Hotel Barra de Navidad

The hotel is under construction after damage during the last storm. So, this review might not be accurate in the future. The pool area and restaurant are closed. We loved eating breakfast here on the deck with the waves crashing below . . . Right now it is not the same experience but hopefully it will be much improved in the near future.

A gorgeous property. The hotel is showing its age but must have been really special in its glory. My room, a king size bed, very comfortable, overlooking the swimming pool. If you like peacefulness request a room over the marina. Many noisy children and families in the pool. My room no. 126. Bathtub fixtures rusted, no water for the tub, coffee pot broken ran all over the floor, blow dryer not working, safe not working. Two articles of clothing stolen from my room. Strange, they took a bathing suit cover up and a shawl….my only “ one size fits all pieces”, it seemed like my clothes had been rifled through but my ipad was not taken? Reported problem to the front desk felt like I was being ignored or this is normal for them to have people report theft. I wrote out a report however have not heard back from the hotel 3 days later. No sign of management anywhere! The food in buffet dining room was fine, dinner, lots of variety. Breakfast buffet made to order omelets etc were good. A la Carte breakfast on the patio was really good. Great hash browns! Good service,hot food. Dinner in the Italian restaurant, service really good. Ten of us dining, 7 had really great dinners, 3 people had pork and it was very dry, one person sent back his pork but it was not removed from the bill. The little extras, sorbet, amuse Bouch, hot towels, all dinners served at once with the lids removed at the same time! Spanish coffee, creatively prepared table side. Definitely enjoyable, old world charm, probably worth the hefty bill my cost 1500 pesos for one entree, one glass of wine and one Spanish coffee. The golf course, very dry, looks like they are working on it in sections to put in more water. We golfed the mountain course which had some terrific water views? Ladies golf, many short holes and lots around 300 to 380 yards so quite nice on a hot hot day. The last two holes quite challenging,but enjoyable course. It was expensive to golf 1950 pesos per person. Enjoyed taking the panga into Barra for dinner, 40 pesos. The restaurant right beside the dock had great food and drinks cheap, mariachi music, really fun. Great Margarita and fish burger 200 pesos, can’t beat that! One final comment, watch the steps into the pool, very slippery! Pool is not very clean and the stairs are super slippery. I would not rush back!

Ten day stay much too long in this hotel or town. First town: hard to find anyplace that will take a credit card, pesos only, so bring more than plenty. No bank in town, must take bus or taxi to next town, and maybe they have them, maybe not! We went mid week and went to several banks. The water is lovely, but can be rough for swimming. The streets are lined with vendor type shopping, one after the other carrying the same tourist tee shirts etc. No cultural events, only shopping,walking and eating. The only consisting working internet was the lobby of the hotel, or near the Banana restaurant. The rooms on first floor had no locks on door facing the beach! Rooms small, no place to really unpack. Maid service 5 star. Desk service ~not very welcoming had to ask for info, such as, where do I get water refills, where are pool towels,etc. Never saw a smile or welcome. Handrails need to be wiped down, always sticky going up or down. Only saw floors being swept. No English on t.v. or netflix type option. Pool very clean, hard plastic chairs to sit on. Beds hard. Nice to sit on little balcony which was cleaned daily by the wonderful maids. So, that being said, a few days maybe on route to another place. So if i could give it an honest rating it would be below average. I have been to many Mexican areas over the last ten years.

6 of us stayed here for one night. The rooms are clean, large, well appointed and comfortable. The king bed was just the right firmness but the pillows were hard and lumpy. The grounds are spectacular and the heated enormous pool was wonderful. There is miniature gold but that was the worst we have ever seen. They are sadly lacking in putters and balls as well. We enjoyed our private balcony and the views from everywhere were breathtaking.

In the hotel at this moment. Room very basic. Bed is hard. Tiny “sugar” ants everywhere. Picked up toothpaste ants crawling over it. Bedroom vanity crawling with ants. Sit on toilet watch them on the floor. Asked for spray at the front desk and had it ready except it dribbled out. No shampoo, conditioner or body lotion. Shower very small. Asked at front desk for hairdryer as requested but noting available. Couldn’t find the reservation and had to prove we had made one. Pros. View is lovely but very windy and located near lots of restaurants.