I don't get what the others are saying. This was by far the worst vacation of my life. From the waiters and pool staff to the Managers, the worst. They are rude, have no manners. The hotel was practically empty when we went and they had promised upgrades, etc.. After getting there, nothing. I would not recommend this place to anyone. I have travelled a lot all over the world, and this was the worst experience ever. I WOULDN'T STAY THERE FOR FREE. P.S. Review your final tab carefully and always ask for a copy of everything when signing off as mysterious items showed up on mine, luckily I had the duplicates!

The Grand Bay is about 40min. drive north of Manzanillo Airport and in a world by itself. From the entry to the resort you drive about 10 minutes through its sprawling golf course until you come to the edge of the Bay, and you are on top of the resort.

The place is very well situated, with very friendly and attentive staff, opulent, and it offers everything one can think of. Great place to pamper the one you love! The resort has a big marina, offers aquatic sports, tennis & volleyball, putting green, spa treatments, shops. Or do nothing & enjoy the sprawling pool area.

Wonderful lobby leads to a lounge area with a bar and an expansive view of the bay & lagoon. A floor below is the "Grand Cafe", a place for breakfast & dinner. It has a beautiful outdoor patio that even on a hot day you want to be oudoors & enjoy the views! Their main restaurant was "Antonios" a true dining experence! An elegant warm & romantic place with very attentive staff and an excellent chef. After eating there we spent the rest of the evening in their movie theater for an exclusive preview of the "Italian Job." For a Friday enening there was only one couple from TX at the restaurant, and we were solo at the movie theater. Every day they have 2 shows, one for kids late afternoon, and another adult themed movie in the evening.

The grounds are very well manicured with a well designed pool area. The main pool with a swim up bar is deep all around (5' to 6') for good swimming. The middle section is moderately deep 3'-4' deep w/ a spa section in the middle. Further up is a wading pool (1-2"). All sections are interconnected with falls & slides. If you want to eat there, "La Plazuela" is their pool restaurant but they will serve you anywhere you want by the pool or plenty of tables around. If you want a local flavor a panga boat ($2 round trip, 24hr) will take you across to the village. Not much to do but there are eating choices but most are fairly basic & rustic.

Some previous reviewers have mentioned the costs associated w/ the resort are high. Everybody has a price range, but when one considers the huge complex and the care it needs, the amount of staff they provide to take care of you, I felt the prices appropriate, after all it is a brand name, 5 * resort whether in Mexico or Timbuktu. Let me throw some #'s for 2!
Full breakfast was about $25-30. Lunch including 2 drinks also about $25-30. Five course dinner at the fancy Antonios was under $90 & with a bottle of wine another $28. You might eat dinner for half that across the Bay but again the places are very plain & rustic w/ limited ambience. But you have the choice and the quick panga run is fun.

For the most part, the rooms face either the lagoon or the bay. Well appointed rooms, sort of a French-garden style decor, with huge bed, sitting area, nice balcony w/ a bistro set. The bathroom was roomy with a fancy separate tub and shower. Turndown service available each night with the ever-present chocolate by the pillow. The whole complex was covered in marble - beautiful gardens and walk-ways.

Overall the place is great for a fun relaxing quick getaway. It took us about 2.5 to 3 Hrs direct flight (Delta) out of Los Angeles. We travelled there during Memorial week and had the huge place practically to ourselves. On Friday & Saturday it got slightly busier, The high season is November through April.

my husband and I stayed here in the "off" season, late September,just after a busy local holiday weekend. It was unbelievable. I think there were only 5 couples at the resort! From the instant we arrived, the staff was at our beckon call. Litterly 10 to 1! We were presented with iced hand towels soaked in anise spice, welcomed by another staffer with delicious orange smoothies. They immediately upgraded our room to a suitte. Both rooms were extremely well kept and stocked and with beautiful views. The architecture structure of the hotel was like a fortress on a hillside cascading down to the ocean below, and to top it, Westin resorts has remodeled the entire resort to reflect 5 star quality. Plenty of hammocks, cabannas, sun, shade, trampy romance novels poolside, and a spa that simply was waiting for the next walk in appointment. Dining was pricey but the food was pretty incredible and when I didn't want to eat in the restaurant, the staff set up a table and candlelight on the veranda just for the two of us. The water although choppy and low visibility, was still an adventure because of the private boat rides given by excellent dive instructors who are really fun to hang out with. A really experienced diver may not be thrilled with the dives though might enjoy trying to surf. The local beach was full of friendly mexicans eager to practice their english with us. The surf this time of year was loud and high and dramatic to watch, Very romantic. It did rain every day from about 11 pm to 3 am which really cleaned out the streets and cooled things off. We couldn't have been happier with our experience. Lobster asada, and guacamole overlooking a peir, cheap bargain prices, friendly and grateful locals, this locations was definitely a place of true R & R. If you can brush up on your spanish, it will be extemely helpful as most people only speak spanish outside of the resort.

My family and I have stayed at the Grand Bay three times in the past year and each time, we come away from our stay impressed with the level of service we receive from the courteous, knowledgeable staff. The hotel's motto is "Looking for opportunities to create memories"-- and everyone, from Israel at the front desk, to Maren and Marcela at the Concierge, to the waitstaff and housekeepers and gardeners, greet you with a smile and a desire to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Though we enjoy taking the water taxi into Barra de Navidad to dine in the local restaurants (Seamasters, Maya's, and Ambars are our favorites) and shop, this gorgeous hotel and marina has come to feel like a private paradise. Our kids (9 and 7) loved playing on the waterslide in the main pool and ordering strawberry smoothies from the swim-up bar; when they'd had enough sun, the Kids Club provided a cool indoor venue for them to play board games, Nintendo, and make keepsake crafts. Incidentally, the kid's menu is particularly well-priced. We plan to return again and again.