Las Sirenas by Mayan Princess

The slow or nonexistent Wi-Fi in the rooms was the one downside. Still, you probably won't spend much time in there beyond sleeping after a full day at the beach. Las Sirenas by Mayan Princess has a soothing atmosphere, friendly front desk staff, and dinner buffets with different options. It’s a great 4-star hotel in a prime spot on West Bay, one of the island’s best beaches, with a gorgeous beachfront view.

We did the VIP Beach excursion and really enjoyed it. The food and views were amazing. The only awkward part was how persistent some locals were about selling goods or services. I know they need to make a living, but at times it felt like a bit much.

We stayed last year and had a great experience. The beach was gorgeous, and the lunch and dinner were by far the best food I’ve had at any resort. It rained for a day, but that’s just mother nature. Vendors weren’t pushy, and Mario at the front desk was friendly and very helpful. Our ocean-view room had a comfortable bed, though the rooms could use some updating. There are lots of activities around the island, and we’re planning to return this year. Definitely recommend.

We booked this as a Carnival excursion. The beach was crowded, but it was still a nice trip, and there’s more to do than we managed to fit in, so look into the options and plan ahead. One thing to know is that the free buffet ends shortly after arrival. Our guide didn’t explain that, but management was great and served us whatever we wanted. Darwin, our beach waiter, was wonderful.