BLUE BAY GETAWAY & SPA
Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 3.5 Zona Hotelera
Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico 77500
Tel: (9) 848-7900
Fax: (998) 848-7994

RECEPTION

The lobby area is clean, fairly comfortable and relatively modern for the area. Funky waterfall ledges sit in the middle of the area - so don't be tempted to rest your weary bum there! Along the sides of the lobby are desks for information, meeting your travel representative and booking day trips. There are also a few PCs for checking your e-mail, charged at 500 pesos (approximately $5 or £3) for half an hour, however they don't really time you. The internet connection is very slow so I wouldn't bother using this service unless you really have to.

We stayed in an older room at Block G of the hotel. The room was very clean, quite comfortable and of course had the all-important air conditioning. The bed was a huge king-size (about 6 foot wide), but other rooms contained 2 double beds instead. Our room contained a TV with satellite channels (CNN, HBO and 2 hotel channels), a table & 2 chairs, 2 bedside tables, a dressing table, a wardrobe/cupboard (which didn't contain many hangers so I used the shelves) as well as an outside table & chairs on the balcony. Inside your closet you'll find your safety deposit box, which costs $3 extra a day, payable when you check out. You chose your own pin number so no one else can gain access to your safe. The bedding & curtains were a little bright for my tastes but the lovely wooden headboard made up for that. Barring the ugly air conditioning vents (which do rattle a bit) the room was quite attractive.

Open the door inside your room and you'll gain access to your modest shower/ toilet room. Our bathroom was commonly referred to as "the one with the horrible yellow tiles". Newer rooms don't have these so it's a bit of a lucky dip, although I was happy to keep the garish tiles for a shower that didn't have a door with a tendency to fall off - we instead had a thick shower curtain. Please remember not to flush any toilet roll etc down the toilet - that is what the bin is for. It's not pleasant but it's no great shock to anyone who has visited the Greek Islands. Toilet rolls, soaps, flannels, towels etc are replenished daily by the maid, as are sheets and pillowcases but not your comforter. There is also a tea & coffee machine in the bathroom. Curious place for it but handy if you're like a caveman before your morning cup of coffee. The tap water is drinkable but slightly warm so I preferred not to.

* Margaritas Bar - open 5pm-11pm
Since it is so close to the lobby this is bound to be your first port of call. Check out the cocktails plus local Dos Equis (xx) beer.

* L'Alternative bar - open 5pm-1am
Say "Hola" to Francesca here and she'll rustle up a potent cocktail or tequila slammer for you (her Long Island Iced Tea is lethal!). This bar houses pool tables, several TV screens showing sport and comfortable sofas at the back.

There is also entertainment in Margaritas Patio bar, for example on Saturday night there is Caribbean music; activities in the sports pool (water volleyball/basketball) and the sexy pool (crazy games and not for the timid!) If you prefer to chill out I'd recommend the quiet pool by Bikinis bar, which has 3 jacuzzis (the sexy pool has 4) and also a swim up bar which is open until 5pm.

There is a gym at the hotel but it is quite small and not terribly well equipped. My boyfriend is a fitness fanatic and was disappointed but you do go on holiday to relax.

The hotel has it's own private beach, which is common in Cancun, but please remember that it is federal property and therefore your hotel is not responsible for accidents or theft on it. The beach is lovely white sand and contrary to what I had read before going, it is very clean. You will often see a member of staff cleaning away seaweed from the beach & sea area. There are plenty of loungers on the beach but you may be harassed by people selling puppets, sunglasses and wraps if you sunbathe here. A simple "No" or just pretending to be asleep usually works.

There is a LOT of food available at Blue Bay Getaway. As well as 3 a la carte restaurants there are buffet restaurants so you'll never go hungry.

For lunch you can choose between Embaradero (1-3pm) or Bella Vista snack bar (12-5pm). Embarcadero serves buffet food, cakes and salad. The curly fries & lattice fries are worth trying. Bella Vista's lunch menu includes salad, nachos, pizzas (lovely Hawaiian), burgers, hot dogs, pasta, fries and cakes. We had lunch there most days.

To use the a la carte restaurants you must book in advance and you only get one ticket for each restaurant per week. If you really don't like one of the restaurants on your first week they will let you swap.

* Bella Vista steak house - open 6.30-9.30pm, closed Tuesday
The food & service is good at Bella Vista. The cream of asparagus soup is delicious, as is the half grilled chicken. It's just a shame you only get half a baked potato with your meal. 4/5

ADVANTAGES?
Friendly staff, very clean, good food & drink and a nice beach. You couldn't really ask for more.