We - two adults and one 12 year old child - stayed at the Barcelo Tucancun for 14 nights. The coach transport to the hotel from the airport was efficient although it was quite clear that, after dropping other visitors off at other hotels, our hotel appeared less glamorous in comparison. Check in was trouble free and we went to our pre-booked 'superior de-luxe' room. This was a vast disappointment - on the second floor, facing the concrete walls of the Kukulcan Shopping Mall. The shower area was grimy in appearance and the room was dark and dank.
We went to the front desk and requested to be moved to a room that fitted the description of 'superior deluxe'. We were told that we would have to contact our holiday rep. This was done the following day. He spoke to the manager who then informed us that a new room would be guaranteed the following day. We received our new keys for our new room, on the fourth floor of the south tower. This room was bright, spotless and had a corner balcony from which we could look out over the lagoon and catch a small glimpse of the sea. We were delighted.
Our meals throughout our stay were excellent. The buffet restaurant offered a wide range of dishes and had a different national theme on most evenings. On one evening, the theme was Mexican and this coincided with the theme of the cabaret in the theatre so we had our meal in the theatre - more like a social club really - whilst watching the show. The Chinese food was disappointing on 'Chinese night'. Breakfasts were excellent with a good combination of British, American and Mexican styles available. The a la carte restaurants were excellent. We had a super meal at the Spanish restaurant. Our first meal at the Mexican restaurant was first class although our second meal there was disappointing. My fiancee ate her way through a very chewy steak that did not settle well at all.
The lobby bar offered numerous drinks for adults and children, We found this very satisfactory. Two sports channels to watch whilst in the bar as well. There were, on some evenings, sandwiches and nachos available.
The shops in the hotel were clean and air conditioned. The gift shop was visited a couple of times. On each occasion, because we wanted to pay in cash, we had to take the receipt and pay at reception and then return to the shop for our goods. This was only a short walk but we found this rather odd.
The pool area was spacious with a large number of sunbeds available to place our towels on. Most mornings we could see the pool was being cleaned. However, there were times, inevitably towards the end of the day, but on some occasions, late mornings, when a film of 'gunk' could be seen on the pool's surface. We met a family whose small child had been hospitalised because he accidentally swallowed some of the water. One pool was closed twice whilst the main pool was closed on one occasion. Some guests didn't help by actually smoking whilst in the pool! It was only a few steps down to what remains of the beach. Swimming in the sea was delightful. Its colour, warmth and gentleness was sheer poetry. At night - between 10.30 and 11.30 - we were privileged to see sea turtles landing on the beach. During the day I was approached by the occasional beach salesman offering cigars, shells etc. but none were threatening in any way.
The local facilities outside the hotel were very good. The local shopping malls were excellent value for money. We received a card from one of the hotel reps which we could exchange for a booklet of discount vouchers from local shops - mainly in the la Isla shopping centre, about half a mile away. The local bus service was very cheap, regular and fast. Six and a half pesos to travel any distance between the hotel and downtown was brilliant value.
We felt that the most positive attribute of the hotel was its staff. From the manager who arranged for our room change to the approachable reception staff to the waiters/waitresses in the restaurants and bar we were served courteously and positively. The cleaning staff did a great job ensuring our room was clean every day and our mini bar was restocked every day. We tpped at the end of our stay - very British I suppose - but I am convinced the service we received wouldn't have been any better if we'd tipped at the start.Met some great people whilst we there. Special hello to John and Sue who I know will be reading this!

Booked 3 rooms for 4 adults & 2 teenagers and requested adjacent rooms at booking to find we were on different floors with none adjacent. After a 13 hour flight couldn't be bothered to argue so accepted a promise that the problem would be sorted in a couple of days after consulting Thomas Cook rep.
Two days later ended up with 2 rooms in one block & 1 in another, still not adjacent but as they had fantastic sea views we accepted. (2 rooms originally had inferior lagoon view near the air conditioning nvents and building site which started at 7am)

The rooms were nice, spacious, well maintained cleaned and very comfortable beds with great showers.
On our first day we went to the "actiivity" pool and I thought the water was dirty. This was confirmed later when my wife, daugther and friend's swimming costumes turned gree after they had took part in water aerobics, that was our first and last visit to that pool.
We moved to the main pool area after that to find that the pool area wasn't very clean and this was backed up by the pool being closed for 3 days out of 13 because the water was so dirty. Problem is you can't really use the beach as it is now so small.
Service in the bars was mixed due to the fact that some waiters expect a tip for every drink (more like the Ameican way) whereas we like to tip at the end of the holiday.
Drinks were ok except sometimes at the pool the plastic cups tasted of the detergent they were washed in.
Food was above average in the buffets but excellent steaks in the a la carte restaurants.
Main bad side of this holiday was a mobile phone going missing from our teenagers room. A trace was done by security on the computerised lock/security camereas and only 2 people had accessed our room, the maid and the person who stocks the mini-fridge. Because the hotel couldn't prove anything they didn't feel obliged to offer us anything for the inconvenience of blacklisting the phone and the time/effort/expense involved in this eg police reports.
We spoke to other British residents who had items go missing from their room(s) including a bikini, small cash amounts and another mobile phone.
Fair enough the safe should be used but not all your pesonal belongings can fit in there!
This has the potential to be a brilliant hotel but there does seem to be a general lack of care and penny-pinching eg the pools were never lit up atand the balcony lights were switched off centrally at 11pm every night.
We would probably return to Cancun but would pay a little extra for a better hotel.

After reading some of the reviews I was really worried about staying in this hotel but I needn't have. It was great. The staff were friendly, the food was good and the drinks were great. The rooms were lovely and had the added bonus of having a fridge in which was re-stocked everyday. There was always plenty of sunbeds and the bathing area was great. The beer on tap was good quality and there was always plenty of choice at meal times. The entertainment staff were good and organised trips to the bars each night for those who wanted to party. I have stayed in many hotels and visited lots of countires and this is one hotel and country which I would definitely recommend.

Well, having read some previous reviews earlier in the year but after I had already booked this hotel for our holiday, it was with a little trepidation that our family (Myself and Wife plus 18 and 14 year old Daughter and Son) set off on the 10 hour flight to Cancun.
We have in recent years taken holidays accross the normal European destinations, Menorca, Algarve, Corfu, Cote D'Azure and always chosen good quality accomodation.....now it was time to spread our wings and go All Inclusive Long Haul.
When we arrived in Cancun there was quite a wait (2.5 hours) to get through Immigration but this was probably the only Blip on what turned out to be one of (if not the) best holidays we have ever taken as a family.
I travel regularly on Business and have had the pleasure of staying in some high quality hotels in Europe and the USA so my view on this particular Hotel is measured against a fairly high standard and expectation.

Now enough of my pre-amble rambling.....on to the interesting bits.
Transfer to the Hotel was fast and efficient.....thanks Thomas Cook.
The location of this hotel is perfect as it is just a short (cheap) bus ride down to the main centre (buses every 2 - 3 minutes.....24 hours service). It is also right next door to the Kuculcan Shopping Mall and a short walk to the Isla shopping precincts.....a nice walk out on a night.

Check in at the hotel was fast, clear and efficient....the rooms were ready on arrival and the bell boy delivered the cases immediately....quick service.
The hotel receptionists were always very polite and helpful.

Our holiday Rep from Thomas Cook was great (thanks Joel)...no undue pressure to book trips (we did anyway and took his advice....more later).

The rooms were large and comfortable.....very clean and the maid service was great (we only tipped at the end of the holiday so the standard was good regardless of us having "paid up front" for the privilege).....Clean towels and sheets every day.
Large comfy beds.....mini bar free and replenished daily.
The shower was adequate (up on floor 7 I expect the water pressure was a little less powerful but to be honest I have had worse in UK 5 star hotels)....it worked fine but was not a power shower. Soap, Body wash and shampoo all provided.
Our room had a balcony which overlooked the Lagoon side but this was fine as it gave us a great view of the "strip" and sunsets to die for.

The food was fine in the 4 restaurants.....I expect some of the more picky people would find something to moan about because the burgers or the fries were "not like home".....like in a previous review if you want home cooking ......stay home.
There was a very good choice but remember this is "All Inclusive" ...if you are looking for A la Carte dining go self catering and book each meal separately would be my advice.
As a family of four with wide tastes we always found something that suited us......the steaks in the Mexican were fab and the service in the Spanish was always a delight (the Apple Margheritas were to die for according to my daughter).

The bars although always busy were fast and very efficient....Enrique and Jesus were particularly good and both kept my son entertained throughout the holiday.
It is an American habit of "tipping as you go"......I found that not tipping as we went made ZERO difference to the service we recieved from the staff.....they were always on top form.
We gave a reasonable and happily recieved tip to each at the end of the holiday as we had great service for the full 2 weeks.
The "local" drinks are fine.....again if you are not happy with the set up read the brochure better next time.....it's clear enough what to expect for the all inclusive deal.

The 3 Pools were all very clean and safe....me and my son spent most of the time by Pool 3 (activity Pool) and were made very welcome by "Fabo" , "Paulina" , Pokemon (Lois) and the rest of the crew. To be honest these guys made our holiday and were just great at keeping the vibe going getting all people involved with activities......great fun.....thanks to these guys. They make a big effort in making sure everyone gets a chance to get involved.....not just the very sporty types (girls and boys).

My wife and daughter spent more time relaxing and reading by one of the more quiet pools by the beach side.
Listening to the waves breaking on the shore was a constant delight.

Our visit coincided with pretty much the end of the USA Spring and Summer break so there were not too many "rowdy" teenagers as described in other reviews.....the guys we did meet up with were a mix of Brits, Mexican, American and some guys from Curacao......great water polo goalkeepers.
Water volleyball and water polo were competetive but fun and adequate for all ages.

Having read a couple of previous reviews (I think from members of the same party) about security in this hotel I have to say I witnessed nothing that would have concerned me from either staff or guests......I expect you could come accross the occasional "odd-ball" in any hotel at any time....just bad luck.
Also I felt that even walking out at night in Cancun although always on alert in a foreign country we felt no more worried than normal and there was always a good prescence of security visible around the bars and restaurants.

We took a few trips booked via our rep.....Chichen Itza was hot but well worth the visit, Xel-Ha was delightful and highly recommended and the Pirate Ships were great fun.

We also spent a night out at Bubba Gumps (recomended for shrimp.......obviously) and the Outback restaurant (also recomended.......for steaks) and also spent some time in Patrick Obriens (watch out for the guys balancing drinks on the head....still waiting for one to fall!!!).

We didn't go out to the clubs as my son is still a bit too young but we got good reviews of Coco Bongos for the show and Senor Frogs from other hardy revellers.

So in summary we had a great holiday.....were glad we were not put off by other peoples experiences (or I might even say prejudice??)........this place is great.....has great staff....the food and drinks are fine......go and enjoy it.

Paul, Margo, Suzanne and Craig (George).