TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Just returned from a one week stay at this lovely resort. I gave it 5 stars because it totally met expectations for the money we paid. We stayed in El Beso, with Privilege. I would highly recommend the Privilege service. Check in: we went right to comfortable chairs upon arrival and were dealt with promptly. We got bracelets which indicated that we were staying El Beso Privilege and also acted as our room key. Bellhops came quickly, as did our Butler, Dargeny. The least painful check-in experience I have had at an all inclusive - I would even go so far as to say it was pleasant! Room: We stayed on the third floor of Building 12. The room was lovely, clean, and well appointed. A bottle of wine and chocolates greeted us on our arrival. The room had a very musty smell upon arrival but we were in the Caribbean! View was amazing - pool and a sliver of ocean view - from a very nice balcony with a swinging chair. Unfortunately it was hung too low for us to use but the other chairs were comfortable. We ran the ceiling fan and air conditioner and the musty smell was significantly reduced to the point that it wasn't bothersome. Maid service was inconsistent - one day they didn't come until very close to 5, and another day we were completely out of toilet paper and it wasn't refilled. The second half of the stay it improved and we had no complaints. Our Butler Dargeny responded promptly to these concerns and complaints. Pools: lazy river was awesome, and there were a ton of pools to choose between. You do have to snag shade fairly early because there are a limited number of umbrellas. Beach: the main beach was nice, but quite rough and a bit rocky. We spent most of our beach time on the privilege loungers adjacent to the lagoon just to the left of the El Beso property - it was sandy, calm, great for swimming and you could stand in the water very far out. Service to the loungers was hit or miss - some days it was great, others non-existent. Never a problem to find a palapa, even in the middle of the day. Food: we ate at the Steakhouse which wasn't great (get the Chateaubriand - the New York steak was gross), La Dolce Vita - meh (wine was really nice, as was the ravioli, but the gnocchi was inedible), Sakura was great (best meal of the trip and super fun), Margarita was good too (enjoyed the fajitas). We also had the surf and turf meal at the Privilege lounge which was good - nothing else on the menu really spoke to us so that was the only time we ate there. All reservations were done by Dargeny on the first day which was great. We also had a meal at the main buffet which was surprisingly good - there is an adult side and a privilege area there. Loved the fried fish, cheesy cauliflower and especially the crepe bar. Most breakfasts were in the privilege lounge (the best omelets), most lunches were at the Pez Dama buffet which was excellent. Coffee was great, especially in the privilege lounge. We had Mike's once but didn't see the need to go all the way there. Best part of the trip - not one moment of upset stomach. Hygiene standards were high - this is the first time I've been at an all inclusive without being ill at all! Entertainment: we were there for relaxation so we didn't seek out entertainment options. Everyone seemed to be having a great time though! We spent a few evenings in the lobby bar and an evening in the piano bar - cocktails were lovely. The resort was very large and the trains were inconsistent - sometimes you have two in a row, and other times you end up walking. Apparently we could order golf carts - I tried calling once and just got endless ringing so I can't speak to that. Overall it was a lovely stay. A week wasn't long enough! Next time at least 10 days!

It's important to mention theft seems to be an issue. Many people had money and credit cards taken out of the locked safes and we had beer taken from the fridge(we didn't use the safe). I have read similar complaints on a El Faro El Beso Facebook page. Guest having the same issue, reporting it and nothing gets resolved. Most recently, a couple had $800 taken. It's really too bad and sad this is happening. It's such a nice clean resort with great food, all the theft happening has rubbed me the wrong way. Do NOT use the safe, it's too risky. Lock important items in your suitcase. This is what we did and still had beer taken from the fridge. We just got back from El Beso side. My review would have been a 4 star, theft brings it way down. I do realize some have not experienced theft during their visit, but it does happen!

We got a great deal for this resort and had never heard of it, read some reviews and thought oh no maybe that's why we got such a good deal. Looking at the photo's and amenities though had me excited to see for myself. Wow, this resort is beautiful, well kept, rooms clean and large. This is a newer resort and that shows in the finishes. From the moment you walk into the Lobby and it's grand facade and beautiful decor, to the drink your offered upon arrival. Check in took a little longer then it should have but maybe staff weren't well trained. They offer trolley services throughout the resort and I suggest using it to get to your room as it's a larger resort and you don't want to walk to your room pulling luggage after a long day of travel. Our room was very large and clean, the bathroom is also very spacious with separate shower and toilet stalls. There are 2 pools on the adults only side, one seemed to be quieter then the other. The swim up bar was always hoping and bartenders were great. Juan Carlo your great!! A good selection of drinks is available. You have unlimited a la carte choices during your stay. I do suggest booking them ahead if you can if not get up early and get to the desk outside the Buffet restaurant and get your time booked. Food was good with plenty of options. The waffles in the morning were my fav, with the caramel sauce! The piano bar was a great place to relax in the evening and they make a great chocolate martini. Entertainment was very good too, hats off to the entertainment staff. Having a sports bar is a great addition to watch some sports for those that don't want to miss a big game! The beach was a little rocky but clean and enough seating. I would go back to this resort in a heartbeat! My daughter is actually going in a few weeks with her boyfriend because she heard me rave about it. I also have 2 other friends who recently visited this resort and both also really loved it.

A very beautiful and hygienic resort. The customer service is excellent. I must say that the food in the restaurants is horrible and the drinks in the bars as well. The only bar that is worth it is the lobby bar. The activities during the day on the adult side are a bit boring, I expected better entertainment for adults. The beach is horrible, you can't bathe because of the stones and the natural shape of the area. If you want to take a bath on the beach, you will have to walk a little to the side. The lazy river was not what I expected. Very short and has no depth. Everything is fine to just relax and rest.

Just returned from 7 night stay in Junior swim up suite building twelve El Beso (adults only). First impressions wow, the modern cathedral like reception building with 3/4 storey arched windows, polished marble floors etc was a great start to our trip. Checkin was easy ( El Beso guests checkin in at separate desk (to the left as you enter). Did wonder why she took out a pair of pliers but soon revealed. You receive an envelope with pool towel cards per person (do not lose these as charge is applied if you do). The envelope has the elusive "reservation number written on it - needed for the APP!. A metal tag is tied onto your wrist and secured with metal ring - hence the pliers. You har handed a map (not very helpful, restaurants are marked with pink dots but map does not tell you name of the restaurants but you'll soon pick them up. Our junior suite was very well appointed and large. No bath but large shower cubicle designed for two, two large rainfall showers and one hand held shower. Two sinks, toilet with separate door. Minibar stocked with water, Pepsi, Fanta. Coffee machine (took coffee bags) no kettle. Powdered sachet of milk (yuk). I would suggest bringing your own travel kettle ( we are British and love our tea in bed in the morning!) Also we did bring our own Nespresso machine with pods etc. We sussed the milk issue, first night we ate in Pez Dama (1 min walk from our room - we were near the light house) and asked for glass of milk when we left (no glass ware can be taken outside so they decanted into paper cup). Next morning we ate breakfast in main buffet restaurant El Mercado took a water bottle and filled that with milk - sorted. As we were in El Beso we had our adult only pool, great area no problem with loungers. On this point when walking to queue up to book one of the three bookable restaurants (more on that later) the general pool which is large I noticed about 70% of loungers next to pool "claimed" with towels etc. They must of been out very early! Now the APP - there are a few reviews that mention it, when you try to log in it asks for reservation number and email add. We booked directly with H10 Hotels but the reservation number given did not work. Once we had arrived and checked in the elusive number was written down on our envelope. The App was useful ie listed all the facilities, opening times, dress code for each restaurant, etc and menus for the restaurants (no paper menus at all). There are three bookable restaurants Sakura - Restaurant Italiano - Steak House (You cannot just turn up at these restaurants - reservations only). The other restaurants are first come first served. We never had an issue with the turn up restaurants if they were full they'd tell you when to return and mark down your room nmbr. You can only book the three bookable restaurants through the APP between 8am - 4pm on the day only - no forward bookings. If you booked the Priviledge package you can book any day during your stay. You can queue up on the day to book any of the three bookable restaurants - outside El Mercado (large buffet restaurant) is a counter manned around 0745ish. First day I was there about 0710 (7 people in front) next time 0700 (I was front of queue) next time 0705 ( was about 10 in queue). Now don't stress about this the agent gets access to book around 0750-0755 (App is 0800) it took about 30secs to choose restaurant and time so the queue is cleared very quickly. Sakura the teppanyaki was the only one restricted due to specific start times. We managed to get the last start time at 930pm, very popular with those travelling in groups as it's about entertainment as well as food. We did have a go one day on the APP logged in at 0800am only 530pm slots avbl but I came out of APP and went back in and at 0801 and for instance I looked at steak house and there were plenty time slots with a few seats available. Don't get me wrong I'm sure by 0804 everything was gone! LOL. The queuing up wasn't a problem, as there were two uf us I queued looked at emails etc while other half went to Mikes coffee shop virtually opposite El Mercado (very popular as coffee is lovely) in the morning always a queue! That takes around 25mins so I get a nice coffee and only 20mins left to go! Now as the title of my review alludes to - the food. Sakura - Teppanyaki there were about 20 of us all seated around the master, good showmanship - flames, juggling utensils etc the station is U shaped two hot plates either side, one side rice, vegetables other side raw chicken, raw beef. He starts with the fried rice puts utensils down then over to raw meat. He starts the frying of the meat then (still holding the raw meat utensils) over to rice/veg and uses the utensils to stir fry. Then back to meat (still holding the same utensils) and back between the two only ever holding the original raw meat utensils. I work as a cook in a kitchen and food safety is drummed into us so I only hope this was a schoolboy error. Needless to say I was put off and actually it was a basic stir fry nothing special food wise. Restaurant Italiano - partner ordered Oosso buco - a grissly lump of beef arrived very unpleasant. I ordered porchetta - two bits of dried pork loin with raw apple slices and a bitter balsamic dressing. We couldn't eat the food ( staff apologetic ) we left. Steak House - ate twice here very good tender meat, good choice on menu, good service - recommended. Blue moon - walk up - very good - lovely ambience (gents no shorts!). Margarita - Mexican -walk up - again very good and enjoyable. El Mercado - Buffet the usual buffet food but a good selection so you will find something. Route 66 - keep an eye on opening times as it closed 930pm and reopens at 11pm till 0600am. After disaster at Italian restaurant we went here at 930 for a burger - it was just about to close and burgers very dry- cold fries etc. I could write more but Ive gone on too much already! Would we come back? No. As mentioned the physical parts of the resort excellent. Staff very friendly and helpful. Oh the cocktails are very weak but we didn't go there to get plastered. Highlight bar was the Piano Bar in reception hall. Oh and the central cocktail bar opposite main reception desk. Oh and take plenty of dollar bills for tips. Maybe we were just unlucky with a couple of the restaurants. Over to you.......