Travel with a Cocktail

We have stayed at luxury resorts all over the Caribbean and Mexico. We read many reviews before picking Blue Haven for our honeymoon and despite the similar price point tried to keep our expectations realistic.

Below is a very detailed review but the gist is that this property has so much potential but we would not recommend due to the quality, portions, and variety of food offered

Room – We were very happy with our one-bedroom oceanfront suite. It was large, extremely clean. I prefer when the toilet is separated from the bathroom for logistic purposes but we made it work. We were in room 312. I had hoped the balconies would be a bit more private but they were very visible from multiple rooms nearby. We liked that the room had a washer and dryer but it was odd that they don’t provide dish soap or laundry soap. The TVs aren’t “smart tvs” but they do allow casting so we were able to watch Netflix. Also notable is there is a thermostat in the room so we were able to turn down the AC, which was must appreciated.

Housekeeping – For the most part, they did a really good job. We did have 1 day where they never came despite us being away from the room for about 4 hours. We left them $5-10 everyday with a note asking for extra washcloths and waters, since those seem to be rationed.

Drinking Water – This was the most puzzling part for us. In your room, they provide the min-fridge sized water bottles. For 2 people we only got about 10 a day, which is nowhere near enough. The water served at the Salt/Fire & Ice was sometime tap water, which we found undrinkable, and sometimes filtered. A waiter told us that they just changed the policy where they can’t serve bottled water at the restaurants anymore and that it slows them down to have to get the filtered water. We had to beg housekeeping every day to get more waters. Definitely bring a reusable cup so you can fill at the water stations. At Blue Haven there is 1 at the pool and 1 at the gym. There is also 1 at the lobby but they never had it plugged in/operational during our week there.

Pool/Beach – Beach was lovely. We adored the daybeds! The pool was also nice but I’d hate to see it during busy season because we felt it was pretty crowded during our stay in October. No chair game at either beach. Very easy to get a place by the pool or beach at any time of day.

Gym – Seemingly brand-new gym overlooking a water channel. Super clean. Two private toilet-only bathrooms.

Food – Pool food was really good. Loved the coconut shrimp. We also liked the fried chicken sandwich at the pool and the focaccia sandwich. Food at salt was inconsistent with some items delicious and some inedible. The focaccia with the garlicky hummus dip as bread service was so yummy. The portions at Fire & Ice were a joke. A 2” piece of meat posing as a filet. Speaking of, every restaurant at Blue Haven and Alexandra had horrible steak. “Taco Salad” at salt was tortilla chips with sour cream and a few squares of chicken and maybe an TBS or black beans. Just pass on the steak. We had AMAZING jerk chicken from the stand behind the beach bar at Alexandra. Highly recommend. We just felt the food was way below expectations and hard to come by with limited hours/options. Fish Deck had the most magnificent sunset views. Food was still below expectations but would go again for the view.

Drinks – Drinks were inconsistent. White wine was fine, red wine was not. Frozen cocktails in the machines were straight syrup. Jammin’ by the Sea at Salt was absolutely delicious. Same drink ordered at the pool was just the same rum punch. Had to specifically ask for it to be made with coconut rum and it still didn’t taste like the original drink we had. Mojitos, oddly enough, were consistently good. Husband liked the local beer.

Entertainment – Fire & Ice had a piano player one night. On another night there was a wonderful vocalist by the pool and on Friday night they had a DJ set up. Not much to do at night but we wanted that. However, they built these gorgeous fire table seating areas by the water that were quite romantic and a great place for a nightcap.

Service – same thing as the rest. Some people were wonderful while others, had an attitude or didn’t attempt to help. The night desk guy would write down our request (for things like a box of Kleenex or a hairdryer ) and we’d have to call down 3 more times before we received.

Overall the resort and amenities were lovely but for the price point the food and service missed the mark.