Unfortunately, the past 2 years we've gone (in March), the beach has had lots and lots of seaweed - a problem all over the area. HB does a very good job of trying to keep the beach area clean, but you really can't swim in the ocean there.
We were there a year ago, and there was a lot of seaweed, and an army of guys with rakes and wheelbarrows trying to clear it (as it tends to smell). The ocean in front of HBR isn't swimmable.
The beach is narrow with a row of very nice palapas and another row of chairs. Most people sit around the pool.
That's not the beach, that's a narrow strip of the resort with sand spread on it! You're right that most people stay around the pool, as there's very little sun elsewhere due to the mature trees shading everything. There aren't enough sun loungers either, which is why people get up at 6am to put towels down.
