Beach Palace construction

Has anyone seen the Beach Palace construction? Is it being completely rebuilt or just repaired?

If anyone is familiar with the Palace resorts, what is the all-inclusive cost?

We have a week at the Royal Islander next spring and I'm thinking about adding a week at the Beach Palace. Would we be disappointed after staying at the RI?

Deb

Here are some pics of the Beach Palace demoliton.
http://community.webshots.com/album/547678153OdypqN
They finsihed about a month ago and have started rebuilding. It was old and in the construction business it is cheaper to build new than remodel.

Their website says:
"A New Design, a New Style
Beach Palace
Opening in December 2006
Beach Palace, the all-inclusive resort that has welcomed families in Cancun’s hotel zone for over 20 years, is currently under construction and is expected to reopen with a fresh new modern look in December 2006.

When Beach Palace opens this year, it will have 15 floors featuring luxurious accommodations all with double Jacuzzis. This means that while the adults enjoy this new exciting amenity, the little ones are busy participating in the activities at the “Kid Club”. Several fine dining restaurants serving a varied cuisine will fulfill your clients’ demand for international-inspired foods. For those looking for a pampering experience, the new ultra-modern spa will offer exactly what they need: a combination of ancient spa therapies with new techniques and the know-how for a comprehensive spa experience. For meeting planners, modern meeting facilities will be at their hand. Very convenient for their location, small groups can take advantage of the new amenities in a complete all-inclusive retreat."

All of the resorts that can are taking advantage of the situation by remodelling or rebuilding and most are adding the total number of rooms available to better utilize the relatively small lots that many of them have--getting rid of low rises to build even higher rises!!

When Beach Palace opens this year, it will have 15 floors featuring luxurious accommodations all with double Jacuzzis.

Click to expand...

I was under the impression that Cancun had an 8-story limit on hotels? Just a few short years ago a timeshare salesman from the Royals told us that Cancun would never be like Honolulu (with all the high-rises on the beach).

I guess this is not true anymore. How very disappointing.

But I don't mean to hijack this thread with my "Debbie Downer" comments. I'm happy about the improvements to Cancun hotels/restaurants, just sad to see some of the changes happening.

There was initially an eight story limit in the hotel zone and 5-story limit downtown but money talks. The local government has last word on zoning, height and density restrictions. If they need money (the Palaces were the first about 5 years ago when they added 3 stories on top of all of their hotels)then they "sell" permits for more rooms or more floors or more rooms per acre.

Some--like the skyscraper Riu or lots in th eriviera Maya--just do it and pay a fine later--part of business. We have a saying "Más vale pedir perdón que pedir permiso". It is so difficult to do things "right" and there are so many regulations interpreted by so many different individuals in so many ways, that after many years they just learned that "it is better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission."

The Palace Resorts are beautiful, food is good, and the service is great. The Beach Palace used to have one of the best beaches in Cancun - I don't know about now. The AI rate should be available on the RCI site - it's not cheap but it includes tours and transportation to and from the airport, and all you can eat and drink.

We'd be trading through II using an AC. They don't list the AI price but say that it is optional. If we don't buy it, will it be awkward? Do they use wristbands or some other form of ID?

I emailed the resort and asked the price but no response yet.

Deb