Barcelo Maya Riviera - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

6306 reviews

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  NOT a 5-Star Experience

  Average at best, teetering on Poor! This hotel caters to the masses and I wish I had read some of the reviews before choosing the Barcelo hotel group. The best part of the hotel in my opinion was that the beach and water was beautiful but there are plenty of locations in Riviera Maya that you can find the same or similar kind beach experience. The pools were nice but drink service at the pool was minimal and absolutely no service at the beach. The rooms were spacious and clean but the AC was limited and under the hotels control. Foodies beware: The buffet was huge but barely edible, except for the fruit. My partner had stomach issues 5-6 days out of 7. No food service at the bar or beach. The only food option during the day was the horrible buffet. I tried to grabs some fruit at take it to my seat at the pool and was yelled at by the staff. The restaurants were mediocre at best. The Japanese and Mexican restaurants were slightly better. The French and Italian were not great. The quality of the food was not even close to what you would expect to find in a 5-star resort, I would give the restaurants 3-stars and the buffet 1 or maybe 2 at best. We don't drink a lot, mostly water during the day but when on vacation its nice to have a fun cocktail. The bartenders did not know how to make any kind of fresh tropical drinks. It tasted like all the drinks I tried were watered down and full of nasty chemicals so we stuck with water during the day and beer and wine with dinner. They only offered one type of beer, Corona, one house white and one house red which was just okay. I would like to say that we got great coffee service each morning from Anna in the second floor bar, she took great care of us. We just had coffee and a piece of fruit in the morning and skipped the breakfast buffet as it was subpar. Most of the other wait staff we encountered were just okay and some were downright rude. Booking activities: We booked this hotel primarily because it had Hobie Cats as my partner really loves sailing. You were not able to book sailing until the day of and if you didn't get there before 8-9AM at the latest, they would be booked for the entire day. Yet oddly enough, there would be 3-4 Hobie Cats sitting on the beach all day with no-one using them. We got excuses like those are not working? Not working, they appeared to be in perfect condition. We definitely did not get our "all inclusive" moneys worth out of the food, drinks or activities. Overall, we enjoyed our vacation because we made the best of it but I will not be returning to this resort or any other Barcelo properties again. We just thought we would try an all-inclusive resort this time and boy was that a mistake. This is my third time to Cancun, the last time we stayed at a resort in Mayakoba in 2024 and it was exceptional. Sure, we had to pay for our meals and drinks but I have now learned from this experience at the Barcelo that paying for quality verses quantity is worth every penny.

  Feb 28, 2025
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  My second visit not as good as the first.

  I have to compare this year to last and it doesn't measure up. The food at all meals has dropped in quality. Looks like what didn't get eaten yesterday gets mixed up and put out again. There were times I couldn't find any thing I liked. The drinks are too strong, Everyone in our party commented on the too much alcohol drinks. They have got back to using towel cards. Loose a card $20. fore get your card , sign a water logged book. No longer first class, who really wants to take your towels, their nothing special. I had high expectations from my trip last year so I'm afraid this trip was kind of a disapointment. Still one of the nicest resorts there..

  Feb 28, 2025
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  This resort is AMAZING!

  We are currently on our last day here so I wanted to write my review while everything is still fresh in my mind. My husband and I (both mid 40’s) came here alone, our first adults only experience. We arrived here Wednesday February 19th, and upon checking in we were pleased to be upgraded to a swim up suite. (We had booked a garden view suite.) The room is huge, SUPER clean and comfortable. I’d highly recommend paying the extra for the swim up room, we spent a good amount of time in our little private pool. The infinity pool area and music bar are right by our room, both areas are super clean and well maintained. The staff are all out early making everything clean and comfortable for everyone to enjoy. Our room was cleaned and the bar fridge was well stocked daily with beer, pop, water etc. Our housekeeper left us cute little flowers and swans made out of towels etc daily. The buffet was the best we’ve ever had on a vacation, again, super clean (I’m a clean freak), and all of the food choices were delicious. Shout out to Wendy who cooked our burgers at lunch time every day, she is so cute and friendly. The service here in general was exceptional, very friendly staff, they are always working hard to make your stay memorable. The drinks at the bars are good, Aperol Spritz, Cervezas, Tequila, we had it all and it was all delicious, not watered down, we could taste the alcohol. The beach area was super clean and nice, lots of loungers, we didn’t need to go out really early to get some. They space them out so you don’t feel crowded, like at a family resort. It is a peaceful place (no kids makes all the difference!) Overall opinion of this resort is that it is absolutely worth the trip, we have had an amazing week and we will definitely be back. Thank you to the amazing people here.

  Feb 25, 2025
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  Worth it!! Must visit

  Oh my god their dance session at beach is soo much fun. Malu and Majo were the sweetest and so much fun. The food and the gibe of this place is great!!! Definitely recommend coming here. There are so many great activities and restaurants to choose from.

  Feb 25, 2025
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  -

  Mago and Malu were great dance instructors!!! Had a wonderful dance session with them rn. They taught us several dances and all of us had a spectacular time. The food and service is spectacular! Having an absolutely fantastic time. Would definitely recommend 10/10

  Feb 25, 2025