Amazing family resort!

We went for 10 days, and we would go there again! The grounds are like parks, very nicely taken care of, the walkways between buildings of different parts are covered, airy and easy to get around between resorts. The room was little dated but bedding was a good quality, air conditioner worked great, we had a balcony with the garden view. Our safe was not working when we got there but was fixed next day. No problem with hot water in the shower. The fridge was stocked daily, plenty of bottled wate [... read more]r, soft drinks or local beer. The food in buffet was great, sometimes little salty, great variety of pastries, local foods, vegs, tried first time the cactus stews; cold cuts, cheeses, fresh fruits are amazing! Coffee machines available for self-serve. The service was sometimes little slow, but we always got what we liked. The buffets are quite noisy, understandable - the families dealing with their kids, but the servers were cleaning plates and dumping cutleries with great gusto, so the best seats for our meals were at the windows, away from central area and much quieter. The pool areas were clean, water nice and warm, the beach areas raked nightly, plenty of available towels and loungers under palm trees, nice ocean breeze... The beach grills are great alternative for buffets, food and drinks available all day. The sanitizer lotions were available everywhere. Our only concern was with a local travel company that organized transfers to/from the hotel and local trips. Not organized, chaotic, mixed our departure time for the trip, we got our money back thankfully, and almost got left at the wrong airport terminal on our way back. So next time we will have to double check all the dealings with this company or to choose different carrier. But we would definitely go back, for the right price, maybe at the different time when the sargassum season is over.

Modern living and eating in MX!

It felt like living in a modern minimalist cool chic museum. Food was top notch - especially the French and Japanese a la cartes. The Seafood at the Palace was out of this world. Rooms were luxorious with a hot tub. Pools were clean and fun jets. Beach was sandy and do bring water shoes as there is sharp rocks every so often in the ocean. We saw large and small and colourful fish. Coral. A big highlight of the trip. Staff were pleasant and kind and helpful. Ping pong was a highlight for me. Th [... read more]ought I'd use the gym but I didn't.

Great

Was very nice pretty clean but there were no COVID adaptations. No sanitizer no spacing of seats. We didn’t expect anything else but I’m just answering your question. The shows could be improved upon but we’re pretty good. Theme nights in the buffet and towel art is nice but just an observation. Overall we had a great week.

Beautiful Resort!

Spent a week at Barcelo Maya Colonial and had a great time. Lots of pros and a few cons. The food was great!. Favorites were the Steakhouse and the Spanish restaurant. Tried the Japanese and the Seafood and they were nice too. Best to book when you arrive with the concierge as they go fast. We had to basically take what they had. Grounds are beautiful and lots to see, lots of walking so bring comfy shoes. Some rockier areas on the beach so bring water shoes. But more than enough sandy  [... read more]areas. Lots of beautiful areas to snorkel. Loved that there was a mall for shopping on-site. Didnt have to leave the resort. Rooms were nice and comfy beds. Bathroom setup was odd. Bathroom door opens onto the toilet. Odd setup. Nothing grand but suitable enough. Cons. No hot water in the morning before checkout, may have been a fluke. No beach drink service, and no umbrellas anywhere. Some sunshades at the pool but only shade from the palm trees at the beach. Had to continually move to get shady spots. People saving chairs with towels is ridiculous. Went out at 7am and every chair was reserved and no one at them. Overall a good trip. Only other issue is that there were a ton of ignorant spring breakers high school teens that were very loud at night. They were tipping the servers at the buffet for alcohol and having liquid lunches. These were16 -17 year old US kids from Michigan. Something should be done about that. We always travel last week of March and never had so many kids at this time. Also be aware it's about an hours drive from the airport. Would go back but at a different time...not in March.

Will Return

A relaxing and enjoyable experience. We rode the bus around the resort a few times to dine, shop or just take in the sights. We saw deer, coati and iguanas from the bus and a few times while walking. Quality of the food and service was great. We dined at 4 A la carte restaurants. Mexico Lindo was my favourite, but I enjoyed them all. I was impressed by the knowledge of the Wait Staff at each of the a la Carte's regarding Food Allergies. Our only negative experience was the bus company th [... read more]at picked us up at the airport. The trip from Cancun to the Resort was very slow. They never stopped at our hotel to pick us up for our flight home, so the Concierge found another tour bus to pick up those of us at the Colonial. He was excellent!

Forgot how amazing Mexico is...

We had an amazing week. The food was good and plentiful. The staff are so energetic and ready to get you anything you could possibly want. The beds were comfortable. Only complaint is that the Theater went a little late...my room faced the theater. If you wanted to turn in early there was no way you could sleep until it was done. Unfortunately, our flight there was delayed making a long day almost unbearable and then our flight home was also delayed. Be prepared for quite a long trip from the [... read more] airport to the resort.

Love this Resort!

Everything about this resort is wonderful! The pools, the beaches, the food, the rooms....it's all great. There are plenty of attractions nearby and right on site as well. The spa is awesome, there is surfing, snorkling, and deep sea fishing. The staff are super helpful and very nice. We really enjoyed ourselves and definately going back!

Amazing resort!!

The Barceló is a beautiful 5 star resort! The staff are friendly and work very hard. Onesimo is an amazing manager. The whole resort is kept very well and the food and entertainment were amazing! The beautiful Caribbean waters and beach are so gorgeous. I recommend this resort to everyone!!

Trip to Mexico

It was a great trip no problems weather was hot, no problems at the airport or the hotel, staff were helpful food was good, great beach and pools took some day trips never any problems always felt safe

Excellent Resort

We have been to this resort 4 times, and it has never disappointed us. The staff work so hard keeping it very clean and servicing guests. Their cleanliness and food choices is why we’ve been so many times. We also took 6 other adults with us Jan.23-Feb.2/2023 and they loved it as well. This resort does not disappoint!

Great resort

grounds are amazing,very clean,beach amazing(white sands)i recommended water shoes when swimming in ocean.buffet food was good but not much variety(lack of sea food) a la carte excellent(Kyoto) Italian restaurant(Marenostrum).Our room was nice but needs to be updated,it is not 5 star hotel, i will give 4-1/2 star.

Fantastic Resort!

The Barcelo Riviera Maya is one of the nicest resorts I have ever stayed at. It was affordable and has so much to do within the resort. The property is massive. The decor was absolutely beautiful. Its was spotless, up to date and impeccably well maintained.They have mini golf, you could watch dolfins play all day, basket ball, tennis, pickle ball, kayak just to name a few - all free. There are 6 resorts within and we stayed at the Colonial. My opinion was this was the best location for beach [... read more] and food among the four inner resorts. Hotel staff were so nice and very kind. Food is good, I found they provided such a huge selection to fancy everyone's taste and was always available up into the late hours in the eve. The beach was well groomed and had wonderful sun and shade options. Pools were fun and there were many, swim up bars were great. I never felt crowded. My only critiques would be that because it's such a large place, I think they should provide an orientation of the resort rather than leaving it to us to seek out. Also, there should be more signs within the resort directing to wheee things are as we were lost for a frew days lol.. They could also provide more bar staff as they were the most busy. I would recommend this resort to everyone. If we visit Playa del Carmen again, we will be back.

Fantastic Resort

We stayed at the colonial premium from December 25 - January 9th. (Currently day 10 of our stay) The resort is extremely well maintained and the staff are always busy keeping everything clean. The majority of staff are very friendly and helpful. The only area we felt ignored was the piano bar area. Always lots of staff but they tend to just act like you’re not there. Food selection at the buffet was good. The steak house was incredible! If I was going to fix anything here it would be  [... read more]that you can’t get a coffee near the premium rooms until 10:30 am and the room coffee just isn’t the same. We did take a cup of milk back to the room each night which did help. With the premium your room is in a perfect location for the beach and pool and our view was fantastic. Here’s the but the premium lounge is way up in the far end of the lobby. Not convenient at all!

Very busy post Christmas

The rooms are okay, the entire vicinity is great, lots to do however very busy. Long waits, have to be very early for beach chairs. Food is good, very family friendly. Service was lacking but I think it's because of the volume people. If your going to pack a resort there should be efficient staff. No fireworks for new years, along with lack of communication regarding reservations left our one planned family dinner (23 people) to all being separated. I would recommend not going during their busy  [... read more]weeks, not worth the top $. Note very rocky beaches and shore.

Great trip

We love the Barcelona Maya Colonial, The place is beautiful, room was very clean . The food was good, and the staff were helpful and friendly . We could always find a place to sit by the pools or beach.

Great family resort with a lot of activities!

We really enjoy our Family Christmas trip to Barcelo Maya Colonial! Everything is amazing, food, beach, kids club, water activities. It’s our second time at the same resort, and definitely we will come back again.

Lovely vacation!

We love the Barcelo resort. The beach is beautiful, lots of comfortable chairs on the beach and poolside. The grounds are well kept. The lobby areas are comfortable and love the fountain features. The Premium lounges well supplied with top shelf liquor and friendly servers and concierge desk assistants. The pool areas were enjoyable and poolside servers were efficient and smiling, ready to bring your favorite cool beverage. So relaxing in the sunshine with cool breezes off the ocean!

Fall Get Away

We had good time at Barcelo Colonial, our second visit, and we would go back again, we had opportunity to tour all (6) resorts and in our thoughts for next visit we are going to stay at Palace resort, beach area not as nice as Colonial but the pool area is more to our liking, the Palace has more stairs but we are OK with that. All things said we had good time, the cost was fair, resort clean, staff friendly,food was good, rooms were good for us and we will go back. Thank you

Wonderful Resort

Although we were booked at Colonial, we got switched to Tropical because we wanted two beds in the room, not king size. Lovely scenery. Beach was clean and walkable. Ocean was great for swimming. I took water shoes. There were some rocks but there are areas of pure sand. Grounds were kept maintained. Pools were good. Staff were pleasant.

Great resort!

Barcelo keeps their resort clean. Lots to do. Beach is kept clean, rooms are great, and food is good! Lots of activities to do right on the resort on top of the stuff you can leave the resort for. Will be returning soon!