Beachside Villas are/were awesome also. We stayed there last summer. Totally different kind of accommodations. We do not cook so we do not need a kitchen. We LOVE the convenience of the bar and restaurant at el Zafiro. The beaches are pretty similar at both locations. It might be a little more expensive but the old rooms were decorated beautifully. Modern, hip, beachy, upscale. In MY opinion. I am sure other opinions will be different. I'm sure the new rooms will be as exquisitely decorated knowing how Ed and Nicole did the ones that were all destroyed. The 4 upstairs were just beginning to open when the storm hit. They will be getting them open again too, I am SURE.