And Then There Were Two-IB/Quetzal-Barcelo Maya Caribe - Page 2

Mrsfuzzmo · 10-30-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil in Ottawa

I can't believe people are still bringing up the Ianiero story when discussing the Barceló

Yes, it happened. But I personally think it's time to move on.

My $0.02

An I'm also pretty sure that they've shown it wasn't random, that there was way more to the story. No fears here. Someone almost died at the IB tucan (if I remember correctly) and it was scandelous for a little while, until they reported he was just drunk and fell down some stairs. You just can't let something that long ago make any kind of decisions for you.

We can't wait to go!!!

Ionsys · 10-30-2007

The pictures of the Tropical one lookk nice--but the reviews are relatively poor--I went back to the latest 100 reviews, just like I had doen for T/Q

Overall--just 73% (ie 73 reviewers) gave it either a 4 or a 5 (ie VG)
(Tucan was 93%) and only 48% (48 reviewers) gave it a 5
ie a WOW--vs 75% at Tucan

for Service only--64% gave it a 4 or 5 (ie a VG)--Tucan was 97%
and only 36% (36 reviewers) said WOW for service (vs 81 for Tucan)

The discrepency in results for 100 reviwers between the 2 resorts is so glaring that there must be more than a germ of truth to it--Service at BMT in particular seems to be particularly short of the Tucan's benchmark--and by inference maybe the Caribe's# are also similar
Take with it what you want-fwiw--forget the murder (at the Beach), the results simply don't measure up imo

Mrsfuzzmo · 10-30-2007

The service at IB Q/T was outstanding. The only thing that has made us NOT go back there this year is the price (we are going with a different group and the budgets are quite a bit lower than last year) and we really, really want resort snorkeling. We spend a good amount of time snorkeling and this will be great. Other than that, I hope Barcelo lives up to a great resort, clean, good atmosphere and decent food. We KNOW we get what we pay for, and the IB T/Q was no exception. We are paying over $500 pp less for this trip, so all we can hope for is to be very pleasantly surprised.

BUT, we are so not picky. We would be happy just about anywhere as long as the food is decent, the room/grounds/pools are clean and there is free liquor. We've stayed in good and bad, all over Mexico and the Caribbean and have no complaints at any one place.

If anyone traveling is looking for really really excellent everything at almost perfection levels, it can be found, but you will pay for it! And sometimes, those types of places just don't suit us. We've done them, the suites, this Grands, the Palaces and it's just a little too upper crust for us. We prefer thatched roofs, brick and wood walkways, open-air restaurants and lots of "local touches", to marble, glass and chandeliers so I think we will be plenty satisfied with the BMB/C.

If it were just the two of us, and we didn't care about snorkeling, we would go back to IB T/C in a heartbeat. As a matter of fact, I think my parents are going there for 10 days in January at our recommendation.

K and P · 10-31-2007

We just got back from Barcelo and had excellent service. We always do.
People need to remember Barcelo is not really a full service resort, there are a lot of self serve areas for drinks in the buffets and around the bars you can also get your own if no one comes to offer you something, which they usually do. There is no pool or beach side service.
Its a very relaxed atmosphere at Barcelo and we like that.
People will be fine at Barcelo if they know what they are getting. For the price you get a great resort.
The Palace opens soon for people looking for that extra, it will be priced I am sure around the Iberostar prices.

Mrsfuzzmo · 10-31-2007

Just another note on IB, I don't think IB T/Q had beach or pool service either. I am almost positive there was none, just in case people need that service. We are fine without it.

**Shammy** · 10-31-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrsfuzzmo

An I'm also pretty sure that they've shown it wasn't random, that there was way more to the story. No fears here. Someone almost died at the IB tucan (if I remember correctly) and it was scandelous for a little while, until they reported he was just drunk and fell down some stairs. You just can't let something that long ago make any kind of decisions for you.

We can't wait to go!!!

Actually, there was a murder at the Tucan/Quetzal, a German woman staying there walking on the beach alone. The person who died after falling when he was drunk was at the Moon Palace.

And Phil, I feel the same way (let it go already!!) so you can add my $0.02 cents to yours - we almost have a nickle.

Mrsfuzzmo · 10-31-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

Actually, there was a murder at the Tucan/Quetzal, a German woman staying there walking on the beach alone. The person who died after falling when he was drunk was at the Moon Palace.

And Phil, I feel the same way (let it go already!!) so you can add my $0.02 cents to yours - we almost have a nickle.

Ah, thanks! I didn't realize that that guy had died either. Crazy stuff! But not nearly enough to scare me away! That stuff happens everywhere.

MicheleR · 10-31-2007

We just had pool and beach drink service while at the Tucan 2 weeks ago....keeping in mind that this is the low season!

Mrsfuzzmo · 11-02-2007

Hmmmm. Maybe they just started, or maybe we just didn't see anyone doing it. I know for a fact that we did not have pool service (that's where we spent most of our time). Maybe there were a few on the beach, but we were in the water most of the time.

Oh well, which ever way it goes, it was a great place!!

GreatLakes · 11-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrsfuzzmo

The service at IB Q/T was outstanding. The only thing that has made us NOT go back there this year is the price (we are going with a different group and the budgets are quite a bit lower than last year) and we really, really want resort snorkeling. We spend a good amount of time snorkeling and this will be great. Other than that, I hope Barcelo lives up to a great resort, clean, good atmosphere and decent food. We KNOW we get what we pay for, and the IB T/Q was no exception. We are paying over $500 pp less for this trip, so all we can hope for is to be very pleasantly surprised.

BUT, we are so not picky. We would be happy just about anywhere as long as the food is decent, the room/grounds/pools are clean and there is free liquor. We've stayed in good and bad, all over Mexico and the Caribbean and have no complaints at any one place.

If anyone traveling is looking for really really excellent everything at almost perfection levels, it can be found, but you will pay for it! And sometimes, those types of places just don't suit us. We've done them, the suites, this Grands, the Palaces and it's just a little too upper crust for us. We prefer thatched roofs, brick and wood walkways, open-air restaurants and lots of "local touches", to marble, glass and chandeliers so I think we will be plenty satisfied with the BMB/C.

If it were just the two of us, and we didn't care about snorkeling, we would go back to IB T/C in a heartbeat. As a matter of fact, I think my parents are going there for 10 days in January at our recommendation.

Well said!

Shredman · 11-30-2007

oops

Shredman · 11-30-2007

We enjoyed the Barcelo Colonial immensely. The rooms were comfortable, the food in the buffets was good (for mass prepared food) and the premium restaurants were a nice diversion (although some hesitation about saying that they were great). We enjoyed the self service restaurants and the walk up bars. The entertainment was fun every night. The pools are awesome and the beach is the very best part. It is not overcrowded and the snorkeling was unbelievable. It was like swimming in an aquarium with a huge variety of fish. We even saw squid, lobster and a six foot long barracuda along with dozens of baby barracuda. It is a good idea to bring your own snorkeling stuff including a bouyancy vest. That way you can just go when you want as much as you want. The bouyancy vest just gives you more confidence to venture further out and can be picked up for under $20 on line.
The size of the resort with the four different complexes was nice too because we never felt confined. There was more than enough to explore and keep us busy. We rented a jeep one day from the Budget on site and it was painless and fun. We will be going back this year and there is no need for us to consider anywhere else. The snorkeling off the beach alone makes it for us.
Our only mildly negative experience was when one of the gardners took a pair of my daughter's running shoes that had been left on the back porch to dry. My wife saw him stick them in a bag and just went out and took them back. That could happen anywhere.
My only other issue was that the nightclub did not open until very late - I think it opened at midnight, but I may be wrong. In any event it was just too late for us to be getting started partying after long, active days. One caution, if you can avoid the rooms that are on the path to the club, you will avoid being awakened in the wee hours of the morning by the drunken crowd returning to their rooms.
But overall the Barcelo is awesome. We have children from 11 to 17 and they had a ball. But the size and relatively uncrowded space would make it nice for families without children as well.

**Shammy** · 11-30-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shredman

Our only mildly negative experience was when one of the gardners took a pair of my daughter's running shoes that had been left on the back porch to dry. My wife saw him stick them in a bag and just went out and took them back. That could happen anywhere.

But it shouldn't happen anywhere! That's just so wrong!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shredman

My only other issue was that the nightclub did not open until very late - I think it opened at midnight, but I may be wrong.

It opens as soon as the evening show is finished - about 11pm.

smardie · 11-30-2007

We have only been to pdc once, stayed at the shangrila and were looking to try something else this time, and maybe cheaper. The ratings on trip advisor got me to look into ib-t/q and I got an online quote that seemed so cheap to me that we grabbed it. We are going to pdc on the 16 of dec for 7 nights and are staying at playa maya the first four nights (120 per nt. I think) and for the last 3 at ib.tucan. The price of 510 for all 3 nts. all inclusive seemed like a steal, especially when all my brothers are trying to book for over xmas or spring break with their kids and are getting quoted over 500 per night! Barcelo quoted me 600 for the same nights. I guess my comment here is that I am just amazed at how big the price swings can be from week to week and one resort may discount more than another at different times. Obviously xmas week is the most expensive time to go of all. I would tell anybody who wants a cheapie vacation to go the week before xmas like we are doing. We don't have kids so we are real flexible-----that is a hard week if you do.

Shredman · 12-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

But it shouldn't happen anywhere! That's just so wrong!

I suppose not, but I suspect it takes a while edging the sidewalks with a machette to earn a new pair of high end girls sneakers. Maybe the guy wanted to give them to his daughter.

Quote:

It opens as soon as the evening show is finished - about 11pm.

[Problem is, by the time the evening show is finished, so am I.......

11-30-2007	#26 (permalink)
Shredman beachaholic Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 381	oops Last edited by Shredman; 11-30-2007 at 03:25 PM.. Reason: repeated message somehow

10-30-2007	#17 (permalink)
Ionsys lost on fifth Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 11	The pictures of the Tropical one lookk nice--but the reviews are relatively poor--I went back to the latest 100 reviews, just like I had doen for T/Q Overall--just 73% (ie 73 reviewers) gave it either a 4 or a 5 (ie VG) (Tucan was 93%) and only 48% (48 reviewers) gave it a 5 ie a WOW--vs 75% at Tucan for Service only--64% gave it a 4 or 5 (ie a VG)--Tucan was 97% and only 36% (36 reviewers) said WOW for service (vs 81 for Tucan) The discrepency in results for 100 reviwers between the 2 resorts is so glaring that there must be more than a germ of truth to it--Service at BMT in particular seems to be particularly short of the Tucan's benchmark--and by inference maybe the Caribe's# are also similar Take with it what you want-fwiw--forget the murder (at the Beach), the results simply don't measure up imo

10-30-2007	#18 (permalink)
Mrsfuzzmo life=playa Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fredonia, WI Posts: 654	The service at IB Q/T was outstanding. The only thing that has made us NOT go back there this year is the price (we are going with a different group and the budgets are quite a bit lower than last year) and we really, really want resort snorkeling. We spend a good amount of time snorkeling and this will be great. Other than that, I hope Barcelo lives up to a great resort, clean, good atmosphere and decent food. We KNOW we get what we pay for, and the IB T/Q was no exception. We are paying over $500 pp less for this trip, so all we can hope for is to be very pleasantly surprised. BUT, we are so not picky. We would be happy just about anywhere as long as the food is decent, the room/grounds/pools are clean and there is free liquor. We've stayed in good and bad, all over Mexico and the Caribbean and have no complaints at any one place. If anyone traveling is looking for really really excellent everything at almost perfection levels, it can be found, but you will pay for it! And sometimes, those types of places just don't suit us. We've done them, the suites, this Grands, the Palaces and it's just a little too upper crust for us. We prefer thatched roofs, brick and wood walkways, open-air restaurants and lots of "local touches", to marble, glass and chandeliers so I think we will be plenty satisfied with the BMB/C. If it were just the two of us, and we didn't care about snorkeling, we would go back to IB T/C in a heartbeat. As a matter of fact, I think my parents are going there for 10 days in January at our recommendation.

10-31-2007	#19 (permalink)
K and P beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 345	We just got back from Barcelo and had excellent service. We always do. People need to remember Barcelo is not really a full service resort, there are a lot of self serve areas for drinks in the buffets and around the bars you can also get your own if no one comes to offer you something, which they usually do. There is no pool or beach side service. Its a very relaxed atmosphere at Barcelo and we like that. People will be fine at Barcelo if they know what they are getting. For the price you get a great resort. The Palace opens soon for people looking for that extra, it will be priced I am sure around the Iberostar prices.

10-31-2007	#20 (permalink)
Mrsfuzzmo life=playa Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fredonia, WI Posts: 654	Just another note on IB, I don't think IB T/Q had beach or pool service either. I am almost positive there was none, just in case people need that service. We are fine without it.

10-31-2007	#23 (permalink)
MicheleR way into it Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 111	We just had pool and beach drink service while at the Tucan 2 weeks ago....keeping in mind that this is the low season!

11-02-2007	#24 (permalink)
Mrsfuzzmo life=playa Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fredonia, WI Posts: 654	Hmmmm. Maybe they just started, or maybe we just didn't see anyone doing it. I know for a fact that we did not have pool service (that's where we spent most of our time). Maybe there were a few on the beach, but we were in the water most of the time. Oh well, which ever way it goes, it was a great place!!

11-30-2007	#27 (permalink)
Shredman beachaholic Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 381	We enjoyed the Barcelo Colonial immensely. The rooms were comfortable, the food in the buffets was good (for mass prepared food) and the premium restaurants were a nice diversion (although some hesitation about saying that they were great). We enjoyed the self service restaurants and the walk up bars. The entertainment was fun every night. The pools are awesome and the beach is the very best part. It is not overcrowded and the snorkeling was unbelievable. It was like swimming in an aquarium with a huge variety of fish. We even saw squid, lobster and a six foot long barracuda along with dozens of baby barracuda. It is a good idea to bring your own snorkeling stuff including a bouyancy vest. That way you can just go when you want as much as you want. The bouyancy vest just gives you more confidence to venture further out and can be picked up for under $20 on line. The size of the resort with the four different complexes was nice too because we never felt confined. There was more than enough to explore and keep us busy. We rented a jeep one day from the Budget on site and it was painless and fun. We will be going back this year and there is no need for us to consider anywhere else. The snorkeling off the beach alone makes it for us. Our only mildly negative experience was when one of the gardners took a pair of my daughter's running shoes that had been left on the back porch to dry. My wife saw him stick them in a bag and just went out and took them back. That could happen anywhere. My only other issue was that the nightclub did not open until very late - I think it opened at midnight, but I may be wrong. In any event it was just too late for us to be getting started partying after long, active days. One caution, if you can avoid the rooms that are on the path to the club, you will avoid being awakened in the wee hours of the morning by the drunken crowd returning to their rooms. But overall the Barcelo is awesome. We have children from 11 to 17 and they had a ball. But the size and relatively uncrowded space would make it nice for families without children as well.

11-30-2007	#29 (permalink)
smardie way into it Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Seattle Wa Posts: 110	We have only been to pdc once, stayed at the shangrila and were looking to try something else this time, and maybe cheaper. The ratings on trip advisor got me to look into ib-t/q and I got an online quote that seemed so cheap to me that we grabbed it. We are going to pdc on the 16 of dec for 7 nights and are staying at playa maya the first four nights (120 per nt. I think) and for the last 3 at ib.tucan. The price of 510 for all 3 nts. all inclusive seemed like a steal, especially when all my brothers are trying to book for over xmas or spring break with their kids and are getting quoted over 500 per night! Barcelo quoted me 600 for the same nights. I guess my comment here is that I am just amazed at how big the price swings can be from week to week and one resort may discount more than another at different times. Obviously xmas week is the most expensive time to go of all. I would tell anybody who wants a cheapie vacation to go the week before xmas like we are doing. We don't have kids so we are real flexible-----that is a hard week if you do.

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