BlueBay Esmeralda Riviera Maya | Avoid This Resort! | Try Hyatt Zilara or see my Recommended Resorts

The BlueBay Esmeralda is now on my list of resorts to avoid right now in Riviera Maya, mainly because of the terrible sargassum but also because of the way they are managing it. When we stayed here recently, the resort had a terrible stench that could be smelled not only at the beach but also at the 2 main pools and buffet by the beach, which was transformed into the steakhouse and seafood restaurants at night. In addition, there were not enough lounge chairs around the only other pool that was located further inland, so we had to wake up before sunrise every day and walk to the pool in the dark to be sure we had our towels out by 6 am, or we wouldn’t have a place to sit. If that wasn’t bad enough, we also had to be at the concierge before 7am to get in line to make a la carte reservations for dinner. There was an app, but it wouldn’t work. We asked for help at the front desk, but we were told it didn’t work for everyone.
I’ve been to Mexico now 25 times, and this was by far the worst vacation we ever had. It wasn’t relaxing, and we felt like it was a waste of money. We met other guests who were equally as unhappy as we were. One guest made reservations elsewhere and left the resort. That’s how bad it was. Six weeks prior, we had been to the RIU Dunamar in Costa Mujeres, which is north of Cancun. The beach was pristine, and the resort was so much better than the BlueBay Esmeralda.
My recommendation for a better beach and resort is the RIU Dunamar or the Iberostar Lindo. Watch my highlights video of each to learn more about these resorts. To read about the resorts, go to my blog. www.noshoesjusttravel.com/resorts
Watch these videos that include beaches I would recommend you consider.
RIU Dunamar • Highlights of RIU Duna...
Iberostar Lindo • Highlights of Iberosta...

[@davidsixside769]

Thanks I’ll avoid . I figured something would be off about this resort, since the price is so cheap this time of the year compared to everywhere else.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

Years ago it was a solid resort that we liked. I’m hoping it will improve.

[@ramrider1453]

We just got back yesterday. Feb 29,2024. Place sucked big time. Spain had there spring break and it was a zoo and they ran the resort. Ignorant culture and the resort is owned by Spain. Food could of been better and hotter for sure. Rooms outdated and poor shape. Hope the place shuts down

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

@@ramrider1453 I’m hearing similar comments as yours from others. It’s unfortunate because years ago this was a decent property.

[@danmattis2671]

Just got back from BlueBay April 25th 2023. No ac in the first room, got moved with intermittent ac in that room. Issues with the toilet (prompt repairs but they kept changing parts in the back). Had to keep on the front desk to get the room cleaned, settled on clean towels most days with no fridge refill. Shortage of lounge chairs at both pools, our towels had been moved and chairs stolen, also witnessed altercations over chairs.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

I’m sorry to hear that they are still having issues there.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

@@donnasimms2251 Oh no! Someone else told me the same thing. Sorry to hear they haven’t corrected the issues.

[@MariaAlves-de1iw]

Went to Crown Paradise in 2013 so amazing went back 2021 terrible not the same at all never again!!!!(cancun)

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

@@MariaAlves-de1iw I find that things change, possibly new ownership. I like to look for current reviews on KZbin or Facebook when choosing a new resort. A trusted travel agent is invaluable when looking for a resort that will meet your needs.

[@Nothern_King]

Thank you, the pictures looked very nice but the reviews recently seem mainly negative. We've never been to Mexico so really a novice at choosing a place here. You saved us!

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

I’m glad the video was helpful. We’ve been to Riviera Maya 25 times to date and plan to go again in January. Our destination is the Iberostar Delmar. Fingers crossed that it is as good as it used to be. I have a video about the Iberostar too if you are interested.

[@Nothern_King]

@@noshoesjusttravelGO I checked out that video and we're thinking of booking for January 👍 thank you

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

@@Nothern_King That’s a great time to visit!

[@ellenboruchovich5000]

Thank you so much. I was laughing a lot! Nice show for me.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

@@ellenboruchovich5000 You are welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@jessecollingwood1002]

In all fairness I was there feb last year the beach was amazing no smell at all. I’m going back next month. For sure there is a chair issue but that seemed to be isolated to the upper pool only. The lower pool has tons of deck chairs as well as the beach enough that if I saw a broken one it was east enough to find a different one. The upper pool can get a bit crowded but it’s worth the walk to the lower area if you like to sleep a bit later. The food was great and that’s what I’m really excited about. It’s most definitely not a 5 star resort but honestly for the price point you can get here it’s a great place.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

I agree with you about the food. We had very good dinners there. I hope you have a wonderful vacation! We can’t get enough of Riviera Maya!

[@jessecollingwood1002]

@@noshoesjusttravelGO I can’t wait. Taking my son he’s never been there before or really anywhere. We’ll spend a day at xplor also so he can experience the cave swimming and zip lines. 😁. Happy travels! And keep up the videos.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

We haven’t been to Xplor. I’ve heard good things about it. Have a wonderful time! We will be at the Iberostar at the end of the month. Can’t wait for the sun and sand!

[@ramrider1453]

I recommend not to go. Waste of money. Plus Spain has there spring break and those university kids ran the joint and they allowed them to party till 7am for 5 days. Breaking things. Breaking into the beach bar. Banging on hotel rooms. No accountability with those kids and it’s owned by Spain. We just got back, Feb 22nd to 29th 2024. Even without those Neanderthals it wasn’t that good but it would of been more tolerable but with regrets. Cheers 🇨🇦

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

@@ramrider1453 That sounds horrible! I’m so sorry your vacation was so bad.

[@gonefishing4204]

Thank you for your honest review.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

It was never my intent to write a negative review, but it just doesn’t live up to the rest of the resorts in which we have stayed in Riviera Maya. Or even how this resort was when we stayed years prior.

[@mistaree5731]

Wow! Thanks for the heads up.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

You are welcome!

[@mistaree5731]

I was thinking of bringing my mother who has C.O.P.D, which is a lung disease. I'm so glad I watched this video, the part where you said you can't breath by the beach is alarming! they should shut that place down.@@noshoesjusttravelGO

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

@@mistaree5731 When we were there, it was unbearable for me to be on or near the beach, and near the pool by the beach which is the main pool. The restaurants were affected too. I hope they make improvements because we used to recommend this resort.

[@roycewaxenfelter3110]

Thanks for saving me a terrible trip!

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

I wish it were better, but luckily there are many other resorts to choose from.

[@SilviaHoard]

​@@noshoesjusttravelGOwhich one is your favorite Resort ?

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

@@SilviaHoard That depends…Adults only, we like the TRS Yucatán Hotel or the Bahia Luxury Akumal. I have videos of both. For a family vacation, we prefer the Iberostar Lindo. There are dozens places to stay in Riviera Maya, so it’s important to find the ones that fit your specific preferences. You have to weigh in how important the beach is versus the pools. Or maybe the quality of food or availability of buffets and bars. For some, the nightlife is important. What do you look for in a resort?

[@SilviaHoard]

@@noshoesjusttravelGO Thanks , checking your recommendations.

[@Simpl1sm]

A lot of the things you have said are still there from when I visited in 2022. They still do not have enough deck chairs!

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

And it’s an easy solution. There were tons of empty ones on the beach that no one was using. They could have been brought to the upper pool area. There was plenty of space for them.

[@nursegirly3248]

Thank you so much, I am looking for a place to go for my honeymoon in October in Rivera Maya because it’s one of the only destinations in our budget. I will not be staying here.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

From what I am reading, they still have not corrected their issues. If I were planning my honeymoon, I’d look at the TRS Yucatán Hotel or the Iberostar Lindo or Maya. I have videos of each of those resorts too.

[@slimjaw]

You went at the wrong time of year. We were just there oct26/23 until Nov 2/23 and everything you commented on was the exact opposite while we were there. The sargassum was over and everyone was able to swim in the crystal clear turquoise water with no issues. My suggestion to you is do your research before you book a stay at any resort and be sure to pick your stay during the months of late October through late April. Months May through early October will be rainy, sargassum season, hurricane season and so on. We have just booked our return stay at blue bay for this oct27-nov 6/24

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

Thanks for letting me know that you had a very different experience. I’m glad to hear that. We were there in March, so I have done research, but you can’t always predict Mother Nature.

[@AprilLewin-ph4vf]

We’re here now, and I am NOT happy! The smell is so gross! And the food is cold, boring and tasteless. We also found a HUGE hole in the floor of the pool, (the size of a man’s foot) today! I will NEVER come back here! And I’m very disappointed that we spent good money to bring our 4 kids here! 😡

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

That’s awful! By chance did you book with a travel agent that could help you move to another resort?

[@amandadanielle23]

my first resort ive ever visited - went in november 2022. it was brutally bad. went for a wedding. 30+ people, and every single person had a complaint about something. the bars were gross and not clean. the beach was not nice - you couldn't swim in the ocean. the lobby smelt like sewage. AC didnt work in many rooms. elevators broken. public washrooms were dirty and missing toilet paper/soap/paper towel, floors were dirty. impossible to find a lounge chair - they're also uncomfortable and a lot of them are broken/ripped. first aid centre was embarrassing - only offered band aids and if you needed anything further, they charged for a doctor visit. my room - the toilet barely flushed, and i'd completely lose water when showering. the worst part - anyone could enter my room without a key. I had a man walk in while i was in the shower. the food wasn't bad. I didn't really have any complaints. we didnt have any issues with smells other than the lobby and sometimes the bar and buffet area. no weird stench anywhere else. the sports bar was so shitty. and the live entertainment was next to nothing. was there for a week and they only put on two shows.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

That’s terrible! The bride and groom must have been devastated! When we visited here years ago it was so much better than it is now. I hope they find a way to rectify these issues. I was surprised how bad it was. Please know that there are resorts that are so much better. We’ve had so many memorable vacations in Riviera Maya.

[@lorenamore1489]

thank you for the info

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

My pleasure.

[@alinneayad4978]

Heyyyyyy ... Thank good I always come to youtube to see hotel reviews.. damn almost booked that hotel... thank you so much... i pretend to go in 2024 ... im still laughing with the towers story LOOOOOL REGARDS FROM PORTUGAL

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

You “dodged a bullet” by not booking there. My husband was looking at reviews tonight and there are still multiple complaints about this property. We’ve never experienced a worse trip in 25 visits to Riviera Maya. It was at the very bottom. I hope they turn things around because it used to be a decent resort.

[@TheAcrobat7788]

she is exaggerating..most of the problem comes from country side Canadian and American tourists who are not confortable seeing people around they become anxious and agressive they think they own the place..they are not classy drinkers too.

[@ramrider1453]

People, please please listen to this lady. Very poorly operated by a Spain company. We went from Feb 22nd to 29th 2024. Now Spain was on spring break (reading week). Up to over 400 university kids. 5 days of those arrogant kids partying till 7am. Breaking into the beach bars for booze. Breaking chairs and knocking on peoples doors. No accountability till the 5th day. Ya….. they catered to the Spain kids. They ran the resort. Food was average to below average. 3.5 star resort. Not 4.5. People don’t waste your hard earn money there for I guaranty you will be disappointed. A lot of rooms had issues. Bad bad lighting in all buildings. Why I don’t know. Very dark and in restaurants. I can go on and on but if you go. Wait till Spain is over on there spring break cause they rule the resort. No Spain operated resorts for us. Cheers 🇨🇦

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

Thank you for your update.

[@Marie-uc9qs]

Just came back from BB. I would say it’s a 3-star at best. Service staff were friendly enough but the amenities were terrible. This place needs maintenance and updating. I would not recommend this resort to anyone

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

I’m sorry to hear that they haven’t made improvements. I agree that the staff were very friendly.

[@brisadean9783]

Hilton Playa del Carmen is AWESOME🎉

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

Good to know! What do you like about it?

[@emissubs]

Im here right now the food and drinks suck, the staff is mean but some are ok but u can hear the wind outside the hotel when ur trying to sleep st night, the rooms r dirty, the wifi sucks and u have to pay for better wifi.. the beach sucks to the waters brown and theres seadweed everywhere there was noone at the beach😭

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

On no! That’s horrible! Have you been to other resorts in Riviera Maya?

[@PamelaJoyce-dn6bx]

Thank you! We will avoid for sure.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

Have you found other resorts that you are considering?

[@AkashPatel-lo7vg]

@@noshoesjusttravelGO any suggestion ? with veg food?

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

@@AkashPatel-lo7vg Most of the resorts have vegetarian choices. If you tell them your preferences, they will usually accommodate you.

[@AkashPatel-lo7vg]

@@noshoesjusttravelGO Thank you for resposne.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

@@AkashPatel-lo7vg You are welcome!

[@donnasimms2251]

Totally agree!

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

When were you there?

[@KevinSmith-wj1hp]

Real Karen energy

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

Funny you should say that…Before my trip there, I thought the bad reviews were harsh, but unfortunately it was a terrible experience for everyone we traveled with and that we met there. My hope is that management will eventually turn things around at this resort because it used to be one I recommended for first time travelers to that area.

[@ellenh4984]

Go ahead and reserve this hotel. Enjoy the poisonous smell.

[@genoaoak]

Just returned from Blue Bay. We have been visiting hotels in this area for about 20 years. I found a good deal on Blue Bay and figured that it couldn't be that bad. It was bad. Very bad. I doubted this review before going too. Now I know.

[@lauraswihart4816]

I prefer something a little less fancy - 😄

[@HiddenGemK]

lol

[@DOYLERULES69X]

What about having to take the golf carts everywhere? What a pain that is.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

We walked most of the time for exercise. Rode the cart when it was too hot or going to dinner sometimes.

[@mrsc0808]

The Hyatt Zilary in the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 was amazing if you are vegan they have vegan options in all restaurants and a vegan restaurant. If you are a meat lover than this place makes great steaks 🥩 🥰 they have different restaurants themed by countries.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

That sounds fabulous! I will look into it. Maybe it will be my next video. Thank you!

[@phillay87]

How long ago did you go?

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

It was March of this year. Have you been there since?

[@Brock_marohn]

This resort is awesome is old but good

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

I’m glad you like it! When were you there last?

[@Brock_marohn]

Yesterday

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

@@Brock_marohn I’m so glad to hear that it’s so much better now.

[@dianechoudja2035]

Went there in August 2022 with friends it was a decent hotel to stay. Lot of seaweed and the hotel didn’t clean the beach at all. The food was very good. Good activities in the pool are and good activities at night. Rooms were okay for the price we paid. Went in June 2023 with my family and I was disappointed because the AC wasn’t functioning properly. It was very hot in the room, and dining area. We slept with doors open. This time they were doing their best to clean the beach removing the seaweed every morning.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

@@dianechoudja2035 It must have been difficult not having AC in June. Will you go back again or are you looking at other resorts?

[@mikewood8680]

Why does it say they are a 4.5 star.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

I’m not positive, but it could be based on what the resort was like when it first opened. I doubt it would be considered 4.5 today.

[@Hextorio]

When were you there?

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

We were there in March.

[@donnasimms2251]

April 21-28, 2023

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

@@donnasimms2251 What were you most unhappy about?

[@nataliedyck8312]

the seagrass season is in march? @@noshoesjusttravelGO weve been in july, many yearsagi and it was horrible as well. different resort and they were cleaning up each morning. but my husband still coulnt go in the water, allergic to the grass.

[@Lady_MexiMix]

Lol she said, there was a woman who didn’t speak English, and then she said she had enough. Lololol lady! You are in Mexico!! You should speak Spanish! … totally Karen vibe!

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

You are right! We have learned a few words and phrases in Spanish but we are not fluent. We are working on it. 😊

[@theCUBE403]

wow, what a Karen. so entitled.

[@noshoesjusttravelGO]

I’m curious…did you have a good experience there?