Seeking Advice for OBH2

[rmpotsy]

the waves are coming into the rocks pretty hard.  i wouldnt think anyone would really want to swim on  the other side of the wall.

[cacurry]

this might be the silliest question of all time - but to those who went last year, should i worry about packing beach towels? or are those available from the resort?

starting to get really excited - just booked flights!

[Sassbox]

this might be the silliest question of all time - but to those who went last year, should i worry about packing beach towels? or are those available from the resort?

starting to get really excited - just booked flights!

The resort provides towels poolside. 

[slappymoe]

this might be the silliest question of all time.....

i have a question, too, can't find an answer anywhere.

what is the smoking policy at the resort?  i assume you can't smoke in the rooms, ok to smoke on the balconies? do they have designated areas outside? please advise, thanks.

[Sassbox]

You can smoke outside, including your balcony.

[slappymoe]

You can smoke outside, including your balcony.

Thanks. i don't smoke but my date does. i tolerate it because....well, because she tolerates me.

[BH]

So only XX for beer but what about booze and wine?   In particular bourbon, vodka and dry red wine?

About how much is cab ride to the beach?

Are meals available during certain hours or 24 hrs day?

Thanks!

I'm so excited.

[gluvmiller]

So only XX for beer but what about booze and wine?   In particular bourbon, vodka and dry red wine?

About how much is cab ride to the beach?

Are meals available during certain hours or 24 hrs day?

Thanks!

I'm so excited.

There was more variety of beers than XX. Not a great variety if you're a beer aficionado. I am not. There was group of people this year that brought beer with them and had beer exchange gathering. There is also an OK variety of hard liquor. It varies though where you get your glass filled (and I recommend bringing your own cup as their cups are small). Anyway, the cabanas by the beach or pool have a more limited variety then say some of the clubs and bars inside. I drank my share of Jack Daniels. I can't give info on taking a cab to a beach. We had our own car (family of 6 made it cheaper to rent then use public transport), but we also didn't travel to go another beach other than at the Mayan ruins and then spent some days at Tulum. I have a list of accumulated suggestions and recommendations when preparing for this type of trip. This list comes from various people who have gone on Cloud9 excursions. I will share it here after I find it.

[gluvmiller]

Here is the list I've been compiling as far as recommendations when preparing for your trip to Mexico. This has come from people who have ventured off on one or more of these excursions. Obviously it isn't an end all be all and is sometimes relevant to each individual but not to everyone. I hope this helps (and I will post this on the fan forum as well):
- Check your passport early and be sure it doesn't expire before your trip. At the same time make copies of your passport and leave a copy in the States with someone and take a copy with you. Would also recommend copies of your driver's license and maybe a credit card just to be safe. You should also leave a detailed itinerary with phone numbers and locations with someone in the States. And definitely call your credit card and let them know you're leaving the country. I like the recommendation of scanning your important documents to a password protected pdf and then emailing it to yourself. This way you can access these documents anywhere.
- Upload an app for your phone that allows it to be a walkie talkie (i.e. voxer, viber) so you do not get charged international fees for using your phone abroad. The apps are free and the resorts have free wifi. This allows you to stay in touch with other Holiday-ers at the resort. Also, you can use an app like Wickr for texting
- Imodium, Cipro and/or probiotics to help with nausea. Maybe even some pedialyte for the morning after.
- Big plastic insulated cup, tumblr (the resort will fill your cup and you're not mandated to use their cups)
- Emergen-C – If you've never used it, it works wonders. Great when you're starting to feel a "cold" coming on
- Extra sunscreen and cigarettes is highly recommended. Very expensive at resort
- Take a poster tube. I bought a plastic one from an office supply store. The poster is a treasure you won't want damaged.
- Bring lots of $1 and $5. I know it says we're not supposed to tip, but I ALWAYS tip at these resorts. You will get much better service and stronger drinks. They very much appreciate it. I've heard mixed opinions about using US dollars versus Pesos. I believe the locals have better resources for exchange than tourists.
- DEFINITELY use your resort credits. Book early at the spa. Also works for merch in the Hard Rock store.
- Airplane bottles of booze for your flight as your carry on liquids. Their size meet the criteria
- MUSIC FOR YOUR ROOM
- Shoes are an interesting topic. Some don't feel flip flops cut it. Some are happy to bare feet. The resort is really big so be aware you may be doing some walking depending on where you're located compared to the stage. If you do choose to go with the flops, many recommend a carabiner to hold you flops or sandals during the show. You most likely will want to go bare foot in the sand so with the carabiner you can clip you footwear and hang them somewhere safe.
- Take a picture of the instrument on your building and your room number.
- You can get a Hard rock specific shuttle from the airport and if this is what you choose, book it early. Many do recommend getting a cab instead or the VIP shuttle out of customs. Personally I like the chance of riding the HR shuttle with Holidayers and getting to know new friends early.
- Condoms & lube
- Go early, stay late (obviously this is $ dependent). Personally, we're going a day early and staying somewhere non-resorty and cheap to get some culture before lapping in luxury.
- Great tips for your maids and room servants: school supplies, toys and baseballs. Your maids will love you for it when they get to take these things home to their kids. Sometimes these things are better than money.

[jaye]

So only XX for beer but what about booze and wine?   In particular bourbon, vodka and dry red wine?

About how much is cab ride to the beach?

Are meals available during certain hours or 24 hrs day?

Thanks!

I'm so excited.

I think you can use your resort points to get a decent bottle of wine. 

Near the front doors of resort, there is a list of destinations and costs for cab.  I can't remember how much but it wasn't a lot.  BUT - be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to get back to the resort, and have the front desk and bellman's phone number with you just in case your cab doesn't show up.  (I speak from experience).

Food is available 24 hours - not all the restaurants are open but there is room service. 

You should be excited. 

[slappymoe]

thanks for that, very useful info!

i'm having trouble deciphering one line, though:

- Airplane bottles of booze for your flight as your carry on liquids. Their size meet the criteria

please clarify for this infrequent flyer. thanks!

[gluvmiller]

thanks for that, very useful info!

i'm having trouble deciphering one line, though:

- Airplane bottles of booze for your flight as your carry on liquids. Their size meet the criteria

please clarify for this infrequent flyer. thanks!

I buy those small airplane bottles at the liquor and put them in my ziploc bag with my other liquids. As far as the TSA is concerned at the airport, the fact you're carrying liquor is not their issue. You just have to be discreet when mixing drinks on the plane. I suggest you bring your own cup for drinking at the resort since their cups are typically very small. The resort doesn't care and the bartenders are happy to make you drinks in your personal cup. Make sure you carry this cup with you in your carry on. Also bring a Nalgen type water bottle with you in your carry on. So once you get through security find a place to fill your Nalgen with ice and then go buy a bottle of mixer. So when you're on the plane you can mix cocktails.

[BH]

Thanks gluvmiller, great tips!

[walterfredo]

can anyone shed some light on how the airport transfer service works.  We are wanting to do it one way on the 31st to the resort.  We arrive around 3 pm on 1/30 and have a hotel in cancun for the night, and then think the easiest thing would be for us to head back to the airport on the morning of 1/31 to hop on the shuttle.  I can see on Cloud 9 site where to add the shuttle option, but I see no info at all about the times and frequency they depart the airport.  Anyone have any info on this?

[Derek713]

can anyone shed some light on how the airport transfer service works.  We are wanting to do it one way on the 31st to the resort.  We arrive around 3 pm on 1/30 and have a hotel in cancun for the night, and then think the easiest thing would be for us to head back to the airport on the morning of 1/31 to hop on the shuttle.  I can see on Cloud 9 site where to add the shuttle option, but I see no info at all about the times and frequency they depart the airport.  Anyone have any info on this?

Cloud 9 asks for your flight information when booking the transfer. They will have someone at the airport ready to pick you up based on your arrival time. They did have a couple of vans when we arrived, and then just left once full. I don't know if we just happened to be arriving at a popular time, but I wouldn't count on a van being there. Your best bet is to call Cloud 9 and let them know your plans.

[walterfredo]

ok thanks. 

[walterfredo]

I'm sure this is addressed somewhere, but how safe did you feel your room was?  I'm going to have to do some periodic work and need to bring my big laptop. Even if there are room safes I highly doubt my laptop would fit inside it.

[rmpotsy]

we didnt have any issues at all and our safe was broken.  i brought ipad, ipod, bluetooth speaker, and laptop.

[BigHerm]

Never been to this resort, been to several others. Never had a problem, then our last trip someone climbed up and went through the balcony and cleaned out someone in our group while they were sleeping.

I will be locking the balcony and everything possible in the safe going forward.

[cacurry]

anyone else notice the time change posted on the schedule for daily activities that will be happening on february 1st? 

looks like the clocks will be moving an hour ahead to eastern time while we are there...i'm sure they will make everyone aware as much as possible due to excurisions and whatnot.