We stayed from April 6-14th. This was our second time for my wife and I, and our two boys ages 13 and 15, to the Mayan Riviera region, but our first to the Barcelo. We all had an excellent time with everything. Food was good to very good in the buffets. They work hard to keep it stocked up and the selection was large. Usually had lunch at the beach buffet for convenience which was great. Had 4 a la cartes, Mexican, Spanish, Steak and Seafood and thoroughly enjoyed all of them. Heard good things about the Japanese and Brazilian, but we already had 4 booked, and there was an extra cost for them anyways.
The beach is beautiful!! The ocean was warm and although a little wavy, easy to swim in. The snorkelling off the end of the pier was a blast. Seeing the walls of fish underneath the pier was cool. Also, saw and took a video of a sea turtle and couple stingrays.
We only used a couple of pools closer to our end of the resort, and they were clean, large and nice to swim in. Never really a problem to find a couple chairs either on the beach or by the pools.
Room was a standard room on the second floor of the Coba building. Maybe a 3 minute walk to the pool and a 3 minute walk to the lobby. Firm beds, but comfortable, clean, nice bathroom, really all that I needed. Room service did a great job and seemed appreciative of the tips and little gifts that my wife left them.
My wife and boys did the Segway tour on the beach and around the resort. They enjoyed it. They let me ride a Segway for a few minutes before they left, hoping that I would pay and do the tour as well. I didn't, but it was still fun. I would recommend this because it is not something that you can do at home, so it is worth the $35.
Theatre shows in the evenings were very good. Karaoke started slow, but the final few were really good. Circus was really cool. Variety night also very entertaining. The Mexican night I had seen at the last resort, so we skipped out early and did a nice evening walk of the resort. The Couples Challenge night, we actually got to go up on stage. Not sure how entertaining it was too watch, but we had a blast, and actually won. They gave us free henna tattoos, shirts and passes to the VIP lounge.
Overall, the nicest resort we have been too, and we are trying the talk the grandparents, aunts and uncles into doing a family trip here next year. If not, just the 4 of us would gladly come back again.