The Beloved Hotel, Playa Mujeres

Upon arrival, Edgar greeted us and took care of our bags. Guest services had champagne for the adults and Shirley Temples for the kids (ages 3 and 8). The rep made sure to advise that The Beloved Hotel was kid-friendly. After Edgar helped put our bags away, he explained some of the all-inclusive amenities. 

We consistently encountered courteous staff. The only less than adequate service came while dining poolside on the second day. Service at onsite restaurants is slow, but at the Isla Grill it was slower than the norm. The server took our drink orders when the food came (about 30 minutes after we ordered), and we had to go to the bar to ask for our drinks.

We continued basting in the sun while waiting for refreshments. A manager walked by and noticed the oversight. He retrieved our drinks immediately, but our server never returned.




Overall, my party preferred Isla Grill to Aroma and learned to stick with shrimp and steak dishes. I had a duck dish that had been cooked to death. The smoothies I saw a bartender making did not contain any fresh fruit. Chocolate cakes and brownies looked more appetizing than they tasted.


The homemade ice cream, however, proved impressive. We also fell for the sushi bar, which opens at 6:00 in the evening. Kids’ items are standard fare, like pizza  and nuggets, but kids can order from any part of the menu. Snacks in the room are free and refilled daily, including drinks. Outside food and drinks are not allowed.


The breakfast was fantastic! And this is coming from someone who hates buffets. I found plenty of fresh juice, fruit, nut, and yogurt options. I even took some fruit to snack on later. Loved the iced coffee and almond croissants. Others in my group liked the shredded chicken, eggs, waffles etc.

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On the one occasion we ferried to Isla Mujeres, we stopped at Privilege Aluxes Hotel for brunch. I took one look at their buffet and it did not compare to Beloved's. I opted for juice only instead of eating there. Since we found the resort to be quite relaxing, this was our only outing.

The hotel remained sparsely populated during our April stay. Often, we had a pool to ourselves. Lounge chairs at the pristine beach were plentiful. FYI: Plenty of children, my nephews included, went crazy over the kids' club.  

This germaphobe found no cleanliness issues. Showers are see-through, but suites do have curtained tubs.

We saw an HGTV host staying at The Beloved, which I consider an indication of the resort’s quality. I'm glad we ventured outside of the commercialized Cancun Strip area.

Dream South Beach

Quirky germaphobe searching for a suitable South Beach hotel. That was me until I discovered Dream South Beach, formerly the Palmer House. I spent countless hours reading reviews for other hotels, none of which struck the balance of cleanliness, service, location, safety, and price I sought.

Soon I realized that most Miami accommodations were pricey but expensiveness did not equal quality. Not only was Dream's standard suite comparable to if not cheaper than many of its competitors, the peace of mind and relaxing setup proved priceless.
Attendants remained in the lobby around the clock. Often they remembered my name and asked about my itinerary, gleefully providing suggestions upon request and asking how I enjoyed spots I visited. One employee even offered to snap a picture of me when he noticed me photographing Dream’s exterior.

The staff stayed attentive without stalking. I sensed they would recognize non-guests lurking about. Since I was solo, feeling secure in my surroundings was especially important.

Phone calls and internet service are additional charges, but beach chairs and towels are free. For me, parking was a non-issue because I chose to forgo renting a car. The hotel is in walking distance to the beach and restaurants.

Those who don't mind mingling with the masses can catch the SOBE local one street over for a quarter or splurge on a $5 day pass to explore other parts of town. Also, the Airport Flyer provides cheap and quick service, so there's no need for a cab to and from the location.

This boutique establishment proved tranquil overall. Sounds from other rooms were minimal. However, I could sometimes hear loud employees at the hotel next door. Its kitchen and patio area faced my room. Closing windows significantly muted the noise.

I scoured the suite for cleanliness issues and found one foreign eyelash (even I could live with that). The lighting felt weird at first: subdued blue and white hues throughout, including the shower. Dark, rich wood flooring covered all areas. Luxurious bedding allowed me to sleep comfortably after my first night there. That's a virtual feat when I'm in unfamiliar surroundings.

Upon returning home, I dreamt of duplicating the Dream suite on my turf, especially the bedroom.

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3B Bed and Breakfast, Brooklyn

Home away from home. That's the sentiment Matt at 3B Bed and Breakfast expressed he hoped guests felt. Judging from thank you notes left by previous and often repeat travelers, 3B's staff has consistently delivered on creating homey experiences. Most guests, surprisingly, visit from Europe. My first bunk mate, of all places, lived in the same county where I reside.

Sharing a room isn't ideal for all. In an effort to save money and to embrace an attitude of adventure, I gambled on trying these unconventional accommodations. Friends cringed at the idea. After lodging at 3B, the stay ranks in my top three.

The staff resides within the brownstone on another floor. Someone was always available. I consider the high level of cleanliness and 3B's commitment to being green major pluses. Wind power, eco-friendly supplies, salvaged decor, an emphasis on locally-grown and organic foods, composting for a rooftop garden: My kind of place!

Families, singles and couples stay at 3B, which offers various room choices. If complete privacy isn't an issue, try out the bunk option. And if traveling with no more than three others, you could all sleep in the same room if each guest booked a bunk. I chatted with two sisters from Japan who did that.

I spent more time on site than any other guest because I was apartment hunting and taking full advantage of the complimentary computers. Allison and others gave me advice on navigating New York City as well as dining suggestions. The hearty yet healthy breakfast offerings kept me fueled until I recharged with my next meal. Between indulging in breakfast, tea and coffee at 3B and using Scoutmob, I spent less than $40 on meals over four days.

3B lies in the heart of downtown. Use the earplugs supplied or bring your own pair to block out noise from street level and the subway. Some nights were quiet. One opportunity for improvement at 3B would be adding additional towel hooks in the bathroom. Otherwise, these guys have nearly perfected creating a peaceful oasis in a fast-paced city.

Check out http://3bbrooklyn.com/ for more details.

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Comfort Suites, Jacksonville

I stayed here during a family reunion because the organizer got a good rate. Nothing about the visit ranks above average, however; the hotel may appeal to anyone wanting just a spot to sleep in. The area around the location looks up and coming with nicer hotels and a new shopping center nearby. We were able to drive to the beach in less than 30 minutes.

This Comfort Suites could benefit from refreshing the interior. The paint was flesh colored with coats upon coats. Caulking in the bathroom needed to be cleaned/replaced. Fixtures had rust spots. The shower controls were not user friendly, and the room's carpet pattern made it difficult to tell if it was dingy or just old-fashioned. Besides areas that needed dusting, hairs (at least five) left in the tub ranked as a top cleanliness issue.

On the plus side, I did appreciate the fresh fruit served at breakfast. They also had coffee, juice, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, and waffles. Each room contained a mini-fridge, coffeemaker, and a microwave.