Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa - Adults Only - All Inclusive

We paid for an 11-day trip and came away very disappointed. The hotel feels tired, and the room, grounds, and pool all need updating. Watch the room description when booking. We reserved an ocean view but were given a noisy pool-view room. Staff said its room name was ocean view, which didn't make sense to us. After a lot of negotiation, we were moved to a real ocean-view room. There also weren't enough restaurants or places to eat. The men's dress code was frustrating: a woman in ripped jean shorts was allowed in, while men had to wear long pants.

Service was consistently top notch, and housekeeping did a great job. The location is the most picturesque of the Secrets we've visited, though the resort itself feels dated. The Mexican restaurant was nicely decorated; the others looked thrown together, and it felt odd having nearly all of them grouped together in one area, with Oceana the exception. Food varied a lot from meal to meal. We especially enjoyed Bordeaux, the French restaurant. More pool chairs would have helped. After 8 a.m., if you were heading down to the pool, they were nearly impossible to find.

The first thing we noticed was how little information we got on arrival, so we had no idea where to go or what to do. The staff seemed unhappy and service felt reluctant. The location is pleasant, but there are wasted areas that could have been lounging space, and the property badly needs renovation. It was rated 4.5, but to me it was a 3 at best, and overpriced. Food was just okay. At the pool they used very old plastic glasses, which may have contributed to the diarrhea all four of us had throughout the stay. Men's restaurant dress rules weren't clear, and requiring pants in a hot resort is ridiculous when dress shorts and collared shirts should be enough, especially since women can wear whatever. The shower floor is made of wood slats and felt unsanitary. The toilet is in an open area behind a glass door, so everyone in the room can hear and partly see the person using it. This is the first Mexican vacation spot I've given a poor review to, after visiting Mexico for many years.

The views were stunning from every room, and this was my first visit to the resort. Food was decent throughout, with amazing variety at the Cafe buffet. We did have some communication issues with service staff, but I'd still recommend it to anyone looking for a friendly, dependable resort in the Oaxaca region. I'll definitely be back.