Mexico - Barcelo' Maya Riviera All Adult

Damned. here we go again!   Fourth trip of the year, but the first time to the new Adults Only (AO) section of this resort, which is nothing short of HUGE with SIX resorts all together, side by side.  The first time we went was around 2008, followed by at least four more trips to this location over the years. Normally to the Palace, once to the Tropical and now to the AO.  Hell, we've already made our Spring trip reservations for an AirBnB Cozumel before heading out to this one... sort of a blur?  Well, after a few days of packing we're headed out mid-week flying into Cancun to meeting with Michael Hansen for his 50th Bday.  His brother, my cousin Michael and his bride and Jesse Davis and his bride, are all headed down. We've all got Premium swim out Jr Suites and it's going to rock.

Okay … wrote the above before we left, got back last night … whew .. what a week! In so many ways this one went ultra-smooth. few lil’ bumps along the way but a great trip.   We booked via AAVacations.com for it all, but might do it differently next time; use mybarcelo.com to book the room and AA for the flights; at least do a cost comparison.  Why?  Seems like when you book your room directly you are in their system differently due to a few things I noted during the week.  This time as I’d posted last year, changed up the transportation. There are a shit load of companies you can use, but I chose Kalido ( https://www.kalidotravel.com/ ) due to their pricing, great reviews and .. they let me order up all the alcohol we wanted for the ride and it was in a cooler along with waters.  

We dropped off Peanut with Uncle Dick and Aunt Holly the night before, got a good night’s sleep then headed out to DFW.  Left 3.5 hrs prior to flight but will do 4 next time. less rushed.  Chose not to do the Admirals club because they charge Lucy for her mimosas, so headed to a nice restaurant instead in the terminal.  Then, loaded up in First Class for a quick flight to Cancun.  Great crew (both directions) and we were soon in Cancun. They have really fine tuned the process so once we grabbed our check in bags, we headed out through the gauntlet of clowns that ‘want to help”  .. but there to take your money, outside .. through another gauntlet for forty feet, see the Kalido sign…. And we’re walked immediately to our van, loaded up and our private transportation for $120 R/T is moving. Cooler with champagne and Ambar cervezas… and .. .. we’re smiling.  We’re headed to the Barcelo property which is about 20 minutes south of Playa Del Carmen .. .so .. over an hour of traffic awaits us.  But, after several beers and that bottle … we’re pulling up.

This is at least our fifth time to the property, but our first time at the Rivera Maya Adults Only portion which is only 1 ½ years old and ultra-modern.  Overall, it’s stunning but a huge difference from the other five properties which are more … ‘authentic.”  We’re all premium level so we head into the premium lobby, grab a few drinks and get checked in.  All standard procedure but one thing is different this time. Our wristbands are not plastic but a small metal red oval (premium level) attached with thin leather bracelet of sorts.  What turns out to be the cool part is they are serialized and used to open your room electronically; score. We’re soon checked into our Premium Jr Suite Swim out .. and … the other folks in our group have fine tuned the locations so all 4 with swim outs are next door to each other.  This was the key to our trip being over the top.   Tip out the bell man that brings our bags, grab some swim shorts and it’s … Vaca Time!   Davis’s and Michael H are already there and have a head start on us.  Soon have floats aired up , twin Judy Blow up dolls prepped (unplanned!) and … the party in the swim out pool is in full gear as it will be the next seven days… non-stop!

Our Swimouts

We’ve been to the Palace several times, and the Tropical once, but this place is a different animal.  It’s a huge half circle layout with swim outs in front of every building.  The main area has two huge pools with a large bar/pool bar on each side.  A top end buffet is in the center, with the two lobby bars above it.  In front of all that is an expansive beach with more than enough chaise loungers.  Behind us in a different building is the convention center with the four restaurants that are referred to as the ala carte’s; basically, not buffet.  Mexican, Italian, French and Japanese. All were easily accessible. From the north side of the pool / bar area, you can walk out onto a path that follows the beach to explore the other resorts which you have access to since the AO (adults only) is the top end with full access.  Few things quickly jump out at you about all this.  Music is jamming and the pools get busier as you head out towards the Beach/Caribe/Colonial/Tropical/Palace locations.  Kids are in the mix, lots of groups/families / and seemed to more ‘mixed’ with various ethnicity.  The vibe is different; seems younger and louder.  Half way through you come across the dolphin pool and the dive shop where you can setup your SCUBA trips, rent jet skis, boats, excursions, you name it.  Continue on and you see buffet after buffet.  Pool bar after pool bar.  Few times we did pool hops grabbing drinks at each one all the way though.  Problem is, now you’ve got to get back. But, no problemo’!  They have a double decker bus that is provided at no cost that runs the whole property until something like 2am.  So, head to the lobby, grab the bus, and enjoy the view from the street side. They have built this place up with items they never had before. Karts, zip lines, water park, you name it, huge mall, casino, etc.

Damned, got a lil side tracked there!   Back to day one. When we checked in , setup the group of 8 for dinners each night so we soon find ourselves climbing out of the pool and headed to dinner.  Everyone is now here, had some pool time and we’re prettied up and headed to the Japanese restaurant.  MH got these at the sit-down area.  They won’t sit 8 together (WUHAN!) but two 4 tops next to each other.  Sushi/Sashimi rock, drinks are good…   and we keep sliding our tables closer together.  By the time we leave we’ve beaten the system.  From there we head to the lobby bar where it’s kicked up, all chairs are lit up in Pink and the first night we spend kicking it up until midnight.  We’re all beat .. called it a night!  For the next several days, it was a common theme for most.  Breakfast via Room Service on the patio pool side, mimosas and assorted other refreshments in the pool, then wander off to the beach or other pools on the resort.  One day we headed over to the Beach rental area and rented five ‘jet ski’s’ for a ½ hour and had a blast.  Thank god we didn’t’ do an hour because we rode them full bore most of that time and a few of us, especially me were sore as hell the next day.  Few days later some para sailing by half the group.  Few ‘pool hop/crawl’ days around the resort to change things up. Most nights, we hit the lobby bar where they have different music and them damned chairs kept changing colors.  One of the interesting parts of this resort now is that red double decker topless bus they run continually for about 18-20 hrs a day. Jump on it and hit any resort within minutes to include the huge mall in the center.  Have to admit, it’s a great option. 

The Lobby

The boys

Eventually, we find ourselves on day 8.  I’m friggin’ beat. Most of us are beat.  Probably could have done this as a 5 or 6 nighter in stead of the 7.  But damned it was a blast.  We all find ourselves in the lobby around 10-11 as we check out and head to Cancun International Airport where we all hit the Margaritaville which never disappoints.   As I sit here typing this, opting not to do a daily play by play post as I have in the past …  can’t help but smile looking at the hundreds of pics taken, all the silliness, some drunken situations that happened, great memories with everyone.  As usual, I’m beat after all the crazy fun.  Too much alcohol.  Lack of sleep staying up to 2am in the pool catching up with by family and friends, sipping some scotch/rum.  Wondering when … the next trip is.   And the final question; would I revisit this specific resort?

The answer is ‘no’.   Now wait a minute…..  there is a reason for that answer.  We all had a blast.  The place was beautiful, modern, pristine.  My cousin’s words were ‘sterile’. Mine were ‘modern’. As great a time we had, enjoyed the restaurants, the pools, the bars … something was amiss.  You can’t blame Covid because we ventured to the other properties within that resort.  They’ve been open over a year, so you can't say they are too ‘new.  I think it all comes down to a management problem.  So many things jump at me that just could have been better. 

• They wouldn’t bring alcohol to your room with your room service food order. WTF?
• If you called for a bottle of champagne, they wanted to charge you. Yet we procured dozens of bottles over the week via various means. WTF?
• ALL of their bars were understaffed with bartenders.  If you went to a pool bar, ONE on each side, with wait times too long. Didn't experience that at the others. WTF?
• The only buffet on the property was closed at 6pm.  So you had to venture off to the other five properties where they stay opened normal hours.  WTF?
• Most of us drink our margaritas with Don Julio, Blanco and/or Reposado. They were constantly running out of it and subbing in.  BUT, venturing off to other pool bars, they ALWAYS had it tucked away in a cooler. We were the top end resort.  WTF?
• There was no ‘entertainment’ at night as is the norm for most. But, they had them at the lower resorts.  WTF?
• There was no service on the beach for food or drinks.  I don’t have that issue with Iberostar or Secrets.  WTF?

This list could go on .. and on.  I’m nit picking. Sort of. But when you pay this kind of money you get used to having your ass kissed, as they did at the lower end properties on the Barcelo complex and other brands.  So, back to ‘did we have a good time?’  Hell yes!   But, it could have been an over the top AWESOME experience, had management had their shit together.  Back to .. will I go back to the AO? No, but I would to the Palace.  Even the other four given the right reasons (others traveling with us wanted them).. But the AO, no. Besides, I like the nostalgic Mayan feel more so.

I was looking around for New Years Eve options down there yesterday but the prices are through the roof. We’ve got our lil Peanut to take care of. Have a new home in MS with family.  Tons of friends here in Greenville.  So, time to park it for awhile.  We’re booked for an AirBnB in Cozumel next Spring.  I may start diving again.  I opted out after the ICD situation but .. maybe .. some shallow dives…   keep it around 30-40’ where the views are best anyways.    Still, I can’t help but smile after the last week.  Awesome time for the 8 of us. 

In all hypocrisy, I’d do it again next month if they all said …  “REDO!”

Update 1:  Meant to talk about the mask situation.  Know that I'm out of Texas, we are not required to wear them anymore mandated by our Governor, and I only did from day one when 'forced' to in certain situations.  I haven't been vaccinated and don't plan to since I had COVID back in Aug '20 and I believe (didn't get tested) few months back (neither instance was a big deal for the wife and I).  That being said, you had to wear them in situations where you were face to face with the employees.  Checking in to the hotel, at a bar, checking in at a restaurant, Spa, etc.  Once you got past the 'front desk', you could take them off. One note, when at a buffet restaurant, you wore them up to the food areas until you left that area.  Guess I'm okay with most of that. I get it.  But little things wear me out.  I have to wear them at the bar by the pool, but if go around , get in the water and order a drink I don't.  Huh.. go figure?  One other thing that always makes my head hurt.  Know when I say this, if others want to wear their masks all the power to them.  But to see a couple walking down the beach with them on?  Walking down the hallways with them on? Around the properties with them on?  Lets just say .... I don't get it?  Other things cross my mind but .... out of respect I won't put them down here.  As for downtown, they are a lot more relaxed than they used to be.  Down in Playa del Carmen on 5th Ave, most of the barkers aren't wearing them.  Last year, they looked nervous when you didn't. Now, I think most do it for compliance with the government. All employees in restaurants and shops wore them.  Cab drivers didn't care if we wore them.... just some info for those whom are curious.

Update 2 - TESTING:  It was no big deal.  They schedule you when you check in, approx two prior to departure. For us in the AO, we went to the bottom floor of the convention center and followed the signs. Get there BEFORE you scheduled time, sit down and wait to hear your name called.  Follow them into the room, give them your passport and they'll take you around the corner for a quick swab. This was the LEAST invasive test I've had to date .. was about $20 and one must use their Credit Card. Ten minutes later I had my paperwork signed and all good to go.  I was flying AA so I use an app called "VERIFLY" on my smartphone.  Their QRC code doesn't work so you type in all the info, take a picture of it with the app.  Within an hour, all good .  Showed it to the agent at the airport when leaving.  Otherwise, you simply show them your signed paperwork when you check in.  That's all folks!

Update 3 - PREMIUM:  Here it is 30 days later and I realize I never addressed this.  In full disclosure, I have ALWAYS chosen this option all the way back to 2007/8 time frame.  Nothing pisses me off more than when I can't have the one brand of liquor, whatever it is.  Or can't have access to that one type of room or location.  I know, I know.. we all have that friend that somehow gets upgraded and spends less money than the rest of us.  I'm in Sales.  I'm a nice guy.  But, never happens to me so .. I book it up front.  Nowadays apparently, the hot topic has to do with Room Service.  As premium, you get your room  service included.  Others apparently have to pay like $10 a plate.  Order two plates, $20.  Get the picture?  We order most of our breakfasts via room service.  Been known to get a late night snack via rooms service.  To me personally, it's worth it.  If a person likes a basic room, doesn't want room service, is happy with well drinks ..hey .. don't do it. But, that's not me.  I do the same at Secrets and Iberostar resorts.   The way I'm wired.  I'm not there 'premium lounges' are worth it.. but .. I utilize those often as well. Never felt I got treated any different, even though the check in is nicer.

 

Beach rocked

Good Morning!

Our daily morning 

Ah So'! 

Dinner Time!

Close up them tables!

 

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