Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,433
Posts310,110
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 115
pat 42
Todd 40
jazzgal 40
Member Spotlight
bdeeley
bdeeley
United States of America
Posts: 1,625
Joined: October 2013
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
LONGISLANDSHARON, Sca2la
Who's Online Now
7 registered members (IWIWSE, Jeff thorton, Mikel, MNsnowbird, 3 invisible), 1,015 guests, and 55 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Hidden Beach #21748
08/07/2013 07:19 PM
08/07/2013 07:19 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 48
Toronto, Ontario
L
lovemysxm Offline OP
Traveler
lovemysxm  Offline OP
Traveler
L
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 48
Toronto, Ontario
We have stayed at Club O many times and will be back again in November but are considering Hidden Beach late October for a special occasion and something different. Anybody been recently who could provide current conditions. Quality of rooms, food, is the pool heated etc. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

SXM Sponsors
Re: Hidden Beach [Re: lovemysxm] #21749
08/08/2013 01:17 PM
08/08/2013 01:17 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 213
California
U
Udaman Offline
Traveler
Udaman  Offline
Traveler
U
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 213
California
My wife and I are considering a short 5 night stay in late October as well. SXM is our preference, but it's hard to justify the cost of a two week trip at OB. Groupon.com is offering a 40% discount and it is all inclusive, check it out.
Lloyd

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: lovemysxm] #21750
08/08/2013 02:32 PM
08/08/2013 02:32 PM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 721
jiminboston Offline
Traveler
jiminboston  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 721
Quote
lovemysxm said:
We have stayed at Club O many times and will be back again in November but are considering Hidden Beach late October for a special occasion and something different. Anybody been recently who could provide current conditions. Quality of rooms, food, is the pool heated etc. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

We are regulars (multiple times a year) at Club O but have visited Hidden Beach a couple of times. Last time was in 2007 so our views may be a bit dated. The rooms are good (on the first floor they have direct access to the rather extended pool. The staff is really outstanding: friendly and eager to help. They make you feel at home. The bar is good, and it takes some self control to avoid drinking way too much. (I realize that most of us want to drink a bit too much). The pool is nice, but the long arms are too narrow and too shallow to get much of a workout. The food is actually quite good, and the dress code is totally absent (that is, in my opinion, good). The negative and the reason we keep coming back to Club O is that there is no meaningful access to the sea. That is, the beach is really well hidden, so you can't really swim in the ocean. But for that fact we would be more frequent customers at HB.

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: lovemysxm] #21751
08/08/2013 03:51 PM
08/08/2013 03:51 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 14
N
ndendei Offline
Traveler
ndendei  Offline
Traveler
N
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 14
We were there just this past May. We've never been to SXM, so can't really compare it to Club Orient. But we found the overall quality of Hidden Beach to be excellent. It's really a place to go to pamper yourself. Expensive, but worth the money. The rooms are top notch. We had a swim up, and are glad we paid extra for it.

From other reviews, I've read the pool is heated in the winter, but sparingly in the spring. There are two large outdoor hot tubs. We found the food to be very good. There are lots of options, particularly when you figure you have access to all the restaurants at the sister resort next door. And the cooks, we found out, will make you just about anything, even if it's not on the menu. My favorite was to order a big plate of Yucatec-style "Huevos Motulenos" for breakfast, which the staff would then bring to me on my beach bed, with coffee. It's a nice way to wake up, that's frighteningly easy to get used to.

Lots of potential activities in the area (e.g.- Tulum, cenote trips, nude catamaran cruise), and a lot of potential to do absolutely nothing, and have Esmerelda bring you drinks on the beach. And speaking of Esmerelda- the staff is the real gem of Hidden Beach. They'll learn your name (and drink preferences) the first day, and then absolutely bend over backwards to make sure you stay happy and well fed.

The beach is probably about 300 meters long- it is coarse, corally sand- it's true you can't swim in the ocean right in front of the resort (it's about knee deep and rocky), but there are beautiful beach palapas to lay in and feel the "devastating" effects of sand gravity setting in. If you need to swim in the ocean, or take LONG walks down the beach, you can go next door.

We would do beach in the morning, and then pool in the afternoon (decisions, decisions). I actually found the width of the "arms" of the pool to be great for doing laps in in the mornings (they're wider than a typical pool lap lane). It's great to walk nude out your door for 5 steps, jump in the pool, and swim. The swim up pool bar is WONDERFUL, and is the center of afternoon social activity. There are about 3 very lively water volleyball games in the afternoon. Excellent drinks, excellent bar service. Snacks anytime- it's all included.

Finally, there is a VERY NICE spa a short walk outside the resort, that opens up to au naturel use on Sundays at 5.

Hope that helps!

Last edited by ndendei; 08/08/2013 08:22 PM.
Re: Hidden Beach [Re: Udaman] #21752
08/08/2013 06:16 PM
08/08/2013 06:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 130
C
chazo Offline
Traveler
chazo  Offline
Traveler
C
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 130
Quote
Udaman said:
Groupon.com is offering a 40% discount and it is all inclusive, check it out.
Lloyd


Hidden Beach as a Groupon! What is the world coming to?

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: ndendei] #21753
08/09/2013 11:27 AM
08/09/2013 11:27 AM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 48
Toronto, Ontario
L
lovemysxm Offline OP
Traveler
lovemysxm  Offline OP
Traveler
L
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 48
Toronto, Ontario
Thanks for the updated report and Jiminboston - thanks as well. We're going to give it a try.

Where is the spa that opens up to au naturel use on Sunday?

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: lovemysxm] #21754
08/12/2013 11:50 PM
08/12/2013 11:50 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 186
southern Oregon
kubotaman Offline
Traveler
kubotaman  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 186
southern Oregon
The spa that opens up to au naturel use on Sunday is a five minute walk from the gate of Hidden Beach to their sister resort next door (literally). However, after several days at Hidden, you may not want to bother with the spa because HBR is so wonderfully relaxing and fun. Even though the beach there is modest at best, the service, pool, and amenities make up for the lack of "long walks along the beach." And, if you really need a long walk, put on your swimsuit and go next door where you can walk south for a mile or so-- then come back and reunite with your new friends at Hidden. If you are there on a day pass for a cruise ship stop, you really won't want to leave the resort because it is small but truly magical.

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: kubotaman] #21755
08/13/2013 08:51 PM
08/13/2013 08:51 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,341
South East US, Carolinas coast
sailn Offline
Traveler
sailn  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,341
South East US, Carolinas coast
I actually like HB better than club O, as it has a pool, and nice (free) all inclusive restaurants that serve 3 meals a day , and have free room service including deserts and drinks. big hot tub in each room.. the beach side palapas (sp) are relaxing. They had a free bus to playa del carmen to an underground restaurant one night.
the tour guide/arranger there at HB when we asked to go to Coba by car (a partially uncovered Mayan ruin google it) wanted us to pay the day before , so he could order a car from Cancun !!!!!! more than an hour away. Crazy to me.
The weather had been iffy, and that week some folks at HB had paid for a group catamaran snorkel trip, and it rained like never before all day- no refunds-no changes- they spent the trip inside the boat, which actually went out in the driving rain. I learned there is no spanish language translation for "refund" or "reschedule". Same in central and South America.
So -- I went to the sister hotel next morning (weather looked great) and asked the concierge (sp) for an all day private cab to Coba- He said no problem, $125 with a driver and a radio, take us there, wait, bring us back. Great!!
Beach at HB is not good tho.
whats the hotel next door name? Eldorado??

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: sailn] #21756
08/15/2013 08:38 PM
08/15/2013 08:38 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 186
southern Oregon
kubotaman Offline
Traveler
kubotaman  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 186
southern Oregon
Specifically, the resort next door is El Dorado Seaside. (there are lots of places down there named El Dorado, so the correct name is really important.)

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: kubotaman] #21757
08/17/2013 10:23 AM
08/17/2013 10:23 AM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 232
D
DarkDiggler Offline
Traveler
DarkDiggler  Offline
Traveler
D
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 232
What is exactly meant by: "VERY NICE spa a short walk outside the resort, that opens up to au naturel use on Sundays at 5"?

what is au naturel use? Does this mean clothing optional in the hot tub (assuming there is one there)?

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: DarkDiggler] #21758
08/20/2013 12:40 PM
08/20/2013 12:40 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 14
N
ndendei Offline
Traveler
ndendei  Offline
Traveler
N
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 14
So- the layout of the spa is that there is an opening reception area, then doors and a courtyard, then the main area of the spa. You can be nude in the main area. There are 3 plunge pools of different temperature, a small mineral pool with waterfall, large showers for a mud treatment, saunas, massage areas, and lockers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FH_hEhiXIQ

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: lovemysxm] #21759
08/29/2013 04:41 PM
08/29/2013 04:41 PM
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
T
TBMikey Offline
Traveler
TBMikey  Offline
Traveler
T
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 6
We are members at Hidden Beach so we can give you a first hand account, we were there this past April. Hidden Beach has 40 rooms so even when it is full it does not feel crowded , it is a little more expensive then some other c/o resorts but in our opinion well worth it, the food is top notch as well as the drinks. The staff is fantastic and will learn your name and what you drink. Unlike some c/o resorts you can be nude 24/7 if you wish, even in the restaurant , El Dorado seaside suites is next door( less then 100 feet) and has 6 restaurants to choose from if you wish to cover up and go over there anytime. My wife and I love being naked but also like to dress up in the evening and go over for a little different ambiance, very romantic. Hidden Beach also has a c/o catamaran cruise every Wed. Extra cost but we have done it 3 times and it is a very nice and fun trip. HB is a nudist resort so don't confuse it with Hedo or Desire. If you would like to check it out give me a shout and I may be able to save you some $'s. By the way , we were at Orient in July and I guess we are spoiled by the all inclusive but HB was way more fun.

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: TBMikey] #21760
08/29/2013 06:25 PM
08/29/2013 06:25 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 48
Toronto, Ontario
L
lovemysxm Offline OP
Traveler
lovemysxm  Offline OP
Traveler
L
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 48
Toronto, Ontario
Thanks for the post TBMikey. We've booked for late October and now can't wait.

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: TBMikey] #21761
08/29/2013 08:17 PM
08/29/2013 08:17 PM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 182
North Texas
rockhill Offline
Traveler
rockhill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 182
North Texas
We have booked our first visit to Hidden Beach for next February. Very much looking forward to the visit with one concern. The only negative thing I have read consistently is the temperature of the pool. All things being relative, is it really that cold? Do you know what water temperature they try and keep the pool?

Thanks

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: rockhill] #21762
08/30/2013 10:43 AM
08/30/2013 10:43 AM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 475
PDC, Mexico
bugambilias Offline
Traveler
bugambilias  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 475
PDC, Mexico
Quote
rockhill said:
We have booked our first visit to Hidden Beach for next February. Very much looking forward to the visit with one concern. The only negative thing I have read consistently is the temperature of the pool. All things being relative, is it really that cold? Do you know what water temperature they try and keep the pool?

Thanks


We live close to Hidden Beach during the winter and go often. Last February it was quite warm. An estimate would be 28°.

Maybe we will see you and LoveMySXM there.

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: bugambilias] #21763
08/30/2013 10:36 PM
08/30/2013 10:36 PM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 182
North Texas
rockhill Offline
Traveler
rockhill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 182
North Texas
Thanks, that is about 82 or so and while many might say chilly, definitely not frigid. We are making a short visit starting the 13th. Another couple from our local club and ourselves are going so we represent about 5% of the potential guest during our stay. Should be able to find us if there at that time.

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: DarkDiggler] #21764
11/10/2013 09:36 AM
11/10/2013 09:36 AM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 475
PDC, Mexico
bugambilias Offline
Traveler
bugambilias  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 475
PDC, Mexico
We will be there today. Anybody need a specific question answered?

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: chazo] #21765
11/22/2013 02:10 AM
11/22/2013 02:10 AM

A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A


They need a Groupon. I put in for a summer week in the cheapest room and it 2400.00. Hit the next button and it was over $5000.00. price was per person. U cant eat or drink enough for that ever to be a good deal.

Club O ain't cheap, but HBR is way over priced in my book. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />

That groupon would have to make it cost competitive with club O. At worst, all inclusive should be a $100/day impact

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: DarkDiggler] #21766
01/05/2014 06:45 PM
01/05/2014 06:45 PM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 475
PDC, Mexico
bugambilias Offline
Traveler
bugambilias  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 475
PDC, Mexico
Ride Share Offer
To HBR from Playa and return
Day pass 8a to 7p
11 January, 2014

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: bugambilias] #21767
01/06/2014 10:01 AM
01/06/2014 10:01 AM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 182
North Texas
rockhill Offline
Traveler
rockhill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 182
North Texas
Quote
bugambilias said:
Ride Share Offer
To HBR from Playa and return
Day pass 8a to 7p
11 January, 2014

Do not need the ride share but the post did prompt a question, Do they issue many day passes? It seems they are totally booked Valentines weekend which will put pressure on lounge chairs/beach beds availability. Day passes would certainly add to that pressure. Any insight along those lines?
Thanks

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: rockhill] #21768
01/06/2014 10:39 AM
01/06/2014 10:39 AM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 475
PDC, Mexico
bugambilias Offline
Traveler
bugambilias  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 475
PDC, Mexico
Use of a day pass does require a reservation. Sometimes they ask us to choose a different day. We live close by, so that is not a big deal.

The chairs are usually occupied by towel "Place holders" anyway. We buy day passes 10 at a time, sometimes 30 per winter. The staff know us by name, they are very accommodating, two lounge chairs always seem to appear.

Re: Hidden Beach [Re: bugambilias] #21769
01/06/2014 05:05 PM
01/06/2014 05:05 PM
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 182
North Texas
rockhill Offline
Traveler
rockhill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 182
North Texas
Thanks for the feedback Bug. Guess we will play the claim a chair game if required.


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1