Mareazul

The only reason we've stayed here is the direct beach access. If this were not the only place around with that, we would have left a long time ago. We've rented for almost six years, and the repeated construction and repair issues, along with owners' complaints, have made us glad we didn't buy. In every unit we've lived in, we've dealt with things like leaking ceilings, water damage, failing air conditioning, fixtures coming apart, mold, damp-swollen walls, and appliances that owners took months to replace. The building work looks shockingly poor to us, full of shortcuts, and it doesn't seem like professional crews or proper equipment are being used. It feels as if saving money matters more than building something durable. Noise is another ongoing problem. If you're on the first, second, or third floor with an Airbnb above, sleep can be out of reach. There's no sound insulation, so chairs, tables, footsteps, and heels upstairs carry loudly at any hour. There's also seaweed for about five months of the year, when the water turns brown and smelly. That's nature, though, and not the property's fault. We're a European family and have lived here for several years, so I'm honestly surprised this place is rated so highly. After talking with many owners who are trying to sell, I don't think we're the only ones frustrated by how poorly things are built and maintained.

The beach sits just behind the pool bar and is fantastic. There are also a few restaurants within walking distance, taxis are easy to get for going elsewhere, and a huge grocery store is only a three-minute drive away. The resort grounds are gorgeous, with pools sprawling over an area of several football fields. We had good, reasonably priced meals at the restaurants, and the mini store was open whenever we went for snacks or basics. The front desk staff were helpful, too. We enjoyed a week in a roomy two-bedroom, two-bath apartment with a lovely patio, kitchen, and little pool. That small pool seemed mostly for atmosphere, though kids sometimes splash in it. There's a great grass-and-sand tennis court, and another hard court was nearly finished. A few things could have been better. We booked beach chairs twice: the first reservation was lost, and the second time our name was listed but they were full with no chairs left. They could use more chairs at both the pool and beach. The two big hot tubs were switched off and cold, which we especially missed in December. The kitchen had plenty of appliances and utensils, but so many that there wasn't room for food. Cleaning wasn't available while we were there because they were busy.

The setting was beautiful, the beaches were gorgeous, and we had great service at both Faro Azul and Punto Azul. Yasmin was a fantastic concierge and made our stay feel especially sweet. She arranged a four-course private chef meal and breakfast, booked a couples massage, and helped us try the BEST tres leches of my life, Extreme Lotus. She deserves a raise and a month-long paid vacation wherever she wants.

We had beautiful stays in condos 115 and 102. Both units were modern, nicely decorated, and the beds were so comfy. The air conditioning worked wonderfully, and the rooms themselves were a 10. Yaz, the concierge, was extremely helpful and took care of anything we needed right away. It's a lovely, quiet place if you want to feel secluded, with a beautiful beach that feels basically private. The pool is enormous, so we never felt crowded. Kids have trampolines, play structures, and shallow pools to enjoy. Getting around was the drawback for us. You have to take taxis everywhere, and they're very expensive; there aren't any shops within walking distance. The condo exteriors are looking a little run down and due for maintenance. Our beachfront room had no water in the splash pool, and the tennis courts had no fence, which is a major issue if you play tennis. We liked the place, but wouldn't return because it's so far from everything.