Sacbe by Stella Rentals

Getting around was easy from here. We could walk to most places downtown and reach the beach in just a few minutes. The staff were friendly, the kitchen was usable, and the concierge offered lots of help, including beach chairs, towels, bikes, and taxi bookings. Daily complimentary gym access was a big plus, with yoga, weights, and spinning classes. The pool is tiny, which might suit little kids, and the so-called jacuzzi is just a small pool extension that needs to be heated. We didn’t use it or see anyone else use it. There were some service and setup snags. We paid for an extra person, but the bed space wasn’t ready until we pushed them to fix the oversight. They brought a makeshift cot and set it up nicely. After room service, trash bags and towels were left outside our door overnight. The front desk told us not to worry when we asked them to clear it, then later said taking out the trash might be our responsibility. We’d received no instructions about that when we arrived or when we first raised it. Our flat was for two or three people but had just one outdoor chair, and our request for more went unanswered. The beach club Asi is pleasant for a drink, but its water entry is rocky, full of seaweed and boats, so it isn’t great for beach access. The real drawback is being right among the big clubs. Sitting outside at night wasn’t an option with the music turned up, and even indoors it became unpleasant after 11 p.m. On weekdays, music from several clubs went until 2 or 3 a.m., and on weeknights at least until 4 a.m. It was loud through closed doors and windows, and I could feel the bass in bed, though I eventually fell asleep. The other issues were fairly minor, but the noise spoiled what might have been quiet, relaxing evenings. I wouldn’t stay again for that reason. If you’re sensitive to sound, don’t book here. If you plan to be out clubbing late anyway, it could suit you.

We were here in the one-bedroom suite from Dec. 25-31, during the last week of the year. The design is charming and private, with a comfortable feel indoors and out. The mattress was good, the towels clean, and the modern bathroom roomy. The location is superb for walking around, and the Front Desk and Concierge, called Customer Experience, were attentive and available, though they’re in two different places. The nightly club noise was a major downside. The town’s loudest, liveliest club is on the same block and blasted music until 3 a.m. every night. Also, the Expedia listing said “Sleeps 3,” but this place really seems meant for two. Maybe three young people who only sleep there could manage, but the sofa bed made the living room feel like a college dorm. The tiny patio area by the entrance was uncomfortable, and I wouldn’t recommend the one-bedroom for three, even with a child, except perhaps for a short stay. The private beach at the beach club doesn’t really exist. It’s a nice restaurant by the ocean, but the narrow strip of uneven sand and rocks has only about a dozen beach beds and bits of rattan furniture, and most are occupied. Fishing and diving boats anchor there, leaving the water murky and smelly. It’s nearly impossible and dangerous to get in, and not suitable for swimming or children. There is a great open beach about a five-minute walk away, one or two blocks south on 1-st av, but you have to pay for umbrellas, beach beds, and other things since it isn’t your beach. You’re renting someone’s condo unit, not a whole hotel or condo building, so the front desk has limited options. The one-bedroom owner, for example, put just one chair at the patio table. The pedicure at the spa was below average for a Manhattan-high price. We didn’t try the massage.

We picked this spot for walking access to the beach and everything on fifth. It was perfect for our group, including two boys aged 11 and 14, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a washer and dryer. In the humidity, towels wouldn’t dry on their own, so having laundry in the unit was a big help. I’m not sure I could stay somewhere else without it. The unit was shaded and private, just right for the extremely hot time of year we visited. It opened right onto the pool, which was small but hardly used, so we mostly had it to ourselves. Samson was great to work with, quick to answer questions, and helpful whenever we needed anything. The value was hard to beat. We won’t be going back to all-inclusive resorts, and we highly recommend this place. We might return next year!

This was easily the worst experience of all my travels. We booked the unit for ten days and left after three. Maintenance was extremely poor, and the location was impossible to bear, with nightclubs blasting music, if you can even call it music, until 4 a.m.