Catalonia Riviera Maya: Great value for money

The resort - pleasantly surprised given reviews we were reading! Definitely worth the money - room was nice but wifi didn't work in room. Mostly worked well elsewhere - shows in the theatre were well produced (if not a tad cheesy) - I was happy we upgraded to Privilege - gave us passes to the spa (really nice), a la carte restaurant, a bar just for us, better room - pools were really fun and everyone was chatty and friendly - beach isn't the greatest (rocky, seaweed), we didn't hang out [... read more] there - bars are only open till 11pm so limited nightlife - food isn't great but there's lots of options and always something to eat. some exceptions include tacos that were served poolside one day and the Japanese restaurant; BLoved was great one night, ok the next. - staff was all amazing - our travel back to the Cancun airport was scheduled 6 hours before our flight so that kind of sucked - dont be hesitant to leave the resort and explore - lots of great bars and restaurants in the little community that are easy to walk to. Cabs to Playa Del Carmen are easy to catch, no issues with payment. Travelling during covid - if you aren't tech savvy, i don't know how you would have made it through the process of travelling during covid - mexico didn't check vaccine passports at all - go to Pearson a bit earlier than you normally would because line-ups were long - Cancun airport was pretty manageable - lots of people but lines moved quickly - PCR tests were done at the resort - quite an efficient process. You need to pay in cash (pesos or USD) - one of us was selected for a covid test at Pearson, which was pretty quick (maybe 20-30 min). Results came back in just over 24 hours. - tips: register for switch health in advance if you can (the company that did the covid testing at Pearson - got the shorter line as a result); download arrivecan ahead of time and add your vaccine passport. There's a form to fill out when you arrive in Mexico but you can only do it 12 hours before arrival and since we had an early flight, most didn't get a chance to do it. We figured it out once we got there. -staff at resort all wore masks consistently. they took our temperatures at the buffet (but no where else)

Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka'an: Relaxing getaway

Covid protocol similar to Ontario, which staff and guests respect. Scheduled PCR test at the hassienda Dr office $117 cdn, no lineup, email results by midnight next day. Resort is same as before covid, very good everything, and still best value "5* adult only" IMHO.

Iberostar Selection Paraiso Maya Suites: Great Place for a Family Vacation

This was our third return to the Iberostar Maya/Lindo in Mexico (first two trips were in 2016 & 2017). We had a wonderful week with 6 adults and 5 kids (ages between 3 and 13). Covid related rules and policies are much like they are in Canada - masking in public areas, entering and leaving restaurants, going up to the buffet etc. In the buffets, some things are serve yourself and some are served for you by staff. The quality and diversity of food was a little lower than what we experienced i [... read more]n 2016/7, but still very very good. The grounds and rooms are just as lovely as always and the service is great. The new waterslides are fun, but we found we would go down 4-5times and not everyday, so they are never busy which is nice. We flew Air Canada and had a lovely experience there to. Traveling back through Pearson Airport, even with all the extra checks, balances and testing was smooth and very well managed and organized. In every interaction with many people who are part of the travel industry (Travel agents, flight attendants, airport staff, resort staff) we had nothing but good experiences so thank you to all of them as we had a great vacation!

Occidental at Xcaret Destination: Total luxury

We stayed at Occidental Xcaret in the Royal Club. I highly recommend the upgrade. The small private dining area available to the Royal guests was amazing. The service was excellent from drink service or lunch directly to your loungers by the pool or your sit down menu service for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You are still able to go to all the other buffet or a la carte restaurants within the resort, but we didn’t enjoy the food as much outside of the Royal area. Our suite was huge, comfor [... read more]table and clean. There are pools absolutely everywhere around the resort and a stunning man-made beach area with a Royal section at the beach also. They do invite you to a meeting at their ‘first club’ which I am assuming is a type of time share thing so we declined and there was no pressure from the staff to make us attend. The resort is quite big, with nature trails and lots of interesting places to walk but they offer a regular shuttle service to get you around. Covid precautions were taken seriously throughout the resort, masks in all indoor facilities for guests. Staff wore masks constantly, indoors and out. Wait staff wore goggles in addition to masks.

Platinum Yucatan Princess: Great vacation

This vacation was just what the doctor ordered. The rooms are big and clean. The swim-out was perfect as we aren’t beach people. The hotel staff worked their butts off and were always kind/polite. We knew what we were getting as we have been here before….they did not disappoint.

Ocean Riviera Paradise: Incredible Resort!

This resort is a paragon for all inclusive resorts. It perfectly balances fun, relaxation, and entertainment. I came here with my wife for our honeymoon for a week and it wasn't long enough! Will definitely be coming back.

Dreams Jade Resort and Spa: Trip

Second time at this resort had a great time. The food was good all the restaurants were good we did have a problem getting face clothes for our room but would call house keeping and they would send them right away

Barcelo Maya Colonial: Do not Swim with Dolphins

I'm giving a lower star review on the hotel based on the archaic and cruel practice of swimming with dolphins. These beautiful creatures are taken from the ocean and their family pods and used and abused for our entertainment. The mental stress and physical damage from the chlorine used to keep the tanks clean burns their skin and eyes. I hope in the near future there will no longer be a demand for this form of 'entertainment' at the expense of these beautiful dolphins. The hotel, grounds ar [... read more]e well maintained, the staff is very friendly and helpful and the food was delicious. I would love to return to Barcelo but won't as long as there is still a small pool with dolphins.

El Dorado Royale: Beautiful Place to Vacation

My favourite resort we have been to in Cancun. The food was amazing, staff was super friendly and welcoming. COVID protocols were in place and we felt very safe there. Would definitely come back again

Bahia Principe Explore Akumal: Great family reunion

So wonderful to travel to an all inclusive again after and unfortunately during COVID. The resort responded very well to these times. Staff always had masks on, we needed masks to enter dining facilities, with a disposable plastic glove to use gathering food at the buffet. Capacity was also limited. The actual PCR test required long line ups even though appointments were scheduled. However we received the results in due time. Please note, if you pay in pesos you save a lot of money! In general, [... read more] the lush well kept grounds, friendly hard working staff, excellent shows, and great food were of a high standard. The down sides were, hard to book restaurants and at times not enough transport between the resorts. And you do want to go between the resorts as they offer different activities. Enjoy Olga

Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Beautiful resort

Really enjoyed all the included activities. So much to do you don’t even need to leave the resort. Everything very clean and well maintained. Room was nice, clean, fridge stocked, water bottle in room. All restaurants had good food, buffet had good variety. Restaurant at pool also good, almost same thing everyday ( hamburgers and hotdogs etc). Did free shopping tour, pretty interesting. Have to stay 45 minutes at jewellery store, 30 minutes at Tequila store (free tequila tasting which was ac [... read more]tually interesting and fun) and then they leave you in Playa de Carmen for a couple of hours with access to a beach club ( where we had a delicious lunch on the beach) would recommend this. Or just a taxi to 5th avenue in Playa de Carmen. Just walking thru the paths in the resort was great, vegetation and natural beauty of the mangroves, the cenote, the jade River, the Mayan ruins, lots to explore. I would recommend this resort for anyone, children will love it.

Dreams Natura Resort and Spa: Decent Resort

The facilities are new and well appointed, but the area is underdeveloped and thus shows some fairly ugly wounds eg unfinished resort 500 ft from the hotel and rotting grasses on the beach as a result

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Maintenance issues

Days 2 to 4 of our week long stay we did not have hot water in our shower. The door to our room came off the hinge on day 4. The ceiling fan functioned poorly. The TV didn't work at all. The hotel is in need or repairs throughout.

Riu Tequila: Fantastic

I was at this hotel16 years ago. The renovations they have recently done are amazing. The staff always smiling 😃. I would go back.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Riu Tequila: 5 STAR RESORT

Hotel was refreshed recently. New beds and furniture including washroom and shower. It was very nice. Even tho beach was a short walk it was well worth it, I would stay at it again. Food and bars were amazing as so was the service. Only thing that grossed me out was the swim up bar at the pool as it had a different tint to it as I suspect most guests would not use the washroom.

Bahia Principe Explore Coba: Great stay again

This was a great stay for us. Be warned, the resort is large. I logged the distance around the coba and its around 1.5 km, so get ready for some walking. There are carts which can take you to various locations, but their primary purpose is to take guests to the beach, to the main Hacienda (store/ entrance) and to the other resort lobbies. The staff were very prepared for the increased health situations, with all of them being masked, and temperature checks being done at the buffets.  [... read more]The food was great, and we got the selection of the a la cartes that we wanted. Note: i would recommend downloading the app for the resort. Once you have your reservation confirmation, you were able, five days prior to arrival, to check in with a lot of information and also book a la cartes. Its also had the schedule of entertainment for the resort, which was quite handy, as the resort had good wi-fi coverage in most places, which is good considering the size.

Royalton Hideaway Riviera Cancun: Big Hotel

It was our special birthdays and some one had mentioned this 5 star hotel Adults Only you pay a little more but you get treated like a King. first of all its a Big Hotel ,They have a section called Diamond Club hideaway for Adults Only to get pampered but you really dont, you get a day shift and a evening shift butler, We seen our Butler the first day and then that was it,we couldn't find him or get a hold of him.In one week we called four times for service to have our in room bar stock with wat [... read more]er,three of the time we decided to get our own water after waiting a long time. All the entertainment being adults or children are all done together that goes for the buffet and everything else,there wasn't that much of a concern there about Covid the hand sanitizer that were on the wall next the the elevator, 3/4 of the containers were empty ,ever though my wife asked numerous times to have them filled The buffet was a free for all,no protection in order everyone use the same tongues to pick up what the wanted. the beaches weren't combed there was weeds all over, it rained for two days the lobby was shoulder to shoulder, My friends went to Cuba at the same time at a adults only with butler service and they said they were treated like royalty (Cuba), in my opinion thanks for the four days of heat Canun you might see me again but not at the hotel 3 1/2 - 4 at best (from other guesses they said it really was a 5 star a few years ago)

Catalonia Riviera Maya: Mixed feelings

Food was great, but unless you have a “privileged” room, you can’t use some of the bars or restaurants. And it was so busy that when we tried to book the ala cart dinners, there were none available so we had to eat at the same buffet every day. The staff were semi-friendly but not overly friendly. The rooms were okay but the bed was very uncomfortable, so bad sleeps and they started doing construction at 7:30am one morning. The beach was rocky and awful. The sand by the volleyball wasn’t [... read more] soft or deep enough. A number of people were hurt and bleeding. We also asked around for a bottled water and no one would give us any. They didn’t replace them in our fridge. Also the bars close right at 11pm and don’t open until 11am. The entertainment was poor and short…one night only half hour. I will not be recommending this place to anyone. I would highly recommend they consider changing the language from “privileged”. It is offensive.

Catalonia Riviera Maya: Great resort, very relaxing, some concerns

My girlfriend and I had a nice relaxing time a tthis resort. It is very lovely and was a great value for the area. we both had a couple things we would highlite Her: - food was great, healthy and delicious options - getting access to the ala carte was very competative. you need to reserve everything as soon as you get there or you're out of luck - There was no Wifi in the room, there is sections and rooms that do have wifi but not some of the rooms further from the main buildings, [... read more] we really needed the wifi and had none. - Air conditioning didnt go as low as she likes Him: - can only get drinks from 11am to 11pm who closes the bar at 11pm!!!! I know they wanted my tips why cant I give them my money! - resort basiclly goes to sleep at 11pm, but this is most likely what you want if you are a family, its not what I wanted though Conclusion: - I cant go back here despite the fact its actually a great resort, I just wanted different things from my vacation,. I would say its great though for families and people who like to go to bed early. It really really really needs to buy some more wifi extenders. such an easy fix.

Catalonia Riviera Maya: if beach is important to you, find another resort

The resort is a long way from airport and is rather small. Nowhere to take a walk. The beach is next to the pool where all the activities (talking/loud music/silly games) are, so no peace. There is just a small window of opportunity to enter the ocean on sand, with no rocks. We paid for the "privilege" package and our room was great and we also received a bottle of champagne, chocolates and fruit as a welcome gift. Other then that did not feel like there any benefits to it. The "privilege" b [... read more]each is a joke, a very small place looking across another hotel, not the ocean! Our room was close to one of the bars where they had live loud music late into the night. The back door had a broken lock, never got repaired. Lots of COVID precautions, constant cleaning, painting etc, good measures. When we left, the minibus took us to the airport with 4.5 hours before our flight. They didn't check that the flight was delayed an hour, so we spent 4 hours there, so much fun! Food is ok, the restaurants were good, we enjoyed the experience.