I have travelled with Air Transat for years which is why I chose them again. We arrived at the airport to check our luggage ourselves, not having to go up to a counter. This disappointed me as we are entitled to 4 pieces of luggage and only had 3. One bag was 2lbs over and normally this would be an issue if we went to the counter but because we had to do this ourselves I had to unlock the luggage and remove items. We are entitled to 200lbs of luggage and only had about 140lbs. Truly aggravating[... read more] at 5am to be dealing with shuffling for 2lbs. Air Transat again had water issues so no coffee or tea on board, or water in the washroom to wash hands??????? It did leave on time and arrive early on both ends.
Cancun airport, our transfer was there waiting, but we spend an extra 30 minutes standing around waiting for no one else to board the bus, again aggravating as to why we had to wait and for what?
We finally arrive @ Barceló Maya Colonial; I had sent a request per my travel agent via Facebook and direct email making a few requests. Not one single request was honored. We booked 2 separate rooms, one for hubby & myself, another for my mom & 8 year old. We were put it 2 separate corridors 7 doors down from each other. It’s a family vacation and I was so far away from mom & child. They said check in with us the next day. They did not help at all said hotel was at capacity which was a complete lie. The hotel was not full until Friday the 15th, we checked in on the 10th. We also requested a king bed, instead had to push 2 doubles together. Apparently you had to pay $70.00USD for any room request, no one advised us of this, had this been the case to get the rooms we wanted I probably would have paid. My emails detailed that the 2 bookings were together. Yet no one at the front desk cared. Another family and their friends (3 rooms) had the same issue. All of us were truly disappointed in the upper management. No care whatsoever for our needs, for us to be together. My daughter was ill one night and didn’t want to come down to our room because it was too far away. When we stayed at Bahia last year, every request we made were honoured, we were right across the hall from each other.
Barceló also has no communication about activities; dance lessons, mini disco, show in the plaza/mall etc…. My daughter showed up to the mini disco and was the only kid there, how can that be possible with 5 resorts??????? No one walks around saying what’s happening, no weekly schedule upon arrival, and no desire to entertain. Just not family oriented enough for us, they have the facilities and don’t max out on them. At Bahia, they were always around trying to get participation, but not nagging, just asking, it was great. Also, no one advise that Dave Matthews was there for 3 nights which totally overcrowded the one pool. It wasn’t overbearing, just overwhelming. Along with communication there were not enough signs to point to beach/lobby/pool/mall etc…… if in the main part of each building where the fountain was they had signs it could have save some lost time. Overall communication was terrible I was absolutely disgusted by it.
OK, rant is now over, time for the good; Our bellhop was amazing Horacio Lopez, got mom coconuts, gave us info that we needed overall his service was amazing. The waiter Noe in the buffet for breakfast & lunch was also amazing, saved our seat every morning ;) The food was great no complaints, the a la carts: our favs were the steakhouse, Italian & Japanese. The beach was great, lots of shade no issues with finding seats either at the beach or the pool. No seaweed until our last day, but they didn’t have anyone clearing it as it calmed down. The resort is very clean, and the maids were amazing, organizing my daughters stuffy’s for her on the bed ïŠ
Really doesn’t matter where you are located but if you go to be before 11 then ask for the Jalisco building as the other is close to the theatre and that sound travels. Wherever you are located you will be far from either the beach or the buffets be prepared to walk.
We chose Barceló because of the food as we had stayed in Punta Cana, but in Punta Cana we had room issues too, I really think this brand does not take into account the needs of family. I save all year for a family vacation; I don’t want to be far from them. Maybe Air Transat shouldn’t do separate bookings, make it 1 booking for 2 rooms, maybe that might work, maybe have a selection of room locations as well. We did have a good vacation but truly disappointed with this brand to the point I’m not sure I will go back, We’ve spent good money and work very hard, not sure I would recommend Barceló to anyone going forward. They offered nothing for the inconvenience, not even an apology just NO NO NO.
If you booked more than 1 more, my advice is to book elsewhere unless you want to be FAR APART from those you have booked with.
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Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort: Abosolutely Fabulous!
This resort was fabulous from the minute we arrived to the minute we left. It is very well maintained right down to the gardens, pool, walk ways etc.
The room was beautiful and kept very clean at all times. The dining was excellent with many choices on where and what to eat. The staff were top notch and accommodating in every aspect. I would return to this resort in a heart beat and strongly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing get away. We totally enjoyed ourselves!
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Wsaks00 -
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Grand Palladium Vallarta: Great Resort, Good Food, Not Accessible
A group of friends and I recently spent a week at the Grand Palladium Vallarta. The resort was on the smaller side, but great for relaxing days at the pool and ocean. The food was good but not very much variety from day to day. I personally do not have accessibility issues, but there isn't a single elevator at the resort, and stairs to get pretty much anywhere. I often saw parents carrying strollers up the stairs, and occasionally motorized wheelchairs left behind at the bottom; not a good look.[... read more] The Resort should have better disclosure during booking time to ensure accessibility issues are properly disclosed.
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Dunkley -
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Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf and Spa: Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf and Spa - Amazing Family All-Inclusive!!
Probably the best family all inclusive I've ever been to:
Pros:
Food - buffet was very good - only ate there for lunch. Like all buffets you need to pick and choose. Not everything you will like. Walk to the back left and pick your meat and they'll cook it right in front of you (beef, chicken, shrimp, squid, salmon, tuna, scallops…)
Wine – unlike a lot of all-incisive they serve only bottled wine. Botht the red and white are decent.
Coffee! Best coffee. Dolce also had great cappuccino[... read more]s.
Pools – basically 2 pool area. A quite one and a party pool. Both very nice.
Water Park – little park for little kids. Big slides for big kids.
No towel cards – just grab from the bin as needed – also every chair in the morning has one rolled up and waiting
No bracelets – so no scratching yourself by accident in the shower…
Wifi – good enough to watch Netflix (it rained one day) and make video calls
Room – BIG and clean
Beach – sand was very nice and soft. Never got really hot
Family washrooms – they were smart on this. I think ALL the washrooms in the public area had a men’s, women’s and family washroom.
Though not advertised well they had a great hospitality room should you have a late departure. Lockers, showers and change areas.
Staff- all amazing. They seem to get along and like their jobs. Staff at kids club were wonderful with our daughter. Entertainment team (Memo!) were great.
Dolphins – you an watch them swim from the shore. You can swim with them too but no ‘show’.
Cons
Beach, like a lot of Mexico wasn’t the best for swimming. Nice for long walks (it’s huge and goes on forever) buy a bit murky and rough.
I’ve also been to Riu’s in Cancun, Cabo, and Canary, Bahia’s, Barcelo’s and many others. Dream was the best (also the newest)
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Heidi1105 -
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Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka'an: Worst Vacation Ever!!!
Resort is not a 5 star, by any means. Pools are old and outdated. Nightly entertainment is very poor. Lobby bar shuts down at 11:00. Rooms are gross. Bed is like concrete even after we requested a foam topper. Rooms are moldy and smelled awful. All a la cartes were booked solid upon arrival except a few 9:30 and 10:00 slots. Spent 75% of our vacation either on a golf cart train or waiting for one to get from point A to point B, mostly to be told no over and over again. Incredibly disappointed wi[... read more]th the resort and also the service The resort is not a 5 star and definitely not luxury. No turndown. No wait service. Not a butler to be seen yet was promised in the advertisement. Frustrating, tiring and exhausting even just to get to and from dinner. We both could not wait to leave the resort. Asked for a ride to the golf course and was told no. Asked numerous trains for rides and was told no. Concierge offered a bottle of wine?? Ummm...what??! It’s all inclusive! Asked for 2 bags of ice for a medical condition and got a half bucket of ice for drinks. I feel the whole resort is a joke and the best part was when we went off resort and when the vacation was over. I’ve been to 5 star resorts along the Riviera Mayan7 times in total. This was a huge letdown. I was actually embarrassed as it was my spouse’s first time to Mexico. My recommendation is do not go here. You will be disappointed, told no a lot, and spend a lot of time riding a golf cart train..or waiting for one.
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Grand Park Royal Cozumel: Another fantastic trip!!
Very clean place, very friendly people/staff, lots of stuff to do. I've always felt comfortable on and off resort. Outdoor shopping center right out behind resort. Been there twice already and planning next trip. Just a quick cab ride or 40 minute walk to downtown.
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Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen: Great Resort
Fantastic location, there is lots to do in Playa Del Carmen only minutes away from the resort. Lovely pools. The staff was awesome they could not do enough to satisfy us. The rooms are nice and kept clean.
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Murphy0808 -
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Barcelo Maya Caribe: Enjoyed vacation
Excellent resort..everything was so nice...friendly staff...great food...great beach and pools..even dolphins on.lacation in a pool...we visited tulum it was very nice with great history!!!!!!!@@@@@@!!!!!@@@@@@@@!!!!!!!
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Kaycre -
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Occidental Costa Cancun: Small resort
I would say the resort it's more of a family-friendly Resort not a lot of young people the activities were mediocre however the food was great the service was great. The washroom could use an upgrade.
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Private -
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Crown Paradise Club Cancun: Beautiful Family Resort
The hotel is one where you will definitely revisit. Great rooms,terrific gym and extremely friendly staff. The grounds were well kept and the food was good, especially breakfasts.
It is well geared for children and the evening entertainment very good.
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Mona20 -
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Riu Caribe Cancun: Very nice resort!
The hotel was very clean, food was good and the staff was very nice. It was my second time at this resort and I will go back for sure. The beach is beautiful and the Riu staff always keep it clean!!!!
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Dave -
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Grand Palladium Vallarta: Staff are the key to this amazing resort !!!
Amazing staff !!!!
I would like to personally thank:
Ormondo - beach bartender
Raymondo - beach server
Antonio - beach server
Omar - adult pool bartender
Bernardo - adult pool bartender
Edder - surf instructor
Jessica - main bar waitress
Kenni - main bar waitress
Russel - main bar server
Biggest dude bartender (forgot name sorry) - main bar
Lifeguards on beach
Isabella - entertainment choreographer & her staff WOW!!!
Security
Many many more
Thank all of you for [... read more]another amazing trip (best ever!!!)and i will see you next year :)
David Mckenna
Dear management, please recognize these wonderfull people as they are the reason i am coming back for a third time and hopefull for many years to come.
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Dave74dd -
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Melody Maker Cancun: Fantastic!!
We loved our stay at Melody Maker.We were treated like royalty.They catered to our every need.Very clean resort,the food was great and our room was very clean and stylish.The only thing we can complain about is that all the bars serving drinks would close at 12:00 am.Other then that it was a great stay at Melody Maker.
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Pocahontas1167 -
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Barcelo Maya Caribe: Twice is just as nice
This is the first hotel I return for a second time within three years for my birthday. I have experienced three five star adults only hotels in Maya Riviera and the Barcelo beats them all.
I cannot say enough good things from this hotel from check-in to departure time. This hotel will cater you during your stay and makes you feel like a superstar guest (German).
With your stay, you get a choice of four a la carte restaurants. Aside from their delicious buffet, I did book the Santa Fe(Ri[... read more]cardo) Trottoria and Tokyo (Edgar)(Ricardo) each serving up amazing food with top notch service.
The only points lost would be the condition of the bathrooms where they are starting to look worn otherwise, 4.75 stars.
I will be back again!
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Private -
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Barcelo Maya Colonial: Nice resort
The beach and pools were great, awesome snorkelling nice clean resort .
Buffets were ok but had the same menu every night, no theme nights.
No night life and the entertainment was lacking.
Lots of daytime things for children
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D & D -
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Barcelo Maya Colonial: Nice resort for families.
Rooms are nice. But some rooms on main floor have "musty" smell, apparently due to lack of sun, and consequently do not dry properly.
Food is good.
Beach is nice.
Suggest you request a room on third floor, where there is no problem with musty smell.
Resort is isolated, 20 km south of Maya del Carmen.
We will likely go back, with family (children and grandchildren.
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Ocean Coral Riviera Cancun: Ocean Coral and Turquesa
Rooms were very clean, service was good. Good food selection. Lots of weeds on the beach which kept most of our group out of the water but the staff were doing their best to try to keep on top of it.
Overall, good value for the money and friendly staff all around!
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Ocean Riviera Paradise: Fantastic family getaway
Our family of 2 adults and 2 kids (2 & 5) had a great week in the sun.
Pros:
-Tons of space; lots to explore
-Beach was lovely; didn't mind the longer walk to get there
-Waterpark is so much fun, especially for kids aged 3-10
-Buffet has tons of great food; ate there for all meals but one
-Rooms are clean and quiet
Cons:
-Entertainment (starting at 9:30) is too late for families
-Shuttle from Cancun airport took over an hour with drop-offs at other resorts in between, so not the qui[... read more]ckest trip
-Most of the beach chairs are claimed early in the morning--ppl leave their towel but are away for hours. This selfish practice (common to many resorts) is such an irritation; wish it was banned.
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Canuck -
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Barcelo Puerto Vallarta: Excellent resort.
The hotel, rooms and grounds are kept spotless. All three restaurants we went to were very good. Plenty of swimming pools with hot tubs. The beach area some what restrictive with a coarse sand and no opportunity for good walks. However easy to access lounge chairs around pools. Bus service into Puerto Vallarta for 10 pesos taking about 30 minutes.
Staff friendly and service top class.
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Heather -
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Barcelo Maya Colonial: Stunning resort
Barcelo Maya Colonial has it all: beautiful beach & views; clean, spacious & comfortable rooms; stunning colourful gardens & pools; large variety of healthy & well-prepared food; wonderfully warm and friendly staff. Came as a couple for a ‘get away from winter’ retreat - weren’t disappointed - relaxing, enjoyable- totally happy with our choice