Gran melia grounds are beautiful. I enjoyed my stay but you really need to know what you are getting yourself into. Renting a car is a must. The prices of food are extremely high and you would be missing alot if you didnt venture outside the resort. There are some great typical puertorican restaurants up the road, such as antojitos and don pepe. Luqillo beach is also 10 mintues away. The service was hit or miss. Some people being extremely helpful while others were not. My biggest issue was the hour it took to check in due to an error between my cheaptickets reservation and the hotel. All in all if you are willing to get a car and venture out....its an enjoyable stay since the hotel itself is very pretty. The staff needs some re-training.

left my car during the check in rush 2 days later there was property missing The windows and doors were intact so who ever did this used my own key!

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.