Bel Air Collection Resort & Spa Riviera Maya

The resort was basically free, which suited my budget and left money for activities off the property. I brought my family on a whim since it was our first time in the area. The kids enjoyed the activities, and having the whole place to ourselves made it memorable for them, though this wasn't the best resort I've visited. I'd suggest it only if you're on a budget and your kids have basic survival skills. The beach was small and neglected, but there were lots of cenotes for the kids to swim in. Keep an eye out for alligators from the long-abandoned zoo. The pool had been drained completely and was full of debris, so there was no swimming there, though the kids had fun running circles around it. There was no food service at all, and we didn't see staff during our stay. When hungry, we had plenty of seabirds, fish, and “Mexican raccoons” to eat. The rooms were run-down and looked as if they hadn't been cleaned in three years. Sewage smell spread across the resort and was nearly unbearable at times, though my wife liked it, so who am I to complain? We saw just one staff member, pulling copper wire from the walls. He gave us a friendly wave with his machete.

The rooms are rustic but pleasant, with great hot water and drinking water that's easy to find. Staff were welcoming and friendly, though many had trouble speaking English. The food was average, and the drinks were hit or miss, so I'd suggest better bartender training. It's a beautiful resort, but it needs a lot of maintenance. The beach is tiny and rocky, though a shuttle takes guests to a better one. The adult pool is nice. Part of the kids' pool area has stagnant water, but overall it looks like a lot of fun.

I wouldn't recommend this hotel, especially at the price they charge for the service. The facilities are old, the rooms are uncomfortable, and I had no hot water for my entire stay. At night, they even tried to take my room while my family was inside. I complained to the manager but didn't get a good response. The food didn't taste good. They tried to serve Mexican dishes, but they didn't seem like authentic Mexican food. I also wouldn't recommend the beach seafood, since the service was poor compared with the other clubs nearby.

We stayed for a week about three weeks ago for our nephew's wedding on the hotel's beach. I'm grateful to God for everything we experienced. Everyone we dealt with, from the restaurant and bar teams to room service, reception, and hotel transportation, was polite and respectful. They were ready to meet our requests and often went the extra mile to make sure we were happy with the service. The Hotel's Manager kept checking that we were enjoying our stay. I never saw an employee behave badly. My impression was that the manager has a very good relationship with the staff. God bless.