Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa

We booked five days here in July 2025, hoping for a quiet, adults-only all-inclusive trip. The resort was nice, the food very good, and the staff exceptional. Our stay was enjoyable, though I'm not sure we'd return. The room we got was a third-floor suite overlooking a green roof and a white wall, despite having reserved and confirmed an upper-floor suite with a great ocean view. We could see the beach and airport runway, though. The adults-only description was misleading. Families with children could use the restaurant venues, with Azul as the only exception. The adults-only part of the resort also looked tired and needed a facelift compared with the newer family area.

We loved having different spots by the pool and beach to lounge in the sun and get in the water. The hotel was beautiful, with lovely views, and everyone we met was friendly and helpful from the moment we walked in. I honestly found people that welcoming all over the island. The food was decent. Azul was the best restaurant for us since its menu changed daily, while the buffet and other restaurants were just okay. Drinks were decent too, and the all-inclusive selection included some top-tier brands, so it wasn't all well liquor. It's a beautiful place with really great people. We had a great stay, thanks for the hospitality. We'll definitely be back.

The sunset horse ride was beautiful and one of the most memorable parts of our honeymoon. The resort excursions were pretty pricey, though, and the spa also felt expensive for what we got. Getting around the island was easy: taxis were generally around $5-$15 depending on the destination, and a bit more for the French side. Our room experience was disappointing. The first room had a view of what looked like a sewage plant, and moving was an ordeal. The replacement looked out at construction. Both rooms had visible mold. My husband was very sick by the end of the trip, though his symptoms improved a lot by the time we got home. The rooms felt mediocre, and the views weren't great. We'd expected a honeymoon atmosphere, but there were kids everywhere, which affected the feel of the trip. Upgrading to the adults-only experience would have cost an extra $1,700. We were told we couldn't go on that side without the right color wristband. Not everyone can afford that after spending over $4k on the trip already. Some parents didn't seem to be watching their kids closely, though staff did step in a few times to tell them to move or play elsewhere. Most staff were friendly and welcoming. At checkout, returning towel cards was stressful because some staff seemed reluctant to give them back after we returned the towels. The cards carry a $10 charge if not returned. Food was bland overall, and portions were small. Jings and La Fontana were the best meals we had, and the bar near La Fontana was the best one on the property, with great drinks and a fun atmosphere. Entertainment was mostly mediocre. The best show we saw was at the casino on Saturday night, and it was the highlight for entertainment. There were a lot of pool and beach chairs being held with towels from 7 AM, with guests not coming back until noon or later. The resort didn't enforce the rules, so few chairs were left for people actually trying to use the pool or beach. The property also seemed to serve as a sanctuary for stray cats. Animal lovers might appreciate that, but several cats looked ill or in need of medical care. We did enjoy parts of our honeymoon, and the island is beautiful, but the stay didn't quite meet our expectations. Better room maintenance, chair enforcement, and food would make a big difference.

On Friday and Saturday, music from the outdoor club across the street was so loud we couldn't sleep until 3 am. We were there with our small child, and he couldn't sleep either. If you stay here, pay for a pool-view room. Otherwise, sleeping on the weekend seems impossible. I wish we'd known. The beds and pillows were uncomfortable too. Most of the staff were very nice, and I understand the noise isn't their fault, but I wish I had known about it beforehand. The food was okay. There's no beach at the hotel. It has beach chairs, but there's no safe way to get into the water from the resort. You have to drive to a beach and pay for chairs. Mullet beach is nice nearby.