Just came back from the BBGE last night and our stay was wonderful! Here are some pro's:

Service: very good, the wait staff and the cleaning service were all there to help in the snap of a finger. We did tip the cleaning staff everyday, and received great service. Our room was cleaned everyday before 1-2 pm which was great because we were at the pool during this time. Bar staff was awesome and always there to suggest their fav drinks and shots!

Pool area: Very clean and I didn't find the pool to have many cracks. I know some people were complaining about the temp and it must have been the time of the year, because the temp was perfect!

Beach area: Again wonderful and really nice white sand. We found that the ocean was pretty clear about 2 days out of 7 days. We did go in on the clear days and enjoyed the warmth of the water. Other days, we took a stroll to the lagoon, which was to the left of the resort. Very nice!

My room tip: Be sure to email them if you have any specific wants. For instance, I emailed the hotel aboout a month before the trip and let them know that if possible I would like a higher level floor and I received it! The staff is really amazing, and I'm not sure why people complain so much.... .the vacation was pure paradise! Oh and food- never boring and the a la carte restaurants were superb!

Thanks for a great birthday stay Blue Bay!

I visited the BlueBay Esmeralda from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5. I found the service, cleanliness of room and pool area, grounds and friendliness of staff to be first rate. The Buffet foods were varied and plentiful but were average in flavor and type. Most of the dishes were rather bland and seemed to be "flavored/spiced down" in order to cater to tourists. The Mexican dishes, as example, were limted in number and not very tasty.
Other reviewers complained about the beach area being sandbagged and the water murkey. There was a certain amount of that, but the beach was still more than adequate in scope and the waters were somewhat stirred up from the currents, but a person can go to the pool. The lagoon/inlet that is a ten minute walk away is worth the walk.
The room was always well cleaned and the fridge stocked. The tub enclosure had an edge that was at least 1 1/2 feet high and would be impossibe to negotiate for any person with leg issues. Likewise the general architecture of the Sports Bar/Theater area is unattractive and poorly designed. The Theater is long and has a low ceiling, which is very unattractive. Speaking of evening shows, the quality is inferior to similar quality resorts.
In sum, the Esmeralda is a good resort for those who do not mind being six miles away from Playa del Carmen and who want to stay at a place that is low-keyed and relaxing. If you want to party, choose another resort or brace yourself for some hefty taxi fees. Day tours and excursions are available for booking at the resort. All in all, Esmeralda is a bargain with the limits in mind.

We went to bluebay at the end of October and had a wonderful time! After reading some of the reviews I was nervous about what to expect..Here is what we experienced...the enterance to the hotel starts the wow factor! It's beautiful and well manicured...we booked through rci as an exchange and were treated to VIP treatment..it was pretty cool...don't get me wrong,even without VIP we would have had the same great time..the only difference was we were allowed on a different section of the beach which we didn't use anyway...we were booked into a 2 bedroom in the coba building by the beach...really great rooms!! Loved being by the beach...there is the big pool...a quiet side and an activity side...we played water volleyball and had a blast! We went to one ala cart restaurant ...didnt like it! We much preferred the buffet! There is so much to choose from! We went to the lagoon down the beach..it was really pretty but it had super strong currents!! I recommend going into town a couple of nights and trying the restaurants there as well! There is a great little baked potato restaurant on the corner!! We loved it.. The service at the hotel was fantastic!!! We believe in tipping even though it's all inclusive..the people who work there work very hard and don't make a lot of money! The only place we didn't like very much was the swing bar! Go figure ...there was very little service and the bartenders seemed miserable! Not that big of a deal! My tips for anyone going there is to get a room by the beach...And treat people there kindly..they are working to make your vacation as excellent as possible! And definatly go downtown to playa del Carmen!!! Don't be afraid of the bad reviews! Some people just don't know how to enjoy a vacation! :-)

At this all inclusive resort I found that the entertainment was STRONGLY lacking but everyone tried their best. If you are planning to eat at any of the restaurants make early reservations, all the food taste burned later on in the night. The breakfast buffet was my favorite meal. Bring money for excursions as they are plenty and fun. The hotels are beautiful and the beds are adorned with animal towels every morning by the courteous staff. BRING A LOT OF REPELLANT. Ladies beware of the sneaky guys that try to get you drunk at the bar. The grounds are very spacious and beautiful with wildlife roaming constantly. Very nice spa package.