Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda

I have read that the ocean seems to be "muddy" and not very swimable. Is this true, or have the waters cleared? Also, is there GOOD snorkling on or near this property?

After reading other reviews on this hotel we were slightly worried before travelling to this resort in Mexico however, this trip turned out to be the most relaxing, beautiful holidays we have ever been on. The hotel is fantastic and does look exactly the same as the photographs on the official website-its lovely. From the moment you arrive you are greeted by the exceptionally friendly and helpful staff with drinks and roses are given out to the ladies. The rooms are a good size, with giant bathtubs and are cleaned and fresh towels and immenities left, every single day. The free minibar in your room is also checked and replenished daily. Around the fantastic pool there are ample sunbeds, both in and out of the water and, even at busy times, the beach has anough parasols for everyone. Although the sea is darker here than I expected the staff are constanly cleaning the seaweed off the beach and people were swimming in the sea all day so it was never a problem. The staff also walked around the pool and beach with free drinks all day so you never had to move if you didnt want to. The two buffet bars are good and have their evening meals based around a different theme every night, mexican, italian, bbq etc. However, the speciality resturants offer the nicest experiences if you want to feel as if youve been out to a resuturant for a meal-especially the French resturant which had some of the nicest food I have ever eaten, cooked right in front of you. Although the speciallty resturants were busy, you could always get in if you booked the day before. The entertainment was there if required but not pushed on you to join in, however the night time shows were definatly worth seeing and were far more immpressive than the usual hotel shows. The kids club also looked like a lot of fun and ran from 9am - 5pm including taking the children to dinner if required. The hotel is further out from Cancun centre than antisipated - about 45 mins and cost $42 taxi each way, however Playa Del Carmen is close (about 10 mins $14). The hotel booked taxis from outside the lobby and checked them in and out the resort, taking the licence and drivers numbers etc, which made it feel really safe. Taking trips from the hotel was easy too - the coaches picked you up from outside the door and again checks by the hotel were made. Xcaret and CoCo Bongos were definate definate musts to visit whilst in Mexico, but be aware that we found it too be about $200 cheaper to book the trips from people in Playa Del Carman rather than the reps in the hotel. There was no difference doing this as it was all the same buses that people go on anyway. Overall the hotel and holiday was amazing - we sat there and home seemed a world away. It was so relaxing and I felt so looked after that I would have no worries about recomending this hotel to anyone. A perfect place to go