Las Hadas By Brisas

The pool and beach were fantastic, and we had a wonderful time overall. Restaurant service was really good except at Legazpi. There the food was overcooked, the bartender made the worst margarita ever, and the service was so bad we left after dessert without anyone asking if we wanted coffee. Our room was old, not very clean, and definitely showing its age. The others we traveled with had great rooms in the 900 range that looked newly renovated. Also, it can sometimes take a while to find a staff member who speaks English.

Las Hadas is a striking group of gleaming white castles climbing the hillside above Manzanillo on a rocky peninsula. Many rooms have stunning balcony views, and the hotel has a clean sandy beach that’s private to the property. There are several restaurants, from elegant dining to a taco bar, and you might spot an iguana if you swim in the large pool. A few drawbacks: there’s very little to do at night. Most things close, leaving a couple of restaurants and a quiet lobby bar, even though the beach location could offer more. We were there in February, when occupancy seemed to be only around 20 percent, mostly Mexican families with young children. The adults-only club costs extra, but it’s a tiny patio in the hot sun with a microscopic pool. We paid for it and never used it. Many rooms are reached by long stairways up the hillside, so it’s not a good choice if you have mobility challenges. There’s also little nearby. Without a 15-minute taxi ride into town, you’re limited to the hotel. Manzanillo doesn’t have much to offer as a tourist destination, and nearby Barra de Navidad is a better option to visit.

The rooms smelled bad, and we saw two rats around the restaurant. When we asked staff to clean the kids’ pool, they said it’s only cleaned once a week. They basically told us to use it as it was or go to the beach, which they said was even worse. Staff in the rooms also ignored the “Do not disturb” sign. We arrived to find the staff asleep. After waking them to check in, we were met with rudeness and no helpfulness. The bellboys asked if we needed help, since that isn’t included in the stay. It was a very disappointing experience. I hardly ever write reviews, but this time I felt other people should know. Overall, a negative stay.

The beach view is good, the architecture is nice, and the place has a tropical, rustic feel. The food, though, isn’t good, and the all-inclusive option isn’t worth paying for. There are places just outside the hotel with much better food for a lot less. When we ate breakfast at La Palmera, there was a roach on our plate, and we also found a giant roach in our room. Service was hit or miss. Staff turnover seems high, so there are lots of new people, and some clearly don’t want to work there. The lobby staff treated me poorly, and I won’t be coming back.