Diff. in cabanas at Copal

[Sand Flea]

Hello all! I'm new to this forum but a long-time member of the "sister" forum for PDC. Can any of you explain the difference between a "family seaview quad", and a "seaview quad" at Cabanas Copal? Is the family one more spacious? They both seem to have 2 queen beds. Also, is the seaview king spacious enough or do you run into yourself? I know it's going to be small but I don't want to have to walk across the bed to get out the door or to the bathroom. I realize this is really rustic but I'm thinkin' I'm up to it! I keep telling myself "I don't need A/C, I don't need A/C" - thanks

[gabrielgdl]

First of all, believe me, you will not need AC. Orientation and design of the cabanas is ideal for receiving the sea breeze. I've been in May, very hot and humid, and stayed at a garden king. I didn't miss AC.
Like you, I can't understand the difference between Seaview Quad and Family Quad; probably they are the same. But don't worry, rooms are not too small. BTW, you'll spend very few time at your room.
Enjoy Copal, Enjoy Mexico.
Gabriel

[Sand Flea]

Thanks Gabriel - you're right about not spending much time in the cabana anyway, sometimes I just like to have a place to set something down and it not be on the floor...that's one reason I was thinking the quad so that we can use the extra bed to set things out. I hate digging thru a suitcase to find something. Usually the first thing I do when we get to our destination (besides have a celebratory drink!) is to unpack. Being in a cabana, maybe 'unpacking' might not be the best idea with possible leaks in the palapa roof when it rains and little critters passing thru......but what am I saying!!?? It will NOT rain! I plan and worry TOO much! Thanks!

[Gale in KY]

The seaview kings are adequate in space for two people. There was a small alcove between the room and the bathroom that allowed us to put our luggage out of the way so we didn't have to walk over it. There was a shelf and a bar to hang clothes, but, no hangers so if you decide you want to hang things up, bring your own. I know some people bring drycleaning hangers that accumlate and then just leave them when they go. We didn't opt to unpack, and kept some things in big plastic zipper bags, just in case we had a leak.

We had a strong thunderstorm one night and no leaks at all. It didn't last too long and made the next morning very refreshing. Housekeeping came around before the rain started and put plastic up on the outside of the screened windows, then took it down the next morning.

We were there in Jan and never felt a need for AC..didn't miss it at all. In fact, a couple of nights, it got cool and I was glad to have a blanket. Days were warm, sunny and a bit windy.

A quad would give you more room no doubt but it isn't really a necessity for 2 people. The bathroom is not huge but it did have a sort of towel rack across the window..great for drying towels and swimsuits. There was a small table in there too.

Didn't miss electricity, or the AC..but, I sure do miss the view and the vibe from Copal every single day that I am home and can't wait to go back!

[austxdan]

Gale and Gabriel,

As I am also heading out to Copal, I too appreciate your info. I'll take whatever we get at Copal, but the more I hear (er, read) the happier I am with our booking. We have a Seaview King, and I look forward to the ocean breeze that I hear so much about. Living in TX I am quite used to a humid climate, but can get away from that this coming May.

Sandflea, when are you going to be at Copal? If you are there before May, I look forward to your trip report :) Be sure to include the spa treatments!

I'm sure I'll have more questions once May get closer. Thanks all.

[Sand Flea]

Thank you so much for the info Gail in KY! We will be at Copal March 11-18. After reading the fine print on an area under www.hotelstulum.com (http://www.hotelstulum.com) (I think) I realized a Family Quad has a set of bunk beds. So for anyone else that might have the same question - there you are! We booked a Seaview King yesterday and I am so wired to get there! We'll be there for 4 nights and then on to PDC for the remaining 3 nights. Will definitely post a trip report when we return! Oh, I couldn't find anywhere as to whether they provide beach towels. I'm guessing not - I'll be sure to pack several large sarongs just in case. Thanks again all!

[dcap]

I also booked 2 nights at Copal, Seaview King for June 7,8. We will stay 2 more nights in Tulum the 9th &10th just not sure where yet. Was thinking either the La vita belle or tierra Del Sol. A little up scale and pricey is Suenos de Tulum, looks really nice though.
Tina

[Gale in KY]

You will notice if you visit LaVitaEBella's new website a HUGE increase in prices..I know they are on a perfect beach, but, high season prices now at $250 a nite??? I am afraid they are only following a trend that will soon have all the hotel road places pricing many of us out of a visit.

Anyway, I have heard many good things about Tierras Del Sol. This is one of the places I hope to spend a few nites on my next visit. It is a ways down the road though, so this will require a car to get around, unless you are planning to stay close to TDS for your entire visit. Carlos was very quick with a reply to my inquiry about availablity and had rooms available for Jan., so I doubt you will ever have a problem getting a room here.

Just a side note- Copal is NO longer allowing coolers in the cabanas, their response I imagine to all the complaints of bugs that I see in trip reports and reviews on other websites..who would think it, bugs in the jungle..We kept our cooler outside the room, with all food sealed up in freezer bags, but if you leave food open in the cabana you will attract insects and mice. This saddens me, having a cooler for cervesa and supplies we bought at San Francisco Grocery cut down on our daily expenses.

[Sand Flea]

I can definitely understand them not wanting food in the cabanas but a cooler with cerveza and water is a bit strict. We've always kept a small cooler with us if there wasn't a small frig in the place we were staying. I'm not much of a coffee drinker in the warm months so an ice cold Diet Coke is usually my morning jolt. I guess now someone needs to make a cooler disquised as a suitcase! Gail, did ya'll bring your own beachtowels?

[gabrielgdl]

Regarding beach towels, we didn't bring ours, but next time we'll do, as well as a couple of cheap beach umbrellas, the kind of we can leave there when we return.
G.

[Gale in KY]

Believe it or not, I DO have a cooler that is on wheels and is canvas on the outside, looks just like a pullman overnight bag..when I read this on Copal's website, I thought, "I will be taking that with me"..lol! I often use it as a carryon, loaded with stuff, nobody can tell the difference.

I do take my own beachtowel, but I do this more out of habit than anything else. Also, you will want to take washcloths, they don't provide them at many places, including copal. I bought a cheap pack of baby washcloths, they don't take up much room in the suitcase.

They have blankets folded and doubling as chair pads on all chairs in the rooms, and you can use these on the beach if you like.

Great idea about the umbrella, I hadn't thought of that..I have one in the attic from a visit to Myrtle Beach years ago. Lack of shade didn't bother me, but, I didn't spend everyday, all day on the beach either..If I did, some shade would probably be most welcome in the hottest part of the day. With our cabana so close to the beach and the water, if we needed a break we just returned to the room for a few minutes.

[HollyWorton]

Family seaview quad: one king size bed, two bunks
Seaview quad: two queen size beds

The seaview kings are definitely smaller than the seaview quads. If you don´t need the king bed, you might consider changing the booking to a quad instead, if you are concerned about space in the room. Space is tight in the kings, but most people don´t spend all day in the cabana, so it´s usually not an issue.

If you are worried about A/C...you might want to re-think your trip to Tulum. Or consider changing to Zahra, there are ceiling fans there.


Hello all! I'm new to this forum but a long-time member of the "sister" forum for PDC. Can any of you explain the difference between a "family seaview quad", and a "seaview quad" at Cabanas Copal? Is the family one more spacious? They both seem to have 2 queen beds. Also, is the seaview king spacious enough or do you run into yourself? I know it's going to be small but I don't want to have to walk across the bed to get out the door or to the bathroom. I realize this is really rustic but I'm thinkin' I'm up to it! I keep telling myself "I don't need A/C, I don't need A/C" - thanks