La Luna or OmTulum-expert help needed

[scar]

Okay all you experts
need your opinions!
we have it narrowed to two properties for our Spring Break March 2010 vacation. 2 families with 5 older children ages 12 -17.

La Luna - big remodel going on. zanzibar/cuckoos nest will become one two story unit with 2 bedrooms on ground and 2 bedrooms up top and it will have a private pool that was supposed to have been started last week.

pluses
1. both adults get own bedroom, the two girls get their own and three boys get their own
2. Pool

Minus
1. Not on the beach and behind other cabanas
2. restaurant/bar opening soon?
3. will the remodel get finished including the pool.

OmTulum We would get three cabanas with 2 adults and their daughters staying in the two ocean views while the 3 boys would be in their own garden view

pluses
1.more privacy as 2 families will be in 3 cabanas although daughters in with parents but okay as it is a family vacation rather than romantic.
2. web page portrays this prop. as having nice beach club and restaurant/bar

Minus
1.no pool

questions about both ( price is nearly identical for both properties)
1. which has the best location in regard to all the other beach bars/restaurants.
2. is the surf different? our kids love the waves/boogie boards
3. is this the Om with the great pizza?

anything else I should know about either place/location?:)

[pepper]

Neither of your choices is beachfront - so that is comparable. Spring break will not be unbearably hot away from the beach like it is in the summer months, so you should be fine.

I would pick La Luna - for me with kids, there's that extra security that you all are in one unit and not spread around. They closing during the remodel - so everything should be completed by spring, without a doubt. All in all, I think service, ambiance, etc is better at La Luna.

[5nights]

I am by no means an expert and can't answer most of your questions, so take what I say very lightly, okay?

That said, I am booked to stay at Luna in February. I heard that they were going have some construction going on (rooms and restaurant, pool is news to me.) Of course, I am concerned about construction noise etc. while we are staying there, so last week I emailed Jacob at Luna to inquire. All I got back was a really vague email that said there was no construction planned this year, but they would start next year. I plan on trying for more info soon...

I don't know what that means for you??? Maybe there were multiple construction projects and they've already finished the portion you talked about. Although nobody has mentioned to me that Luna has a pool...

Good luck!

[susan]

Not to add any confusion but have you looked at Casa de Las Palmas. I think it would work well for this kind of group and also has the benefit of a full kitchen with frig for making some meals on your own.

Otherwise I think La Luna is the better fit. We were there at the end of March this year and I think it would have been fine back there just using the fans. With a pool it would be fantastic.

[PhyllisB]

Hmmmm, I had heard a pool was going in as well. Sounds like we need some better communication from Jacob or Free. I'm sure Breachreader or Patmex has the scoop, since they were just there (or nearby) recently.

I too would have picked Luna -- March won't be too hot yet -- and I just love the property and the managers there. But that's mostly because I know them, and I haven't actually been to Om, so take that with a grain of salt.

As to your other questions:

The surf won't be noticeably different at either place.

And yep, Om is the place with good pizza. I like Zamas pizza too, but recently people have come back raving about Om's pizza.

[susan]

when we were there a couple of weeks ago Rene did say that yes a pool is going in for Zanzibar unit- it would be only for the people staying in that unit. I don't think he said when the pool would be done but at that time the plans for the restaurant to be built this fall were still on.

[minniemex]

I really don't have a preference having not stayed at either property. I have eaten at OM and enjoy their beach as well as the beach at La Luna. I did stay right next door at Zulum and the beach is great!! In regards to the construction, when we were at Nueva they were building the new units the whole time I was there. I have to say that maybe once it was annoying and we were there for a week. I guess what I am saying is that construction really isn't all that bad of a thing. Once you are one the beach you don't hear a thing.

Interesting that the pool is only for Zanzibar?? Maybe just a plunge pool then??

[beachreader]

Yes, as Sue said, it sounds like the pool thing is going to happen.

If it's between these two properties and none else, I'd also take La Luna. It's a great place, and having the whole group together will be a plus. Three boys in one of those rooms, though, that will be a squeeze. My memory of the four rooms in Zanzibar is that they're double beds. But they're boys, right? Bring a twin-sized Aerobed, that should help.

I'm assuming, since Casa de las Palmas was recommended in your last thread, that they're booked for the time you're going? If not, that would be a great choice.

Om does have a really good restaurant, but the rooms there really aren't oceanview, it's a narrow property (lovely, but narrow), and the restaurant takes the beachfront spot. All the rooms are behind that. One or two can see the water, but it's not like a regular beachfront room in Tulum.

Still, Om rooms are quite large, so there would be plenty of room for everyone with no squeezing.

Tough call.