Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Good Resort - Beach Lacking

Just returned from 11 days at Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda. Overall it is a good resort - family friendly. Pool was awesome although do prefer a pool that has a deep section as well. Staff friendly and provided great service. On the negative side, if you are used to the beaches in Cuba this one was horrible - full of sargassum which i understand is a problem right now so might improve. Stayed at the pool. Overall cleanliness was good except for the washroom near the pool - need more washrooms.  [... read more]Room was overall nice however the bathrooms need updating as it is impossible to just step into the tub to take a shower - need to sit and swing legs over. Some rooms had showers only so recommend booking one of those. Food was plentiful and good. I was surprised that there was not more variety of fruit. If you are on a budget, I would recommend this resort.

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Beautiful spot, incredible view. But…

This resort was amazing! The food was incredible, the views were stunning, the staff were very friendly. My only complaint, twice while I was in the shower at 4pm getting ready for dinner, housekeeping came in to clean the room. Meanwhile, I come out in just a towel unknowing that they were there. It’s too late in the day to be cleaning the rooms. Even though that happened, I would definitely return. The place was wonderful.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: great resort

This the perfect small resort. The grounds are beautiful everything is easily accessible and the staff are very welcoming and friendly. Close to the airport, shopping mall and a beautiful golf course.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Nice resort.

Happy that it was adults only. The food was pretty tasty. pleased there was lettuce with every meal. The A/C worked well. Older people don’t sleep, so the loungers on the beach were taken before 7AM. A lot of smokers, and lobster people that didn’t leave the swim up pool bar. Jahovah only knows how many ppl used it as a toilet. I stuck to the beach.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Gone Downhill Since Last Visit Six Years Ago!!

The title says it all. Our room 8211 was old and decrepit. Maid service was good. Initially we had no hot water, but that was remedied a day or two later. The toilet was broken and kept running after being flushed. I reported it to the front desk but nothing was done about it. The mini bar contained only water and one beer and two bottles of pop. That's it. The beach was very nice, however beach chairs were scarce as were the chairs by the pool most of which were broken. The pool was dirty  [... read more]and the deck tiles were loose and/or broken. There were no servers to take drink orders so if you wanted something we got in line and were served eventually. Food at the main buffet was mediocre at best no matter the theme. We skipped the a la carte restaurants after some people became ill after eating at the Chinese restaurant. The lady who made breakfast omelettes was excellent as was the pasta chef at lunch or dinner. Most people I spoke with were less than satisfied with Villas Doradas. Not going back.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Good Resort

The grounds were beautiful. Well kept. Thank you very much. Grounds people you work hard. Rooms are very dated. Had to have a fridge replaced as the other fridge was overheated. Thank you Carlos for your quick response.. Most staff were very friendly. Housekeeping staff and staff providers was good. The spa pool was lovely. Was calming. No blaring music. Much appreciated!!!!? Some staff speak quite loud which is unnecessary. Main pool area music extremely extremely loud, high bas [... read more]e, booming. Spoke to front staff and pool staff about the volume of music. Nothing really changed. Would not return due to this!!! Especially in the evenings after a long day. Beach was lovely and the staff were good. Dining room staff was generally good. Staff work hard.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Cheap, Clean Stay

The rooms, although dated, grounds and beach are well maintained. Entertainment was fun and engaging. The a la carte Chinese and Italian were amazing. The only draw back was the amount of cigarette and cigar smoking and the smell of sewage at certain times of the day.

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: 3 Star at best

This hotel is a 3 star at best. After check in the time was around 10pm and there was absolutely nothing to eat. We were tired and hungry but when trying to ask no staff could speak English. When we got to our room (7106) the smell hit us like a ton of bricks. The smell of rotten cabbage and sewage was horrible. Not only the smell but we were missing a hairdryer, hangers, clean sheets and an extra cot that was ordered months in advance. I called the front desk right away and and was told we  [... read more]could move if we wanted to pay for an upgrade. I was not paying more to a hotel that was not willing to help in the first place. The room was also VERY outdated and full of mold. All the nobs on the closet doors fell off and same with the shower handle that was never fixed. Food was the typical 3 star resort food. Nothing 5 star about it! Chairs- If you want one get up very early to reserve one. I traveled with my mom who has mobility issues and there were times we couldn't enjoy the beach or pool because there was nowhere to sit. She also has a hard time with the loungers and there are no chairs. We ended up renting a mobility scooter so she could sit. I wouldn't go back and there are a ton of other places that are amazing for the same price.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Super Clean, Super Easy

Small group winter get away in a Very clean resort, a little classic but well maintained and a great deal at this price point. One of the easiest check-in/checkouts ever. Food was great, drinks were plentiful and staff everywhere were just so nice and skilled. This is one of the best beaches we have seen. So clean and easy to get in and out.

Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel: Great Time

The hotel needs updating but we are not in our room very much so didn't bother me but not what you expect at 5star. That being said the food was fantastic 5star drinks were always flowing even when you didn't order it waiter saw you were almost empty and would bring you a fresh one the beach was nice and cleaned all day long. Anyone hoping for night life this is not the resort for you as there is none. The people are all so friendly always with a smile and said hello. Not sure I would recomme [... read more]nd this resort unless you are going to relax. Although I would love to go back my husband thinks it's a little too quiet but overall one fantastic vacation.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: disappointed

this resort is very dated and in bad need of a lot of Repair. The beds were super hard. They had three pools at the resort and only one umbrella. The tiles around the pools were all loose the lounge chairs at the pool majority were ripped and stained. We were out of hot water for two days others were out for more than seven the staff, for the exception of two did not seem to want to be there would never speak They ran out of white wine on two days that I know of at the buffet. There was one toas [... read more]ter for the whole resort. It seems like this place is going down. I definitely would not recommend it. Other others that we talk to were the same very disappointed.

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Great resort

Good hotel staff very nice and helpful front desk good but dont take the time to explain things eg if your key stops working you have to have both keys changed at the same time or your roomates wont work ours had to be chamged three times rooms in the 2100 building are very noisy at might right across from the entertainment area if you like to stay up late youll be fine if not bring earplugs food is good plenty to choose from you wont go hungry for the price it is a good hotel finding chairs and [... read more] tables outside can be trying as some guest put towels on beach chairs and pool chaisr for the entire day and only use one set but that happens at most all inclusives had a nice time a few extra charges for some meals and premium drinks like baileys 400 dollars a drink oh and my freinds said the wine is not good all in all I would give this hotel a 8/ 10 rating

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Wonderful holiday!

We really enjoyed Blue Bay. Our room on the main floor was clean and comfortable. The grounds are very well maintained. The beach was great. The coffee, drinks and food were abundant and good. All staff were really nice and friendly. Liliana and her front desk team and the guest services ladies were absolutely fantastic. Carlos, Pablo and the ladies at the Black and White Bar were also fabulous. The bar by the entertainment area did not serve wine….having to walk 50 ft to another bar was n [... read more]ot a problem, so no complaints here. The housekeeping staff had a supply room by our room so we met each morning, they were extremely friendly and attended to our every request. It is easy to see why so many of the guests return every year. We will!

Blue Bay Villas Doradas: Not what expected

Great location Close to ocean, food average, rooms terrible, old run down and nothing worked. 2 little beers and 2 cokes in fridge, you had to pay if you wanted anymore. Spoke with front desk about plugged toilets, no water for 2 days, radio did not work, ceiling fan broke, needed to replace door key 3 times. Cleaning staff great Hard to find a place to sit at beach not enough chairs and NO umbrellas Smoking EVERYWHERE, except . A nice little pool in the spa area, with quiet music and no  [... read more]smoking Would not recommend this resort

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: BBay GE Resort – Great Fun, Food, Comfort and Value

The Blue-Bay Grand Esmeralda Resort (all-inclusive resort or room daily) is a large size property near Playa del Carmen, an hour south of Cancun city or 40 minutes from the airport, unless there’s a detour. We recommend this resort which offers many usual “all-inc” amenities for moderate cost. We're satisfied with clean sheets, good food, convenience and value. One of many Mayan Mex-Carib resorts, facilities include private beach, 3 large swimming pools, 6 restaurants, numerous sports facilities [... read more] and Miniclub for little ones, as well as complete services making your stay a pretty decent vaca. The buffet restaurant is white-tablecloth elegant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with excellent variety; we enjoyed all our meals there. Soup lovers like me appreciate cream soups of mushroom, spinach, carrots, tomato, potato, all which were nicely flavoured. Fish soup too. Desserts were delicious, daily variegated. Service for beverages was prompt and courteous. Five a-la-carte dinner restaurants offer excellent choices provided your selections are thoughtful. Reserve easily on the app. Examples: in the Steak restaurant, we liked filet-mignon, in the French restaurant, we liked something, in the seafood restaurant we liked the braised salmon steak; in the Italian we liked everything, especially the stuffed veal with prosciutto and cheese (Valdostana style); and the Mexican restaurant was passable. The Black & White bar scene in the hotel is happy, always active and intellectual (...just kidding!). And there's live music to compete with revelers' loudness. The Theatre Shows were serendipitously excellent, offering nightly different, entertaining shows: magic, mariachi, Mexican folklore, Disney, Broadway, Fire Show on the Beach, and more. After the show, there's live latin or other music for listening or dancing. It’s fun to watch fun dancing, and to join in if one likes to dance. We do! My vacation advice: don't retire to your room if you're not yet gently full, sloshed and tired. Three fresh pools are available. The usual pool-side lounge chair hide & seek situation prevails. Now don’t gird your bikini in a knot; same at many economy resorts. If you're challenged by walking, know there are long walks to get around and down to the beach. There are electric cart shuttles, if you can catch. The landscaping is beautiful and well groomed. Also, wildlife, by which I mean French Canadians and … coatis, agouti, iguanas, lizards, many kinds of birds, and (wait for it...) cats and dogs. Finally, regarding staff invitations to a “presentation”. Yes, annoying, distracting and time consuming when your time in the sun is limited. Calm..., don’t gird your bikini in a knot, just say politely no! Me, I’m empathetic, because resort workers are just trying to make a living by upselling you to their “club,” offering $50 per person gifts. I know people who have participated and survived and even purchased. Buy your friends $100 of gifts. Take it easy on your vacation.

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Hmm I would go again

The room we were in was moldy smelling we did tell them but they didn’t care. No service around the pool at all. Would if been nice to have that at least and of course the chair game ever day, being a family resort you would think that the shows would be around 7took 3 days to get extra blanket I wouldn’t go there again

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Hmm I would go again

The room we were in was moldy smelling we did tell them but they didn’t care. No service around the pool at all. Would if been nice to have that at least and of course the chair game ever day, being a family resort you would think that the shows would be around 7took 3 days to get extra blanket I wouldn’t go there again

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Love the resort

The food was good service also but we didn't had ice cream nore guacamole. The interning was good drink and special café was cool. I woul recommend d this resort to everyone. Beach its wasn't cuba but nice and the lagoon wish is 10 min walk it amazing . Loves my experience ❤️

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Very enjoyable bacation

We stayed for a week Feb 5th to 12. This is my second stay at the resort and I come because of the people. The resort staff are outstanding from the trolley drivers consideration to everyone's needs to the restaurant staff they are working hard but still approach with a smile and kind word The rooms are getting outdated it they are clean we needed some towels and within 10 minutes they were at the door We always had a full minibar and 3 bottles of water The other thing which was important  [... read more]to me as I have mobility issues there is a elevator in each building The food is good variety but if your picky it may challenge you There are 3 restaurants open for breakfast when we were there when I was there a little off season only 2 were open There is a coffee shop that is included that make great coffee and various drinks much like Starbucks Speciality restaurants are excellent there is a ap so you can sign up for your convenience just go to the concierge they will str you up Entertainment varies throughout the week There is a central bar in the evening with entertainment in the theatre right there The beach is smaller and there is during peak season loungers are required to be claimed early in the morning this in all resorts I have experienced There is the beach with a large pool where activities are all day long a restaurant for breakfast andunch A smaller Pool is at building 7 and is quieter you will have to put at 6 am to get a chair There is shuttles that run all day long as it is a big resort If you like walking you will definitely get your steps in As well a well appointed gym is available and the spa is in the same building I love this place but I am not high maintenance and what's important to me might not be for you I enjoy happy helpful friendly staff which with.a smile you will find here Oh yes don't forget to tip they work really hard

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: It’s ok, what you pay for

Rooms were not great, toilet ran the entire time we were there.Al a carte restaurants were great, Buffett was just ok. Bar service was very good, entertainment was good but the Black and White was very loud. Staff were friendly and most went the extra mile.