Playabachata

We spent most of our time at the beach and pool, and both were very good. The beach had beautiful views and good swimming. The grounds were attractive and well kept, with a nice atmosphere. Our room was dated but adequate, and wasn’t the focus of the trip. There were plenty of bars, some open late, and we enjoyed the shows we saw. The kids loved it, and everyone was very friendly to them and to us. The Italian restaurant and steakhouse served excellent meals. For what we paid, it was great value, and we’d definitely do it again.

The hotel’s location is a real highlight, with a long, beautiful coastline and clean, clear water. The rooms are spacious and clean, and service was good. For an all-inclusive, the food was great, especially breakfast, with real smoothies and plenty to choose from. A few drawbacks: Wi-Fi only works in the lobby, the beach chairs are faulty and need replacing, and the pool area music is very loud.

I paid $1,300 CAD for 11 days all-inclusive, and at that price I was happy with what I got. I’m a backpacker and tried an all-inclusive this time. The room was clean, the pool was nice and kept clean by staff throughout the day, and the food was good with lots of options, including for vegetarian and vegan guests. There’s also a bar open 24 hours. If you’re expecting a 5- or 7-star hotel while paying as little as possible, you might leave a bad review. But for a reasonable price, this place is good. The beach is right beside the hotel, though there are rocks on the sea floor, so water shoes may be a good idea, even if they aren’t required.

Good food and service, and we had a great trip. Keep in mind that Wi-Fi is only available in the main lobby, where it isn’t the best. Also bring your own bar soap, maybe two, since buying one costs $8US. Shampoo, conditioner, and similar toiletries aren’t provided either.