Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda

[Kurls76]

Heya all... so I missed out on my Mexico trip in '09 (hit Sandos in Playacar in Nov '08) but out '10 trip is booked and were heading to the Blue Bay for the last week of April. I've searched around this site but can't seem to find any reviews or comments on this resort... does anyone have anything to say about this resort?? Love PDC and can't wait to return!

[momentsthatmatter]

I don't want to ruin anything and give you a bunch of bad reviews on the Blue Bay. Have been working down here almost for the past year and seeing many of the resorts from Cancun to Tulum... the Blue Bay is one of our least favorites. Mind you... this is coming from a wedding photographers point of view. We only see places for a day at a time and don't eat at many of the resturants as we are working with the wedding couples.
Wish you the best... and hey... the beach is the beach is the beach!

[Kurls76]

Thanks for your thoughts...

[Adanac55]

How does Blue Bay compare to Grand Sirenis or Gran Bahia Principe Coba since they are just $100 more per person?

Our daughter is considering Blue Bay and Ocean Maya and we are trying to figure out what else might be good within their price range.

[momentsthatmatter]

We can not comment on Grand Sirenis since we have not been there. Gran Bahia Principe is a HUGE resort. I would image they have numerous restaurants and something to fit everybody's needs. The resort overall is very nice, but the down side for some maybe the size. You have to take golf carts around to move from one side of the resort to the other. Depending on where you room is... if you forget something when you hit the beach... you may decide to not go back for it. That all being said... personally... we would stay the the GBP over Blue Bay.
Now we just shot a wedding and stayed at the Moon Palace in the Grand side. Resort was nice... walkable... etc... but the room service was outstanding! I called for a meal and less than 10 minutes later it was at the door. Unheard of in all our stays out here. Left our card on the door for breakfast to be delivered between 10 and 10:30... next morning at 10:01 it was there and hot! Mind you... most of you come down here to get out of the rooms! haha We like to stay in after we "work" on the beach.

[marissab]

Hi. I booked a big wedding group at the Blue Bay in October.
They were happy with everything about the hotel - except for the beach area which is a bit rocky.

I had over 50 people there and not one complaint.
The rooms are lovely.
The service is good.
I ate there 3 times (twice visiting and once at the wedding) and had NO complaints.

[Kurls76]

Marissa, that's great news, thanks so much for the feedback. This eases my fears. Cheers!

[MoonDollar]

We stayed at the Blue Bay from Dec. 29-Jan. 5th. It rated up there high on our resorts. We didn't have one complaint. We had a group of 10 people and everyone loved it. The beach is huge, but the water is a bit rocky. But it is ocean and all. The swing bar on the beach is fun. The waitresses in the sports bar are great. I really enjoyed the food. The beds were the BEST we have had at any resort! I would recommend it.

[Kurls76]

Ahhh another sigh a relief ... thank you for your feedback so glad you had a great trip and makes me think our will work out just as well too!

[jermcdowell]

I was book at the Blue Bay and changed it to another resort because I wanted to be closer to down town Playa. The Blue Bay is a Six mile beach walk and will take about 3 hours. I also have a friend that just came back from staying at the resort next to the Blue Bay and he said that the Beach up that way is very rocky and hard to walk on. He also said that it didn’t stop him from having a great time. The reviews for Blue Bay are great. That is one of the reasons I booked there in the first place but my wife and I decided that we wanted to be closer to Playa. Here is a link to some reviews. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g150812-d650492-Reviews-BlueBay_Grand_Esmeralda-Playa_del_Carmen_Yucatan_Peninsula.html
Have a Great Trip

[Beth&Scott]

Last June, I was dropped off by boat on Blue Bays resort via shore when Scott was fishing with Edy Pena since I was real sea-sick and could not continue with the boat trip.

Edy communicated in Spanish with a Blue Bay staff on the beach explaining the situation and a need for me to get a taxi. I know I mentioned this in a past trip report, but I felt as though I was way out of place. My attire did not match the upper class clientèle, nor compare to the staffs pristine uniforms. I felt I was escorted off and felt like an unwanted prisoner. I was escorted to the front of the lobby where I waited for a taxi. I was relieved to get a taxi and head back to my boutique hotel - Hotel Banana, where I was not judged!!

[marissab]

Originally Posted by Beth&Scott

Last June, I was dropped off by boat on Blue Bays resort via shore when Scott was fishing with Edy Pena since I was real sea-sick and could not continue with the boat trip.

Edy communicated in Spanish with a Blue Bay staff on the beach explaining the situation and a need for me to get a taxi. I know I mentioned this in a past trip report, but I felt as though I was way out of place. My attire did not match the upper class clientèle, nor compare to the staffs pristine uniforms. I felt I was escorted off and felt like an unwanted prisoner. I was escorted to the front of the lobby where I waited for a taxi. I was relieved to get a taxi and head back to my boutique hotel - Hotel Banana, where I was not judged!!

Hi. I must say I'm sure they were not judging you...but YES you were and UNWANTED PRISONER....
All All Inclusives treat people who are not guests at their resort like UNWANTED PRISONERS....
You are escorted out - seriously- as quick as they realize you are not staying with them.
It happened to a friend of mine on Cozumel on friday. Her day pass time ran out and she did not know it.
They almost literally DRAGGED her from the resort. Especially since the guests at the hotel has ordered room service snacks.
GOod forbid she ate chips and salsa and not be a paying guest!
It is just the way it is....
I've had it happen to me too!

So it's not just a reflection of Blue Bay...its a reflection of all inclusives' being (overly) protective of their properties...

[MoonDollar]

I guess I didn't feel that way, about the upper class stuff. I am SO not upper class (and niether are the others that travel with me)and I didn't feel out of place at all. Sure, there were some people that seem to want to show off, but we found most people to be down to earth and friendly. But that is just my observation..........

[Kurls76]

Wow I had no idea the resorts were so protective, thanks for providing some insight.