Beloved Playa Mujeres

I have been to a dozen all inclusives and this one is by far my favorite. Vibe- The vibe is very low key and relaxed. No loud music, no parties. Nice group of like minded adult vacationers. Beach- You do have to get there early to get a bed on...

I have been to a dozen all inclusives and this one is by far my favorite. Vibe- The vibe is very low key and relaxed. No loud music, no parties. Nice group of like minded adult vacationers. Beach- You do have to get there early to get a bed on the beach. It's worth waking up for. There are also regular lounge chairs you can get pretty much any time. Water was warm and calm. Pool- The beds are plentiful and fairly easy to get. There are 3 pools. Two are very quiet and one is slightly more lively and has a bar. Floats are permitted. Water was a perfect temperature. Towels- racks of towels are at each pool and the beach. They are unlimited and huge. Outdoor service- the waiters are just amazing. They are always around to bring you a drink and there is a full menu available at both the pool and beach. This resort had the best outdoor service I have ever experienced. Drinks- all very tasty. We drank throughout the day and were never more than mildly buzzed. Not sure why since I watched them make many of our drinks at the bar and the pours were normal. Food- the food was very good. I would say mostly 4 stars. Breakfast at El Mar was better than the buffet at Le Bisou plus it's right on the beach. Lunch has 2 sit down options El Mar and La Isla, both by the beach with amazing views. We had great food at both. Try the vegetarian burrito at El Mar even if you are not a vegetarian. Also, each place has a different and very tasty hot sauce so just ask. The beach snacks menu is a full menu brought to your chair. This was a great option. Taco truck was also terrific. Pro tip- they will literally bring you anything regardless if it is on the menu so just ask. The dinner restaurants were all great as was the sushi which we had for dinner one night. Lupita was probably my favorite. Get the combo meat entree- it was terrific. Good crunchy fries here too. Only had room service once but it was very good. All food service was fast and hot and the servers were super friendly and helpful. Room- everything about the room was great except it could have been slightly colder. Next time I will say something to the front desk. Rooms are huge and ours had a gorgeous ocean view. Each night they did turn down and brought a little snack. Fridge was filled daily with our preferred club soda. Shower is huge and has nozzles for two which we loved. Room has robes, slippers and a wonderful beach bag so no need to bring that stuff from home. Coffee Bar- this place seemed to be open all the time and even had little bags to take pastries to go. Coffee drinks, ice cream, etc.. was all very good. Staff- I'm not big on naming staff members and can only remember a few: Mex and Christian at check in, Christina at the coffee place, Sebastian at the beach concierge, some of our waiters: Alberto, Jaime, Juan and Fernando. But seriously, every single one of them was friendly, helpful and accommodating. Just a wonderful group of hardworking people. One insteresting note is we never saw a supervisor or anyone directing the staff. They all did their jobs perfectly with no prompting at all. It was wonderful. Spa- I didn't go but my friends loved their aqua therapy and paid to extend the duration. Activities- I didn't do any but they had a bunch of non-motorized ocean equipment and hourly activities. Tipping- we believe strongly in tipping. The staff works hard, often dressed in pants and long sleeves in the heat doing 12 hour shifts. We have never had service comparable to this resort. Please- if you can afford to do so, bring a large number of singles and tip these people. They deserve it! In conclusion, I can honestly say it was one of the best vacations I ever had and I cannot wait to return to this resort!

Very nice 5-day stay. Go to the beach early to get a lounge chair. Nice swimmable Beach. Intimate and cozy resortAll the employees are very personable. Food was very good. Very comfortable bed. Shout out to the lobby bar. Comfortable daybed on the deck.

My husband and I had a wonderful time. At first we were a little nervous with how QUIET it was but soon appreciated the peaceful surroundings, excellent service, and great food. Paola at the front desk had great advice, a warm smile, and was always willing to answer any questions...

My husband and I had a wonderful time. At first we were a little nervous with how QUIET it was but soon appreciated the peaceful surroundings, excellent service, and great food. Paola at the front desk had great advice, a warm smile, and was always willing to answer any questions no matter how small. Lorenzo, our Mezcal and Taste of Mexico tasting guide was superb! He was so kind, informative, and made us feel like we were old friends (even before the tasting started)! And the entertainment staff were AMAZING! David was out fast friend! We never saw him without a smile on his face and a warm welcome followed. We had so much fun playing beach volleyball and wish there were more opportunities to have played some beach sports. The crafts were fun, the tours engaging, and pool games (song trivia with Axcel was hilarious) made for a great way to spend the days! And we loved the evening games and live music…with you guessed it…David! Shake that man’s hand and introduce yourself…I promise he’ll great you with a smile and make sure you leave with one too!

Everything was perfect. The stars of this team were the entertainment guys. Marisol, Acxel, and David have activities to offer. They taught us how to make chocolate. It was great. We painted, made our own masks for Mardigrass and I was able to use them at night. The music was...

Everything was perfect. The stars of this team were the entertainment guys. Marisol, Acxel, and David have activities to offer. They taught us how to make chocolate. It was great. We painted, made our own masks for Mardigrass and I was able to use them at night. The music was excellent. The food at Lupita was excellent. Alex was our star waiter. The sushi was great and of good quality. We will definitely be back.

We stayed 10 days at BELOVED with one break in between and switched to different EXCELLENCE resorts for this 24-days Cancun-vacation…if this review is difficult then only because we are risking to forget something beautiful- since this is PARADISE! We are diamond customers with excellence rewards staying 20+ times with...

We stayed 10 days at BELOVED with one break in between and switched to different EXCELLENCE resorts for this 24-days Cancun-vacation…if this review is difficult then only because we are risking to forget something beautiful- since this is PARADISE! We are diamond customers with excellence rewards staying 20+ times with excellence group at nearly all resorts. The program recognition was VERY GOOD, a special thanks to ANDREA as GM at her outstanding property. The hotel is 17 years old but very well maintained. There is no differentiation in between “Club”- and “non-Club” guests like in other properties - which we found great! Everybody is treated equally well and to the highest standard, no reservations for sunbeds, if you are late, you are late. Same counted for us though staying in the highest categories (2 storey rooftop, then owners suite, then penthouse): 10/10 The beach is: beautiful and very clean; if the hotel is highly occupied there are not enough spots for everybody (beach). But if you get a sunbed/sunchair, you have your private space and enough distance. Beach-service was EXCELLENT. 09/10 Rooms: well maintained - but old. We stayed at two-story rooftop (06/10), owners suite (07/10) and penthouse suite (07/10). Some more power-outlets would be nice. Internet/WIFI was good. Whirlpool in the room is small. Very clean and well maintained. 06/10. Food and restaurants: OUTSTANDING experience and best hotel-food-experience of our life’s with stays at 1000+ hotels and resorts and very well travelled. Composition and especially taste—>excellent. It starts with a perfect (!) breakfast at Le Bisou where you will find everything you can wish for at the buffet - on top you can get everything you can think of from the menu which takes a little - but is always (!) worth the wait. Just compare on the pictures. Same counts for lunch and dinner: excellent quality, superb taste, perfect use of spices and herbs - we loved everything. 10/10 Drinks/bars: Similar to restaurant experience, you get everything you ask for plus great signature drinks (like guava rum or coconut martini) 10/10 Gym & Spa: every machine you can imagine and it was extended over the years, thus the gym consists of 4 connected rooms. You find everything you need, everything is clean and well maintained. Big plus: since its maximum around 200 guests u have the gym for yourself if u go at the right times. We loved it. (09/10). Spa: wonderful and very secluded for couples, best aqua circuit through all excellence. 09/10 (ADELA ) Staff / Service: this is the main reason to feel like in paradise. It is unbelievable how high the average level of both, training AND commitment at this resort is. From second one EVERYONE will make sure that you fall in love with BELOVED. And everybody means really everybody, all members of staff is striving to give you the best experience - and is also trained for that - nonetheless remaining authentic, honestly caring and commited to their employer. At this stage also huge compliments to the management team of ANDREA, Mr. WILLIAMS/JOSUE/RIZU who obviously transfer this spirit in the most perfect way. Guest relations will be mentioned later :) Entertainment: quiet and non-pushy, nice live music in the nights and also sometimes daytimes. MARISOL and DAVID do a good job for what is asked for at this resort. Evenings could be a little longer though. 08/10 WOW. This was the perfect stay with fulfilled wishes and expectations mostly exceeded. Staff Recognotion: First: amazing (!!!) team result with great team spirit, hard working staff with very warm Hearts - SEBASTIAN and DENNISSE/beach concierge - ALEX, ANTONIO, and ELVIS/beach service - ALEXIS, ALBERTO, BENITO, RAMON and ABIGAL/waiters - BARBARA and DELIA /hostesses - MEX, BENEDITO and CARLOS/bell ALEXANDER is the best guest relations manager and smartest guy (and good boss (beach concierge)) one can find. Intuitive, clever, funny, eloquent, respectful, self-confident but still self-reflected. He made this stay SPECIAL, performance: OUTSTANDING!

Wow. First time here at Beloved Playa Mujeres and it exceeded expectations. I can't say enough about staff here, they are SO friendly, they treat you like family. Big shout out to Mex, Marisol, "Big Ben", Valentino, Fatima, Christina... literally everyone in the hotel are the sweetest people! We all...

Wow. First time here at Beloved Playa Mujeres and it exceeded expectations. I can't say enough about staff here, they are SO friendly, they treat you like family. Big shout out to Mex, Marisol, "Big Ben", Valentino, Fatima, Christina... literally everyone in the hotel are the sweetest people! We all hugged before we left, we got that close. Clean, gorgeous facilities, the season tours company made booking tours super organized and easy - that was amazing too! The food was fabulous, top service. I loved the resident cat that lives by the taco truck and iguanas around the beach giving it an authentic feel. A million stars!

I stayed at Beloved last week and I was recommended at the gym about yoga classes. Everything was great except for one person. The yoga lady, because I can't say instructor, was very rude. There’s nobody’s in the class just her and me, and she decided her spot at the...

I stayed at Beloved last week and I was recommended at the gym about yoga classes. Everything was great except for one person. The yoga lady, because I can't say instructor, was very rude. There’s nobody’s in the class just her and me, and she decided her spot at the the shade side, of course she left me the worst spot with the sun in front of me . I don’t know if she’s allergic to the sun but i can saw the discomfort in her face all the activity. She didn't help me set up or put down the mat, service is definitely not her strong point. I find this attitude strange since Beloved has been an extraordinary place to vacation. I will think about returning in the future.

If you’re looking for a great room stay in the 2 story casita with plunge pool, OCEAN VIEW. It is magnificent. This resort is small and intimate, not a lot going on entertainment wise. Keep that in mind, come with someone you love! Benito at the pool and Alex at...

If you’re looking for a great room stay in the 2 story casita with plunge pool, OCEAN VIEW. It is magnificent. This resort is small and intimate, not a lot going on entertainment wise. Keep that in mind, come with someone you love! Benito at the pool and Alex at the beach are your go-to guys for friendly, fast service! So nice and friendly we love them <3

After last year's split trip with Excellence Playa Mujeres, we decided to try 14 nights at the Beloved for relaxation, recharging and reconnecting. This resort has the right mix of quiet, privacy and activity. Our thanks and gratitude to GM Andrea Ruiz taking such good care of us, fulfilling our...

After last year's split trip with Excellence Playa Mujeres, we decided to try 14 nights at the Beloved for relaxation, recharging and reconnecting. This resort has the right mix of quiet, privacy and activity. Our thanks and gratitude to GM Andrea Ruiz taking such good care of us, fulfilling our requests, arranging our visits to EPM & The Finest to see our long time friends in the Excellent Group and ensuring that we had everything that we needed for a most memorable stay. Her attention to detail, daily interactions with us and commitment to customer service made us feel like we were at 'home'. Many thanks to Front Office Manager Fernanda for checking on us and to the Front Desk Staff for making our airport transfer & check out seamless and stress free. We really enjoyed the service, food and beverages at all the restaurants (great Sushi with Jesus) and bars. There were some service issues with breakfast & lunch at Mar, and inconsistent drink quality & service at the Lobby Bar & Entertainment on a couple of the nights, but this is more constructive feedback rather than complaints, as it really did not affect our trip enjoyment. Thank you and shout outs to Restaurant Manager Jibran, Food & Beverage Managers Rizo & Josue, Super Server Luis, rehydration experts Fernando, Antonio & Benito, and to Concierges Claudia, Sebastian & Denisse for their thoughtful last day gift. What happened to the Silent Party at the Beloved? It was so much fun and should be brought back. We will be returning to our new 'home'.

We searched resorts all over the Caribbean and could not find any that provides what Beloved has, at least not in the boutique, 100 room size that we are looking for. Service is absolutely amazing from the greeter opening the door of your private airport transport upon arrival to the...

We searched resorts all over the Caribbean and could not find any that provides what Beloved has, at least not in the boutique, 100 room size that we are looking for. Service is absolutely amazing from the greeter opening the door of your private airport transport upon arrival to the person refilling our full bar in room including substituting the rum they saw me drinking at the bars. Don't go here if you don't want to be hooked on one place and never want to go anywhere else again.

We just returned from a recent stay at Beloved Playa Mujeres - it was a nice visit, nice resort, but set expectations accordingly. This is not a 5 star resort, not even a 5-star all inclusive. If you are expecting something like that you will be disappointed. That said, it’s...

We just returned from a recent stay at Beloved Playa Mujeres - it was a nice visit, nice resort, but set expectations accordingly. This is not a 5 star resort, not even a 5-star all inclusive. If you are expecting something like that you will be disappointed. That said, it’s a solid 3.5 to 4 star resort, and with a few easy tweaks could be solid 4-star. Check-in/Transportation Transportation provided by Seasons (and included for direct hotel bookings) was excellent. Check-in not so good - we declined an offer to upgrade (at considerable cost) for 2 nights of our 4 night stay and they seemed put off that we declined. We arrived around 12:30pm and were told our room wasn’t ready, so we went to lunch. We went back at 1:30pm - room not ready. We went back at 2:30 - same time story. I went up to the desk at 2:58 pm and asked again - and the desk guy smiled and said - we still have 2 minutes…really?!! It’s that precise? So 2 minutes later they gave us the key. Seemed like we were made to wait for nothing - not a good start. Overall grounds/Ambiance Fantastic - well kept, nice layout, really beautiful. Room We had an ocean view jr suite - nothing special (but we’ve learned over the years that we spend almost no time in the room). Rooms are a bit dated - especially the furniture and general design - for example, one side of the bed has no side table and nowhere to charge phone. Food The food was good, not outstanding (with a few exceptions) - but we never go to an all-inclusive expecting Michelin star food. Best was breakfast at Le Bisou; Lupita Steakhouse (the picanha is great - but they really need to revamp the interior and lighting - terrible); the taco truck (really good); Caffetto (this is a nice touch - a real gelato shop with other goodies); and the sushi (the sushi was outstanding - probably our best meal). La Isla was ok (lasagna was nice, but otherwise not too memorable); Le Bisou had the best dinner ambiance, but food wasn’t great. La Mer was the worst - overcooked fish and a terrible undercooked burger. Bars/drinks These were all great - nice cocktails and drinks, great service. We thought the wine was fine (acceptable). The “upgraded wine” were actually poor choices for the cost - so stick with house wine and just accept that it won’t be stellar. Service Overall service was outstanding- friendly, accommodating (other than check-in), etc. We didn’t like that they pushed you to write good reviews on google (including a QR code to get you to google) - that’s a bit off-putting. Spa The spa was really outstanding- we used it twice during our visit for massage and facial treatments. Facilities clean and well designed (except men’s locker room needs a bench in front of lockers); therapists were professional and friendly. While pricey, we found it a highlight. Pools/Beach The beach loungers and concierge staff were very nice. The beach itself is just so-so. Probably fine for Cancun, but not nearly as nice as other parts of the Caribbean. The pools were great - but water could have been a tiny bit warmer. The hot tubs were all nice - not too hot or cold. Entertainment Very low key here, as we like it. We thought the pool quiz in the afternoon was a bit intrusive, but others seemed to like it. Overall quiet and consistent with what we like. Overall Overall a nice visit. With a few tweaks (better and more varied food; better temp in pools; updated room decor) this could be a solid 4-star resort. I think it’s location (beach not great; sandwiched between massive resorts and residencias) will prevent this from ever becoming 5-star - but in terms of value for money it was outstanding (less than $1000 a night for this quality is really great value). For a quick visit to Cancun, we would definitely return. If you want something more high-end, you will need to go elsewhere (and expect to pay a lot more).

My husband and I had an amazing experience at Beloved. We wanted a quieter experience in which we could lounge at the pool, walk to the taco truck, and then head back to the pool. It was everything we hoped it would be. There were times in the morning when...

My husband and I had an amazing experience at Beloved. We wanted a quieter experience in which we could lounge at the pool, walk to the taco truck, and then head back to the pool. It was everything we hoped it would be. There were times in the morning when I had the pool to myself. That was amazing! We greatly enjoyed the main pool and everyday around 3 p.m, there would be entertainment for about 20 minutes. One day was a saxophone player and she was very talented. In terms of food, every meal we had was excellent. Our favorite night was the special Mexican night at Lupita. Our server, Angel, was very knowledgable and made excellent recommendations. Overall, I felt we fell into the most lovely routine -- breakfast at El Mar while watching waves, pool time, lunch at the taco truck, pool time, walk to get an ice cream, more pool time. Shower up, drinks in Lupita Lounge and then on to dinner. This resort is ideal for couples of any age. There are people in their 20s, and people in their 70s. It's perfect for someone who just wants to relax by the pool or on the beach, have a drink, and then enjoy quality meals. It's also a great place for people who just want to focus on their partner. By and large, most people were there with their partner, not in groups. Most people were quite friendly, but really there to enjoy the resort with their partner. Lastly, everything was clean. The pool, the restaurants, the rooms. The landscaping is phenomenal and it's really nice to stroll the grounds. Bonus -- the iguanas. Highly recommended.

My wife and I are a millennial couple in our late thirties. We have two small toddlers. Winter was long. We needed a break. We booked 3 nights at Beloved after reading reviews and watching YouTube videos and had been looking forward to it all winter, so it was the...

My wife and I are a millennial couple in our late thirties. We have two small toddlers. Winter was long. We needed a break. We booked 3 nights at Beloved after reading reviews and watching YouTube videos and had been looking forward to it all winter, so it was the kind of thing where there was some concern we might have built it up too much and we would be disappointed. This was not the case. It was fantastic. From the second we got in the Seasons Transfer Suburban to take us to the gated community in Playa Mujeres to the minute we left (exactly on time and as scheduled), everything was seamless. They let us pre-check in. They gave us a welcome drink while they explained the resort. Our bags were taken to our room. There was space at the beach and at the pool and at the restaurants and the service was spot on at each. There was no "chair game." The service was fantastic, the spa was amazing (as was the hydrotherapy). I'm running out of pleasant adjectives. Up the beach at Excellence we could hear energetic music from some exciting event. That's not what we wanted. We wanted a calm, relaxing, easy vacation where we were taken care of--and that's exactly what we received. I'll recommend to everyone who will listen. Can't wait to return.

Beloved is a wonderful, relaxing place to be! My husband and I took a 4 day trip wanting to just relax and recharge. This resort was perfect for what we wanted, quiet and laid back. The rooms and the resort grounds are sparkling clean! The staff are amazing! All of...

Beloved is a wonderful, relaxing place to be! My husband and I took a 4 day trip wanting to just relax and recharge. This resort was perfect for what we wanted, quiet and laid back. The rooms and the resort grounds are sparkling clean! The staff are amazing! All of the staff was excellent! We had great service at the Lobby Bar from Pascal and great pool service from Fernando. The food here is better than a lot of the AI resorts I have been too. We really liked El Mar, the taco truck and the sushi bar—Jesus was really fun to talk to and made us some delicious sushi rolls. Really the only disappointment was the steak at Lupita—however I also ordered the chicken skewers there and those were delicious! This isn’t a party resort and I would say the general age of guest is 40-50+ but if you’re looking to just check out and relax this is the spot for it! We enjoyed our stay and would stay at Beloved again!

Everything was wonderful. I felt so taken care of while staying here. The people working at the resort were all warm, friendly and personable. The food was fantastic. The facilities, room, and beach were beautiful. It’s for couples only, so there were no loud groups, and the other guests were...

Everything was wonderful. I felt so taken care of while staying here. The people working at the resort were all warm, friendly and personable. The food was fantastic. The facilities, room, and beach were beautiful. It’s for couples only, so there were no loud groups, and the other guests were all reasonable adults here. Nighttime entertainment was classy, calm live music. It was quiet, calm, and relaxing. I loved everything about this resort.

We just stayed at Beloved Playa Mujeres for our honeymoon, and it was absolutely amazing. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and cared for by the incredibly kind and attentive staff. The resort felt so peaceful and private—it was as if we had the whole place to ourselves....

We just stayed at Beloved Playa Mujeres for our honeymoon, and it was absolutely amazing. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and cared for by the incredibly kind and attentive staff. The resort felt so peaceful and private—it was as if we had the whole place to ourselves. A special shoutout to Paola at the front desk—she was fantastic! She checked us in and out, remembered our schedule, and always asked about our day whenever we saw her. That level of attentiveness made our stay feel even more special. Our couples’ massage with Alicia and Ariana was incredible—one of the best spa experiences we’ve ever had. We also did the Agua Viva hydrotherapy circuit, and Octavio guided us through an amazing, relaxing experience. Every part of the resort was spotless, from the rooms to the restaurants and pools. The food was excellent, the coffee was top-notch, and the drinks were great. And of course, the stunning views made every moment even more memorable. We’re already counting down the days until we can come back. If you’re looking for a luxurious, romantic, and relaxing getaway, Beloved is the perfect place!

Beloved continues to be our go-to All Inclusive “Couples Only” resort in Cancun/Playa Mujeres. We just returned from another wonderful stay. Our Ocean View Jr. Suite on the 3rd floor was spacious and spotless. Sweeping ocean views were EPIC day and night. Bed was dreamy with top notch linens and...

Beloved continues to be our go-to All Inclusive “Couples Only” resort in Cancun/Playa Mujeres. We just returned from another wonderful stay. Our Ocean View Jr. Suite on the 3rd floor was spacious and spotless. Sweeping ocean views were EPIC day and night. Bed was dreamy with top notch linens and a pillow menu to choose from. HUGE bathroom with plenty of quality towels (just ask). Party size shower with multiple choice shower heads. Lovely L’Occitane bath products. Wifi was strong and the A/C was a beast. In-room liquor and daily stocked mini-bar continue to be impressive. Superb and discrete housekeeping. The rooms are a bit dated but everything was in fine condition. I understand renovations are coming soon. Check-in was a bit cumbersome and we noticed the service in the restaurants was hit or miss this trip. I think they may have been short handed? Definitely NOT a deal breaker – just noticeable from previous experiences. However, every staff member we encountered during our entire week long stay were welcoming, polite and friendly. The grounds are stunning; impeccable maintenance throughout the property. The spa is fabulous. Love the architecture and small footprint of this resort. The beach is beautiful and we had no issues snagging chaise loungers under the traditional palapa’s. You can rent front row beach cabana’s. There are only a handful so advance reservations are recommended. Swimming conditions are never great here (imho). The water in this area is full of living sea grass and is often a bit murky. We do not enjoy the loud smelly jet ski’s… Beach service is outstanding. Thank you Oscar and Marisol! You two are so joyful and awesome! Three beautiful pools to choose from with plenty of loungers and umbrellas. The pools are not heated. I find them perfectly refreshing but often notice others reacting as if they are too cold. The main pool with the swim-up bar often fills up by mid-morning; it’s a fun space with scheduled activities and live music but it never gets too rowdy. Thankfully, NO foam parties here. Even during high occupancy the whole place remains peaceful and serine. Very nice dining experiences and never had to wait. Everything a la carte and many wonderful choices all beautifully presented. Wish they would source better cuts of meat as the steaks were often a bit tough. All the seafood we enjoyed was wonderful. So happy they enforce their “casually elegant” dress code for dinner. Nightly entertainment if you are in the mood for it. Love the subtle and serine music floating throughout the property. We always meet cool peeps from all around the world here. Like us, many are returning guests which says a lot. The whole place quiets down by 10 or 11 pm. This is NOT a party resort. Private AP transportation service is a fantastic amenity; so efficient. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t have a full-on ocean view suite as I’m certain every single suite and villa on this property would be fantastic. We prefer an upper floor in one of the three main buildings for optimum privacy. We always use CID Private Transfers for any off-site tours as they are a small family run business with very fair price points; LOVE them! We have also taken the ferry over to Isla Mujeres for a day to hang out on North Beach. It’s beautiful over there but gets cRazy crowded so go early and reserve a beach bed at one of the beach clubs in advance. We like Green Demon; its an easy 12 min walk from the port. Enjoy!

Like many of the reviewers below, and most of the couples we met, we had been to Beloved previously. That is probably the biggest compliment we can leave for Beloved: It is so nice that we make an effort to return. It is exactly what we were looking for...relaxed, casual,...

Like many of the reviewers below, and most of the couples we met, we had been to Beloved previously. That is probably the biggest compliment we can leave for Beloved: It is so nice that we make an effort to return. It is exactly what we were looking for...relaxed, casual, chill, and happy. This was our second visit and there will surely be third! As others have mentioned, Beloved is a totally different vibe than Excellence next door (they are the same ownership). We have also stayed at Excellence and it was great, but we may have aged out of that one. The crowd at Beloved usually consists of newlyweds on their honeymoons or people, like us, that have done the raucous resorts and prefer to end their nights a bit earlier. Other than the honeymooners who are easy to spot I would say the average age was "Yes we have college age kids" or older. Our daily routine consisted of a leisurely wake-up, a trip to the great gym on-site (maybe/maybe not!), head down to the beach or pool (no need to save chairs as there are plenty to go around), say hello to whatever nice member of the crew would be taking care of us today, hang out (pool, beach, taco truck), get cleaned up for dinner, enjoy a great meal, after dinner drink or two. Repeat daily! All the other couples we met were awesome! It's like anyone who was there left any political anger and angst on the plane when it landed in Cancun! So much fun to have regular conversations with the other guests. Every conversation usually started with some combination of "How many times have you been here before?", "Don't you love this place?!", or (and this is key) "I love the people that work here and love seeing the same people year after year". *The people here are the secret ingredient that makes this place so awesome. Every single crew member we met was cool! After 2 minutes with any of them you felt like you were talking to a friend. Here are a few of those that made our trip special. Beach Crew: the 3 amigos of Denisse, Claudia, and Sebastian. We really looked forward to seeing them each morning and loved their sunny outlook. Antonio, Benito, and Elvis making sure we were always happy with a full glass. And David The Vaquero...just a great guy with a cool story (used to ride bulls! Sometimes stayed on said bulls.) El Mar: We had breakfast daily at El Mar and a lovely woman worked there. Say hi to Brenda for us. Bars: Juan and Betel always made us happy at the bar. Then there was Hugo and Pasqual at the lobby bar. What to say about these two? Such a cool duo to see each night! I came to know them as Batman & Robin, but you can pick whatever great duo floats you boat: Shaq & Kobe, Simon & Garfunkel, Shrek & Donkey. They made after dinner (and before dinner) cocktails so cool. Really nice guys. Bonus shout out: Carlos at the sushi bar! i appreciate you reading this far. I've loved writing this as it reminded me of all the fun i had last week. If you're on the fence about Beloved don't be. It's pretty, pretty, pretty good!

Property is tired. Restaurants under staffed and food disappointing. Maid service spotty. Rooms need updating. Bathrooms provide no privacy. Closet and clothing storage inadequate. Checkin took 2 hours. I would not return. The spa was the only redeeming factor. However, their hydrotherapy pool is cold.

Our trip to Beloved was not one that we took a lot of time to review as we needed to book a quick getaway and choose Mexico since we would be assured warm temperatures to sit and relax on the beach or by the pool. Since I had been to...

Our trip to Beloved was not one that we took a lot of time to review as we needed to book a quick getaway and choose Mexico since we would be assured warm temperatures to sit and relax on the beach or by the pool. Since I had been to "Excellence" - their sister property sixteen years and left with wonderful memories of food, service and staff, we took the chance on booking five days at Beloved on a whim. Well it was probably one of the best 5 days we had. This property is small with only 109 rooms, which was perfect if you are looking for a quite resort, with a staff who personalizes your visit with their undivided attention. Speaking of staff, they are amazing! From the moment your check-in to when you depart they make you feel like family! Including the Beach Staff - notable "Alex" who was the sweetest and kindness person you'd ever want to meet. Recognizing my desire to practice my very limited Spanish, took the time every day to teach me a new phrase and/or a word each day. He also made some awesome drink suggestions for us. His service was impeccable. (BTW tipping is not advertised but seriously with the genuine service and attention your given we wanted to tip them. And when you did, they were SOOO grateful and appreciative regardless the amount). There are also three pools two which you can do laps and some serious swimming, with included poolside service too. The property is spotless as you can witness as you walk the grounds and see them constantly cleaning i.e. Wiping down rails on the balcony, to sweeping the pathway, they are always cleaning. Your room is always cleaned before noon and Turn-down service is completed before you return from dinner. Both times leaving you fresh towels and supplies. The restrooms throughout the property, be it by the beach, restaurant or lobby are all immaculate. Despite this being a small quiet resort, they do provide late afternoon entertainment by the main pool from music trivia games to an incredible violinist. In the evening you can have a before dinner cocktail in the quant Lupita Lounge sipping on drinks and/or eating the freshest tasting Sushi you can imagine (and we are not even Sushi Fans)! Marisol who is the evening hostess in the Lupita Lounge is another staff member who we experienced to be only concern is with making sure you are Happy, as she told us if "You are Happy, it makes Happy". One of our most memorable experiences had to be the "Agua Viva Hydrotherapy" which was included in our couples’ massage. Octavio who escorted us through Agua Viva Hydrotherapy was so polite and thoughtful, explaining in detail each facet we would be encountering, giving us the space, we needed to enjoy each moment of this amazing treatment. We highly recommend booking a massage just to get a chance to see how beautiful it is once inside. The 3 gym(s) are also given a lot of attention and details to all types of workout regiments. The food and drinks are top rated with enough variety in dinning to not overwhelm you with choices but balanced to diversify you’re eating cuisine. 24-hour room service is also included, with a mini bar stocked with not only some of your favorite hard and soft beverages but chocolates and snacks too. Bottom line if you're looking for a quiet atmosphere with guest who are equally respectful to your quite time, but friendly and fun to chat with too, then you will not be disappointed at Beloved. This was a much-needed getaway as it gave us the time to relax and find the peace of mind we needed. We don't often revisit properties but after this amazing experience we are considering returning as we will be guaranteed to not be disappointed. This was a prefect getaway only to want us to go back!

It was our first time visiting a excellence family resort and I must say our experience was awesome. From the first day to our last day we were treated like we were part of the mexican culture. I must say that knowing spanish also worked into our advantage because we...

It was our first time visiting a excellence family resort and I must say our experience was awesome. From the first day to our last day we were treated like we were part of the mexican culture. I must say that knowing spanish also worked into our advantage because we could connect and communicate better with the staff. We would like to give thanks and show appreciation to the staff that made our days even better. The Best staff members that we met during the trip: Delia, Elias and Christian- Lebou rest and La Isla (Delia even reserve our dinners for the rest of the trip) Fernando - best waiter in the Beach area Benedicto and Mex - bell boys (whatever you need these boys would get it done!) Michel & Nolberto - main bar at lobby entrance (the best cocktails you will find them here! Dare to let them surprise you with their specials drinks )

My wife and I just returned from a week at the Beloved. It definitely met our expectations. Very relaxing atmosphere and as most of the other comments state, it's strictly a chill couple's resort. ROOM: We stayed in the Beachfront Two-Story Casita Suite with Plunge Pool - CON3. We loved...

My wife and I just returned from a week at the Beloved. It definitely met our expectations. Very relaxing atmosphere and as most of the other comments state, it's strictly a chill couple's resort. ROOM: We stayed in the Beachfront Two-Story Casita Suite with Plunge Pool - CON3. We loved the view from the first floor. Very quiet room and great view of the beach and ocean. We really didn't use the second floor because we spent all of our day at the beach and pool. The room could use and update, but it was clean and the bed was comfortable. Beach: The beach was beautiful and very clean. Beach was graded every morning. We rented the beach cabana for the entire week for $60/day (and got one day free). WELL WORTH THE MONEY SPENT. Shout out to the 2 young ladies that ran the beach concierge. They were very friendly and set up our cabana every morning. A big shout off to Louise who took care of us every day/all day with food and drinks! Pool: We only used the main pool becuse it was steps away from our cabana. Water temperate was perfect and for those who need shade in the pool there is some shade throughout the day. Nice swim up bar which provided opportunities to socialize with the other guest. Some late after live music was provided which was nice. Food: We ate every morning at El Mar on the beach. Breanda provided excellent service each morning. Good selection of food. All the restaurants were good. If there's one small area for improvement, I'd say the food selection has room for a little improvement to get to great. Overall, if you are looking for a small quite place to recharge your batteries, this is the place. We will definitely be frequently returning.

Great relaxing stay. Just what we needed and what we wanted. Small resort, very quiet and tranquil. If you’re looking for activities and parties this is probably not the resort for you :) amenities are good but what made our stay excellente :) is service and food. We love Mexican...

Great relaxing stay. Just what we needed and what we wanted. Small resort, very quiet and tranquil. If you’re looking for activities and parties this is probably not the resort for you :) amenities are good but what made our stay excellente :) is service and food. We love Mexican cuisine and the is a great variety of it at the El Mar and La Isla restaurants. We couldn’t get enough of fish tacos, quesadillas and nachos. Best guacamole we ever had! Didn’t try the taco truck but everyone who did said the tacos were delicious. Waiters at the restaurants and at the beach were amazing! Very attentive and friendly. Wanted to mention the beach waiters Fernando and Alex, Jaime and Russel (showed us a great new way to drink tequila shots) at the El Mar, Juan at the main lobby bar (taught us to speak Maya), and Alberto at La Isla. (Sorry if I mixed up the names). The week we stayed at the resort was windy and the water was cold so we didn’t go into the sea too much which was a bummer. We stayed at the beach all day long and at times it was getting cold but still the beach was great - clean and well maintained. The positive side in this was that the evenings were not hot and it was nice and breezy at the outdoors restaurants. When it comes to negatives, there weren’t too many but you can find something you don’t like at any resort. The AC in our room had one temperature setting so it was a bit cold, plenty of beds at the beach but if you wanted a front row one - need to get up very early. There are also paid covered beds with butler service for $60 a day. No straws are used at the resort, we had our own with tumblers. No irons in the room and can’t get one on request, still don’t know how to use a steamer. Overall a great stay, may be a little too expensive for what you get, but we enjoyed it very much.

My husband and I just returned from our 5th trip to Beloved. This time we stayed a bit longer to make up for our travel time and are so glad that we did. Next time we may stay even longer. Beloved continues to allow us to have a wonderfully relaxing...

My husband and I just returned from our 5th trip to Beloved. This time we stayed a bit longer to make up for our travel time and are so glad that we did. Next time we may stay even longer. Beloved continues to allow us to have a wonderfully relaxing vacation for just the two of us. We are pretty well traveled and have been frequent customers of other all inclusive resorts and continue to go to the larger ones with a group of our siblings and their spouses, but this resort is our favorite for the quieter atmosphere, wonderful food, and relaxing vibes. We are very glad that the resort continues to discourage larger groups of party-goers. The service is top notch. We especially enjoyed the efforts of Marisol and her many ways of entertaining people without being too overwhelming. Our beach lounges were prepared by the ever smiling Denisse, while the beach waiters kept us well hydrated. We were especially fond of Fernando and his happy attitude. Pasqual made delicious drinks. We were happiest when he was at the lobby or pool bar, but could not understand why Beloved is now rotating some of their best bartenders to other spots, including the Caffetto. That just seems like a terrible waste of good talent. The resort is always maintained beautifully. Everything is so clean and well kept. Everyone is friendly and the waitstaff is very courteous. We can't say enough good things about Beloved.

Stayed 6 nights. Chose Beloved based on reviews and the fact that it was a smaller resort. The staff were unbelievably awesome. Helpful and friendly. Very low key and quiet resort. Only 4 restaurants which becomes a little monotonous and I would rate the breakfast as very good with lunch...

Stayed 6 nights. Chose Beloved based on reviews and the fact that it was a smaller resort. The staff were unbelievably awesome. Helpful and friendly. Very low key and quiet resort. Only 4 restaurants which becomes a little monotonous and I would rate the breakfast as very good with lunch and dinner average. Standouts were the taco truck and Caffetto. The sushi bar was excellent. Special praise for the staff that includes Christian, Ramon,Elias, Christina and Juan Luis at Caffetto. Such pleasant people. Rooms were very spacious and nicely stocked. I understand room renovations are to occur in the upcoming months. Would definitely return. I would say that after we arrived we learned that any stay of 7 or more nights gets you access to the nearby sister resorts. Would have stayed an extra night if we knew this ahead of time. If you are looking for the hustle and bustle of a larger and newer resort, you’d be disappointed. If you truly want to decompress and relax, not worry about finding a lounge by the pool or on the beach and never having to wait to get a seat at one of the restaurants, Beloved is the place.

We spend a week at Beloved two times each year. Why? Because no other resort treats us as warmly and attentively. Beloved is a small, meticulously-kept, resort designed for relaxation and recharging. It is not loud. It is not flashy. It is personal. You are not just another anonymous guest...

We spend a week at Beloved two times each year. Why? Because no other resort treats us as warmly and attentively. Beloved is a small, meticulously-kept, resort designed for relaxation and recharging. It is not loud. It is not flashy. It is personal. You are not just another anonymous guest here. General manager Andrea Ruiz is a lovely person, and always present. She introduced us to new guest relations manager Alejandro, and front desk manager Fernanda, who are also clearly committed to maintaining a consistently high level of personalized service and providing guests at Beloved everything they want and need. At the same time, we happily reconnected with familiar faces in the lobby as soon as we arrived: Mex, who never disappoints with a big smile, a warm hug, and a delicious welcome drink. Jacqueline at the front desk who welcomed us with hugs as well, and kept tabs on us for our entire stay. We are two male couples who always visit Beloved together. We feel totally at home there. The warm reception begins at the front door and does not end until we reluctantly have to head home. After a seamless check-in, we usually stop at the Lobby Bar on our way to our favorite rooms. The Lobby Bar is a wonderful, central place to relax, and has a different mellow energy throughout the day and evening. We stopped there many times during our week there, and enjoyed a range of delicious cocktails prepared by bartenders Betel, Artemio, Juan Jose and Pascual. Each enjoys what he does and it shows. It's then off to the Bocadito taco truck, where Marilu serves up some of the best tacos you've ever tasted. Sarai was right there as well, happy to keep the drinks from the Lobby Bar flowing. They go really well with those tacos! This was the first time we took advantage of the complementary hydrotherapy session included with every stay, and even those of us who aren’t “spa people” thoroughly enjoyed it. The spa itself is beautiful and well-appointed, and we would encourage everyone to experience their excellent service. We enjoyed all the restaurants. If you want to eat healthy, you can. If you want to indulge, you can do that, too. We had breakfast each morning at Le Bisou, where Chef Carlos Blas creates a delicious array of traditional Mexican dishes which complemented the generous, wide-ranging, buffet offerings. He made us a salmon dish which was really amazing. Gaudencio, another chef on staff, also went out of his way to make us feel welcome. As always, Christian and Cristian, busboy and waiter, provided excellent, attentive service, and both Abigail and Delia were lovely hostesses. We also have to single out Luis and Ricardo, two newer members of the staff who truly anticipated our needs. At El Mar, the food is as delicious as the beachfront view. We are always well-taken care of by Alexis and manager Ramon. Similarly at La Isla, it was a treat to see Alberto and Carlos, wonderful waiters who served with a smile each time we were there. We had several excellent meals at the sleek Lupita Steakhouse, including the special Mexican Food Fest which featured menu items rooted in the cultural and gastronomical diversity of Mexico. We were very happy to see Jibran again, the manager at the steakhouse, who was constantly checking to see that everything was to our liking, and both the sommelier Lorenzo and Ismael, our waiter, provided truly excellent service. Beach service could not have been more attentive. Fernando was amazing. He knew what we wanted before we did. We enjoyed catching up with Benito, and want to give special thanks to Denisse the beach concierge who is so warm and welcoming. We were so touched that she took the time and talent to create amazing sand art caricatures of each of us which were as fun and thoughtful as they were accurate! Nightly entertainment options, coordinated by Axcel and his staff, included a wide range of talented musicians, singers and dancers. Even though we're not "activities people," Axcel sought us out to ask our opinions of the daytime activities and evening entertainment offerings. Claudia Trevino, the Aroma Mexicano Trio, and an act named Summer were particular standouts. The lounge is a beautiful setting, and both Oscar and Elvis took great care of us every night; they seemed to be everywhere at once, yet never rushed or hurried. We also want to give a shout-out to Jesus, the sushi chef, who prepared delicious, generous platters. Beloved is a great place for couples, however you define a couple. We've met honeymooners, young couples, mature couples, friend couples, male couples, female couples, sibling couples, mother/daughter couples ... you get the idea. If you are looking for a low-key, intimate, understated, respectful experience in a way you might not expect from a resort in the Cancun area (no "spring break" vibes here!), we recommend it to you. We can't wait to go back ... and if you're there in November or February, we'll see you there!

We had the most incredible experience at the Beloved playa Mujeres. Upon arriving we were greeted by Christian who welcomed us and took care of our luggage and also making sure we were comfortable since we took the red eye flight. Paoula got us checked in and was so very...

We had the most incredible experience at the Beloved playa Mujeres. Upon arriving we were greeted by Christian who welcomed us and took care of our luggage and also making sure we were comfortable since we took the red eye flight. Paoula got us checked in and was so very sweet. She explained everything and wanted to make sure we were ready to relax. The rooms were beyond any expectation we had. They were clean, spacious and comfortable, especially the bed. We found everything we needed and more. The staff went above and beyond to make us feel special, relaxed and happy. My husband had some indigestion issues and we had to leave our dinner early. Jorge at The steakhouse sent up dessert to our room for us and wanted to make sure everything was ok. The hotel checked in on us to make sure he was feeling better. The food was absolutely incredible, we are big foodies and everything from presentation to taste it was just a home run every single time. we have never felt so taken care of at any establishment like the beloved Playa Mujeres and we cannot wait to return. I have never heard my husband say “lets’s make this a yearly visit!” I was so happy and excited to hear him say this!!

My husband and I stayed at Beloved for 7 days and it was wonderful. At first we were unsure given it is a smaller resort but it had absolutely everything we could want for food, entertainment, pools and the staff were unbelievably wonderful. PEOPLE: Everyone is bananas friendly and accommodating...

My husband and I stayed at Beloved for 7 days and it was wonderful. At first we were unsure given it is a smaller resort but it had absolutely everything we could want for food, entertainment, pools and the staff were unbelievably wonderful. PEOPLE: Everyone is bananas friendly and accommodating to whatever you want, you want it - they'll do everything they can to make it happen. Michel and Nolberto will make you the best cocktails at the hotel lobby bar. Abner is simply the friendliest at the swim up bar and also makes tasty cocktails. FOOD: All of the restaurants were delicious it's hard to pick a favorite but El Mar I think was ours. Try to get there on a calm night for dinner, beyond amazing ambiance and their surf and turf (garlic jumbo shrimp and filet mignon) was so filling an delicious. Their house wines are included and are Don Silvestre (Cabernet, Merlot and a Sav Blanc) if you are a wine person; decent table wines for sure. Other wines are extra either by the glass or by the bottle, be sure to stipulate which you want while at their restaurants. Lupita steakhouse lives up to the name... if you are meat eater - order a steak, the tenderloin was amazing. Le Bisou is french inspired (obviously) - really lovely buffet breakfast and made-to-order items. Dinner is also quite good - I had the mahi mahi - basically any fish you can expect perfection here. Caffeto and Bocadito were so fun - absolutely delicious street tacos and coffees, ice creams, pastries. Caffeto turns into a dessert bar at night. Daytime, it has grab and go sandwiches and other mini-lunch items. Beach snacks - Fish tacos were really tasty. Room service is very handy and actually quite prompt. Food was good. Ceviche/sushi bar was a favorite, Jesus makes the best sushi and will make you fun stuff if you are willing to be 'surprised' and like sushi/ceviche! DRINKS: Yes it really is all inclusive for cocktails and spirits. I am a "newb" this was our first all-inclusive experience. When we walked into the room there were bottles of liquor and wine and Carlos had to keep assuring us it was all included. Stocked mini-bar with snacks, water, alcohol and mixers. CAVEAT - if you order bottles of wine those CAN cost money. ROOM: We were in building 2, 2nd floor (Room 223). Nice view of the ocean and inner resort area (2 pools). Not too windy on our balcony which was nice for playing cards and drinking. It can get humid in the room especially if you shower a lot and the aircon is on making it more of a 'cold clammy' so if it's nice out, turn the air off and open the balcony let it dry/air out some. There was some construction and improvement going on while we were there, but not intrusive. ENTERTAINMENT: So it's not going to be the all-night go-go of other resorts, I loved the intimacy of the entertainment, small format - definitely for couples and those wanting to just kick back. My favorites were the chelist, violinist, magic show, live band, sip and paint, and movie quiz trivia a the main pool. MY ONLY WISH: So the beach shuts down when it's dark, there are no night time activities on the beach which is great because it keeps things chill but I'd love lights in some of the cabanas on the beach in case we just want to chill and look at the stars, so we can find our way down there. The beach at night can be very romantic but I know they also have to keep in mind the sea life that needs the beach at night etc. But a few lights here and there in case one wanted to sit on the beach and talk could be nice. OF NOTE/TIPS: Do bring small bills if you plan on tipping, they don't have a lot of capability of making change especially for larger bills, 20 USD is about the biggest they can do if they are able to at all. There is one gift shop/convenience shop on the hotel grounds if you missed any essentials or want gifts. We never had a problem getting a pool deck chair or cabana but we heard others say get down there by 11 am. Don't underestimate the sun, sunscreen a lot. Bug spray - I got eaten alive by the mosquitoes (or gnats?) on my balcony and hanging out in Lupita Lounge. We didn't do any excursions but heard very positive things about their Chichen Itza and Isla Mujeres tours. Take their offer for Seasons Transport, it's free if you are staying a minimum number of days and it's so convenient coming out of the airport, they give very clear instructions (emailed to you) so you don't get caught up in the taxi chaos outside. OVERALL: Next time we can travel as a couple - yes I'd absolutely come back to Beloved. But I think next we'll be bringing out daughter so we are excited to check out The Finest which is their sister resort for families... I'll let you know how it goes! :D

I really wanted to give this 5 stars, but it's more like 4.5 stars. This was our third visit to Beloved, so that's a main reason why 4.5 instead of 5. In other words, we had already experienced many of the positives: beautiful grounds; friendly staff; nice beach; peaceful vibe....

I really wanted to give this 5 stars, but it's more like 4.5 stars. This was our third visit to Beloved, so that's a main reason why 4.5 instead of 5. In other words, we had already experienced many of the positives: beautiful grounds; friendly staff; nice beach; peaceful vibe. So while those were great, they were not surprising. On this trip, there were some weird hiccups. On our first morning, we called down for room service. No answer. We tried the front desk. No answer. Concierge. No answer. After trying for 15 minutes, I finally got dressed and walked down to the lobby. Their excuse was something like a staff switchover, so no one to answer the phone -- although there were two people staffing the front desk. Strange. Then the activities. If you've read other reviews, you know Beloved isn't know for activities. Many people just sit at the beach or pool all day. But we wanted to try some things. We asked twice about participating in one activity, and were told to just show up 15 minutes before. We got there and joined other people waiting. After 15 minutes, they asked us if we had signed up beforehand. No, we had not. Because they didn't tell us we had to sign up. There were limited spaces for this activity, so there was a really awkward situation trying to figure out who would be left out. There were two other activities we were interested in, but they just didn't happen. We showed up -- and nothing. Maybe they were moved and no one told us? On the plus side, the taco truck - Bocadito - and its mascot Carrot the Cat were amazing!

I'm not big 'leave reviews' kind of person, but given how many 5 star reviews I've seen (and used as basis to book this hotel) I thought I should provide our alternative perspective/experience. For context, we aren't complainers, so we only brought a few minor things up to the staff....

I'm not big 'leave reviews' kind of person, but given how many 5 star reviews I've seen (and used as basis to book this hotel) I thought I should provide our alternative perspective/experience. For context, we aren't complainers, so we only brought a few minor things up to the staff. There's a lot of little things that left us disappointed - but at a place that is this costly, those things matter. The Good: The beach and ocean were phenomenal. The wait staff out there was attentive and so sweet. I actually got an open water swim workout in, and it was amazing. The sushi was incredible (but kind of an after thought? More on that later) and the breakfast at the french restaurant was generally quite good. The property is beautiful. The staff was overall very good. We got a massage and did the hydrotherapy, both of which were great. The Weird/Quirky: There's a ton of unused/dead space at this resort. It feels like one of those places that either got bought out and didn't bother to renovate so they decided to leave things unused. There's a beautiful fountian area that would have been great for entertainment, but apparently it's a smoking area...? There's a whole outdoor bar that's completely abandoned despite being near 2 pools. There's a bar that I never once saw used. The food was mediocre, Very hit or miss but that's not crazy for an AI. The sushi was GREAT, but it was at a random bar in the 'lounge' area... it's a little bit hidden, and you might not even know it was there unless you walked past it. I don't know why they don't just incorporate it into El Mar's menu... I wish we'd gotten more than once, to be honest, but again... kind of hidden. Not bad, just... odd. The Not-So-Great: When we got there, we weren't offered drinks, just told to sit down. Those around us were, so that felt weird. Upon check in, we were told there was an issue with the room, so we'd get an 'upgrade' for 1 night (it wasn't an upgrade, and ended up being rougly half the size of our booked room, but I wasn't going to make an issue of it). When we got to the room, the 2 story casita next door's plunge pool was overflowing and we ended up with a 'water feature' on our side (we were on the first level, so it was basically a waterfall). I suspect that whoever was in that room got moved to ours, and we got moved to this room... etc. We had to move the next day before check out, which wasn't great, and we were 'homeless' for about 3 hours. We were, at the end of the trip, offered an upgrade for this incovenience... for our next trip. It would have gone a long way to offer an upgrade at THIS trip, but I suppose the hope is you come back and spend more money... I don't know, it just felt a little disingenuous. The front desk called our room, no joke, at least twice a day. It got to be really frustrating... we even asked them to stop - there's a fine line between checking that things are good and being annoying. The housekeeping staff knocked on our door despite the DND card being in - jolted us both out of a dead sleep. Our snacks and still water were not replenished for 3 days - we finally called and requested them to send it up - to their credit, they immediately did, but we really shouldn't have had to ask. At the spa, we got the free 1/2 hour hydrotherapy... we actually had no clue there was a full hour. We would have upgraded to that but... it was never offered. Other couples said they were asked multiple times. It was kind of a bummer to find that out. The rooms could use a renovation. The jacuzzi tub and plunge pools are yellowed, cracked and need replacement. As mentioned in other reviews, brown water came out of the jets when you fill the tubs (this happened in both our rooms) which is.... gross. Might be rusty water, but it doesn't really matter. There's 3 pools - 1 with a swim up bar that everyone seems to use - it's very nice. We discovered why, however, after day 1 - the other two quieter pools are essentially impossible to use for 3/4 of the day due to the sun if you aren't someone that likes to bake in the sun. There are a few chairs, but the umbrellas are on the wrong side of them to limit sun exposure, and there's no staff in that area to ask to adjust them. To be fair it was windy, so some of the umbrellas couldn't be used for a few days anyway, but it was disappointing that there wasn't a level of conciousness of the needs. I didn't see anyone in management outside of the lobby, so perhaps that's why. An entire side of both pools is monopolized by 'swim up' rooms so you can't use that side of the pool (where all the shade is!) and we rarely saw them used. I saw some reviews that say there's "no squatting" at the pools or reserving chairs... SO not true. We never got a chair near the pool, because the same people were squatting the entire week, or they were reserved and we never saw the humans that apparently reserved them. I even went down around 730 am... no dice. I read the staff was supposed to limit that kind of thing, but I never saw that. Finally, we got a 'balance due' bill when we landed back at home, which was a bit of a slap in the face. Apparently they never charged us for the massage (but charged us the tip? - and I actually asked about the tip, did the math in front of the desk person)... I assumed that the massage would have come out of the $500 hold when you check in. I guess not? I'm not sure, still waiting to hear about that. Overall, it was okay. I don't understand the average 5 stars from >7000 people, but I also wonder if there's been a recent change in management or a staff reduction. The vibe felt a little off, and I did hear some people who had come 8 years in a row mention something to that effect. In any event, our opinion is there are probably better experiences in the area that are more cost effective. It was good enough, but we won't be back.