wow! This resort was absolutely amazing with no complaints at all. We read all of the reviews before coming and the hotel addressed everything we asked about:

Difficult to get to - we asked and the hotel gave us a free shuttle
Expensive dinners - hotel arranged free transporation to local restaurants that were a little more family friendly like Richies!
Rocky beach - our kids loved the beach to collect rocks and shells and the hotel showed us how easy to get to Loquillo beach or a neighboring hotel beach
Activities - while many got cancelled our five little children loved the dancing, yoga and other fun activities all day long

This place was amazing in every way and I have stayed all over. I can't comment on the cost as I used points for this.

we would like to go back every year for the rest of our lives!

I'm just really shocked of all the bad reviews and pettiness I've read prior to and after our visit to Gran Melia. Granted, there were some issues, but not major enough to complain about. We are people who realize nothing in life is ever perfect. We were not looking for the mistakes or mishaps during our stay as it seemed many who read these reviews and traveled there did. My husband and I travel quite a bit and have stayed in some wonderful places and we consider Gran Melia one of them. The resort is beautiful and very relaxing. We did not have a problem with the food. We ate both at the resort restaurants and outside of the resort. Yes, prices overall at Gran Melia were quite expensive, but I agree with the other reviewer that it's due to the importing of items. You have to pay for convenience. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Particularly Miguel from the concierge desk. He was very consistent in making sure our visit was comfortable. I do recommend that you rent a car because it's a great convenience to be able to explore towns and local restaurants outside of the resort. Miguel had recommended Pasion Por El Fogon in Fajardo (www.pasionporelfogon.net). It was excellent! In fact, we ate there 2 nights in a row. He also recommended Richies's in Rio Grande. Can't see how the one reviewer talked badly about it because it has a great view, menu and Ritchie was nothing but friendly and accommodating. Gina from the Avis desk was also a wonderful person and very helpful. My husband had mentioned it was my birthday and we were going to drive into Old San Juan for dinner. We talked about finding some good paella and she recommended Rosa de Triana, a place that she frequented often in Old San Juan. It's a great casual local restaurant which also has a Flamingo show. When we arrived, Gina was there dining and had arranged for the Flamingo dancers to sing happy birthday to me. Very special and sweet of her to do that for me. Gina was right, the paella was excellent. As far as the pool being too cold. Well, I don't know about you, but while I'm sun bathing in the hot tropical sun, I want a cool refreshing pool to step into, not a warm pool. The activity and towel center staff were also very accommodating. As far as the distance of the rooms and everything else in the resort….we didn't mind the walking. There were carts to use but we found the walking a plus after having such wonderful and filling meals. Good advice as far as signing up as a Sol Melia member (which is free). It's gets you a 2 for 1 breakfast, as well as a discount off your restaurant tab. The drive into and out of the resort didn't bother us. Yes, there is construction near the resort itself, but that didn't take away from the beauty. We didn't use the Royal Service package and felt we really didn't need to. Our room had a partial ocean view and sat behind the Royal Service Pool, which was just fine. Very spacious and clean room. We never encountered any bugs, bites or attitudes and had a very pleasant stay. So, rest assure that you will enjoy yourself at this resort, unless, of course, you are one of those people who look for problems.

I had visited with my spouse and 19 month old kid.

Lobby decor - Wonderful.

Commute from the main road to the resort - a little long. The road goes thorugh the golf club area, and ends in to the Gran Melia resort. Nice view and setup, but long distance from main road.

Internal commute from the main lobby to the individual resort rooms - they have travel carts that take you back and forth between your rooms and the main parking/ lobby area, but wihout the carts and if you have to carry stuff to your rooms, it can be a pain.

Restaurants- Internal 2/3 restaurants - A little expensive, but the food/ decor is ok.

There is a inhouse casino, but I never went inside.

Room - We did not have the ocean view room, but it was nice and quiet. Much bigger than the regular hotel room at a Days inn or likes. Bed was real comfy, and the room cleaning service was regular for the all 5 days that we stayed in the resort.

Room service for food- Ok. No microwave in the room offered or available. There is a small refrigerator to keep maybe 5-6 beer bottles max. I personally thought the room service was a little expensive. 2X2 egg omelettes + tea = $45

Beach - The resort has beach access to the coco beach, but corals and rocks are in abundance, so cannot go in the beach. So the beach access is pretty much only for the view. There is one area with net to play volleball. I think the Marriott next door seems a better option, and that does have a beach access with a beach that you can actually go into.

Nice pool area, actually one of the best pools that I have in terms of size, layout etc. No hot water area or heated pool, so the water can feel much colder.

Kid area- there is a kiddie pool and a playing area for kids, with slide, swing and toyhouse. There is also a parrot in the main lobby, my 19 month old loved this exotic bird :)

They do have an AVIS rental office, so you can pretty much get picked from the airport and then rent your car from the AVIS office in the resort itself.

People in the resort - Very friendly and warm.

Tourist desk - they have tours to the El Yunque forest and other tours. They do have 2-3 people for tour desk information. The desk opens at 8am.

Reception was nice - They did let us checkout late, even though the rooms were getting booked heavily because of the Puerto Rico open going on.

Overall - A Nice resort, but like someone mentioned - it is still a work in progress.

This hotel is absolutely lovely! The decor and surroundings are beautiful. As with anywhere- it depends on what you're looking for. I went with 3 other people with varying tastes- and we all loved it. The restaurants are pricey- but excellent. The service is great. Really something beautiful to see....