All You Need to Know About the Gym
at BlueBay Grand Esmeralda
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Guests1 room, 2 adults, 0 children
C$202
C$280
Fully refundable before Thu, Aug 1
Breakfast included
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C$280
C$183
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Gym review highlights
... accept sterling or US$ and not pesos. I didn't use the gym but my partner did and he said there was enough equipment...
... run the exercise class with loud music- just like a gym. After this they have a water aerobics class. Also very...
... were very friendly and the Spa and Bloomish soap star and gym are a great little place to hang out. If you want to be...
Most popular question about the gym
Is the gym like on the photos or is it dated? Is seaweed still a problem? Thanks
Answer from lynn c
Feb 2020 |
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Reviews that mention gym
Write a reviewJust returned from a weeks holiday in this lovely resort. It's a very large complex but there are shuttles to ferry you around, so you don't have to walk. The rooms are comfortable and everything you need is in there, although maybe it's time to update the décor. Bathroom was clean and spacious with 2 sinks and a walk in shower. Couldn't fault the food at all, plenty of choice and fresh and hot. Must try the themed restaurants (Italian my favourite), great food and nice to be waited on. Although there were nightly shows, we only saw the one, which was great fun. The gardens are well kept and it's nice to see the wildlife on the complex. The staff were very polite and work extremely hard and long hours and appreciate the tips. The beach is small and slightly disappointing, a lot of seaweed washed up, so we stayed by the pools, which were warm and kept very clean. The weather was great all week. Hot, sunny but very humid.
If you fancy a show and a boogie, give Coco Bongo in Playa del Carmen a go. We booked ours through the stand by the large pool. They picked us up around 10pm and we got back at 5am. Would recommend you pay the extra and go VIP as you get to sit at a table and have your own waiter all evening, as oppose to standing all night and having to fight your way to the bar.
There are mosquitos but we purchased a bracelet from the rep on the bus for $8. They only last a week but seemed to work.
Recommend you take American dollars or Mexican pesos with you or go into Playa to exchange your money as reception give a poor rate of exchange. We also took £50 each for the exit tax. They only accept sterling or US$ and not pesos.
I didn't use the gym but my partner did and he said there was enough equipment there for a good workout.
If you fancy a show and a boogie, give Coco Bongo in Playa del Carmen a go. We booked ours through the stand by the large pool. They picked us up around 10pm and we got back at 5am. Would recommend you pay the extra and go VIP as you get to sit at a table and have your own waiter all evening, as oppose to standing all night and having to fight your way to the bar.
There are mosquitos but we purchased a bracelet from the rep on the bus for $8. They only last a week but seemed to work.
Recommend you take American dollars or Mexican pesos with you or go into Playa to exchange your money as reception give a poor rate of exchange. We also took £50 each for the exit tax. They only accept sterling or US$ and not pesos.
I didn't use the gym but my partner did and he said there was enough equipment there for a good workout.
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Room Tip: We stayed in block 6 top floor(4th) overlooking the small pool, quite a way from the beach. This...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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We arrived May 12, 2007 on a Saturday and were allowed to check in early. They greeted us with a mango/pineapple fruit drink in the Lobby. It was very clean and the check-in person was pleasant.
A golf cart took us to our room. Each building has their own concierge. She was able to make reservations at the French, Italian and Mexican restaurant. She also made reservations at the spa for me. What she couldn't answer, she called around and found out. I was impressed. Seemed like she went a little above board to be so helpful.
The room was absolutely gorgeous. We were on the first floor, so right off the patio is a small swimming pool. It is only 4 foot deep but entirely enjoyable to walk 4 steps into the pool. Two bathroom. One is only a shower but the water pressure was really good and the water did get very warm. Nice comfy plush towels and two guest bathrobes. I would like to mention that the shower bathroom had kind of a watery/moldy smell, but it wasn't very strong or offensive.
The first night a terrific thunderstorm knocked the power out of the room. It rained so hard that water came in under the door to the room. However, I called housekeeping and maintenance. They were there in less than 5 min and took care of the problem - apologizing profusely for the incident. But, the air conditioner was still off. The maintenance person did not determine under after 9pm that a breaker in the attic had been thrown. So, this did cause some uncomfortableness. But again, nothing I was terribly upset about.
We took our two kids - both 5. They stayed at the Kids Camp. Miss Candy was an absolute angel. I enjoyed her. The kids did not want to leave her at night. They have a schedule of sandbox, pooltime, craft time, lunch time, tv time, pool time. Times are 10am to 5pm. I did not leave mine all day but could have. They also provide night service at the Kids camp from 7pm to 9:45pm at which point they bring the kids to the entertainment. I did not use this option.
The pool is breathtaking. Very cool. Very nice. Lots of assistance in getting drinks. They have ping pong tables, a hugh chess set and pool volleyball. Every day at 10am there is a spinning class. In the pool are 7 or 8 bicycles anchored to the floor. The activities personnel run the exercise class with loud music- just like a gym. After this they have a water aerobics class. Also very nice. In the afternoon, there is water volleyball or beach volleyball.
The beach is ok. As you will read in other posts, it is not strikingly beautiful but it not horrible. There is alot of seaweed. I also found that walking into the ocean was more like walking into a pond. Not sandy more like mucky. But who needs the ocean with a pool that big and beautiful. There are some great beds by the pool, but I did not get one. Also, the breakfast and lunch buffet is not enclosed. It is open air and located right on the beach.
At night, the buffet is enclosed/air conditioned and located at the front of the hotel. It is a pretty good walk or you can call for a golf cart to pick you up. This was hit or miss. Sometimes the cart showed sometimes it didn't. But we probably needed the walk anyway. Food was ok. Not great Not bad. Just ok.
Grounds were nice. They have tried to preserve the environment to the best of their ability while still building a resort. Mangroove trees and hibicus are everywhere. We saw iguanas and some interesting birds. I would mentioned that the mosquitos were a bit thick during our visit. TAKE SOME OFF PRODUCT!! Everyone in our family had at least 4 skeeter bites. The resort did spray (as I saw a truck with fogger come through) but maybe we just came before the heat had killed them off.
Overall, great visit. Good staff. Good food. Beautiful grounds. Nice room. Excellent kids facilities. I do have to agree we others that this is really not a 5 star. They are trying hard but ever so slightly missing the mark. Definitely 4 stars.
A golf cart took us to our room. Each building has their own concierge. She was able to make reservations at the French, Italian and Mexican restaurant. She also made reservations at the spa for me. What she couldn't answer, she called around and found out. I was impressed. Seemed like she went a little above board to be so helpful.
The room was absolutely gorgeous. We were on the first floor, so right off the patio is a small swimming pool. It is only 4 foot deep but entirely enjoyable to walk 4 steps into the pool. Two bathroom. One is only a shower but the water pressure was really good and the water did get very warm. Nice comfy plush towels and two guest bathrobes. I would like to mention that the shower bathroom had kind of a watery/moldy smell, but it wasn't very strong or offensive.
The first night a terrific thunderstorm knocked the power out of the room. It rained so hard that water came in under the door to the room. However, I called housekeeping and maintenance. They were there in less than 5 min and took care of the problem - apologizing profusely for the incident. But, the air conditioner was still off. The maintenance person did not determine under after 9pm that a breaker in the attic had been thrown. So, this did cause some uncomfortableness. But again, nothing I was terribly upset about.
We took our two kids - both 5. They stayed at the Kids Camp. Miss Candy was an absolute angel. I enjoyed her. The kids did not want to leave her at night. They have a schedule of sandbox, pooltime, craft time, lunch time, tv time, pool time. Times are 10am to 5pm. I did not leave mine all day but could have. They also provide night service at the Kids camp from 7pm to 9:45pm at which point they bring the kids to the entertainment. I did not use this option.
The pool is breathtaking. Very cool. Very nice. Lots of assistance in getting drinks. They have ping pong tables, a hugh chess set and pool volleyball. Every day at 10am there is a spinning class. In the pool are 7 or 8 bicycles anchored to the floor. The activities personnel run the exercise class with loud music- just like a gym. After this they have a water aerobics class. Also very nice. In the afternoon, there is water volleyball or beach volleyball.
The beach is ok. As you will read in other posts, it is not strikingly beautiful but it not horrible. There is alot of seaweed. I also found that walking into the ocean was more like walking into a pond. Not sandy more like mucky. But who needs the ocean with a pool that big and beautiful. There are some great beds by the pool, but I did not get one. Also, the breakfast and lunch buffet is not enclosed. It is open air and located right on the beach.
At night, the buffet is enclosed/air conditioned and located at the front of the hotel. It is a pretty good walk or you can call for a golf cart to pick you up. This was hit or miss. Sometimes the cart showed sometimes it didn't. But we probably needed the walk anyway. Food was ok. Not great Not bad. Just ok.
Grounds were nice. They have tried to preserve the environment to the best of their ability while still building a resort. Mangroove trees and hibicus are everywhere. We saw iguanas and some interesting birds. I would mentioned that the mosquitos were a bit thick during our visit. TAKE SOME OFF PRODUCT!! Everyone in our family had at least 4 skeeter bites. The resort did spray (as I saw a truck with fogger come through) but maybe we just came before the heat had killed them off.
Overall, great visit. Good staff. Good food. Beautiful grounds. Nice room. Excellent kids facilities. I do have to agree we others that this is really not a 5 star. They are trying hard but ever so slightly missing the mark. Definitely 4 stars.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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This is a great "average" place to stay in Mexico. Rooms are super loud and hard to sleep. If booking, ask for the most private of rooms. People were very friendly and the Spa and Bloomish soap star and gym are a great little place to hang out.
If you want to be "wowed" though...pass on this resort.
If you want to be "wowed" though...pass on this resort.
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Room Tip: Ask for a private quiet room.
Rooms
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Arrived June 25, 2014
Traveled with a large family group of 11 people for our yearly family vacation and booked the Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda because it was advertised as a 4 star hotel in an area that we had not stayed in Riviera Maya before. Upon arrival the hotel looked nice from the main entrance, but at check-in we noticed much of the staff was indeed rude and not very helpful. We were given rooms in building 1, which is almost as far as you can get from front desk, and had to walk there in the sweltering heat with our luggage as there were no shuttles available. Note that there is very little shade on the 10 minute walk from the front desk to many of the building where rooms are located.
Our first room had no working air conditioner and pubic hairs all over the floor in the room and bathroom. Asked for a change. Second room stunk of moldy funk. Asked for a change. Third room stunk much less, but air conditioner worked, so we settled on it. The room was nothing to write home about, just a basic room with no frills and a large CRT tube television.
Unpacked, and then went to eat. The food was buffet style and was edible, but nothing to brag about. Long waits for drinks at the poolside bar prior to a swim, and the drinks were definitely very watered down. The main pool was nice, but felt like bathwater because the water was so warm. Plenty of chairs available near the main pool, especially since it looked like the hotel was at about 50-60% capacity. Went to check out the beach and promptly returned to the pool as the beach here is horrible. It is 90% un-usable because of the amount of sea weed, it looks like dark muddy water.
Caught the night show the first night. HORRIBLE. Enough said.
Tried to enjoy the second and third days here of a 8 day stay. Ate at the steak house, which was surprisingly very good food. Much better than any of the other restaurants or buffets.
Continued to notice much of the staff being rude and disinterested in their jobs. We are used to having friendly staff that is always engaging with guests and having a good time. Not here. It looked like they were just counting the minutes to go back home at the end of the day.
Nightly entertainment continued to be HORRIBLE, so we decided to leave early for the second and third night of shows.
On our third night at this resort, we noticed a lot of commotion and all internet and cable television went out at about 11:00 pm. When walking to the front desk we were told that we could not go further up the path because the spa/gym and main theater/sports bar was on fire! Sure enough both buildings were going up in flames and they had to evacuate several buildings of families, and nobody could leave the resort, because the path out of the resort was next to the burning buildings.
Talk about not feeling a sense of safety for our family. I promptly called our travel agent and switched hotels immediately the following morning. Upon hearing that we were leaving this resort and going to a much nicer resort, you can only imagine how the already rude staff treated us.
Needless to say, we will NEVER return to this poor establishment.
To summarize: poor attitude, dirty rooms, mediocre food (except for great steak house), watered down drinks, horrible beach, rude staff, horrible nightly entertainment, and lets not forget the burning buildings.
I cannot understand how this place can be rated a 4 star resort. I have been to 3 star places much better than this place.
On a lighter note, the resort that we moved to was phenomenal, so our vacation was great after leaving the Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda.
Traveled with a large family group of 11 people for our yearly family vacation and booked the Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda because it was advertised as a 4 star hotel in an area that we had not stayed in Riviera Maya before. Upon arrival the hotel looked nice from the main entrance, but at check-in we noticed much of the staff was indeed rude and not very helpful. We were given rooms in building 1, which is almost as far as you can get from front desk, and had to walk there in the sweltering heat with our luggage as there were no shuttles available. Note that there is very little shade on the 10 minute walk from the front desk to many of the building where rooms are located.
Our first room had no working air conditioner and pubic hairs all over the floor in the room and bathroom. Asked for a change. Second room stunk of moldy funk. Asked for a change. Third room stunk much less, but air conditioner worked, so we settled on it. The room was nothing to write home about, just a basic room with no frills and a large CRT tube television.
Unpacked, and then went to eat. The food was buffet style and was edible, but nothing to brag about. Long waits for drinks at the poolside bar prior to a swim, and the drinks were definitely very watered down. The main pool was nice, but felt like bathwater because the water was so warm. Plenty of chairs available near the main pool, especially since it looked like the hotel was at about 50-60% capacity. Went to check out the beach and promptly returned to the pool as the beach here is horrible. It is 90% un-usable because of the amount of sea weed, it looks like dark muddy water.
Caught the night show the first night. HORRIBLE. Enough said.
Tried to enjoy the second and third days here of a 8 day stay. Ate at the steak house, which was surprisingly very good food. Much better than any of the other restaurants or buffets.
Continued to notice much of the staff being rude and disinterested in their jobs. We are used to having friendly staff that is always engaging with guests and having a good time. Not here. It looked like they were just counting the minutes to go back home at the end of the day.
Nightly entertainment continued to be HORRIBLE, so we decided to leave early for the second and third night of shows.
On our third night at this resort, we noticed a lot of commotion and all internet and cable television went out at about 11:00 pm. When walking to the front desk we were told that we could not go further up the path because the spa/gym and main theater/sports bar was on fire! Sure enough both buildings were going up in flames and they had to evacuate several buildings of families, and nobody could leave the resort, because the path out of the resort was next to the burning buildings.
Talk about not feeling a sense of safety for our family. I promptly called our travel agent and switched hotels immediately the following morning. Upon hearing that we were leaving this resort and going to a much nicer resort, you can only imagine how the already rude staff treated us.
Needless to say, we will NEVER return to this poor establishment.
To summarize: poor attitude, dirty rooms, mediocre food (except for great steak house), watered down drinks, horrible beach, rude staff, horrible nightly entertainment, and lets not forget the burning buildings.
I cannot understand how this place can be rated a 4 star resort. I have been to 3 star places much better than this place.
On a lighter note, the resort that we moved to was phenomenal, so our vacation was great after leaving the Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda.
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Room Tip: Choose a different resort if you want a memorable vacation
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
My girlfriend and I spent 5 days at Blue Bay and found all of the staff extremely courteous and accomodating, even in the face of some really obnoxious American travelers. Our room was cleaned daily and room service was very responsive to the few requests we had (a loud neighbor one night, small lizard in our room another night). The food was creative and well beyond our expectations for an all-inlcusive (except the general Festival buffet which was a little scary). The beach is very clean as are the pools and the nightly entertainment (dancing, music, singing) at the "sports bar" was well done by enthusiastic performers. GYm was clean and good equipment. Also everyone was LGBT friendly on staff - had no issues walking hand in hand with my GF all week.
The only negatives: many mosquitos in the hotel room (not the resort's fault, more of a climate, location issue), obnoxious Americans whose sole goal on vacation seemed to be getting sunburned and drunk and who were occassionally rude to staff, and the depth of the ocean along the resort's beach which was at most 2 feet deep. Regardless, I would return.
The only negatives: many mosquitos in the hotel room (not the resort's fault, more of a climate, location issue), obnoxious Americans whose sole goal on vacation seemed to be getting sunburned and drunk and who were occassionally rude to staff, and the depth of the ocean along the resort's beach which was at most 2 feet deep. Regardless, I would return.
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Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Questions & answers about the gym
Answer from lynn c
Feb 2020 |
Can’t answer about he gym but seaweed is more a seasonal thing and will change daily according to the winds and tides. There will always be seaweed it’s just the large amounts that change. We have not had an issue in nov, dec or Jan
Answer from Sandra S
Jul 2019 |
The only damage was to the spa Every where else was unaffected. We saw the fire and the only affect was the smell of smoke .
Answer from ModdyinVermont
Dec 2018 |
Normally, mini bar (small fridge) will have juice, water, soda and beer. Breakfast is a large buffet, everything you could want. Also, coffeemaker in your room. Beach is wide and nice at South end, farther up it gets narrow and rocky. Some seaweed. Pool towels are thick and supplied by the resort. You will be given a pool card at check-in. Don't lose it! Tulum is 45 - 60 minutes farther South. The tour desk can arrange transport. You can combine Tulum with a visit to Xel-Ha.
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