My husband and I stayed this hotel for five nights on our first time to Cancun. We were hesitant to go there because of the reviews that we read prior to going however when I read between the lines at what people didn't like, I decided to give it a try and am so so happy that we did. The hotel is beautiful. I loved the size and the feel of it. The rooms are clean and spacious. The beach is beautiful and clean. The water was warm and staff friendly. The food was great ! We only had breakfast so I can' t comment on any other meal but if you like boutique style hotels, it is the best. We checked right in when we arrived and had no trouble ever finding someone if we had any questions. The decor is very pretty. The water on that whole strip is a bit rough so if you are one that likes to wade in the ocean, it won't happen there - not any fault of the property, having said that if you do want to swim the pool is beautiful and large with a swim up bar if you need something to drink while there. The fitness center is nothing much so if that is important to you - you may want to stay somewhere else - People are not going to be waiting on you hand and foot so if you want that you may want to go somewhere else . Again - I can't say enough good about it - we would go back in a minute and recommend this hotel to everyone we know. Hope you go and enjoy as much as we did!

My boyfriend and I got a great deal here. The free breakfast alone is worth the price. This is not a continental breakfast buffet but a real restaurant. Not to mention that the ocean is right there. The pool is so beautiful and there is a bar at the hot tub! There are waiters that come and bring you pina coladas on the beach. And the best part is that there are no children so the pool is aways nice and calm. Even though the hotel was fully booked it was not crouded at all and there were plenty of cozy cushions on the beach to claim (and some umbrellas). It was VERY romantic.

The weather was just perfect from April 8 to April 14, sun and temperatures around 85 degrees F. The Bel Air's location is near the southern end of the Hotel Zone where it was quite windy and the red flags were up the whole time we were there because of the churning waves so there was little access to the sea. Nevertheless the hotel does have a nice pool although I never observed too many taking advantage of it. Most of the guests seemed content to lie in the sun and relax.

The transportation to and from the airport was not included in the package price, but the hotel service was prompt in picking us up and getting us back to the airport on the day of our departure. At our arrival at 1:00 PM, the room was not ready yet so during the couple of hours wait we had lunch.

The hotel appears to be one of the older ones that has somehow survived the effects of hurricanes but it's beginning to show its age. It looks like it's being taken care of, many layers of white paint slowly obscuring details of architecture, and it's kept clean and swept up. The staff is very courteous and helpful, always anxious to assist.

While we were there, we had the all-inclusive plan. Although the food was good, it was the same menus everyday with no variation (like no specials for dinner). Yes, I said menus. This place does not have a buffet, except for some fresh fruit and cold cuts in the morning. The breakfast and lunch menus were the most appealing. We soon became bored with the choices on the Mexican dinner menu and had no interest at all for the Fusion menu. So we ended up going out for dinner 3 of the 6 nights that we were there. There is one excellent place across the street, JC Capitán Seafood Restaurant, but to get to the other restaurants you have to take a taxi or public transportation. It's a good 15 minute ride to the Flamingo Plaza area to give you an idea.

The hotel describes itself as minimalist and that is no exaggeration. First of all everything is white; walls, ceilings, curtains, furniture, bedding, even the building. Red is used sparingly for accents. The Bel Air Collection (collection of what ... I'm not sure) provides most hotel services as well: spa, laundry, massage, a small women's gift shop. Wireless internet is only available in the lobby area.

At night there is no entertainment nor open bar. It's a very quiet place which suited us just fine but I'm sure it would not appeal to the younger crowd and there was certainly nothing for children to do except play in the sand. If you want peaceful and serene then this is the place, far from the party-crowd and night revelers.

We were welcomed with a free 5 minute massage and a glass of Champagne in the out of this world lobby by the friendly and helpful staff. The feeling here is of total relaxation and calm. The lobby area is open to the stars, or sun and you are encouraged to lounge on the comfy seats and sofas and has stunning floral arrangements. The bar is here and opens in the evenings, as does the Sushi Bar. I don't do fish, especially raw fish, but has the Tempura Chicken and Vegetables too and they were great. It is nearly always windy in Cancun, welcome in the heat of the day but a Shawl or cardigan can be a bonus in the evenings whilst lazing and enjoying the stars. When we got to our room we were blown away by the trail of red petals to the bed and Swan towel sculptures, Beautiful! We were ocean view which has sun rise views where as lagoon view is sun set side.
We were on a bed and breakfast deal, but what ever board basis you are on there is morning coffee and biscuits from 6 till 8 ish and coffee and cake in the evenings from around 5pm, both in the lobby. Also they offer free Champagne on the 6th floor as the sun goes down. Get there in plenty of time for once its gone its gone.
Breakfast is served from 7 till 1130am, (how civilised it that!) and was again, wonderful. The choice available is second to none, vast, served in beautiful surroundings overlooking the infinity pool and Blue Caribbean sea, with smiley helpful waiters too.
The pool area is beautiful with thick red soft sunbeds abundantly available and there is also a swim up bar but they will take orders from you bed for the ultimate in lazy luxury! The drinks were reasonably priced too.
The beach is great with ample sunbeds and umbrellas and a life guard 6 days a week. His job is made harder by the fact that there are rocks right in front of the hotel and as they are just hidden, it is dangerous so be careful. The sea is often very rough here with quite an undertow and as a paddling holiday maker, I stuck to the pool. There are many other beaches about where the sea is calmer, so have fun investigating!
Do take advantage of the local buses, they cost just 7.5 Pesos and come along every couple of minutes 24 hours a day! Take care though as they are mainly wanna be rally drivers! We even had Mexicans with guitars on more than one occasion busking on the buses which was great fun!
If you are after organised activities, water games and full on partying, go elsewhere or take a bus, cos what you get here is peace, and lots of it. Enjoy!
The staff made a huge effort to make us feel welcome and all tried to speak English, most very well.