkers, mimes, Day Glo-wearing roller-skating cocktail waitresses and more. At dinner one night in Careyes, a gourmet a la carte restaurant at the resort, a group at the next table suddenly burst into a song-and-dance routine, proving there’s nothing mundane at this unique resort.

The resort has a wide range of more traditional entertainment options as well. Among the many ways to spend an evening is at the 1,000-seat theater that hosts well-known performers, or at the state-of-the-art nightclub that will feature visiting DJs as part of the new Oasis Dance U lineup.

If clients are more interested in active pursuits, the resort also features a small gym, tennis courts, a nine-hole, par-3 golf course, an enormous meandering swimming pool, watersports on the beach and more. One of the more interesting offerings at the property (available at other Oasis properties as well) is the Smart Car package, which provides qualified guests with a Smart Car for touring the region during their stay.

With all the entertainment and energy at the Grand Oasis Cancun, it’s rightly geared to young singles, ages 18 to 30, and groups looking for a variety of activities. During my visit, it seemed like the resort delivered for this demographic — at least judging by the packed, high-energy bars and clubs.

With this clientele in mind, the guestrooms and restaurants on property were adequate if not spectacular. Rooms come in several all-inclusive categories, including Oasis, Grand and Sens, with each level receiving different amenities and accommodations.

Without a doubt, however, guests seemed more interested in the range of entertainment offerings than in the guestrooms. In that respect, Grand Oasis Cancun delivers on its promise in a big, splashy way.

Oasis Sens
Just down the road from the Grand Oasis Cancun — but seemingly a world away — is the all-inclusive Oasis Sens resort. For clients less interested in parties and entertainment, the focus here is relaxation, and the property is designed for couples who are looking for a romantic, upscale experience.

The Oasis Sens has 322 guestrooms and 54 suites, many with either a balcony or a terrace. Some of the suites are part of the Oasis Loves U VIP Club, with a private plunge pool or whirlpool.

Guestrooms have a sophisticated, modern feel. The decor is clean and stark, with a sophisticated lighting design that gives the rooms a hip ambience.

There are three swimming pools on the property, as well as tennis courts, a fitness center, beach activities and a spa. Guests at the Oasis Sens can use many of the amenities at the Grand Oasis Cancun as well.

Oasis Palm and Grand Oasis Palm
Two other Oasis all-inclusive properties in Cancun, the Oasis Palm and the Grand Oasis Palm, were designed with families in mind.

The Grand Oasis Palm is the more upscale of the two neighboring resorts, with tasteful, upscale guestrooms and a laidback vibe. The hotel also has several two- and three-room adjoining suites that are perfect for multigenerational groups. One of the new room types, available at both resorts, is designed especially for kids. A junior suite has been transformed so that the kids’ room is decorated either with a jungle or an underwater motif — complete with painted murals on the walls and special lighting fixtures.

The Oasis Palm feels a bit busier and more energetic than its grand neighbor. It features a top-of-the-line kids’ club with a pool and water slide, a kids-only cafeteria, a high-tech game room, arts and crafts, a play structure and more. Both hotels will also arrange babysitting as well as supervise a sleepover “camp” in the kids’ club in order to give mom and dad some alone time.

With clearly defined clientele, great locations and a wide range of choices, the Oasis properties in Cancun offer another option for travelers — and one that agents are sure to hear more about.