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C$280
Fully refundable before Sun, Jul 28
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C$280
Fully refundable before Thu, Aug 1
Breakfast included
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C$183
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Mrs B

Mediocre, likely better options for price point

Reviewed Nov 29, 2020via mobile
The description boasts hundreds of acres but we found no nature trails or welcoming interaction with the jungle during our stay. It was a lot of cement sidewalks with steep ditches on either side. Coming from a different climate I love to see the natural plants growing in their natural form, and the landscaping here fails to showcase these fascinating tropical species. I think it takes special lack of skill to make nature in such a beautiful location look so uninteresting. Filling those acres with nature trails would be a nice addition.

We liked the tequila bar at the Mexican restaurant on the night we were allowed to dine there, and the food service was okay. I would suggest that if the servers do not wish to make the “Mayan Coffee” drink, that it be removed from the menu and not given to anyone. To have a server decline making it for us when we see another table having it was upsetting. It didn’t feel very all-inclusive, with the listings in the room for all the extra up charges like for bottled water, but one variety was provided free and it was fine. We would never buy a timeshare /club so we declined the (overly aggressive) invites.

We are nature lovers, this resort seems more geared to spa treatments and shorter stays, or perhaps people that just want to spend the week sitting at the pool, which was nice but again not nearly as memorable as other resorts in the area. I keep Blue Bay on the list to watch, hoping they make something of all this land they say they have. The rooms were okay, white cement and not memorable. The bar and lounge areas were pretty with some neat features, a nice hotel for the ‘gram, I guess.
Date of stay: December 2019
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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Sophie Murguia, Atención al huésped/Recepción at BlueBay Grand Esmeralda, responded to this review
Responded Dec 6, 2020
Dear MrBsWifey,

Thank you for having chosen the BlueBay Grand Esmeralda for your deserved vacations and for posting your comments.

We are very sorry to learn that your stay, unfortunately, did not meet your expectations and that our services and some of our facilities were not of your liking.

We sincerely look forward to have a second opportunity to welcome you back and improve all the points mentionned in your comment.

Best regards,
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Reviewed November 28, 2020

Where to begin? From the bartender on the beachside that doesn't even try to clean the glasses, but simply rinse it with water and serve new cocktails in?

Their staff doesn't pick you up at the airport even if you pay the fee (ohh yes, they send a 3rd party to pick you up (VR experience) but apparently you have to guess it cause they don't even try to look for you. So you end up paying a taxi to the airport and you can already forget the idea of getting a refund or even talking to someone that cares.
Room cleaning? Maybe, if in your book it only includes passing the broom. Changing toilet papers or cleaning the patio doors is too much to ask for.

They claim that they care about Covid and their guests, but actions speak louder than words

Date of stay: November 2020
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Service
4  Thank 606pablov
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed November 12, 2020

We had a wonderful experience staying at Bluebay. Everyone at the hotel were super friendly and they have very high safety standards, so that is also cool. The price was great, the hotel was not too crowded so very good value for our money.

Date of stay: November 2020
Trip type: Travelled with friends
1  Thank Ramon C
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sophie Murguia, Atención al huésped/Recepción at BlueBay Grand Esmeralda, responded to this reviewResponded November 13, 2020

Dear Ramon C,

Thank you for having chosen the BlueBay Grand Esmeralda to enjoy your Caribbean escape.

We appreciate your pleasant comments. It is great to read that you had an enjoyable stay and left satisfied.

A big thank you for your kind words regarding our staff quality of service. For sure, they will be passed on.

We sincerely hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the near future.

Best regards,

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed November 9, 2020

Upon arrival, we are told that the hydrotherapy circuits, sauna and steam room were closed. We were quite unhappy because we chose to this hotel to relax and use the spa. This wasn't indicated on their website either.
We explained the situation to the frontdesk agent and he was nonchalant towards us. Following the employee's reaction, we were ready to change hotel. The agent then gave us a room with a view. Once in the room, we couldn't open the patio door as there was a strong smell of sewage on the site. There was no coffee machine in the room, no robe, the shower wasn't working well, the furniture was damaged, there was a constant smell in the bathroom, the balcony was very dirty, the elevators were not working and there was constantly noise in the corridors which prevented us from sleeping well. This is not a five star hotel.

After two nights in this room, we could take it anymore. We asked to change rooms.
In the new room, we had the same noise issues.

The site employees strongly and constantly encourage you to attend a timeshare presentation. It was annoying.

There are ruined buildings on the site. The beach is not beautiful nor cleaned. There are several pontoons in the sea which spoils the view. The sea water is brown.

On a more positive note, I received an excellent facial from Lupita and Jorge Britto from the frontdesk provides a good costumer service (He is about the only one).

I will never return to this hotel or even to the Bluebay hotel chain.

Date of stay: November 2020
    • Value
    • Location
    • Service
5  Thank JenMexico
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sophie Murguia, Atención al huésped/Recepción at BlueBay Grand Esmeralda, responded to this reviewResponded November 13, 2020

Dear JenMexico,

Thank you for having chosen the BlueBay Grand Esmeralda hotel for your Mexican escape.

We are very sorry to read that the facilities and services did not meet your expectations.

Our management has a strong commitment with the quality of service provided and will consider your comments to improve different areas.

We will not miss to congratulate Guadalupe and Jorge and reinforce the customer service training with our staff.

Best regards,

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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed November 7, 2020

BlueBay has racist staff and terrible service. They ruined my honeymoon by treating my wife and I different to their American guests, despite us tipping well. They refused transport service for us several times One of those times they even picked up a "white" couple literally 5 feet from where we were standing after telling us no. They refused to sit us anywhere near the "white" people even when requested. Our last day there one of their waiters asked my wife and I to move from where we were sitting in Spanish. Jokes on their staff, I grew up in the states, and I speak perfect English. It was fun watching the racist staff squirm when I told them to speak to me in English and to take his racist behind back to work. The place itself is meh.. The alcohol tastes cheap. Overall it's a scummy place with scummy staff. I'd recommend staying in Cancan zona hotelera or even Playa del Carmen over this cesspool. Also as a recommendation I suggest instead of BS replies BlueBay invest in some staff training. They can't be treating other latinos like if they aren't worthy of being there when we can clearly pay to stay there..

Date of stay: December 2019
    • Value
    • Sleep Quality
    • Service
6  Thank P9721ULguillermom
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed October 28, 2020

smells like sewage in the halls and a bit in a room (palenque building at least), their paid 'high speed' internet is 1.4 mb only and very unstable, stuff is rude, only 1 restaurant was open and food was barely okay.
in the bar there were some pool tables and air hockey - those are paid like 20 pesos each in coins, and they don't have any. we got all the coins from souvenirs stores around but they wouldn't change more.
bathroom equipment was not okay even for 3 stars, like there were no toilet brush for example.
i can go on and on, there was nothing i'd be excited of.
there is no any kind of soundproofing, heard every noise from neighbors and my room was in front of their wash room, so everything from there too.
oh, well, mattress and pillows were good

Date of stay: October 2020
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Service
4  Thank frankazoid
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frederic Ceglarski, Director General at BlueBay Grand Esmeralda, responded to this reviewResponded November 5, 2020

Dear friends,
On behalf of all the staff of BlueBay Grand Esmeralda I wish to thank you for your feedback and for your preference.
We regret that your experience with us was not at the level of their expectations, we will share your comments with our executive team to improve our service and our resort.
We are at your service anytime and thank you again for your comments,
Best regards!!

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