First AI Rissask Report- Ten Days at the Barcelo Maya Palace. - Page 4

janied · 03-01-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rissask

(I just realized who you are.

)

Mitzy and Ditzy's (the trolls) mom!

Savant · 03-02-2012

The beach looks really rocky in the water on those pictures?
Ae there any sandy areas where you can wade in?

thanks

Rissask · 03-02-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by janied

Mitzy and Ditzy's (the trolls) mom!

The avatar jolted my memory!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savant

The beach looks really rocky in the water on those pictures?
Ae there any sandy areas where you can wade in?

thanks

Plenty!! The Palace was the last one built and the first and oldest section of the hotel, the Barcelo Maya Beach and Maya Caribe buildings, therefore is on the 'best' beach. The beach in front of the middle section (the Colonial/Tropical) is just as good.

When you are staying at the Palace you get to use any of the facilities at the other hotel sections too, of course. So if you prefer a nice sandy, coral and rock free beach, you simply head down the beach about 5 minutes walk and settle in there.

We stuck around the Palace because we all loved to snorkel, is all.

And just a bit farther to the south there was lovely rock-free sandy entries to swim.

Savant · 03-02-2012

great thanks.

beer_dude · 03-02-2012

Great TR and photo's Maggie! So did you and Don go diving?

Rissask · 03-02-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savant

great thanks.

You are welcome!

Larry- why yes, we did!

We dove with Dressel Divers because they had a dive shop on site- very handy.

They have two boats, one is fairly big (and named 'Mowgli!!' Mogley liked that. someone in Mexico can spell better than he can.

)

I was afraid of it being a 'cattle boat' but everything went fairly smoothly (*cue 'Open Water' jokes.

)

Don did 5 and I did 4....one day I could not go, too congested with my cold.

Our friend Jason and his two sons, also our other friend Doug, also did the Discover Dive program and we went on a couple of shallow dives with them. ( Unfortunately, the 11 year old just couldn't do it once he got in the ocean

...it was quite wavy and he got scared I think. poor kid, he was embarassed! But I don't think I could have done it at 11 either.)

here are Jay and Doug doing the pool session...

it was not really a deep enough pool at 4' but they did okay.

Not sure why they did not do it in the lap pool??

I will try to get some of their Go Pro (those things rock!) footage and post it if I can. We have some of a green moray eel swimming, omg I could not believe how BIG they get!! I have always only seen them in their caves!

Rissask · 03-02-2012

Gonna try and wrap this up.

Food at the Barcelo was a solid 'very good'....nice presentation, loads of variety, good tasting food. I enjoyed conchinita pibil at the dinner buffet that was better than the last couple of times I had it at Yaxche, in fact.

It was even better at the a la cartes. There are three a la cartes at the Barcelo Palace, a seafood one and Brazilian steakhouse and (the best by far) a French one called The Brasserie. We went there twice because it was SOOOO good. Escargots in the shell (here they are never in the shell).

yeah baby- SNAILS!

and they had great steaks too, and lobster that was NOT overdone as it so often is in Mexico- although I am not a lobster fan- I stuck with the filet mignon and it was SO GOOD....imported I believe.

This pic gives you an idea of the lobby area where there is a bar, outside all three a la carte restaurants...we showed up early here for a cocktail and there was usually no one else there.

We ordered wine off the (fairly limited but okay) wine list- the wine at the buffet was awful and the a la cartes better but still awful.

yeah baby...that is what I'm talking about!

Jay looking...excited??

our waiter at the Seafood restaurant was a riot....he was our waiter both times we went there. He did a great show too with making us all Mayab coffees one night. He let the 16 year olds burn longer.

This was a surprise....

he kept pouring me WAY TOO MUCH champagne that night, if I recall.

At the Brazilian steakhouse it was meat overload...we only did that one once. But it was tasty!

Jason is thinking...seriously dude?? No more! I have a meat baby in ma belly.

Someone said make a sexy face but it's more like constipated face.

such cute couples, our friends. I love them.

I think this was the seafood one the second night...it's like someone sent a memo to wear white.

Kids were sent to the 'kid table' when we ate together, usually...

The coconut shrimp there was VERY good!

most nights after dinner we would go to the show (cheesy but something to do) or go to the lobby bar and hang out and have a few, or head to someone's room and chill...

or mug for the cameras

Rissask · 03-02-2012

Pool pictures.....like I said, we are beach people for the most part, but we did tire of the wind and spent a couple of full days at the pool and a few days where we got half the seats at each. Then you could snorkel, sun, go float on your raft in the pool to tan your back, repeat....ahhhh....that was the life!

The pool was very nice. Really large, with noisier areas (like by the kiddie pool and play park, and by the swim up bar) and also quieter areas.

the birlfriends again...

it was quieter down by the rock waterfall wall until the security guards would blow their whistle at the kids jumping off ....like, why on earth would they design something that BEGS children to climb it and jump off?? Dumb!

You can see it in the background here...(and yes I know my big toe is long)

There were hammocks sprinkled about too.

and these things gave a heck of a good shoulder/back massage!

those darn kids! She was asleep on her raft and they swum up and gently steered mom under the spray.

these were nice in the heat

Can you say IMPRESSIVE!!!

(There is pool drink service, no beach service here though. Perhaps during low season, not when full.)

I believe there was a child under there:

seriously where IS my drink??

swim up bar

looking toward the beach from pool bar (the 'Coco Bar')

salsa 'lessons' (pool bar/bathrooms building in background)

kiddie park

Glass glasses by the pool = not a good idea!

(Our friend Leah dropped her mimosa and Don got a widdle cut picking the glass up...for some reason they were going around with trays of them by the pool. Yup. Not a good idea.

)

and he was not happy about us laughing at him either

That is about it. It was a great trip. VERY chill. And fun to travel with friends, since we are usually just the two of us alone, or maybe one other couple.

Not sure we will be in a hurry to do a group THIS large again...ever

....but it was fun.

Rissask · 03-02-2012

One more thing- the pool was a lovely temp (as was the ocean).

I had a lot of complaints about cold pools in winter in the area (and experienced it myself) but THIS pool was just the absolute perfect temperature.

I imagine because it is only four feet deep and also because it had been so hot and sunny around the time we were there. Yay!

It was just right- cool enough to be initially refreshing and warm enough you could stay in a long time without getting cold.

btodd · 03-02-2012

Awesome report! We are pool people ( with many walks on the beach) those loungers that were set in the pool under the shade really look like my idea of heaven!! Especially today in Winnipeg, snowing and blowing and damn it we aren't used to that this winter!!

Thanks for taking the time to post all the pics, they are great!

Rissask · 03-02-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by btodd

Awesome report! We are pool people ( with many walks on the beach) those loungers that were set in the pool under the shade really look like my idea of heaven!! Especially today in Winnipeg, snowing and blowing and damn it we aren't used to that this winter!!

Thanks for taking the time to post all the pics, they are great!

You are welcome, it was nothing, what really takes time is uploading them from computer-photobucket or Facebook but I would just walk away and leave it. Otherwise it is quick and easy to cut and paste a bunch of links.

I had a LOT of pics but most my GF took.

The loungers were cool but HARD and so not too comfy....but a raft is a must! They sold nice ones there for about 190 pesos I think it was.

It is snowing here too today, but not cold. The roads this morning driving to work were lethally icy....I was sure wishing I was still at the beach today.

Thank you for reading.

hollywood65 · 03-02-2012

Great report! Looks like a cool resort, and a huge pool.

cb1 · 03-02-2012

Thanks for a terrific report, it looks like you all had fun ,as usual. All your trip reports are so different from each other , I can't wait to see what you do next . Last year we went to Playa with a group of ten. All great friends when we left home , and still friends now! But this year we are going alone . Leeds still has this idea that he will get to ride with you and Don some day. xoxo Charlotte PS I have been overhearing some talk of cruising the Pacific Northwest this summer. Loooong ride from Vermont.

janied · 03-02-2012

I'm sad to see your report come to an end ... can you just make something up and keep writing?

That pool looks AMAZING!!!

Thanks for sharing your vacation with us, the ones stuck at home.

sharkbait · 03-03-2012

Another fantastic TR Riz.

Barcelo is our favorite All Inclusive. The pools are huuuuuge, especially the one at the Palace. I swear you could ride a jet ski in that thing. We looked for rentals but they didn't have them.

03-02-2012	#52 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,559	Gonna try and wrap this up. Food at the Barcelo was a solid 'very good'....nice presentation, loads of variety, good tasting food. I enjoyed conchinita pibil at the dinner buffet that was better than the last couple of times I had it at Yaxche, in fact. It was even better at the a la cartes. There are three a la cartes at the Barcelo Palace, a seafood one and Brazilian steakhouse and (the best by far) a French one called The Brasserie. We went there twice because it was SOOOO good. Escargots in the shell (here they are never in the shell). yeah baby- SNAILS! and they had great steaks too, and lobster that was NOT overdone as it so often is in Mexico- although I am not a lobster fan- I stuck with the filet mignon and it was SO GOOD....imported I believe. This pic gives you an idea of the lobby area where there is a bar, outside all three a la carte restaurants...we showed up early here for a cocktail and there was usually no one else there. We ordered wine off the (fairly limited but okay) wine list- the wine at the buffet was awful and the a la cartes better but still awful. yeah baby...that is what I'm talking about! Jay looking...excited?? our waiter at the Seafood restaurant was a riot....he was our waiter both times we went there. He did a great show too with making us all Mayab coffees one night. He let the 16 year olds burn longer. This was a surprise.... he kept pouring me WAY TOO MUCH champagne that night, if I recall. At the Brazilian steakhouse it was meat overload...we only did that one once. But it was tasty! Jason is thinking...seriously dude?? No more! I have a meat baby in ma belly. Someone said make a sexy face but it's more like constipated face. such cute couples, our friends. I love them. I think this was the seafood one the second night...it's like someone sent a memo to wear white. Kids were sent to the 'kid table' when we ate together, usually... The coconut shrimp there was VERY good! most nights after dinner we would go to the show (cheesy but something to do) or go to the lobby bar and hang out and have a few, or head to someone's room and chill... or mug for the cameras __________________ *The man who is a pessimist before 48 knows too much; if he is an optimist after it, he knows too little. Mark Twain* Last edited by Rissask; 03-02-2012 at 01:14 PM..

03-02-2012	#53 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,559	Pool pictures.....like I said, we are beach people for the most part, but we did tire of the wind and spent a couple of full days at the pool and a few days where we got half the seats at each. Then you could snorkel, sun, go float on your raft in the pool to tan your back, repeat....ahhhh....that was the life! The pool was very nice. Really large, with noisier areas (like by the kiddie pool and play park, and by the swim up bar) and also quieter areas. the birlfriends again... it was quieter down by the rock waterfall wall until the security guards would blow their whistle at the kids jumping off ....like, why on earth would they design something that BEGS children to climb it and jump off?? Dumb! You can see it in the background here...(and yes I know my big toe is long) There were hammocks sprinkled about too. and these things gave a heck of a good shoulder/back massage! those darn kids! She was asleep on her raft and they swum up and gently steered mom under the spray. these were nice in the heat Can you say IMPRESSIVE!!! (There is pool drink service, no beach service here though. Perhaps during low season, not when full.) I believe there was a child under there: seriously where IS my drink?? swim up bar looking toward the beach from pool bar (the 'Coco Bar') salsa 'lessons' (pool bar/bathrooms building in background) kiddie park Glass glasses by the pool = not a good idea! (Our friend Leah dropped her mimosa and Don got a widdle cut picking the glass up...for some reason they were going around with trays of them by the pool. Yup. Not a good idea. ) and he was not happy about us laughing at him either That is about it. It was a great trip. VERY chill. And fun to travel with friends, since we are usually just the two of us alone, or maybe one other couple. Not sure we will be in a hurry to do a group THIS large again...ever ....but it was fun. Last edited by Rissask; 03-02-2012 at 01:37 PM..

03-02-2012	#47 (permalink)
Savant way into it Join Date: May 2011 Location: UK Posts: 222	The beach looks really rocky in the water on those pictures? Ae there any sandy areas where you can wade in? thanks

03-02-2012	#49 (permalink)
Savant way into it Join Date: May 2011 Location: UK Posts: 222	great thanks.

03-02-2012	#50 (permalink)
beer_dude añejo Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,190	Great TR and photo's Maggie! So did you and Don go diving?

03-02-2012	#54 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,559	One more thing- the pool was a lovely temp (as was the ocean). I had a lot of complaints about cold pools in winter in the area (and experienced it myself) but THIS pool was just the absolute perfect temperature. I imagine because it is only four feet deep and also because it had been so hot and sunny around the time we were there. Yay! It was just right- cool enough to be initially refreshing and warm enough you could stay in a long time without getting cold.

03-02-2012	#55 (permalink)
btodd añejo Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Posts: 2,358	Awesome report! We are pool people ( with many walks on the beach) those loungers that were set in the pool under the shade really look like my idea of heaven!! Especially today in Winnipeg, snowing and blowing and damn it we aren't used to that this winter!! Thanks for taking the time to post all the pics, they are great!

03-02-2012	#57 (permalink)
hollywood65 beachaholic Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dallas Posts: 290	Great report! Looks like a cool resort, and a huge pool.

03-02-2012	#58 (permalink)
cb1 beachaholic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Montpelier,Vermont Posts: 279	Thanks for a terrific report, it looks like you all had fun ,as usual. All your trip reports are so different from each other , I can't wait to see what you do next . Last year we went to Playa with a group of ten. All great friends when we left home , and still friends now! But this year we are going alone . Leeds still has this idea that he will get to ride with you and Don some day. xoxo Charlotte PS I have been overhearing some talk of cruising the Pacific Northwest this summer. Loooong ride from Vermont.

03-02-2012	#59 (permalink)
janied reposado Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 1,017	I'm sad to see your report come to an end ... can you just make something up and keep writing? That pool looks AMAZING!!! Thanks for sharing your vacation with us, the ones stuck at home.

03-03-2012	#60 (permalink)
sharkbait life=playa Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 693	Another fantastic TR Riz. Barcelo is our favorite All Inclusive. The pools are huuuuuge, especially the one at the Palace. I swear you could ride a jet ski in that thing. We looked for rentals but they didn't have them.

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