Decameron Baru - All inclusive

Even at a beautiful resort, it was hard to unwind with the frequent loud noise, including music and events at the main pool and beach, plus speakers from other guests. Some of it was unnecessarily loud. The simple beach was comfortable, and the four pools were spectacular. We chose superior accommodations and thought they were worth it. The facilities are well laid out for such a stunning location, service was excellent throughout, and we enjoyed excellent food at both the buffet and the specialty restaurants, which were available each night. We’re foodies, and the food really pleased us.

The receptionist eventually spoke with the manager and managed to get us a room upgrade, plus complimentary wine and beer in the room. That helped, but the manager had already made the beginning of our honeymoon stressful, and I don’t think my wife and I will return. I’ve never had such disrespectful, unprofessional treatment from a manager at an all-inclusive. The hotel should retrain him. When we arrived, we learned alcohol wouldn’t be served after 6 pm until Monday, which covered our whole stay. No one had told us, and the website gave no indication of it for that weekend. We asked about cancelling or getting a refund, but were told we’d have to go through a 15-day process with no guarantee. We asked whether there was another way to resolve it, and the reception manager said it wasn’t their fault and nothing could be done, with no upgrade, beer or wine in the room, or anything else. Later, he called my wife and me crazy in Spanish, apparently thinking we wouldn’t understand.

The staff themselves were nice, but the way things were run made the stay feel inconvenient and far from relaxing. Our room’s door was missing a security latch, and you’re left walking around for towels and other basics. There’s no poolside drink service, cocktails aren’t available at the buffet, and most drinks are premixed and poorly made. Don’t expect classic cocktails. The pools don’t open until 10 am and close around 7 pm, and the beach shuts at 6 pm, which felt restrictive for a vacation resort. The resort and pools look nice, and the fish restaurant was good, but the buffet was only okay on some days. The à la carte restaurants disappointed us. The Italian place served pizza that was basically a cracker from a wood-fired oven. Playa Puntilla was a mess too. Staff gave us conflicting explanations: first it was included, then it wasn’t, then we were told access meant sitting through a timeshare presentation and handing over our passports. That felt uncomfortable and inconsistent. Getting there was a warning sign. The final roughly 20 minutes of the drive are on an unpaved dirt and gravel road, which isn’t mentioned and doesn’t fit the way the place is marketed. At check-in they charged us an extra $1,200 for an additional guest we’d already paid for through Expedia, and we were essentially forced to pay it. The receipt was under the wrong name, and staff said it couldn’t be changed. That set a terrible tone. For the price, it wasn’t worth it. If you’re used to modern all-inclusive resorts, this will feel like a downgrade. We wouldn’t return.

Our convention stay was absolutely horrible. There was a concert beside the rooms, loud late into the night, and we never had hot water. The food was bad, and raccoons were all over the food hall eating everything while staff did nothing. A necklace and a charger were stolen, and our bags had been rummaged through. The staff weren’t kind or attentive. Our phones didn’t work and nobody cared. 0/10, don’t stay here, choose another hotel.