We had the awesome experience to re-visit the beautiful Barcelo Gran Faro in San Jose del Cabo July 15th-22nd. Kenny and I were there 9 years ago (I believe before Barcelo owned it). I have terminal cancer and re-visiting was on my “bucket list”. My husband Kenny also needed some extreme dental work at Soft Dental Clinic. Due to COVID-19 we had to schedule 4 times but finally made it!
Upon arrival, we were told we had been upgraded from the Sol Bldg room to an ocean front room. Unfortunately, that room did not have a bathtub; I have serious pain from the cancer and baths help so much. Oscar (our concierge), immediately upgraded us again to a beautiful Jr. Suite; what an amazing room.
The Gran Faro staff, everyone from Oscar (our concierge), front desk personnel, housekeeping, wait staff (especially Manuel), and spa staff were amazing! Both Kenny and I had numerous spa treatments that were top notch (often it seems resort spa treatments are mediocre). Shout out to Mercedes and Vanessa.
The grounds and beach were immaculate. The beach vendors were polite, not pushy and we appreciated that only one vendor at a time approached us. We did purchase items we really didn’t need such as sunglasses and hats but we wanted to support the local economy that had been hit so far.
The COVID-19 procedures made us feel very safe with social distancing, masks by all staff,...We had the awesome experience to re-visit the beautiful Barcelo Gran Faro in San Jose del Cabo July 15th-22nd. Kenny and I were there 9 years ago (I believe before Barcelo owned it). I have terminal cancer and re-visiting was on my “bucket list”. My husband Kenny also needed some extreme dental work at Soft Dental Clinic. Due to COVID-19 we had to schedule 4 times but finally made it!
Upon arrival, we were told we had been upgraded from the Sol Bldg room to an ocean front room. Unfortunately, that room did not have a bathtub; I have serious pain from the cancer and baths help so much. Oscar (our concierge), immediately upgraded us again to a beautiful Jr. Suite; what an amazing room.
The Gran Faro staff, everyone from Oscar (our concierge), front desk personnel, housekeeping, wait staff (especially Manuel), and spa staff were amazing! Both Kenny and I had numerous spa treatments that were top notch (often it seems resort spa treatments are mediocre). Shout out to Mercedes and Vanessa.
The grounds and beach were immaculate. The beach vendors were polite, not pushy and we appreciated that only one vendor at a time approached us. We did purchase items we really didn’t need such as sunglasses and hats but we wanted to support the local economy that had been hit so far.
The COVID-19 procedures made us feel very safe with social distancing, masks by all staff, taking of temperatures and hand sanitizing were above anything we have had in the US.
The ONLY issue we had was the food situation. We understand we arrived the very 1st day of re-opening and some challenges were to be expected. Not everyone has a smart phone to scan the barcode to get the menu and initially the wait staff did not want to give a printed menu. My suggestion is to have the menus printed and then laminated so they can easily be wiped down after each use as well as having a printed menu posted upon entrance.
The buffet food was below mediocre. On Sunday there were pork cops that were so over cooked, they were unedible. Even the salad selection was badly lacking. The Italian restaurant was OK, but the Mexican was served cold. The seafood place was also mediocre. But as the days went by, the food did improve.
We did do a private dinner on the beach that was amazing.
I am so thankful we were able to finally make this trip. I am promoting Barcelo Gran Faro on social media.
Gran Faro, keep up the good work and give kudos to all of your staff.
Perhaps if I am still alive next year we will be back.More
Show less