Hidden Beach

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

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

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.

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!

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

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?

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.

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??

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.)

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)?

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

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.

Thanks for the post TBMikey. We've booked for late October and now can't wait.

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.

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.

We will be there today. Anybody need a specific question answered?

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

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

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.

Thanks for the feedback Bug. Guess we will play the claim a chair game if required.