Our eighth stay at the Barceló Huatulco did not disappoint. We like knowing what to expect so we can settle into our one week stay as quickly as possible. We are always met by welcoming and friendly staff, some who even seem to remember us. In fact, I like to think we have made some very good friends over the years. They include Adelina, Albino, (from the Fish Spa, an experience I have enjoyed a few times over the years), Eduardo (in Premium), Elisa (who cleaned up a glass we broke in the lobby a few years ago), Carmen, Betzabe, Karla, Alma, Eunice, Maivelyn, Margarita, Maricela, Viktor, Carlos, (pool cleaner), Andres (gardener, who pointed out where I could see an iguana), Marcial, Carlos, Fernando, Larrea, Pedro, Eden, Gloria (who never fails to greet me), and many others. They are patient with me, as I practice my limited Spanish on them, and I always enjoy our interactions.
The good sized rooms are clean with very comfortable beds. While we always ask for a room in a quieter location we haven’t always been lucky enough to get that, perhaps based on the occupancy levels at the time. This last time I spoke with Caydi when we were checking out, and she gave me a few possible room numbers to request for next time.
The restaurants are all wonderful, with a huge selection of delicious foods guaranteed to please any palate. We favoured La Tortuga for breakfast and lunch, and very much enjoyed Dona Rosa, another buffet for dinner. I am very pleased they go through the extra work of setting up additional tables outside in the evening as I, and no doubt many of my fellow Canadians, enjoy dining outside on a warm beautiful evening.
This last time the Seafood restaurant, which we have enjoyed in the past was not open, however, the other two Ala carte restaurants were delightful, as usual. A highlight for me is the Crema Poblano soup at El Algave, the Mexican restaurant, and the Tomato Crema soup, as well as many other dishes, at the Italian restaurant, La Fontana. It is always exciting for me if the bread they are serving happens to be the cheese stuffed Focaccia.
An extra special event happened this time while we dined at La Fontana on our last night there. They have a piano player, Senor Ivan, employed to contribute to the wonderful ambiance of this amazing restaurant, and we have enjoyed listening to him play many times over the years. A couple of years ago he told me his first and beloved instrument is the guitar. I remembered that, and mentioned it to him on one of our visits earlier in the week, adding that my brother played guitar and he had recently passed away and I would never hear him play again. He suggested we come back again later in the week and he would play guitar. And that he did. There are no words to describe how his kindness made me feel. And words to describe his playing? Beautiful, heart wrenching, amazing, awe-inspiring, magnificent, moving, delightful, to name just a few. It was a kindness and experience I will never forget, and only hope the Hotel will allow and encourage him to play again for their guests in the future, as many other diners that evening seemed to enjoy it as well.
Another amazing experience I had this last time was floating in the pool in the evening after dinner. I very much enjoyed looking up and seeing the stars. If I tried that back at home in the summer, no doubt my bones would be picked clean by giant mosquitos.
We always enjoy walking along the beach but the water can be a bit turbulent at times. We have learned it is easy to take a taxi, for a reasonable amount, to close by public beaches at Maguay and L’Entrega, where the water is lovely and calm and my husband has enjoyed snorkelling.
There is a free nightly show and over the years we have attended them all and enjoyed the many artistic talents they show case. Dancing, singing, instrumental, etc.
Another past time we have come to enjoy is listening to the lovely music in the lobby bar each evening before we go to dinner.
Over the years we have spoken to many other guests who have stayed at other resorts in the area. When we get feedback on their experiences, we always come back to the same conclusion. The Barcelo Huatulco is where we want to be.
Como siempre, Espero volver a visitarte pronto, amo a Jenny
MX