First of all, let me preface this review with one of the details I noticed while booking our trip: THIS HOTEL IS IN MEXICO. Armed with this information, I adjusted my expecations accordingly.

If you're looking for a cookie cutter, chain hotel experience that is exactly the same in Dallas as it is in Seattle, this is probably not the place for you. The Baccara is a small hotel, and though it has been referred to as boutique, I wouldn't place it into this category. It was much more similar to the Pensions I have stayed in around Europe - small, inexpensive inns that provide a unique experience with personal service.

I booked a 4-night stay for my husband and I, and we met 3 other couples there who all stayed for 5 nights. We come from different parts of the country, different socio-economic backgrounds, and different generations. But we all agreed that we would return, and that the Baccara was an excellent value.

The rooms were basic but clean. One couple did have some trouble getting hot water, but it wasn't a huge issue. Everyone noted that the beds were quite hard, although after spending 10 nights in different areas of Mexico I can confirm that this is the case everywhere. Nobody had any trouble sleeping anyway. The A/C worked great, as did the plumbing. No, there isn't elevator. Really, there are 3 flights of stairs.

We all found the staff to be helpful and friendly. Most of them spoke better English that we spoke Spanish.

The pool area is absolutely fantastic. We all had a fabulous time sitting at the pool bar, sunning on the lounge chairs, and swimming in the ocean. We sat there all day and were given refills before our cups were empty. The bartender suggested some tasty snacks as well (ceviche & fajitas..mmm..). For 2 of the 3 days we were there we were the only ones around.

We did opt for the AI option, as it was very inexpensive and I figured at the very least it would cover our drinks at the pool. We were all pleasantly surprised by the breakfast, lunch and dinners we had at the Baccara and the Grand. The food was fresh and tasty, although there aren't a ton of options - after 4 nights we were ready for something new.

All in all, a wonderful stay. The AI option meant we didn't have to think about anything while we drank all day at the pool, and then had fab dinners in the evening. I would definitely go back. It allowed us a small, intimate pool/beach experience during the day, and all of the excitement of Cancun at night.

We stayed here for 3 nights in Jan 08, selected this hotel because it was small & reasonably well located. We had originally booked the honeymoon suite for 2 nights, but decided to arrive in Cancun a day earlier. We couldn't book a room for the extra night through the hotel on the phone (wouldn't accept 1 night bookings) even though we were already booked, so arranged it online through expedia. The room we were in for the 1st night had a lukewarm shower which did not drain, the toilet would not flush properly, coffee maker & fridge that did not work, room safe without a lock and a bowl on the window ledge to collect drips from the ceiling. After one night we were moved to our booked honeymoon suite, which was spacious if aged, the furniture had threadbare and stained upholstery, room safe again missing a lock. This shower was mostly warm/hot after running for 5 minutes & it did drain ok. No pc for internet access at this hotel. Overall a pretty average & tired place.

Here is something you should know about Cancun, Mexicans and this hotel. I have just returned with my girlfriend from a 7 day stay in Cancun Avalon Baccara.

First about Cancun. If you are like me mid 30's guy who works out 2 hrs a day everyday running and lifting weights, someone like me who traveled to most of the National Parks in the US, New Zealand and Australia, you will find that Cancun sucks! there is not much to do, and the activities are just stupid tourist traps. If all you want to do is be lazy and lay on the beach getting sunburn, melanoma and getting fat, then yes Cancun is for you. Honeymooners stay away. Go to Oahu, Hawaii instead. There aren't even places to go for a walk, except for one clean outdoor mall close to Avalon hotel, but if you are into that, you should go to Las Vegas instead and enjoy excellent food too. Security guards will chase you away if you enter a different hotel without correct permanent bracelet on your wrist. Yes, the Mexican police ordered all hotels to tag tourists like animals, just in case they find you later dead without documents, they can track which hotel you belong to, and your full name will be there. That bracelet is numbered and permamently locked on your wrist until you check out from your hotel, then you can cut it off.

About Mexicans - many begging you to buy some junk, or sell you something - it is very annoying (ever been to Tijuana?). You feel like an opportunity target walking around Cancun hearing: "Hey, hey, hey, excuse me sir, taxi, want some food? etc. After a couple of days hearing that you get pretty sick and tired of it.

About Avalon Baccara hotel. We didn't pay much for this place, so I didn't care much for the quality. There was a day when they turned off electricity and water, but they were fast to bring water in a bucket so you can flush your toilet and clean yourself up. Bed was very hard, It felt like sleeping on bricks. After reading reviews from others, I feel quite lucky that nobody stole anything from us. We locked our valuables in the safe. We had never used that Jacuzzi that came with the room. It just looked broken, dusty, and never used, so I didn't even try it. I hit my head many times against a sharp metal shelf in the toilet room, so I put a towel hanging on that metal to prevent future injuries. We used the gym a couple of times located in the larger sister building near by. Although, I was able to do my workout, I once asked the attendant "Which trash did you find this equipment at?" because most of it was broken or had missing parts. He showed up, after I made noise trying to hammer the metal rod into the weight stack, because it didn't want to go in. We didn't buy any all-inclusive food packages - it sounded like a rip-off, as many people commented here ending up with eating burgers etc.

We had pretty bad experience with the waiter from the "included continental breakfast" restaurant. First day, our breakfast included juice, fruits, pastries, toast and coffee. Second day a limitation was introduced, you could either get juice or fruits. On a third day the same waiter tells me that I have to choose between pastries or toast. WHAAAT??? I said to the waiter in a pretty firm voice, then he brought both pastries and toast:). From than on, he never said "pastries or toast" again. This waiter named: Juan Carlos who is the only one working there wanted simply save his time by not having to make an extra trip to get you that toast. I don't know what the deal was with the "juice or fruit" choice, it may be the same reason, but I didn't really care about the sugary juice so I let it go. Every time you go to that restaurant for breakfast you feel like you are not welcomed there, because the waiter: Juan Carlos looks very nervous running around and too busy to bring you the food you paid for. Not to mention that you will never get any "Good Morning" or anything similar from that waiter to start your day. He simply looks pissed off that you showed up to give him more work. On the last morning before shuttle pickup to the airport, we sat at this restaurant to have our last continental breakfast. Juan Carlos shows up with pastries basket with only four of them left (the worst kinds). The breakfast ends some time after 11 am, we were there at 9 am. I ask Mr. Carlos: "Why don't you order enough pastries to last for the entire breakfast, you know how many tourists prepaid for the breakfast, and how many may show up at random". He become very nervous and irritated and shouted: "THAT IS NOT MY PROBLEM!". Is this the way a waiter responds? What is wrong with that man? Juan Carlos should be grateful that he has a job and should do it properly with some civilized manners. If you drive outside of Cancun and look how people live in those villages without electricity and barely any food trying to sell you a pyramid or some napkin, not to mention those skinny dogs looking sick from hunger, it makes you wanna cry (btw. you should buy some of the junk from them while at the Maya sites, those poor Mexicans work really hard there to sell it to you for just $1 USD, even if you later throw it away). If Juan Carlos does not like his work, I am sure that there are many of those hungry villagers who would die to have his job.

At the end of our stay, I got sick, the first time after 2-3 years. It must have been either some Mexican flu virus, a result of wind drafts from air conditioners or public buses with open windows. I really regret my wasted vacation time in Mexico. I should have gone to Hawaii, Las Vegas or some other warm place south within the USA - NO MORE THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES FOR MY VACATIONS!

If you are going for a special time such as Honeymoon etc, I strongly discourage you from staying at Avalon Baccara, I discourage you from going to Cancun or Mexico - Go to Oahu, Hawaii instead! Otherwise, 3 days in Cancun is enough to dip in the water, see the pyramids and third day for a tourist trap. If you plan on being drunk most of the time Avalon Baccara may be for you because it is cheap, floors have tiles, so you can make a mess, and more likely you will oversleep all breakfasts so you won't have to deal the rude restaurant staff.

very much enjoyed hotel and all inclusive option - meals were very good compared with other all inclusives in antigua and Dr - we would recommend breakfast and lunch at the grand which is a short walk away - dinner was good at both places but the mexican restaurant at the grand was best - fish very good at all restaurants-beach is very problematic - sand but tide and surf so high virtually unswimmable - staff very pleasant - pool lovely - if you would like small hotel with camarderie- you will be very happy - options for other avalon properties in isla mujures and at grand avalon on all inclusive package work very well and we enjoyed all facilties at other hotels - happy to answer any questions - we have traveled frequently and were very pleased