09 AUG 2017: The Barcelo property in the Mayan has long been a really really big seller in Canada. It still is. Not only is it a big seller, it is a big resort. There are actually five resorts, total 2760 rooms, which to choose? Not only that, each of our wholesalers, offer different bonuses, and inclusions. WHEW! I have little time for some of my friends, that say, “Why, use an agent to book a no brainer like an all-inclusive resort.” This is where your knowledge and selling skills shine. And the fact that you’ve taken the time to know your clients and the resorts.

They’re choosing a “sun getaway,” Their real vacation is the one to Europe next summer. They collect points. Do they know about Air Canada’s Aeroplan points?

They want “cheap, sun and the beach.” But you and I know they don’t really. They want a lot more than that, and you can help narrow down to the “must have’s.”

There are five large hotels on this property: Beach, Caribe, Colonial, Tropical and the Palace.

Guests can use four of the properties, however you must be a guest of the Palace to use it.

Palace guests can use all five.

The Beach Resort has the best white sand beach, and has recently been renovated, making it a favourite.

The Caribe has the high-end swim out suites, and the party pool with music and activities going all day.

The Colonial has the traditional Mexican feel to it, with a quiet pool and Lobby.

The Tropical pool is upbeat and large, with a quieter hotel area.

There is a double decker bus that goes Lobby to Lobby for people who want or need a lift. It also goes to the dolphinarium($) which you need to tell people about. As you know, some people love the idea, some like me hate it.

My idea of perfection is to be as close to the beach, pool, food, and a bar as possible, and that usually means a very small property.

Here, I loved the food! I’ll say it again I loved the food.

Dinner at The Brasserie (French) at the Maya Palace was right up there with the best meal I’ve ever had anywhere not just in an all-inclusive. Just plain fabulous. My starter was ravioli, then french onion soup, followed by Chateaubriand and finished with Sacher Torte which I’ve never seen on an all inclusive menu before. Finally, I waddled out.

The Tokyo Teppanyaki in Maya Mall was great as well. We had the show dinner, performed by Irving which was fabulous. We were all kids when he made the train from zucchini and onions watching it steam away. When I told them I was allergic to shell-fish, my food came directly from the kitchen, and I could have fed the entire table. Usually, they just push my food to be cooked aside on the show table, this was far better.

I loved the breakfast buffet, great bacon and sausages, and delicious fresh orange juice and the nice garden area for those of us who like to eat outside. We lingered.

So, big decision, for people like us. Does the great food make up for the large resort?

I talked to Rick from Virginia about the size of the resort. His response “We are in the Yucatan section of the Tropical.

“I’ve timed it. We’re 45 seconds from the buffet, 2 minutes from the beach, 30 seconds from the lobby, really close to the pool and all the walkways are covered so you don’t have the sun or the rain beating down on you.

Read the reviews – they are very entertaining. One said, “love the fact that the resorts is very large.” The next one said that the resort was, “horrible, much too big.”

Your clients who want to walk or run on the 2 K beach will love it. The northeast beach is good for body surfing, and the southwest beach is where the best snorkelling is. Tell your clients to bring their own snorkelling gear. I heard that over and over from guests. They also suggested water shoes. Guests love the fact you can snorkel right off the beach. They saw stingrays, sunfish, a family of mantas. Some guests saw turtles, and one snorkeller was thrilled to see a jelly fish.

Speaking of swimming, right across the highway there are two Cenotes. These are underground lakes, and it is amazing to swim in them.

Aside from the beautiful ocean, there are 7 pools, each with its own unique feel. I talked to people who made a point of trying them all.

I hadn’t been for a while so it was interesting to see everything that was new.

There is a new Pirates Island water park for the kids. A brand new U-Spa with saunas and a hydrotherapy suite which gets rave reviews as does the gym.

The mall was new to me. It houses stores, a huge 24-hour sport’s bar, with good snack food. The bowling alley is here ($) and there are pool tables. Some of the a-la-carte’s are in the mall.

The Barcy Club welcomes kids from 4-12, and there are four water parks, kids disco, and self-serve ice cream everywhere you look. There is a teen club. For big kids (adults) there is a disco. And yes, there is a surf park ($)

Of course, there are multiple buffet restaurants, and outdoor beach buffets, plus many a la carte.

This place is a dream for kids, with four water parks, endless pools, kids’ clubs, kids disco and self-serve ice cream everywhere you look.

While some resorts are going downhill, Barcelo is the opposite.