Belmond Cap Juluca

the beach and the service are the best. I’m not sure why I have to write more in my review! I loved the Hobie ride with Elvis and Ricardo’s special drink his Ricky Dicky.

This is not a five star resort. The Brando, 4 seasons in Lanai, Castle Hot Springs, and Jumby Bay resorts are five star resorts. Property is tired. Signs of deferred maintenance in many places, easiest seen in places painting should be done. In Restaurant saw ants where there shouldn’t be any. Many staff seemed to be logging time instead of being engaged. Like to have loud cantina music playing in restaurants. Two are right on the water. Would like to carry on a conversation with my wife without having to raise my voice and also be able to hear the waves go by. No one is going to complain the music isn’t loud enough when trying to enjoy a nice meal. Left a message at the desk for the manager, Ian, to call me…never heard from him. Beautiful beach. Would not recommend to anyone.

OK, but needs improvement. We have stayed at this property a few times before Belmont took it over. It seems to have lost some of it's quaint and private feel.

We went for a 10 year anniversary trip (no kids) and could not have had a better experience. Every staff member was exceptionally friendly. The spa was great. Tennis was fun (Shawn is a great guy), and the food was great. It is truly wonderful getting to wake up and walk to your own chair on the world’s best beach.

I had high expectations for Cap Juluca given its reputation, but unfortunately, the overall experience did not live up to what I would consider a true 5-star standard. The beach is undeniably beautiful—especially when it’s clean and free from seaweed. However, the hotel was extremely slow to clear it, sometimes taking several days, which significantly impacted the experience. Adding to this, behind the beach and the villas there is a large construction area in what appears to be a swampy landscape. It looks quite unpleasant and disrupts the otherwise picturesque setting, making the overall atmosphere feel somewhat artificial. From the moment we arrived, the check-in felt rushed—almost as if the goal was to move guests along as quickly as possible: have a drink, sit briefly, and then go straight to your room. It didn’t feel welcoming or personal. Dining was another major disappointment. During meals, restaurant staff interrupted frequently—sometimes more than 10–15 times—clearing plates before we had finished and repeatedly asking if we were done. At one point, I had to explicitly ask for some peace and quiet just to enjoy the meal. Service felt rushed, not attentive. There were also small but telling details: fresh juice was not offered unless specifically requested, and several items were not listed on the menu even though they were available if you asked. It gave the impression that the hotel was cutting corners wherever possible instead of delivering a seamless luxury experience. Service overall felt inconsistent. Many staff members came across as disengaged and lacking proper training, which is not what you expect at this level. Beach service in particular was very poor—there seemed to be no reliable system for ordering food or drinks. The call buttons rarely worked, and even when service arrived, it felt incomplete and unpolished. Food delivery often took over 45 minutes. Our butler was kind and helpful with restaurant bookings and daily greetings, which we appreciated. However, we were missing clear information about all dining options, including other restaurants on the island—something that would have enhanced the experience. The food itself was, unfortunately, one of the biggest letdowns. Aside from one chicken dish that was enjoyable, most meals were nearly inedible and far from what I would consider 5-star quality. It’s surprising given the many positive reviews—I honestly began to question their authenticity. Having stayed at many top-tier hotels around the world, as well as more modest ones, I feel confident in saying this property does not meet true 5-star standards. It felt more like a 3 to 4-star hotel trying to present itself as luxury. The resort is often described as “the Maldives of the Caribbean,” but in my opinion it lacks soul, culture, and refinement. It feels more like an Instagram-driven destination than a genuinely high-end resort. In summary, it may be suitable for a short stay of 2–4 days, but I would not recommend staying longer. The shortcomings in service, food, and overall authenticity significantly affect the experience.