Hey there! Thanks for your comment. We have not stayed at the holiday inn - but it’s on the same beach. It’s a beautiful location. We did walk through the hotel - the pool is right on the beach and looks nice. The location is central so lots of restaurants and shops right outside. Let us know if you have any questions!
My trip booking HEROS. Whenever I’m booking a trip I get so excited when I see you have reviewed the resort. The most thorough, honest, in-depth reviews, on all the details we need🙏 and entertaining to the point where I always find myself trailing off into your other reviews on locations we aren’t even looking at 😂 the best!
Hey there! Thanks for your comment! That’s fantastic to hear!! I am hopeful to hear that the food may have improved after a few years. The beach there is so fantastic I can’t wait to go back to aruba
@@VoyagerGuru in the years that we have been staying there, we have never had a problem with the food. We aren’t expecting 5 star food, but we have no complaints about it😊
Excellent and very thorough review! My girlfriend and I just booked the Royal Level at the Barcelo for this September. Normally we stay at the Marriott Stellaris in the Tradewinds Club level but apparently the main pool is being renovated in September and we do not want to deal with any construction while on vacation. We are excited to compare the Royal Level vs the Tradewinds Club!
Hey! thanks so much for your comment :)! We loved the Stellaris- so new and modern feeling. The barcelo royal level was great- remember to walk straight through the lobby to the elevators for check in instead of waiting in the line by accident like we did, lol. Let us know your thoughts afterwards- we're super curious to see how it compares!
You two are THE best! We were going to go to Aruba originally and changed it to Costa Rica (that's for that hotel tip!😉) but your review is perfect timing as we're planning to go Aruba in July. High five you two!!!!!!
Have you been back since this video ? I'm curious if there has been any updates , and especially changes in food since that was a bad review . Thank you!
Thanks so much for reaching out! We have not been back but accordingly to some recent reports, it does not appear to have changed too much in the last few years. The beach is gorgeous, though!
Hey Diana! Thanks for your comment- totally agree. We liked the lunch offering at the club lounge, loved that pita wrap. The service was wonderful too - glad you enjoyed!!
All inclusive confuses me sometimes. So the buffet and a few restaurants on the hotel property are included and you can just start eating/ordering? Thanks for the video.
Great review guys! I went to this resort in 2003 when I was 17 with my parents, it was called Allegro (I believe that’s how it was spelt). I can’t remember the food quality much, but I remember they offered brick oven pizza’s made to order near the pool until 3am, it was delicious.
@@VoyagerGuru I believe everything closes (food wise) around 11pm except the bar on the second floor and they had a staff near the pool making personal pies to snack on while having a few drinks.
Hey guys great review... was wondering if you would recommend this place for kids... like a lot of them lol. My whole family was thinking of taking a trip and we have a bunch of kids and grandkids. If not do you have any other recommendations? Thanks in advance
Hey San! Thanks for your comment! This is definitely a great spot for families - the pool is fun, all inclusive is definitely helpful when traveling with kids of all ages since they can run around and eat and drink without you worrying about the bill. The beach is really long and the water is calm so also great for kids. We saw many families when we went. Not too sure about the kids club itself, but it didn’t look like the kids were bored. I know for sure that the Marriott has TONS of families as well, but it’s not all inclusive and that can definitely be a stressor you don’t need on vacation. You can’t go wrong! Feel free to reach out with any questions! By the way, highly recommend the UTV tour around the island - it was the highlight of our trips to Aruba
Voyager Guru yea we definitely are doing an all inclusive route. Our main things is the activities for the kids and good food and drinks. We’ve also been looking at Jamaica but I’m kind of liking Aruba
San Frantana honestly Aruba is amazing - the water the beach- incredible. You will love it! And the people are so genuinely nice there, there’s a reason they call it one happy island 🌴
Was there many years ago. I believe your comments were 2 years ago and My wife and I are considering the Barcelo All Inclusive celebrating our 25 year anniversary. Is there an update, especially regarding the Food Rating?
Hi Scott! Thanks for reaching out. I just checked out their TripAdvisor and unfortunately it doesn’t appear that the food is any better. However, there are a lot of amazing restaurants in the area that you can explore if you do end up booking here :)
Have you been back since filming this video? My husband and I are going to Aruba for our 50th wedding anniversary next July. I hope that the food has improved. This is the resort my travel agent/cousin chose. If there is another all inclusive resort you'd recommend I would like to know before booking this one.
Hi Lenora! Thanks for reaching out! We have not been back, however, based on some of the other comments on this video and people who reached out, the food has improved a bit, it seems! It appears that it is hit or miss but may be a bit better than when we were there. I have heard that the restaurant for the club level still has the best food. There are not a lot of great all inclusive options in aruba and this is one of the better ones in terms of location and access to the beach and all its amenities. There are also some great little beach bars and restaurants if you want to venture out as well. I hope this helps!
Hey there! Thanks for your comment. At the time, none of the food was good, it was just generally bad across the board which was a bummer. It sounds like things have improved marginally from the new comments we’ve gotten in the last few years. The good news is, there are lots of great restaurants nearby :) I will say the club level was ok when we were there. They had decent food and the service was great
Hey James- oh how funny! I think now, the tower to the left (facing the beach) is part of a timeshare, but the right hand side is the hotel side. The top few floors are a club level with nice views.
@@VoyagerGuru Hi Max, We visited Aruba again in 2016, this time we stayed at the RIU Palace just along the beach.. Keep the reviews coming, be great if you could wangle enough time at the Cap Juluca in Anguilla as the wife and I are looking to visit there… (that’s after I’ve sold my soul to pay for it 😂 be lucky buddy and be sure to take care. 🥂
That sounds awesome! How was the Riu?? Also thanks so much :) we sure will! And LOL!!! I would love to stay at cap juluca!! My parents stayed back in 2012- they loved it
Hi Debbie! Thanks for your comment!! The royal level is a room type so when you look at the available rooms, you’ll see anything with access to the club says “royal level”. Just scroll down past the standard rooms :) hope this helps!
Thank you so much!! Our talking heads and most footage is shot on a Sony a7iii - the drone stuff is a mavic pro 🙌🏻🙌🏻. We haven’t stayed at the Riu, but it is next door - it is MASSIVE. They definitely have more food options, but I’ve heard the quality is about the same. I prefer a smaller property typically than the Riu but the beach area looks beautiful and they have tons of activities
Omg we loved the Marriott stellaris! (We have a review from there) the food is fabulous, as are the rooms. Every room is slanted outwards towards the ocean which is great for new construction. You can also go to any restaurants which is a nice perk. There are some wonderful little spots on the beach
Hi there! The royal level is a room type that does cost extra. It is essentially a club level room with access to the lounge on the top floor for meals as well as additional services. We really liked the club level! In regards to entertainment, they did have some nightly entertainment in the lobby. They do have some live music a few evenings per week :).
Great video guys , I’m leaving there in 2 days to the same hotel . I was just wondering if there is a limit for all inclusive on the drinks , or do I have to buy it at the store? Sorry new to this all inclusive thing so not sure what it will include . ? Any help much appreciated.
Hey Jack! Thanks for reaching out! We wish you a wonderful trip. With the all inclusive, all the drinks are included and you do not need to pay for anything :). If you want to drink specialty liquors, you will need to purchase them but otherwise, all the drinks are included free! Also, your food is included as well. Usually the minibar is not included so I would double check before indulging. I hope this helps! Let us know any questions you have!
Thanks Eric! The royal level is about 80-100ish more per night from the very base level standard room. It seems to change and vary a lot, but it does add that additional 100 bucks or so. They do have their own section on the beach so that’s a big perk in a place where people reserve them at 5am 🤣
Hey Meghan and Quincy! Aruba is considered one of the safest Caribbean islands and we really felt that way when we went both times! I can’t say the same for some of the neighboring islands like Curaçao, but we loved Aruba. Of course, be cautious as we recommend in any new place, but I think you’ll find that Aruba is very safe :). Are you planning a trip?
Hey Kae! Thanks for your comment! The barcelo has a prime location on the beach and the water is absolutely spectacular. In terms of the food, I hope they've made changes in that department, because otherwise, we really enjoyed our experience on property. You can walk to a number of amazing restaurants right in the sand and we looove the area. let us know if you have any other questions!
It's absolutely stunning! Totally agree that it's a bummer. My hope is that they are able to adjust that since everything else is genuinely awesome. I'd be curious to go back and test it out again post-COVID :).
Hi there! thanks for your comment :). We were there through the hotel directly photographing the property so it was direct. They usually offer good deals through their website so highly recommend checking out their offers page :)
@@countwalker9362 If you're interested in some rate comparisons, feel free to email us at team@voyagerguru.com or DM us on instagram. We have access to some pretty competitive rates and perks!
Haha! In our experience, it’s very common for service or food and beverage to go totally wrong when there’s a big change in management. Sometimes, for example, a hotel will get a new GM and there are terrible growing pains. Based on all the return guests they had who said the food used to be amazing, I’m guessing it has to do with some external factors like that since it wasn’t always horrible. I’d be curious to return and find out :)
Gracias para su comentario y disculpa Yolanda! Eso es una de los primeras videos que creamos. Estamos viajado ahora, pero vamos a adicionar un traducción en español lo más más pronto possible.
Hi Barbara, we typically do not include pricing as it changes dramatically from season to season and year to year however the best prices will be in off season during the summer and fall months. The best place to search is on the Barceló Aruba website and trivago.com :)
Hey there! Thanks for your comment! That’s correct, it used to be the occidental - it’s now still in the same brand but the hotel itself is rebranded to Barcelo :)
@@VoyagerGuru Thanks for your swift and informative reply. We've been to Aruba nine or ten times. It's the best! But the last time I ventured into the Barcelo's grounds, they threw me out for simply looking around. When it was the Occidental, however, the treatment was very different: they were eager to sell me a time-sharing. Happy traveling...Robert.
Wow 9 or 10 times?? That’s amazing!!! Good for you guys :). Also that’s a bummer - I hate when that happens. It’s like I’m just trying to decide if I want to stay here next time helloooooo. Anyway, safe travels!!
Hey! It’s a beautiful location for sure. With the food, I would recommend reading recent TripAdvisor reviews to see if anything has changed. We stayed there in 2019 so it’s possible things have leveled out
Hi Christopher, totally get it! At this point, we are hosted 99% of the places we go- we try to provide the most honest review. Our goal, and hotels are aware of this, is to provide travelers with the most real experience they will have. It only helps the hotel to set proper expectations at the end of the day 🤷🏼♀️. Check the comments, many travelers have similar sentiments. If you have any questions, let us know! We’re always happy to be brutally honest 😉
Hi, love your thorough and clear review. I'm looking at this resort after the pandemic. I have some questions. What is the actual month of travel? What are some of the included activities or amenities for all-inclusive besides the food, beverages, towels and floats? Their website indicated tennis courts, kayaking and snorkeling. Do they also provide free equipment for these? Thank you.
Hey there! Thanks so much for your comment :). We were at the Barcelo in October, but rest assured the weather is pretty much the same every day of the year - 85 and sunny!! Regarding the activities, they do offer snorkeling gear and non-motorized water sports for free on property so you can go and "rent" a kayak, sailboat or snorkel gear to explore the area. The water is calm and inviting so you should be just fine to explore on your own.
Hey Ann! Ohhh I got you - so looks like January will be quite busy! I’m guessing the hotels will be more expensive and there will be lots of noise and parties on the beach. If you’re looking for a quiet stay, I don’t think you’ll find it there (likely only Ritz Carlton or Hyatt regency will be on the quiet side). Although, I’m not entirely sure how busy it will be given covid so my guess is it’ll be a little quieter than years past
Have you been to Aruba? What's your favorite hotel?
Voyager Guru I made a reservation for the all inclusive package for holiday inn for July...have you been?
I have not been to Aruba but I do want too. Sooner than later lol. 😁
How did you like the holiday inn?
Hey there! Thanks for your comment. We have not stayed at the holiday inn - but it’s on the same beach. It’s a beautiful location. We did walk through the hotel - the pool is right on the beach and looks nice. The location is central so lots of restaurants and shops right outside. Let us know if you have any questions!
@@VoyagerGuru yes what is your favorite hotel in Aruba
The way Erin looks at Max while he talks 😂😂😂 good review though
hehe :)
My trip booking HEROS. Whenever I’m booking a trip I get so excited when I see you have reviewed the resort. The most thorough, honest, in-depth reviews, on all the details we need🙏 and entertaining to the point where I always find myself trailing off into your other reviews on locations we aren’t even looking at 😂 the best!
You are so sweet!! Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️
Going to Aruba for our 5th time next month and have stayed at Barcelo each time. Love this hotel. Always a great experience here
Hey there! Thanks for your comment! That’s fantastic to hear!! I am hopeful to hear that the food may have improved after a few years. The beach there is so fantastic I can’t wait to go back to aruba
@@VoyagerGuru in the years that we have been staying there, we have never had a problem with the food. We aren’t expecting 5 star food, but we have no complaints about it😊
@@funnygal4u2 that’s amazing! So glad to hear that :) thanks for letting us know! Our viewers love updated feedback
Excellent and very thorough review! My girlfriend and I just booked the Royal Level at the Barcelo for this September. Normally we stay at the Marriott Stellaris in the Tradewinds Club level but apparently the main pool is being renovated in September and we do not want to deal with any construction while on vacation. We are excited to compare the Royal Level vs the Tradewinds Club!
Hey! thanks so much for your comment :)! We loved the Stellaris- so new and modern feeling. The barcelo royal level was great- remember to walk straight through the lobby to the elevators for check in instead of waiting in the line by accident like we did, lol. Let us know your thoughts afterwards- we're super curious to see how it compares!
Recently went to Aruba and I loved it! I need to try this hotel next time! 🌴
Oh nice!! Where did you stay??
You two are THE best! We were going to go to Aruba originally and changed it to Costa Rica (that's for that hotel tip!😉) but your review is perfect timing as we're planning to go Aruba in July. High five you two!!!!!!
Thanks so much!! Oh man, you can't go wrong with either destination, honestly!! Aruba in July sounds perfect. Let me know if you need any tips! xx
@@VoyagerGuru Will do! Saw your other Aruba videos and decision made! ✔
Thanks a million
Great review , keep them coming..
Thank you very much!!
Outstanding one hotel review.
Thanks so much!
Heading to barcelo in November thank you for the review!
Hey Aiden! Thanks for your comment- have an amazing time! Let us know how it is :)
We just got back from Barcelona Aruba. We really enjoyed our stay there.
Hey Elena! Thanks for your comment - that’s fantastic to hear!! So glad you had a good time 👏🏻
im booked here next week, will let u know!
Oh my gosh how fun!!! I hope you have a safe and amazing trip. Let us know how you like it :)
Have you been back since this video ? I'm curious if there has been any updates , and especially changes in food since that was a bad review . Thank you!
Thanks so much for reaching out! We have not been back but accordingly to some recent reports, it does not appear to have changed too much in the last few years. The beach is gorgeous, though!
I was there a few years ago and booked a royal . We ate up stairs a lot because the food was better plus great service
Hey Diana! Thanks for your comment- totally agree. We liked the lunch offering at the club lounge, loved that pita wrap. The service was wonderful too - glad you enjoyed!!
All inclusive confuses me sometimes. So the buffet and a few restaurants on the hotel property are included and you can just start eating/ordering? Thanks for the video.
Hi there! Thanks so much for your comment - correct, that’s the case for most all inclusives - you can order anything you want any time :)
Keep the travel going ♥️♥️♥️♥️
❤️❤️
Great review guys! I went to this resort in 2003 when I was 17 with my parents, it was called Allegro (I believe that’s how it was spelt). I can’t remember the food quality much, but I remember they offered brick oven pizza’s made to order near the pool until 3am, it was delicious.
Oh no kidding! I love learning the history of hotels :). Wow brick oven pizza sounds so good - wish they still had that!!
@@VoyagerGuru I believe everything closes (food wise) around 11pm except the bar on the second floor and they had a staff near the pool making personal pies to snack on while having a few drinks.
Great review!!! Love it!!! Thanks sooo much!!! :-)
Also, I just subscribed. :-)
Thank you so much, Crystal!!
@@VoyagerGuru You're very welcome!!! 😀
Great review... like you recommended before, I still think the Marriott is the way to go.... Thanks again, just subscribed to your channel...
Thanks so much!!! Appreciate it!! I think you’re making a great decision - let me know how it is!
Beautiful
Thanks so much for your comment!
Hey guys great review... was wondering if you would recommend this place for kids... like a lot of them lol. My whole family was thinking of taking a trip and we have a bunch of kids and grandkids. If not do you have any other recommendations? Thanks in advance
Hey San! Thanks for your comment! This is definitely a great spot for families - the pool is fun, all inclusive is definitely helpful when traveling with kids of all ages since they can run around and eat and drink without you worrying about the bill. The beach is really long and the water is calm so also great for kids. We saw many families when we went. Not too sure about the kids club itself, but it didn’t look like the kids were bored. I know for sure that the Marriott has TONS of families as well, but it’s not all inclusive and that can definitely be a stressor you don’t need on vacation. You can’t go wrong! Feel free to reach out with any questions! By the way, highly recommend the UTV tour around the island - it was the highlight of our trips to Aruba
Voyager Guru yea we definitely are doing an all inclusive route. Our main things is the activities for the kids and good food and drinks. We’ve also been looking at Jamaica but I’m kind of liking Aruba
San Frantana honestly Aruba is amazing - the water the beach- incredible. You will love it! And the people are so genuinely nice there, there’s a reason they call it one happy island 🌴
Great video, you got another subscriber!
Thanks Jonathan! Appreciate it! Have you been to the hotel?
I have not been here but am considering this one as well as the Marriott for a family trip.
Was there many years ago. I believe your comments were 2 years ago and My wife and I are considering the Barcelo All Inclusive celebrating our 25 year anniversary. Is there an update, especially regarding the Food Rating?
Hi Scott! Thanks for reaching out. I just checked out their TripAdvisor and unfortunately it doesn’t appear that the food is any better. However, there are a lot of amazing restaurants in the area that you can explore if you do end up booking here :)
Have you been back since filming this video? My husband and I are going to Aruba for our 50th wedding anniversary next July. I hope that the food has improved. This is the resort my travel agent/cousin chose. If there is another all inclusive resort you'd recommend I would like to know before booking this one.
Hi Lenora! Thanks for reaching out! We have not been back, however, based on some of the other comments on this video and people who reached out, the food has improved a bit, it seems! It appears that it is hit or miss but may be a bit better than when we were there. I have heard that the restaurant for the club level still has the best food. There are not a lot of great all inclusive options in aruba and this is one of the better ones in terms of location and access to the beach and all its amenities. There are also some great little beach bars and restaurants if you want to venture out as well. I hope this helps!
Was the food that bad?! Which restaurants did you go to? Was it for breakfast, lunch or dinner?
Hey there! Thanks for your comment. At the time, none of the food was good, it was just generally bad across the board which was a bummer. It sounds like things have improved marginally from the new comments we’ve gotten in the last few years. The good news is, there are lots of great restaurants nearby :)
I will say the club level was ok when we were there. They had decent food and the service was great
Stayed in that hotel in 2009 when it was the occidental, back then the top floors were timeshare apartments
Hey James- oh how funny! I think now, the tower to the left (facing the beach) is part of a timeshare, but the right hand side is the hotel side. The top few floors are a club level with nice views.
@@VoyagerGuru Hi Max,
We visited Aruba again in 2016, this time we stayed at the RIU Palace just along the beach..
Keep the reviews coming, be great if you could wangle enough time at the Cap Juluca in Anguilla as the wife and I are looking to visit there… (that’s after I’ve sold my soul to pay for it 😂 be lucky buddy and be sure to take care. 🥂
That sounds awesome! How was the Riu?? Also thanks so much :) we sure will! And LOL!!! I would love to stay at cap juluca!! My parents stayed back in 2012- they loved it
Hi! How do you get the “Royal” level? Thank you for all the info.
Hi Debbie! Thanks for your comment!! The royal level is a room type so when you look at the available rooms, you’ll see anything with access to the club says “royal level”. Just scroll down past the standard rooms :) hope this helps!
What did you shoot this on? It looks AWESOME!! Also how would you rank this compared to the RIU?
Thank you so much!! Our talking heads and most footage is shot on a Sony a7iii - the drone stuff is a mavic pro 🙌🏻🙌🏻. We haven’t stayed at the Riu, but it is next door - it is MASSIVE. They definitely have more food options, but I’ve heard the quality is about the same. I prefer a smaller property typically than the Riu but the beach area looks beautiful and they have tons of activities
Voyager Guru I appreciate the quick response, we are now looking at the Marriott since most people‘s feedback is not great about the all inclusive
Omg we loved the Marriott stellaris! (We have a review from there) the food is fabulous, as are the rooms. Every room is slanted outwards towards the ocean which is great for new construction. You can also go to any restaurants which is a nice perk. There are some wonderful little spots on the beach
@@1LifeTheory what is not great? Which resort?
I am 2 was away from Barcelo. Was the royal level extra and did they have any entertainment?
Hi there! The royal level is a room type that does cost extra. It is essentially a club level room with access to the lounge on the top floor for meals as well as additional services. We really liked the club level! In regards to entertainment, they did have some nightly entertainment in the lobby. They do have some live music a few evenings per week :).
Great video guys , I’m leaving there in 2 days to the same hotel . I was just wondering if there is a limit for all inclusive on the drinks , or do I have to buy it at the store? Sorry new to this all inclusive thing so not sure what it will include . ? Any help much appreciated.
Hey Jack! Thanks for reaching out! We wish you a wonderful trip. With the all inclusive, all the drinks are included and you do not need to pay for anything :). If you want to drink specialty liquors, you will need to purchase them but otherwise, all the drinks are included free! Also, your food is included as well. Usually the minibar is not included so I would double check before indulging. I hope this helps! Let us know any questions you have!
@@VoyagerGuru Thank You so much that clears so much ! I appreciate it and can’t wait to go back it’s my second time but first to all inclusive!
Around how much per day more is it for the royal hotel upgrade ? Thanks for the video!
Thanks Eric! The royal level is about 80-100ish more per night from the very base level standard room. It seems to change and vary a lot, but it does add that additional 100 bucks or so. They do have their own section on the beach so that’s a big perk in a place where people reserve them at 5am 🤣
Is Aruba safe right now?
Hey Meghan and Quincy! Aruba is considered one of the safest Caribbean islands and we really felt that way when we went both times! I can’t say the same for some of the neighboring islands like Curaçao, but we loved Aruba. Of course, be cautious as we recommend in any new place, but I think you’ll find that Aruba is very safe :). Are you planning a trip?
My wife and I may head to Aruba in August 2022. Would you recommend this resort ?
Hey Kae! Thanks for your comment! The barcelo has a prime location on the beach and the water is absolutely spectacular. In terms of the food, I hope they've made changes in that department, because otherwise, we really enjoyed our experience on property. You can walk to a number of amazing restaurants right in the sand and we looove the area. let us know if you have any other questions!
Looks like a beautiful resort. Pity about the food. Hubby and I are big foodies. That beach tho.
It's absolutely stunning! Totally agree that it's a bummer. My hope is that they are able to adjust that since everything else is genuinely awesome. I'd be curious to go back and test it out again post-COVID :).
Who do you book through
Hi there! thanks for your comment :). We were there through the hotel directly photographing the property so it was direct. They usually offer good deals through their website so highly recommend checking out their offers page :)
@@VoyagerGuru Thanks planning a trip in March just wanna kno the best way
@@countwalker9362 If you're interested in some rate comparisons, feel free to email us at team@voyagerguru.com or DM us on instagram. We have access to some pretty competitive rates and perks!
You are sooo diplomatic....the food is bad buuuttt maybe it's temporary or maybe it's change in management or maybe...etc....lol...
Haha! In our experience, it’s very common for service or food and beverage to go totally wrong when there’s a big change in management. Sometimes, for example, a hotel will get a new GM and there are terrible growing pains. Based on all the return guests they had who said the food used to be amazing, I’m guessing it has to do with some external factors like that since it wasn’t always horrible. I’d be curious to return and find out :)
Looks like a good hotel, but not fantastic. But, Aruba looks amazing.
Yea it’s a great hotel but the food was not their strong suit 😂. There are a lot of great restaurants near by
No hay traducción, todos los comentarios son en ingles
Gracias para su comentario y disculpa Yolanda! Eso es una de los primeras videos que creamos. Estamos viajado ahora, pero vamos a adicionar un traducción en español lo más más pronto possible.
Price of rooms
Hi Barbara, we typically do not include pricing as it changes dramatically from season to season and year to year however the best prices will be in off season during the summer and fall months. The best place to search is on the Barceló Aruba website and trivago.com :)
Is this the resort that used to be called the Occidental?
Hey there! Thanks for your comment! That’s correct, it used to be the occidental - it’s now still in the same brand but the hotel itself is rebranded to Barcelo :)
@@VoyagerGuru Thanks for your swift and informative reply. We've been to Aruba nine or ten times. It's the best! But the last time I ventured into the Barcelo's grounds, they threw me out for simply looking around. When it was the Occidental, however, the treatment was very different: they were eager to sell me a time-sharing. Happy traveling...Robert.
Wow 9 or 10 times?? That’s amazing!!! Good for you guys :). Also that’s a bummer - I hate when that happens. It’s like I’m just trying to decide if I want to stay here next time helloooooo. Anyway, safe travels!!
I was so excited to book this
For my Honeymoon until the food was 2 star that’s sad
Hey! It’s a beautiful location for sure. With the food, I would recommend reading recent TripAdvisor reviews to see if anything has changed. We stayed there in 2019 so it’s possible things have leveled out
You folks seem really cool, but I have a hard time putting value on reviews that are hosted. I do enjoy your video though.
Hi Christopher, totally get it! At this point, we are hosted 99% of the places we go- we try to provide the most honest review. Our goal, and hotels are aware of this, is to provide travelers with the most real experience they will have. It only helps the hotel to set proper expectations at the end of the day 🤷🏼♀️. Check the comments, many travelers have similar sentiments. If you have any questions, let us know! We’re always happy to be brutally honest 😉
Hi, love your thorough and clear review. I'm looking at this resort after the pandemic. I have some questions. What is the actual month of travel? What are some of the included activities or amenities for all-inclusive besides the food, beverages, towels and floats? Their website indicated tennis courts, kayaking and snorkeling. Do they also provide free equipment for these? Thank you.
Hey there! Thanks so much for your comment :). We were at the Barcelo in October, but rest assured the weather is pretty much the same every day of the year - 85 and sunny!! Regarding the activities, they do offer snorkeling gear and non-motorized water sports for free on property so you can go and "rent" a kayak, sailboat or snorkel gear to explore the area. The water is calm and inviting so you should be just fine to explore on your own.
@@VoyagerGuru thank you for responding. I was thinking more about the amount of people in January due to Carnival events.
Hey Ann! Ohhh I got you - so looks like January will be quite busy! I’m guessing the hotels will be more expensive and there will be lots of noise and parties on the beach. If you’re looking for a quiet stay, I don’t think you’ll find it there (likely only Ritz Carlton or Hyatt regency will be on the quiet side). Although, I’m not entirely sure how busy it will be given covid so my guess is it’ll be a little quieter than years past