Travel Review: Barceló Maya Caribe
- Jul 25, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 26, 2019
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Earlier this summer, the girls of Twin Tower Fitness and I were looking for a place to celebrate our friend Lindsey's 30th Birthday. Our search criteria was fairly simple; we wanted an affordable, easy to travel to all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean. Upon first glance, Barceló Maya Caribe is similar to other resorts listed in the same search categories. It is oceanfront, has several pools, restaurants and activity centers and is reasonably priced with flight packages available on several travel websites.
Check In
It wasn't until we arrived that we could see what truly distinguishes Barceló Maya Caribe from the others. The staff team has thought of everything! With private transport provided by Vacaciones Barceló we didn't skip a beat. As soon as we stepped outside the airport in Cancun we were greeted by our driver, escorted to our private van, and on our way to the resort. We barely had enough time to order our first margarita!
Coming up the private drive to the resort it is clear you have arrived somewhere special! The grounds are immaculately kept, and you are immediately transported to a tropical oasis. Our driver escorted us to the luggage check, where a staff member greeted us and showed us to the Premium Level Lobby to check in. Although we had arrived before check-in, there was an open bar available with delicious appetizers to hold us over as an agent assisted us through the process of getting our wristbands, room keys, and making reservations.
Amenities
We were then set loose to explore! With our premium level wristbands, we had access to all of Barceló Maya Grand and their amenities. Barceló Maya Caribe dining options include 3 restaurants; a grill, a buffet and à la carte restaurant along with 24 hour room service. There is also an onsite spa, fitness center, water park, dolphinarium, and miniature golf course. However should we chose, we learned we would have the option to try any restaurant or amenity at any of the five nearby resorts that make up the Barceló Maya Grand. We were so impressed with the variety of amenities on site!
Accommodations
The time came to check on our rooms- and to our surprise they were actually ready when we were told they would be! We were thrilled to see our home for the next three days. If possible, the Premium Level is the way to go to experience the best the resort has to offer.
Renovated in 2014, the rooms and facilities of the Premium Level section stand out for their decor and exclusive services. Each room is equipped with every convenience such as pool towels, a minibar stocked daily with water, soft drinks, beer and snacks, as well as robes and slippers for your comfort. There are even swim up suites available! Our rooms were on the second level with balconies overlooking the private pool. My favorite feature: the Jacuzzi on the balcony. How do you top that?
Service
The more we got to experience the resort, one thing became clear. It is the staff of Barceló Maya Caribe that bring the energy to this place; and their smiles are contagious! From the pool bar, to the restaurants, to the activities team the service was consistent, prompt and efficient. I was also impressed with the cleanliness; there were never empty glasses strewn about the pool deck, and the public rest areas were kept tidy. It wasn't just that the staff got the job done however, it was the graciousness with which they performed. I have to say, as someone who lives and works in a resort community (Hilton Head Island, SC), I know how challenging it is to always offer "service with a smile". It was so refreshing!
Activities & Recreation
There are so many activities available, you could never be bored! Onsite at the resort there are tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, a water park with surf simulator, and a miniature golf course. In addition, there are the water sports equipment available right from the beach like kayaks, water trikes, catamarans and snorkeling- all available at a first come, first serve basis.
In addition, there are many excursions offered by Vacaciones Barceló. If planning to go on an excursion off the resort I would suggest scheduling before travel, as dates often book in advance but there are kiosks available so that you can speak to a representative in person once you arrive. Popular Riviera Maya excursions include cenote adventures, day trips to beach clubs, and guided tours to Tulum, an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
All activities are family friendly, however there are many more activities for children scheduled each day at the Barcy Clubs, the childcare centers located throughout the resort. Check out their daily schedule for a list of planned activities. These are drop off centers, so you can let the little ones stay while the adults play!
See my Volunteer Vacay post about our trip to Hekab Be Biblioteca for ideas on how to plan a meaningful service experience for your group during your visit.
Night Life
If all the fun in the sun has still left you wanting more, head over to Jaguars Night Club located onsite in the Mayan Mall. This is the perfect place to meet up with other guests at the resort for a night cap or to burn off those calories on the dance floor. If you are looking for the local experience, head over to Calle Quinta Avenida, or Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen. There you will find several bars, restaurants, lounges and nightclubs that offer All-Inclusive packages to attract visitors.
As we strolled up the Avenida, we were approached by the manager of Mandala Nightclub who ushered us in right away to a VIP section overlooking the dance floor. We furtively notified him that we were celebrating a milestone, and he assured us he had something special in store for the birthday girl. The vibe of the club was perfect; the music was the ultimate mix of reggaeton, hip hop and Top 40 hits, there was hookah available, and everywhere you looked people were having the best time. Our table soon became the life of the party and we were joined by the local crew who taught us their ways...
Overall Rating
I'll admit, I can be pretty particular when it comes to travel reviews. I live in a resort community, and all of us locals work in some facet of the hospitality industry. So when it's time for me to get away- I'm looking for the best experience possible! Barceló Maya Caribe actually delivered! Although our itinerary was fairly full- we had a birthday celebration and our volunteer vacay previously planned- we still had a chance to experience much of what the resort had to offer. We didn't get to it all, so I have a lot to look forward to on my next visit! I cannot wait to return to this incredible resort, where the natural beauty of the Caribbean is only matched by the beautiful spirits of the people you will meet.
XO,
Hattie
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