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Barcelo Playa Montelimar - Pacific Coast —  
Location: Beachfront - 90 minutes from the airport
All-inclusive - 293 rooms
Description from resort website: 3 a la Carte Restaurants - Buffet Restaurant - Poolside Snack Bar - 3 Bars on the beach - 2 Swimming Pools, one of them is the biggest in the whole South America - 2 Swimming Pools for Children - Gym - Massage Service - Hairdresser - Chemist - Giflt Shop & Jewerly - Jacuzzi - Travel Agency - Discotheque - Zoo - Spacious Terrecs and Gardens - 2 Tennis Courts - Soccer Field - Minigolf - Athletic Track - Horseback Riding School - Bingo Hall and casino open 24 hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday
 ~ Reviews posted on this page — 3
 ~ Map of Resort
 ~ Reader's Vacation Photos 1, 2, 3
 ~ Nicaragua Resort Reviews Index
 ~ Nicaragua Republic Travel Forum
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| Barcelo Playa Montelimar | Sonja |
May 2008
My family and I stayed at the Barcelo Montelimar from March 21 - April 04/08. We are a family of six, the youngest being 11 months old.
We thought the place was absolutely amazing! We had wanted to go to some place different, with lots of sun. Also, travelling with an infant, we wanted the comfort a resort has to offer - and boy we got everything we asked for! The staff were awesome, very accommodating: we got a crib, extra sheets, extra water for formula, high chairs, etc. The staff were great. From the front desk, to the waiters/waitresses, the maids, the gardeners - awesome.
It never rained once while we were there. It was very hot, 36 - 40 degrees every day. We arrived Easter Weekend (Semana Santa), so it was very, very busy. We could not get the cabana we requested, but after 2 nights they moved us into the 100 series cabanas and they were great. Had we stayed in the hotel, it would have been fine too, but the cabanas were that much roomier, and we had 3 people per room. The 100 series were very convenient - very close to everything. The rooms were clean, the floors could have used a good mopping each day - but it is hard to keep up that part of it, I guess. We really only noticed because our infant was crawling at times, and boy, what a mess he used to get in! Also, at night, they would burn the sugar cane in the fields outside the resort and it would cause quite a mess around the resort with ashes everywhere.
The beach was beautiful. Long, clean but the waves were not conducive for swimming - more for playing or boogie boarding. Very strong waves with strong undertows. But breathtaking! The sand used to get so hot during the day that it was almost impossible to walk on, even with sandals! It was dark and fine and had lots of interesting shells, rocks, coral, volcanic rock, etc.- wonderful for walks.
The food was good, lots of taste and selection. We are a rather picky bunch and we always found something good to eat. It was my son’s birthday while we were there, and the kitchen made a beautiful cake and sang happy birthday. We did stay clear of the seafood and fish, as we were never really sure what it was and we were a little nervous, but it was a hit with the other patrons.
Let’s see: the check-in, check-out was very swift and efficient. Our rooms were ready when we arrived (at 11am) and we used the baggage room the night before we left, as we had a very early flight. There was no problem with our bill on check-out. We used the dry cleaning service and were pleased. We did not see any mosquitoes, but there were plenty of house flies and ants (in the rooms). We had wished we had taken some ant spray for the room, actually, but we made out OK. We were just extra vigilant with the babies food to keep it covered and to keep things in the fridge.
We had a major problem with bats living in our roof. But once I found out that it was just bats, I did not mind (glad it wasn’t mice or worse). The people came right away and placed "traditional repellent" in the roof. It turns out that "garlic" was the tradition. Luckily we don’t mind the smell of garlic!
We did 2 "tours" during our stay. These tours consisted of pre-booking the hotel van and a driver and letting him know where you want to go. The first trip, we just went nearby to San Rafael del Sur and Masachapa. It was really nice to go outside of the resort and see the nearby communities. The 2nd trip, we rented the van and a driver again, but this time paid for a translator to go with us. We dropped into a local school and then went to the Masaya Volcano and the Mercado - we had a wonderful day - highly recommend it!
Tips were not expected, and you received the same service regardless, but when you did tip it was gratefully received.
The sunsets were out of this world. The grounds were beautiful. There was a lot to see and do on the resort if you are so inclined: ATV rentals, horseback riding, a little zoo, a duck pond with babies (we visited them most days), bikes, mini golf, a big pool, lots of kiddy pools, a jacuzzi, chess, tennis, ping pong, lessons of every kind, a casino, nightly shows (though these were a disappointment) - and that’s just a few things I can think of off the top of my head!
The only thing that we would change is the fact that the bars close early (the lobby bar closes at 7pm) and the mixed drinks were limited, and only domestic drinks were included. My husband and step-father bought beer while they were there (inexpensive), and I bought a few coolers, very good and worth the money - but when you travel all-inclusive, I guess you expect everything to be included. But the staff were very up front about all of this.
We found the weekends very busy, with a lot of locals and people visiting from nearby Central American countries, but from Tuesday to Friday morning it was very quiet with less people around, less lines ups at dinner, etc. The a la carte was closed for some reason during our stay - but we could order off the a la carte menu in advance and get served at the buffet; not really worth it. It was hit and miss with the meals. We really liked the vino tinto, though!!!
We were a little nervous about the transportation that we had pre-booked and pre-paid for, as we were arriving on Good Friday and we were leaving at 3:45am (!) But they (GreyLine) were there on time and were very pleasant. The drive to the resort was wonderful as it was during the day and our rep spoke excellent English, so he gave us a little history/culture lesson on the way.
We met a lot of nice people from all over the world and had a wonderful family vacation. I would highly recommend it. I am going to try and learn some Spanish for my next trip, because it would definitely come in handy (only the front desk staff spoke English.)
I tried to include everything I could think of, to help others like I was helped when planning our trip, but if I have forgotten something, please email me at sonjaevpower@hotmail.com (Put Nicaragua in the subject line, please.) and I will gladly respond.
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| Barcelo Playa Montelimar | Paula & Ben ~ Massena, NY |
March 2007
Montelimar Hotel Pictures …Link below:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbNXLVi1bMWLwY¬ag=1
Nicaragua pictures while at the Montelimar Hotel…Link below:
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbNXLVi1bMWLyQ
We went to the Montelimar Hotel from Montreal, Air Transat (Nolitours). Departed on time and arrived on time, getting through the airport was a breeze. The bus ride to the hotel was interesting but long. The Nolitour/TMR Reps, husband and wife team, Nancy and Yves, have things down to a science. Everything is orderly and quick from arrival to departure. After a 90 minute bus ride we arrived at the resort.
Check in was quick and easy (minutes). Room keys are plastic (two) and safety deposit box key (no charge), towel cards, etc included in packet. Luggage stickers with your room number were provided at airport and automatically arrives at your room about the same time you do. We arrived late afternoon and could eat at the snack bar or the main restaurant was open early on arrival days.
Rooms are in a four storey building just behind the lobby or in two unit buildings on streets towards the ocean from the main building. The rooms are old but well maintained. The bathrooms have many mirrors, kleenex, toothbrush and paste, Q-tips, cleaning pads, etc. There also are hairdryers, and soap and lotion dispenser. The shower has a body gel and shampoo dispenser. Room had mini bar (free soda and water), alarm clock, coffee maker, safety deposit box and TV with CNN, HBO and few others in English.
The food was typical all inclusive food, with good red, white and rose wine. They had a fresh squeeze orange juice machine, good fruit all meals, bacon every morning. Pasta bar was available everyday, lunch and dinner with better than average deserts and good ice cream everyday. Ice water was always poured. All settings had place mats and cloth napkins. Three a la carte menus by reservations in the morning in the main restaurant upon entering, never seen a line.
The seafood menu offered whole lobster or grilled tails, which were very good (no extra charge). The steak was also not bad, cooked medium and fairly tender. The snack bar had decent, hotdogs, hamburgers, fresh cut fries, real chicken breast on a bun, fruit and all the veggie fixings.
This complex is huge with endless flowers, shrubs and jungle trees. There are people haulers, farm tractors with trailers that have stopping areas throughout. The main pool is like a huge lake with a snack bar, bar and rest rooms in the middle. The giant Jacuzzi sits 30-40 people. Also on the grounds are bars, casino, horse riding, four-wheelers ($25 hour), mini golf, archery, small zoo, gardens, ping pong,. Around the main building a internet ($5 hour), Telephone (.60 minute US or Canada), Bank, 24 hr drugstore, day spa (massage $30 hr), travel office, and complex with about 10 assorted stores.
The travel office offers many tours of which we took five and were very good with excellent English speaking guides. If you take a English tour request Elvis, who will make your day. I had a group of 14 and no problems what so ever. We found the country very safe and friendly. We did tours to Managua, Granada, Leon, canopy and shopping.
There is a fishing village near the hotel where most of the employees (600 during busy season) live. Three wheel bicycle taxis ($5 hour) will pedal you on a tour.
Beach is dark volcanic sand and is miles long. Very good walking as it is very hard where damp. No vendors on the beach except a half mile away a half dozen are set up and have a few wares when ever the police don’t chase them out. Plan on carrying water when walking as you can get a long way before you realize it. It can be a long hot walk back without water. You can rent a four wheeler or bicycle and tour the beach for miles.
Here are a few pro and cons…
Pros
Clean and well maintained
People spoke enough English
Lots of pool area
Never problem getting chairs or sun shelter
No lines bars or snacks
Disco and shows away from rooms
Friendly staff
Super Reps
Cons
Power outages (bring flashlight)
Soot from burning sugarcane fields
Flies (said to be from cane fields)
Dinning help top priority; picking up dirty dishes
Distance from airport
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| Barcelo Playa Montelimar | B & M ~ Ontario, Canada |
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February 2003 Date of visit: 27Jan03 to 10Feb03
This will just be an update of changes we observed at the resort.
Restaurants: The Oceano Restaurant & Grill is now just buffet, using both the inside and outside tables. The a la carte restaurant, called "The Casona" is located at the top of hill in Samosa's original home.
Dress Code: Thank goodness they have relaxed the dress code. Men no longer require long pants. Shorts and sandals are enough, even for dinner at both the Oceano buffet restaurant and the Casona a la carte restaurant. This is great as neither are air-conditioned.
Casino: As quoted from Air Transat Holiday's website: "Please note that until further notice, the Casino at the Barcelo Montelimar will be closed."
Money: Do not bother taking Canadian $. They are not accepted and there is no where to exchange them.
Jacuzzi: Not heated but lots of bubbles.
Upgrades: New boogie boards, damaged hammocks replaced and new ones installed, some new air-conditioners were being installed for the bungalows.
Beach: Is not only 200 meters wide, it is kilometers long. This is a dark-sand beach though and would suggest not wearing a light coloured bathing suit.
Check-in & Check-out: Check-in was a disaster. Reception screwed up what should have been an easy process. Envelopes with room numbers were given out at the airport but we still had to line up to get our wrist bands and our keys. Reception started changing and giving out rooms already assigned to other people. Not a pretty site. Check-out though was fantastic. Air Transat comes to the hotel a couple of hours before you leave and does a full flight check-in right there. You get your boarding passes, your seat assignments, check your bags, and PLEASE NOTE: they also collect the Nicaraguan departure tax of $32US each! Be sure to set aside this amount in cash early. At the airport all you do is walk from the bus through security with your carry-on and proceed to the departure lounge.
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Last updated: May 15, 2008
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