Excellence Riviera Cancun: The Excellence really is excellent,

On our 4th visit to the Excellence Cancun, we discovered this resort has actually become even better. As always, the staff really does make the difference and we cannot say enough good about each and every one of them.

Bahia Principe Explore Akumal: Terrible customer service

The hotel itself was nice the grounds were beautiful. The system for getting people around was great. But when issues came up their customer services was terrible. There was not enough staff the could speak English. Were bumped from staff to staff several times.

Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo: sharing my experience

Know what you are getting yourself into. I always search out larger resorts, as I enjoy wondering around and can feel the space, rather than a smaller setting. We stayed at the Lindo section of the 5 Iberostar resorts that are adjoining. The Del Mar and Beach seemed to be the older section, and the Maya the newest of the 4. The Lindo and Maya section offered interesting courtyards to access your room, as the Delmar and Beach were just boring apartment buildings with hallways. So an obvious upg [... read more]rade in hotel design. We had access to the Beach and Del Mar, but were restricted to the Maya, however did share the pool with them. Then there was the Grand Paraiso, which seemed like a total different hotel. Design and decor was a major step up, rather opulent compared to the others. Their beach was almost equivalent to the combined of the other 4 building. Some of their rooms were directly on the beach as the other 4 resorts were separated by a mangrove area, giving it a more rustic and natural element. Maya, Lindo, DelMar and Beach's rooms closest to the ocean, which you would think to be the better and more expensive, were not the nicest at all. Our beach bar and snack bar were excellent, however there was a lot of watering down of the drinks. Not a bad idea for the early day consumption, but still disappointing in flavor for some drinks. Found the rooms be to large enough, beds were very comfortable. The balcony was a solid waist high enclosure, so little sitting down and people watching. The restaurant booking was very easy. Your building concierge can make all the reservations for the week. Steak house very good 1st time, second time was very disappointing. The french restaurant was a lot of show, with little food and flavor. The jambalaya was our best meal of the week. Interesting enough we were booked 2x in the Maya section restaurants. We also had access to other Iberostar resorts in the neighborhood. So we went and checked them out, as you could spend from 10AM to 6PM at those locations. Playacar, slightly older again, but a nice wide beach. Cozumel, which was a step down for sure. 4 room buildings, looking very tired, small beach and a dilapidated counter at the swimup bar, missing large sections of the tile, exposing the cement, unacceptable lack of maintenance at that resort. We traveled to that resort for a snorkeling excursion, booked on the beach at the Lindo resort with DresselDive. After traveling 2.5 hr to get to the diving location, we were told the winds and ocean conditions were too strong to be able to go snorkeling/diving. Traveling back and forth used up the day, however we were told the next day we would be fully refunded, which was done on a manual visa transaction slips. They took the funds electronically, why not process the credit in the same manner? It has been 2 weeks and no credit has shown up yet. After several emails to dresseldiving, just received a response that they would be looking into this. Also there was lots of wild life roaming around. Coatis, peacocks, lizards, flamingos. Several peacocks were rather noisy, keeping us awake one night. I was not displeased with the resort overall. It had lost of nice areas to sit and go to. The coffee shop, which made nice specialty drinks, had a roof top (open)terrace, a sports bar, several other bars. I personally like to be outside, so when I go on vacation where it has a pleasant outside temperature, I want to feel that. All the restaurants and buffets were closed in, the buffets had a lot of windows, the restaurants not so. The world is a large place, so many other places to go an see, so I would not return to the resort. I am understanding that the hotel chains all have their own theme and design. I prefer the colonial feel to a place and I felt the Lido gave me that. And I have realized that a 4.5 star rating is the minimum I would like for a resort. I like a rustic feel, but not rundown and old. Pictures make it often nicer than it really is, so be very careful not to underpay for your vacation experience, as a little more could make all the difference. However the same resort, same room, same perks all have different rates, depending when you book.

El Dorado Royale: A Beautiful Resort

This resort was set up very well. The layout makes it feel more spacious then a single series of buildings. It is surrounded by lovely gardens, pools, fountains and the restaurants are each located in their own area. You can do plenty of walking as the resort is connected to two of it's sister resorts and you can eat at the restaurants in the other resorts as part of your all inclusive package. Regular shuttles go back and forth for those less than avid walkers. The food was excellent and t [... read more]he service was very good.

Unico 20 87 Hotel Riviera Maya: Beautiful Resort (shame about the beach!)

Unico is a beautiful resort. It's well laid out, the grounds and the pools are lovely, especially the hidden pool. For an all inclusive resort, the food was really good, especially the breakfast buffet. The rooms are very clean but a little musty. The staff are amazing, especially Carlos. If you don't care about the beach, and enjoy spending an entire week by the pools, this will work for you. Unfortunately, for me, the beach was a great disappointment. The seaweed was overwhelming and un [... read more]fortunately the resort doesn't seem to have the equipment necessary to clean the beach. I know it's a losing battle with the seaweed but I know other resorts do a better job.

Bahia Principe Explore Akumal: Nice Resort.

We stayed at Akumal Feb 18 for 7 days. Overall we enjoyed our stay. The food in the buffet was very good, always a nice selection. We didn't try any a la carte restaurants because we don't like having to keep any type of schedule while travelling and you had to reserve a time. We did hear from other travellers that the food in these restaurants was good. The pool and beach areas were nice. We did however have to play the towel game some mornings to get pool loungers. On mornings we di [... read more]dn't, chairs were hard to get. The staff were very friendly everywhere on the resort. Good drink service around the pool and beach area. Our room was nice but a bit musty smelling. Its a tropical place and we were on the ground floor so a little hard to avoid. I wouldn't give the room a five star. It needed some updating for sure. Our stay was very relaxing and enjoyable. Thanks Bahia!!

Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya: A Little Disappointing 2nd Time Around

We enjoyed our first visit to Sirenis so much last year, we booked it again for this year. We did expect a ‘welcome back’ or some recognition that we were return visitors, but nothing. In fact, after arriving at the resort at 1pm we waited until almost 4pm for a room. We had made a room and building request when booking our trip, but that wasn’t considered at all. We were in a building we didn’t like (far from where we like to go- it’s a huge resort), and as a married couple they gave  [... read more]us a room with two double beds. We asked to have. Room change with one bed and they told us one wouldn’t be available until the next day. Then they did find us one in another building. We had a third room change, to get into then building we had requested over a year ago. That was picky on our part, but with being there before, we knew what we liked. The rooms smell very mouldy, but I hear that’s the norm in the resorts. I’m not sure? The beach was beautiful, a massive amount of seaweed but they were working HARD for hours in the sun daily to get it removed. The quiet pool was never actually quiet - way too many screaming children. I have five children, nothing against children, but keep them out of the quiet area. It seems most parents just did what was convenient for them, not abiding by resort rules.The lazy tube River was my favourite mostly. Parents just let their kids run through the river without a tube, passing us, yelling, swimming under us. The smoking on the beach was pretty rank but we just moved spots. The entertainment was always excellent and well done. The little market on Saturday and Tuesday was neat, same things as last year, but the hounding to buy was annoying after a while. After being bothered on the beach so much by people asking us to book spa times, massage times and trip excursions, there was little patience left for selling tactics. Not very relaxing. We took a Transat free trip to Tulum and stopped at a Jewelry Factory and Tequila tasting. Jewelry was neat but they do a speech and a salesperson takes you around the whole store and follows you the entire time- hard to shop and prices were way too high for what it was. The tequila tasting was neat, informative and interesting. Way less pressure to buy, but still there. Tulum was neat, had went last year so was quite similar. We did walk the recommended trails this year on the resort. They are very far from the buildings and on a part of the resort that has some condos and some development but not populated much at all. We saw the cenote on site on the trail and the biotanical gardens were really enjoyable but we didn’t last too long because of the bugs. Did you know there were scorpions there? I didn’t ! Until some lady was stung on the toe on the resort, then I was paranoid! Lots of neat animals to see on the resort. We only did one a la Carter this year because we prefered to do things on our own time and didn’t like the scheduled dinner time. We went to the Brazilian restaurant and it was excellent. The beach bar was our favourite. The buffet was always good, lots of options. The best thing, however, about Mexico is the people. They are always kind and friendly. Our room was always so nicely cleaned. When we left and checked out there was not a ‘how was your vacation, how was your stay, hope you come back. Although the resort is nice, we won’t likely return next year and will find a new resort to try.

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Never use Trip central

I would love to tell you what a wonderful time we both had on the trip, however my son had a medical condition that prevented us from going at all, I spoke to Wendy regarding the matter and unfortunately I wasn’t able to get any kind of compensation for a trip in the future. The only thing I learned is how important it is to have cancellation insurance for the vacation otherwise like myself I spent just under $2500.00 for NOTHING. I feel responsible for not reading the fine print and not purch [... read more]asing some kind of insurance for this particular medical condition. Live and learn. If you had any clue this actually took place I’m sure you would not be sending me a review. Thanks for taking my hard earned money and no I promise I won’t recommend your service to anyone.

Grand Sirenis Mayan Beach: Exceeded expectations!

We had an amazing vacation and enjoyed every minute with our family. The food was on point. First stop each morning was the coffee bar followed by fresh crepes and croissant at the breakfast buffet. Selection at the buffet was beyond amazing with so many delicious choices. The a la carte restaurants also do not disappoint. Our kids loved the ice cream bar and multiple trips around the lazy river every day. We met so many nice people around the pool and enjoyed lots of cocktails and cervezas fr [... read more]om Carlos at the swim up bar. All staff we interacted with was beyond friendly; from the shuttle drivers and concierge staff to the cleaners and ground keepers. Our room was in the perfect location and was very nice and clean. We would go back to this resort in a second and we highly recommend this resort for your family. The entrainment staff are friendly and put big effort into fun activities around the pool and the shows each night. There was a lot of seaweed and they worked hard everyday to keep it under control. The beach isn't long but the kids had fun snorkeling. We had perfect weather for our entire vacation.

The Fives Beach Hotel and Residences Playa Del Carmen: Fives Azul pros & cons

Hotel grew on us for sure not typical large resort with huge buffets. Looked like toronto downtown hotel esp the restaurants Rooms very nice but time share set up with kitchen Well maintained and comfy 10 Restaurants Italian and Thai outstanding food decor and service All food was good to great service everywhere super fast and friendly Even room service 15 mins and great variety and adjust if they can Hotel was 1 hour from airport though told 30 mins Lobby small but efficient. [... read more] Can book specialty restaurants for week at one time. Very efficient did aps someday in bipuffet or restaurant even if booked at another Can stop and get tortilla or pizza or a bite all over The hotel caters to kids and so 1-2-3 bedrooms But not loud or crying. Even played modern American music by pool. Several pools all over so can be quiet or fun Dancing and pool aerobics fun and not intrusive So 9/10. Accept water was rough and mass amounts of seaweed most of time so was in pool 90%. But sandy decent beach and can do long walks. $30 for great beach massages vs $150 in hotel Very safe in property and tho public beach not an issue accept Sunday locals dominate with families and food and ugly umbrellas Very good value and 3.40 hr flight always nice. Enjoy Ps took 30 yr old daughter and she ended up loving. ESP massages every other day and food Spend extra if you can to get bedroom vs pullout !!!

Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya: The only Resort we have ever returned to and will again.

This place is too good to be true. There is a staff of 900 for a maximum number of guests of 1100, You will never be this pampered again in beautifully maintained gardens and beaches. I am a senior and can't stand loud music. Here you can avoid it completely if you want to but it is available for those who wish it. There is pleasant professional music until about 9pm and party rooms for the late night set. There are more pool areas than I have ever seen in a resort as well as a floating riv [... read more]er. Go to a different delicious restaurant every evening no reservations needed. At dinner expect to dress as if you are going to a cocktail party and gentlemen shirts with collars and long pants please. The Best

Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen: Can Hardly Wait To Go Back!

I felt so comfortable and welcome from the minute I put foot in the resort. The staff was outstanding and always helpful. The variety of food and various restaurants was more than I could have imagined. The day selection for day trips was excellent. I couldn't have had a better vacation and I will be returning to Panama Jacks next year. Susan

Platinum Yucatan Princess: Our new favourite hotel line

Doing research for a getaway with my boyfriend looking for an adults only place was somewhat stressful and I found myself stuck with analysis paralysis reading the good. the bad , and the ugly about so many different hotels in riviera maya. It wasn’t a cheap vacation and I wanted to get the most for my money in terms of experience and service. In the end we opted with the princess line and chose the platinum Yucatan near playa del Carmen. For those looking for their next trip we highly recomme [... read more]nd this hotel..we had to look pretty hard to find anything wrong ! My rooom request “was not on file” but it resulted in an upgrade to a deluxe jacuzzi suite-building 5 3rd floor-loved it! The Italian restaurant was our favourite and Lillian’s customers care was awesome . We did not like the seafood risotto but all other meals there were great! No other complaints about food at rodeo or Tao..we never made it to aroma ! The on-site disco was hardly used so we went one night to the neighbouring resort (their family hotel ) and had a blast dancing there. Also had a terrific meal at Miso there We played tennis (luis was a great coach) enjoyed drinks at swim up bar-quiet pool NOT party pool (thanks Rosie.Jose and Herbaciato) went to 2 amazing dance shows-(forgot choreographer s name but awesome Job!) The concierges Lorena and Katarina took care of wine and swag needs Spent a couple days beach side and it was great! How on earth can people complain about seaweed-there’s lots but that’s nature and another good example of how picky you have to be to find faults here. I would say this is a 4.5 star having been to secrets in Cabo at Christmas which was 5 star all the way. That said we we super happy With our 9 day stay and we will be back for sure!

Royal Hideaway Playacar: Excellent stay at Royal Hideaway Playacar

Five star all inclusive resort. Excellent accommodation. Rooms are large and very new. Clean and well maintained. There are six restaurants to choose from. And can be reserved when you check in on the first day. Gourmet food. Great staff.

Ocean Maya Royale: Great Resort

Great rooms,great food,awesome service. Wildlife around the grounds was amazing to see. Unfortunately Mother Nature took over the beach with seaweed but the resort staff did their best to keep up with the removal.

Platinum Yucatan Princess: Nic e resort

Very well kept , clean . Spacious rooms . Staff was great very good friendly service. The main drawback was the beach , very rocky filled with seaweed and had a red flag the entire week . Entertainment was not very good and few of bars where open after 10.

Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka'an: Amazing experience

This destination was amazing. Food, service, rooms, amenities and staff all 5 stars. Only complaint was they cut back on activities to fill in your afternoons in exchange for “experiences” like tastings

Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya: Amazing resort

Our trip to the Valentin Imperial Maya was wonderful. The resort and grounds are beautiful. Nice sandy beach. The pools are great and lots of daily activities. Evening entertainment was great ! The food is very good. The staff is very attentive to details. We celebrated our 25 th Wedding Anniversary and the staff made it very special. Antonio , our concierge in building 5 welcomed us with a smile and made sure we had all we needed. Rosa, one of the waitresses in the evening was very pleasant an [... read more]d gave us excellent service. Armando , our waiter at the corner restaurant made our Anniversary supper special and memorable. Thank you, Thank you. We will be returning a third time to this resort.

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Great resort

it was very clean and well maintained. Shuttle service was adequate. the beach was covered in seaweed but did not impact our stay at blue bay. More control over guests which do not respect others noise levels. We were very fortunate to be on the fourth floor and could muffle the sounds of the noise from the parties on the first floor (all 50 of them) The food was very good at the buffet . Shout out to Alberto who was very attentive to our service. Elvis at the quiet pool bar restaurant  [... read more]also provided excellent service. We would definitely stay here again. Also would like to thank O'neil Graham for all his help in booking this and forwarding our requests for a poolside and upper floor with a view. Definitely would go thru trip central in future !!

Ocean Riviera Paradise: Good Resort for Families

We enjoyed our vacation at this resort. There was a minor check-in issue (the first room we showed up at was occupied), but they worked hard to resolve it. And we found the steak-house restaurant to be a disappointment. But the rest of the restaurants were good (especially the Japanese restaurant) and they have the basic all inclusive resort formula down well enough. There were great shows in the evening and lots of activities for the kids. There are several pools and a kids waterpark wit [... read more]h waterslides, although it didn't seem to interest our kids (although many other kids seemed to like it, especially the younger ones). I would recommend staying here, but I've stayed at other resorts that do it equally well and some that do it better.