BlueBay Grand Esmeralda

Guests enter the BlueBay Grand Esmeralda under an enormous woven thatch roof that leads to a short flight of stairs into the spacious lobby. Water fountains and planted ferns are pretty natural elements. Wicker furniture and bright throw pillows make the lobby a comfortable place for guests to gather, though many of them are more interested in the pools and beach for ocean breezes. Overall, the property is well-maintained and clean. Tropical landscaping includes a banana tree grove, palm trees, and flowering bushes. Guests are a mix of mostly international families with young kids or couples. Staff escorts guests to and from in golf carts, which is a smart (and free) way to beat the heat and humidity.

The Riviera Maya District is a tourism and resort district in Playa del Carmen, south of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula. Playa del Carmen is more grown-up and sophisticated than it's party-central sister city, Cancun, but it's still fun and laid back, teeming with restaurants, shops, and bars that cater to tourists. You'll also find American chains like Walmart and Starbucks here. BlueBay Grand Esmeralda is built on a thin sliver of white sandy beach, surrounded by other resorts. There isn't much within walking distance, but the shopping district of Fifth Avenue is about 15 minutes away. Expect an hour's drive to Cancun, which is also where the most convenient airport is located. Parking at the hotel is free.

BlueBay Grand Esmeralda hotel has 979 rooms and suites which can accomodate up to three adults or two adults and two kids. Though each is clean and more than comfortable, the overall look is a little bland. Decor includes tile floors and white walls accented with beige and white stripes behind the beds. White furniture has an interesting engraved Mayna motif, which is replicated on white framed mirrors hanging on the walls. Nicely sized bathrooms consist of shower/tub combinations covered with fabric shower curtains and dated-looking vanities with single sinks. Toiletries are presented in a woven basket and a hairdryer is mounted to the wall in each bathroom. Air-conditioning and ceiling fans keep the rooms cool. Private, furnished balconies are standard; views include the beach or hotel gardens, depending on the price point. Flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and minibars are standard. Wi-Fi in the rooms costs extra. Housekeeping regularly folds towels into intricate animal shapes.Jacuzzi Suites offer more space and luxury: They each include a living room with a sofa bed and dining room, plus two TVs and a private whirlpool in the terrace. Swim-up Suites come with access to a long and narrow private swimming pool.

Families and couples will find plenty to do at BlueBay Grand Esmeralda, especially outdoors. There are two huge ocean-facing swimming pools surrounded by blue sun loungers, and there's an overhead deck. The pools are shallow and tiled with various shades of blue tile, to replicate the nearby ocean. The kids' club includes a small pool with a little slide, along with a colorful indoor classroom and outdoor playground where organized activities take place. Outdoor ping pong tables, pool volleyball, and a poolside giant chess board are fun options, too. Other free features include a theater with daily entertainment, tennis courts, and a bright fitness center with spinning bikes, cardio machines, and some rusty dumbbells. Wi-Fi is free (and spotty) in the public areas and there's a small business center with desktop computers for guests to use. The shopping boutique sells everything from beach gear to newspapers to cigars. Golf carts driven by staff are available to ferry the guests around the property.The on-site spa is a gorgeous facility, though it costs extra to use it. There's an outdoor pool, open-air day beds with refreshments, and a whole list of specialty treatments. A second large pool includes a gushing waterfall in the center. There's a private room for couples' treatments and an open-air cabana for massages in the ocean breeze.Other features that incur an extra charge include tennis lessons, weekly karaoke, sailing and kayaking, jet ski rentals, and scuba diving trips.

Unlike some all-inclusive properties, the BlueBay Grand Esmerelda doesn't have any restrictions on food or alchohol, though some of the restaurants require a reservation made a day in advance. Jaal-Ha serves an international buffet for breakfast, then stays open all afternoon and into the evening for guest's convenience. White tablecloths, cloth napkins, and slipcovered chairs add elegance to the space.The other six restaurants at the hotel are a la carte for dinner and require a reservation. Choose from Di' Rossi for Italian, Latilier for French cuisine, Chinese, a seafood restaurant, and an American-style grill. Don Isi is the traditional Mexican restaurant. The dining room there is decorated with colorful fabric and prints of Frida Kahlo. There's also a poolside bar for cocktails and snacks.

Guests at the BlueBay Grand Esmerelda have access to a thin strip of white-sand beach, that's just a few feet from the pool deck. Sun loungers, beach towels, and thatch umbrellas are free, but expect to pay extra if you want to do anything other than swim. Equipment rentals include jet skis, kayaks, scuba excursions, and wind surfing boards. The water is blue but it can be murky. Past guests have reported that a short walk up the beach leads to clearer water.