Barceló Ixtapa All Inclusive

The rooms could use some repairs and freshening up, and it was hard to get a pool seat because people saved them and left them unused for most of the day. I also wish we’d had a printed schedule each day. The screen was difficult to read, and we learned about many things from other guests instead of the staff. Still, the food was good, the rooms were kept clean, and I’d come back. It was a great place to stay, and if these issues were addressed, I’d give it 5/5 instead of 4/5.

We took the bicycle tour to the marine with lizzette. The ride was smooth and enjoyable, and she explained everything along the way, so we felt safe and confident. I just wish they had smaller bikes for shorter people. The hotel itself was awesome: clean and beautiful, with friendly, welcoming staff ready to help. There are lots of amenities and activities, and the pools were very clean. The Cascade, the poolside bar, was one of our favorite spots. The bartenders were on point, friendly, and always checking on us.

I’m updating my review to dispute the GM’s response. The staff were friendly and courteous, and the grilled shrimp and fish at the lunch buffet were always fresh and tasty. Those were the only bright spots in an otherwise awful stay. Every day, people reserved pool chairs by 8 p.m. for the next morning. Staff told us they wouldn’t do anything about it. We stayed six days, and it happened each one. On the beach, instead of providing eco-friendly palapas or umbrellas, the hotel directed us to a man selling an umbrella for 650 pesos a week. Other guests with kids ended up paying. Nobody asked them to take the umbrellas down. People kept dragging loungers around to find shade, with chairs crammed together and legs nearly in each other’s faces. We paid for the premium package and got no beach service. The cocktails were awful, made with syrup instead of ingredients like real mint leaves. They had a sugary taste and made this supposedly 4-star resort seem cheap. The buffet was probably the worst I’ve seen at a hotel claiming to be 4-star. Our premium package cost an extra $400 and at least let us eat at the à la carte restaurants, which were just okay. Avoid the Japanese one: there was no sake or ginger, and the sushi was poor quality. At the lobster lunch by the beach, the Main/Executive chef Jesus guarded the lobsters and was rude when I asked for another. He acted as if he’d paid for them himself. I walked away, then later pulled him aside, and he sheepishly admitted he’d been rude. The hotel needs major improvements. The elevators are worn and smell, and the rooms need an upgrade. Unless the food is reworked and the rooms improved, I wouldn’t book this place for even a basic 4-star stay. Hopefully they get a new chef. Sorry this is so blunt, but I wish I’d read an honest review like this before spending so much money. We’ve paid the same at other resorts and had an incredible experience.

The main frustration was the crowds on the beach and around the pool. There aren’t enough chairs, and people leave towels and shirts on them overnight to claim spots. If you don’t get one by 7 a.m., they’re all taken, even though most sit empty under those towels all day. Staff know and don’t seem to care. The location is great, right by a beautiful, clean beach. Staff are friendly and helpful, and go out of their way. Food is decent but nothing special. Rooms are clean and have great views, though they’re dated. Wi-Fi is slow and unreliable. Also, the walls are thin, so you’ll hear every word, cough, and sneeze from the neighbors.