Hidden Beach Resort, au Naturel Club, Playa del Carmen Centro

Just returned from a disappointing trip to Hidden Beach. We had booked our trip directly with HBR 8 months in advance, specifying a 'swim up suite'. We had been to HBR previously, and decided having a swim up suite was the only way to go. When we arrived, we were told they had no swim up suites available! After an hour and a half of arguing with them we were faced with either finding transportation back to Cancun and finding another hotel, or taking a 2nd floor room that stunk of mildew, or a 3rd floor room. Unfortunately I am recovering from a fractured neck and back surgery , which makes climbing stairs that are constantly wet and slippery and have no handrails a dangerous proposition (which had no sway on there decision to not honor my reservation). We ultimately took the 3rd floor room, too tired from travel to leave and find other lodging. The moral of the story is DO NOT COUNT ON GETTING THE ROOM YOU BOOK!!! On to the resort itself. A hotel that charges first class prices should have first class facilities. They have nice large walk in showers, but didn't bother to put in self balancing water control valves....every shower was an adventure in being frozen or scalded. They have nice new comfortable beds, with sheets to small to stay tucked in, so you're constantly tangled up in the sheets.I received a message on the telephone giving me our pick-up time for the return trip, which I couldn't hear because the phone malfunctions. We did do a couples massage on the beach which was relaxing and enjoyable, but a little pricey. Pretty aggravating when you here management offer the same massage to a travel group next to you for half price! My wife went to the spa for a manicure/pedicure that cost $131.00 (almost twice the price of any salon in the states). We don't mind spending top dollar if we get top service, her nail polish fell off by the next day...she had to take another hour out of her sun time to have them repaired. By the way, both reservations were screwed up, making her time at the spa longer than it need have been. Four years ago the food at HBR and Eldorado was very tasty if not gourmet quality. This trip the food was barely edible! Every kind of beef, pork or veal tasted like pot roast. I made the mistake of ordering sushi at the oriental restaurant, a Japanese sushi chef would rather commit 'Hari Kari' than serve sushi like that! It was horrible. The wait staff was wonderful as usual, they almost make up for all the short comings of HBR management. Just a note on 'all inclusive', The advertising says gratuities are included, if you have any compassion for you fellow man you need to tip the wait staff and housekeepers, management pays most of them the princely sum of $5 a day! On to the night life. Depending on how full the hotel is predicates whether they will have live entertainment and a lively fun party, or 2 or 3 couple's sitting around having a few drinks. If you go for a moonlight stroll on the beach you will likely see people having sex, on the beach beds, the hammocks, the hot tubs, etc. Please be aware that if you like to keep your presence at a clothing optional place private, the no photography rule was completely ignored! No telling where our pictures will show up on the web... Again, the wait staff, bartenders and activities directors were wonderful, we did relax and have fun in the sun and pool, between onerous trips to the 3rd floor. We wish that HBR had a bar, in the shade and not in the water for daytime use. We will think long and hard before booking another trip to HBR!!

We have been to Hidden Beach several times but I am having my doubts about the management. Without exception, the staff is great and guests are very friendly but that’s where it ends. There is a lack of attention to details. Not enough chairs for the outside dinning area, mold on the palapa beds, annoying persons peddling massages stopping by every few minutes. The spa (on the Eldorado side) requires a reservation for the sauna and steam plus you need to be dressed to get there. It’s not co-ed. The pool is cool in winter, plus every afternoon about 2:00 PM you have to vacate it’s- time for volley ball. In the morning the pool is off limits for water polo. That wouldn’t be so bad if they only had a swimming beach. There is also the warm tub in the Moonlight Lounge, warm almost never hot. If it weren’t for the staff, one would feel like an intruder.

I have spent 3 years going to Hidden Beach. You could not ask for a more wonderful staff. I will NEVER go again. We took a group every year spending in excess of $58,000 last year alone with these people. Our trip last summer ended it for us. Again staff was great. We went on a nude cruise (not with them) while we were waiting to be picked up, they surrounded us with security and would not allow us to board our schuttle, they made us go out to the highway to catch our shuttle. Management would not even talk to us about it. Instead they sent a rep from the excurssion company to quiz us about our sailing. Then our last night there one of my group had there room broken into and lost in excess of $3000.00 in cash and jewlery. They made out a security report that had no mention of HIDDEN BEACH on it. But said that we would have to go into Playa to make an officle report. I had to make them put the Hidden Beach logo on the page. Had we done that they would have missed their flight back to the States. All they needed was a statement from security for their insurance to pay but now they say that there was no insident and act as if it never happened. Now they act like our group was not even there. Again, the staff, food, location, guest are all great. You would think that we were asking them to cover the loss, but all we needed was acknowledgement as to what happened.

We have been to HB many times, and this time we noticed several changes. First of all the buildings need work. The stucco etc. For the first time there was no one at the desk in the evening, and calling was to no avail. Dinners have gone from bad to worse. We ate at Eldorado almost every night. Other maintainence items -- broken umbrellas, broken and not enough lounges around the pool. The red wine is dreadful and the sheets are not good quality for a 5 star resort. A side from that, the staff is still exemplary. The guests are friendly, and the setting is beautiful. We'd love to go back, but will it go more down hill? We'll have to wait and see.

I write this is anticipation of fixing this one problem. The resort was wonderful and the service and friendliness of the staff only something you want to imagine experiencing. Wonderful! We were there at Thanksgiving and the all you eat cuizine just a secondary reason for the visit. What a dicotomy: the food presentatrion was 5 star and the food taste 2 star. The meat was so chewey I asked the server what kind it was thinking a few horses might be missing. On the other hand I ordered some sandwiches to take on an outing and they were the best BLTs imaginable. Small point to complain about though because the relaxation, service, maintenence, cleanliness, helpfulness and people were worth returning for. I am sure we will. Don't order the steak.

The wife and I have heard about HB and how wonderful the place is, especially the food and spirits. It seems that sometime after this past April, the food is not what was expected. The grounds, room, pool area are wonderful. The staff is fantastic and we could not have asked for anything more. They treat you like you are a guest in their home and go out of their way to make you comfortable and that your every wish or need is given. Now if only someone could improve the dinner meals, all would be fantastic, but alas, that is not the case. We were there for 10 nights, and about the only meal in the evening worth mentioning was the pasta and some of the fish. The meat was terrible. On the evening where they have the big meet & greet party on the pation, we didn't see one person even try to finish their meal. We could not even chew the beef, the fish was cold and hard. All in all, if food is not your main concern, then by all means go, but for us, we won't be back. If liquor is you thing, you'll have a great time. I must also mention that breakfast and lunch were very good which we enjoyed immensely. It's the dinner that was so disappointing. Other guests that were there on their repeat visit also said this is not what they've experienced over their last visits

Hidden Beach Resort is just the perfect place to spend your honeymoon. From Alejandra, Ana & Claudia in the office to Karla, Chava, Sergio, Lorenzo, Jorge, Anisto & Lucrecia outside...it was just the very best on the Caribbean. The service was beyond words, the rooms are beautiful, the food is amazing and the people who work there are genuinely happy to be there. They treat you like you are royalty. If you are looking for a romanctic, peaceful, quiet, fun and rejuvenating place for your honeymoon, choose Hidden Beach Resort through NFN Travel. It is just the very best! XOX, Anni & Ralph Purpura

Service...A very warm welcome greeting by Alejandra, front desk The outstanding cocktail service given by Esperenza around the general pool area. Always with a smile and a memory that is enough to make you wonder...."How does she do that?" For an excellent massage request, Mario. The hands of a magic man! Room.....Comfortable, firm bed. Does need much better lighting! Jacuzzi in room, sitting in viewing the stars.... from a second floor room, with your honey. Nothing better! Location.. Close to a 2 hour drive south of the Cancun airport to cover the 75 miles. You will pass Playa de Carmen, with close to 40 miles to go.... Look closely for the road sign on the left just past a tower for transmitting television waves. Food.... Buffet breakfast with a chief to prepare, eggs, pancakes, crepes... with the fresh fruit of many exotic variety's. Lunch could be a buffet outside or you may order off the menu. Dinner, menu.. including lobster dishes, if you prefer you can get dressed to go next door to the El Dorado Seaside resort. All waite staff are very good with the 5 stars going to Hidden Beach. Natural vs clothing at El Dorado... is like freedom is compared to prison. A stuffy brain is a stuffy person, sadly.

Amazing place, service, beach lounges. More all inclusive than most all inclusives. In room Jacuzzi is great. Massages are meant to be received au natural. We chose upstairs over swim up rooms because of the awesome views that are blocked below. Now the picky picky drawbacks: Menu does not change much (food is great). Night activities is little more than a disco with a DJ. Music blares all day (heard in room). Macarana gets old after the 400th time. Beach is great to sit by, but you will not swim there. Absolutely fantastic for three days. A week nice. More than that it will get old.

Beach was AWESOME.....Should clean off the rocks from the ocean front so you can swim. Otherwise, it's my third time back starting June 10 thru June 20. The Swim-up room is the ONLY way to go. I love to swim and with the "RIVER Pool" at my door step, it is GREAT. Room service is very good, every guest that I met were friendly and social. Most important is that you only need 1 suit case. Clothing optional resorts is just what it is. Occasionally (Dinner) you wore a robe or cover-up, otherwise (You get the picture) I will ONLY go to HBR for nude vacations.