Barcelo question

KC Arrowhead · 01-03-2007

Ok I have looked through some old posts but not every single one, so this question may have been answered in the past.
If you stay at the barcelo beach (older one) can you go over to the new ones? (tropical/colonial)? I have ben to the IB* Lindo and if you stayed at the Beach/Delmar you could not.. Just curious.. We stayed at the Barcelo beach 2 years ago when they were building the new ones and after all consideration and doing some looking around for rates in June I still think the best place we have ever been to (and we have been to quite a few in the area) was hands down the Barcelo..
So my 2nd part of the question is would it be worth the extra money to go to the Tropical/ Colonial over the Beach that we have been to before? We have 3 children 15,11,3 So we have to have 2 rooms..
Thanks

queencityfan · 01-04-2007

I love the Barcelo too. We stayed at the Beach in November and I'm glad we did not pay extra to stay in the "newer side" You can use any of the pools, bars,and beachside resturants no matter where you stay. We stayed for a week and had two ala-carte dinners and with a couple of long pool bar days and a couple of trips into Playa that was plenty for us.
The real decision for you may be if you will need airconditioning in the Buffets in June. If so you will want to book at either the Colonial or the Tropical.
By the way, we were also at the Iberostar Del Mar this year and I would go back to the Barcelo in a heartbeat.
Be sure to have lunch at the little place by the pier, great burgers and a nice place to play cards, have a cervesa, etc...

VacationBount · 01-04-2007

I am going back for my third trip to Barcelo and could have gotten the new side for the same price but we opted for the Beach Side. The only thing that you are excluded from is the A/C Buffets and their Ala Carte choices. They get four to original side two.
Enjoy!

OkieB · 01-04-2007

KC, we were also at the Barcelo two years ago and have tried several resorts since and looks like we are headed back to the Barcelo. We are also thinking about June with 13 and 12 year olds and the only concern I have is the non A/C buffet on the older side. We went in July last time and it was a huge problem for my husband - not so much me. But that is our big decision A/C or not? We need 3 rooms this time and its going to cost a lot more for the newer side. We can get 3 rooms ocean view from worry free for a lot less than the newer side. Also, I've posted before that I'm concerned with no Captain Morgans disco for my girls. They really enjoyed this and when I told them disco was 18 and older - I got a big sigh, so.... But, we are taking my older step-daughters with us and they want a good beach and I know that is the Barcelo..... Good luck.

Phil in Ottawa · 01-04-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by VacationBount

The only thing that you are excluded from is the A/C Buffets and their Ala Carte choices.

Just to clarify, you are correct about the A/C buffets but you can use the Colonial/Tropical à la cartes even when you are staying in the original section. You simply have to pay a $15 surcharge/meal/person.

Phil in Ottawa · 01-04-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by OkieB

Also, I've posted before that I'm concerned with no Captain Morgans disco for my girls. They really enjoyed this and when I told them disco was 18 and older - I got a big sigh, so....

I personally am glad they closed Captain Morgan's as a disco and opened the new enclosed one and restricted it to 18+. The last time we were at the Barceló in 2005, Captain Morgan's was overrun with young teenagers, many of them stumbling around drunk with a drink in their hand or being sick in the bathroom. Not a pretty scene.

You say you were also there two years ago. That means your girls would have been 11 and 10, right? I'm not trying to tell you or anyone else how to raise their kids, but to me 10 and 11 year-olds have no business being in a disco that opens around 11:00pm and where alcohol is served. They should have been in bed at that time. I know mine would have been.

But I'm glad to see you are still considering the Barceló, regardless of the disco issue. It really is a great resort and does have the most wonderful beach. We are returning for two weeks in April to celebrate my 50th birthday in style. Can't wait!

I hope you all have a great trip!

Don not Juan · 01-04-2007

They have the Jaguar disco on the colonial/tropical side but it's 18 and older.

yak · 01-04-2007

The standard rooms on the new side all have a day bed in them - great for using as a kid bed. On the old side you'll have to upgrade to a JR Suite to get a day bed.

TAPPY · 01-04-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by VacationBount

I am going back for my third trip to Barcelo and could have gotten the new side for the same price but we opted for the Beach Side. The only thing that you are excluded from is the A/C Buffets and their Ala Carte choices. They get four to original side two.
Enjoy!

I have heard the new side Ala Cartes are pretty awesome....and I do think this resort has a great beach. Check out Tommygurls trip report - she has got some good pics.

I like the fact that the new side has a/c in the Buffets !

OkieB · 01-04-2007

Phil, (if I remember right) my kids and I went into Captain Morgans one night at around 10:00 after one of the shows with another family we had met at the resort. We only stayed for about 30 minutes or so because - yes - they were getting tired. They did enjoy the music that they had going at the time, but I guess we were there too early and the drunken teenagers had not hit the scene.
Now, last year we stayed at Club Maeva and my daughter was 12, sorry to say and call me a bad parent if you wish, but she LOVED the disco. Yep, you could get alcohol, just like you can all day long at an all inclusive resort. Did she have any? Absolutely not. Did I? You bet. It was also after the shows. They played a lot of the line dances and songs that the teenagers love. It was a mix of ages and we all enjoyed it - it was fun. Yes, one night we all stayed up until 1:00 in the morning, including her. So, when we decided this summer to go back to the Barcelo I started reading some of the latest reviews and learned that Captain Morgans had closed and the disco was 18+, that is when I told my daughter and her friend that no disco was available for them. She more or less was relating to the fun they had at CMT.
I'm not saying that I think teenagers running around drunk is a pretty sight it is not - I agree. I just wish they would have a disco or something that young kids like 12 or 13 could go to and have fun. I have read some reviews on the Barcelo that do say there is not much for kids to do at this age - that is my concern. She loves music and she loves to dance and it's her vacation also. My other child is a boy - he could care less.

Tommygurl · 01-04-2007

We ate at in the old side buffet one night & darn near melted....Eating with sweat running down the crack of your....well you know....

is not pleasant....I would pay extra to stay at the new side just for that! Plus if you have kids you will be closer to the waterpark etc...

KC Arrowhead · 01-04-2007

Thanks for the info everyone.. I have a teenager who was looking forward to Capt. Morgans.. (no alcohol}. At least the sandos has a kids night club at around 9 or 10.. And I do agree that the kids are on vacation as well. We have been to many of the resorts , Bahia,Riu,3 of the IB*, Sandos,Barcelo and not just in Riviera Maya.. Having said that, that beach and pool at the barcelo beach keeps calling our names over everything else!!! So thats why we thought we'd try the new side over anything else. But if the kids (and us) can take the walk over to the new side for the kids pool area?? I can save some money. Perfect!!!

Phil in Ottawa · 01-05-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by OkieB

I just wish they would have a disco or something that young kids like 12 or 13 could go to and have fun. I have read some reviews on the Barcelo that do say there is not much for kids to do at this age - that is my concern. She loves music and she loves to dance and it's her vacation also. My other child is a boy - he could care less.

I agree with you 100% that they should have something for the younger crowd to do in the evenings other than the shows. It is an area that is lacking.

I always thought they should open the disco earlier in the evening for the younger teenage crowd, around 8:00 for example. I'd imagine a lot of kids would much prefer to go out dancing than to watch the shows with Mom and Dad.

That way they too get to party at the disco for a few hours without having to stay up till the wee hours of the morning.

Maybe if we all mention something to that effect in our comment cards, management can look into doing something about it.

KC Arrowhead · 01-08-2007

Perhaps here is an idea?? why cant the Big all together resorts( Barcelo, Iberostars, Rius Etc..) have an evening time dance club/ place for the younger teens /families with younger ones that like to dance?mingle after the show ends? I mean The entire family is on vacation and who is one to say what time standard anyone is on? For my kids personally they get about halfway through the 2nd night at the theater and they are bored.. nothing to do for them. Go back to the room and watch TV? These resorts could easily have a place like that. This is why they liked Captain morgans..We did not close the place down and They did not drink alcohol but it was fun, something differentfor them & us. We had this at the Bahia in Punta Cana D. R. last year and really enjoyed it. They had a second show with live music, pool tabels, and kareoke (hope I spelled that right) And we loved it all the kids had a blast and were drained around 11 or 12 since the theater ended around 9:30.. They also had carnival games for prizes in the main court 3 nights we were there among other things..And you can not get this in the PDC area AI resorts

And as stated before we have been to many of the AI resorts in the PDC area and the Barcelo for the price is our choice. Just wanted to say all that

OkieB · 01-09-2007

Exactly what we are looking for..... Maybe I should check out the Bahia in the D.R....Not to change the subject of the thread, but did you like the D.R.??
We are taking my two step-daughters this year and they really want a great beach. One went to Jamaica on her honeymoon and enjoyed it, but didn't have a nice beach, so that was her request. Barcelo has this, but might be a little lacking in the area of my 12 year old...

01-03-2007	#1 (permalink)
KC Arrowhead beachaholic Join Date: May 2004 Location: 15 minutes east of Arrowhead stadium Posts: 321	Barcelo question Ok I have looked through some old posts but not every single one, so this question may have been answered in the past. If you stay at the barcelo beach (older one) can you go over to the new ones? (tropical/colonial)? I have ben to the IB* Lindo and if you stayed at the Beach/Delmar you could not.. Just curious.. We stayed at the Barcelo beach 2 years ago when they were building the new ones and after all consideration and doing some looking around for rates in June I still think the best place we have ever been to (and we have been to quite a few in the area) was hands down the Barcelo.. So my 2nd part of the question is would it be worth the extra money to go to the Tropical/ Colonial over the Beach that we have been to before? We have 3 children 15,11,3 So we have to have 2 rooms.. Thanks

01-04-2007	#12 (permalink)
KC Arrowhead beachaholic Join Date: May 2004 Location: 15 minutes east of Arrowhead stadium Posts: 321	Thanks for the info everyone.. I have a teenager who was looking forward to Capt. Morgans.. (no alcohol}. At least the sandos has a kids night club at around 9 or 10.. And I do agree that the kids are on vacation as well. We have been to many of the resorts , Bahia,Riu,3 of the IB, Sandos,Barcelo and not just in Riviera Maya.. Having said that, that beach and pool at the barcelo beach keeps calling our names over everything else!!! So thats why we thought we'd try the new side over anything else. But if the kids (and us) can take the walk over to the new side for the kids pool area?? I can save some money. Perfect!!! Last edited by KC Arrowhead; 01-04-2007 at 08:32 PM..*

01-04-2007	#2 (permalink)
queencityfan añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 3,342	I love the Barcelo too. We stayed at the Beach in November and I'm glad we did not pay extra to stay in the "newer side" You can use any of the pools, bars,and beachside resturants no matter where you stay. We stayed for a week and had two ala-carte dinners and with a couple of long pool bar days and a couple of trips into Playa that was plenty for us. The real decision for you may be if you will need airconditioning in the Buffets in June. If so you will want to book at either the Colonial or the Tropical. By the way, we were also at the Iberostar Del Mar this year and I would go back to the Barcelo in a heartbeat. Be sure to have lunch at the little place by the pier, great burgers and a nice place to play cards, have a cervesa, etc...

01-04-2007	#3 (permalink)
VacationBount very sparkly Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 35	I am going back for my third trip to Barcelo and could have gotten the new side for the same price but we opted for the Beach Side. The only thing that you are excluded from is the A/C Buffets and their Ala Carte choices. They get four to original side two. Enjoy!

01-04-2007	#4 (permalink)
OkieB toe in water Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 40	KC, we were also at the Barcelo two years ago and have tried several resorts since and looks like we are headed back to the Barcelo. We are also thinking about June with 13 and 12 year olds and the only concern I have is the non A/C buffet on the older side. We went in July last time and it was a huge problem for my husband - not so much me. But that is our big decision A/C or not? We need 3 rooms this time and its going to cost a lot more for the newer side. We can get 3 rooms ocean view from worry free for a lot less than the newer side. Also, I've posted before that I'm concerned with no Captain Morgans disco for my girls. They really enjoyed this and when I told them disco was 18 and older - I got a big sigh, so.... But, we are taking my older step-daughters with us and they want a good beach and I know that is the Barcelo..... Good luck.

01-04-2007	#7 (permalink)
Don not Juan into ruins Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Courtice, Ontario, Canada Posts: 62	They have the Jaguar disco on the colonial/tropical side but it's 18 and older.

01-04-2007	#8 (permalink)
yak way into it Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Marshfield, MA Posts: 189	The standard rooms on the new side all have a day bed in them - great for using as a kid bed. On the old side you'll have to upgrade to a JR Suite to get a day bed.

01-04-2007	#10 (permalink)
OkieB toe in water Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 40	Phil, (if I remember right) my kids and I went into Captain Morgans one night at around 10:00 after one of the shows with another family we had met at the resort. We only stayed for about 30 minutes or so because - yes - they were getting tired. They did enjoy the music that they had going at the time, but I guess we were there too early and the drunken teenagers had not hit the scene. Now, last year we stayed at Club Maeva and my daughter was 12, sorry to say and call me a bad parent if you wish, but she LOVED the disco. Yep, you could get alcohol, just like you can all day long at an all inclusive resort. Did she have any? Absolutely not. Did I? You bet. It was also after the shows. They played a lot of the line dances and songs that the teenagers love. It was a mix of ages and we all enjoyed it - it was fun. Yes, one night we all stayed up until 1:00 in the morning, including her. So, when we decided this summer to go back to the Barcelo I started reading some of the latest reviews and learned that Captain Morgans had closed and the disco was 18+, that is when I told my daughter and her friend that no disco was available for them. She more or less was relating to the fun they had at CMT. I'm not saying that I think teenagers running around drunk is a pretty sight it is not - I agree. I just wish they would have a disco or something that young kids like 12 or 13 could go to and have fun. I have read some reviews on the Barcelo that do say there is not much for kids to do at this age - that is my concern. She loves music and she loves to dance and it's her vacation also. My other child is a boy - he could care less.

01-04-2007	#11 (permalink)
Tommygurl crab killer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: I am Canadian!! Posts: 15,165	We ate at in the old side buffet one night & darn near melted....Eating with sweat running down the crack of your....well you know.... is not pleasant....I would pay extra to stay at the new side just for that! Plus if you have kids you will be closer to the waterpark etc...

01-08-2007	#14 (permalink)
KC Arrowhead beachaholic Join Date: May 2004 Location: 15 minutes east of Arrowhead stadium Posts: 321	Perhaps here is an idea?? why cant the Big all together resorts( Barcelo, Iberostars, Rius Etc..) have an evening time dance club/ place for the younger teens /families with younger ones that like to dance?mingle after the show ends? I mean The entire family is on vacation and who is one to say what time standard anyone is on? For my kids personally they get about halfway through the 2nd night at the theater and they are bored.. nothing to do for them. Go back to the room and watch TV? These resorts could easily have a place like that. This is why they liked Captain morgans..We did not close the place down and They did not drink alcohol but it was fun, something differentfor them & us. We had this at the Bahia in Punta Cana D. R. last year and really enjoyed it. They had a second show with live music, pool tabels, and kareoke (hope I spelled that right) And we loved it all the kids had a blast and were drained around 11 or 12 since the theater ended around 9:30.. They also had carnival games for prizes in the main court 3 nights we were there among other things..And you can not get this in the PDC area AI resorts And as stated before we have been to many of the AI resorts in the PDC area and the Barcelo for the price is our choice. Just wanted to say all that

01-09-2007	#15 (permalink)
OkieB toe in water Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 40	Exactly what we are looking for..... Maybe I should check out the Bahia in the D.R....Not to change the subject of the thread, but did you like the D.R.?? We are taking my two step-daughters this year and they really want a great beach. One went to Jamaica on her honeymoon and enjoyed it, but didn't have a nice beach, so that was her request. Barcelo has this, but might be a little lacking in the area of my 12 year old...

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