We have been to the Barcelo Maya Grand Resort 7 times now. There are 5 resorts on the beach there and we have stayed in 3 different ones (the Tropical, the Colonial and the Palace) we prefer the Palace because you can go to all 5 resorts if you stay there. If you stay at the other 4 resorts you can go to all the facilities at the 4 but not the Palace. The beach is absolutely beautiful and you can snorkel right off the beach and see lots of varieties of fish and rays and turtles. The resorts them[... read more]selves are spotlessly clean and the variety of food choices are incredible! There are so many different pools to choose from as well and if you have children with you there are lots of childrens pools with activities for them and they even have the Barcy clubs where you can leave your children to play if that is something you are looking for and the children always look like they are having a great time. We will be going again next year and can't wait.
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Nice resort overall.
Food was great and there were lots of animals for the kids to see! Being an Eco resort was nice for the animals and cenote on site, but being natural also meant it smelled a bit swampy at times. Pools were nice but could have been kept cleaner and most of the water slides were closed for renovations. Construction was underway as well and rooms were a bit dated. Lobby staff were very hard to understand but tried to help. Nice resort, just don't think our timing was the best.
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Lizard -
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Iberostar Waves Paraiso Beach: Great trip
This is a beautiful resort.
No complaints about any of the facilities.
The taco and crepe bars were excellent.
Beaches and pool were great.
Will recommend this resort.
The staff is always helpful...
Maybe allow for unlimited al c carte options.
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Ebang -
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Iberostar Waves Paraiso Beach: Great resort
We really enjoyed our stay at this resort. The grounds were always clean and there is lots to do. The beach was great and the pool is amazing.
We spent lots of time with our grand daughter in the waterfall area.
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Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa: Amazing resort!!
The rooms and the resort in general were extremely clean! The grounds were very well kept with staff washed the windows and floors of the resort daily. The food was outstanding with lots of choice, very exquisitely prepared. We even got messages on our TV asking us when we would like our room serviced and even got a goodbye note :) We would recommend this resort and plan on going back in the near future! Lovely and luxurious experience! Thank you Royalton!
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Nilo -
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Barcelo Maya Beach Resort: Great resorte
I like the hotel and facility. All dining was great. Being close to mall is advantage.
Beach was nice and clean with white sand.
Bar was good snd make whatever you want. Love the breakfast varaity of food. People were freindly too.
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Private -
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The Fives Beach Hotel and Residences Playa Del Carmen: Best vacation !!
Pools are beautiful.
The beach is small and rocky but the pools make up for it.
Food is AMAZING !!!
Rooms are beautiful
Service is impeccable
Cleanliness is on point!
The only negative thing is the lobby very small
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Dave -
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Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Ok
Dinning really wasn't what we expect As Mexican and being in our country we expected a lot of flavour the service at the swimming pool was really poor not enough waitress and the bartenders didn't have good attitude
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Jumping Jack Flash and side kick -
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El Dorado Casitas Royale: Looks good in the picture...but
I was really looking forward to my week at El Dorado Casitas Royale.
After having spent a week this summer at (Azul Sensatori also by Karisma)
with a friend I thought my husband and I would have an even better time at
El Dorado Casitas Royale, after all we were paying almost double to go there!
Unfortunately this was not to be. After the worst check-in we have ever been through,
after waiting five hours for our room we were sent to the wrong room, we got a swim-out when we booked an infin[... read more]ity pool on the second floor. So back on the shuttle we go for a ride back to the little lobby for Casitas guest for another long wait for room #2. Finally they tell us everything is ready to go, so we get back on the shuttle and off we go. We are hot and sweaty, been up since four in the morning and can't wait to jump in the pool. We open the door and can't believe it, they gave us a room already occupied, someone's purse and personal belonging's were everywhere, I had to enter their room to call the lobby and tell them the room was taken, I felt like I was invading their privacy. Yes folks we're off to the lobby again for our third attempt, by now we are ready to blow, but we have to wait our turn. there was a couple who were there at our first and second attempt at getting a room but now the "F" word is flying free their refusing to pay their bill their planes leaving voices are getting louder everyone in the little lobby is focused on them and no one else. We were asked to please wait. I asked for a wet towel to wash the sweat of my dripping face and the manager f inally after more waiting and having them repeat to us excactly what it was they were sorry for and what they were going to do about it, we finally got our room. It's now past 4:00 in the afternoon We really liked our room, the outdoor shower is great, my husband loved the jacuzzi and the inifity pool was our favorite part even though it was showing it's age, rust and old plaster everywhere. Like everyone said about the beach, it's bad, can't comment on the nighttime entertainment other then the show they put on for their country's birthday, which was just sad. The food here is not even close to what was at the sister hotel I was at in July. I wish I had taken my husband back there.
From the food to the people who get you through the week this is not a 5 star by a long shot. If you want to feel you got what you paid for and leave happy and content save yourself a couple grand and go to Azul Sensatori where your will feel the food is 5 star and the service is too. I travel quite a bit and I always tip every one well from the gardener to the personal concierge. Just goes to show, you don't always get what you pay for.
I left this resort with some wonderful memories,although it had nothing to do with this resort and everything to do with who I was with. El Dorado Casitas Royale is a weak 3 stars. Even though they gave us a dinner by the beach[ with a limited menu] and threw some rose petals on our bed to say sorry We had an all around Ok time but would never go back.
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Paradisus La Perla Adults Only Riviera Maya: Loved this hotel. Luxurious hotel, very attentive staff and excellent food.
The rooms were tastefuly furnished with romantic undertones. Perfect for a honeymoon as well as silver anniversary celebration. Very luxurious. Each room had a bath tub, shower and an individual jacuzzi in the porch. The stay will gave the jacuzzi all set to go by your butler when you come to the room in the evening. Champagne in the evening by the butler made the atmosphere more romantic
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Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya: Excellent Service
This is my true and honest review
Hotel was a beautiful site and very well kept. Check in was fast and efficient. This hotel is very large approx 5 km in size but there is a shuttle that is a phone call away to bring you where you need to go. Rooms are beautiful but are in need of a few repairs. We stayed in building 11 on the ground floor and had to have someone come and fix our door that leads to the patio as it would not lock. All they did was break the key off in the lock so we weren't abl[... read more]e to use it. Our patio door looked like someone at some point tried to pry it open which made us a little worried. Don't leave anything sugary in your room. Many little bugs.
Maid service was top notch and we had beautiful things made out of towels each night we entered our room. Our anniversary was acknowledged and that was wonderful
The pool is very large and clean and they have mats you can float on. Lounge chairs plentiful
Entertaining team worked very hard to keep everyone entertained
Buffet was typical. Lots to choose from but nothing spectacular
Tried the French, Italian and steakhouse a la cartes and again food was good but not stand out. Desserts were the best at all 3. Long pants for men required at most restaurants.
Beach was ok but had quite a bit of seaweed. Had red and yellow flags all week. There is a turtle sanctuary on the beach. What an amazing thing to see. Staff were very friendly and never walked by without an hola. Although I would not go back to this resort only because I like the feel of a small more intimate place, I would definitely recommend this resort
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Private -
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The Fives Beach Hotel and Residences Playa Del Carmen: So so
We've been here before I wouldn't go again. Our room was dirty, however they did come back after we asked and cleaned the floors. Service wasn't great. Food was good. Still waiting for our pictures that we paid for. They were supposed to be mailed a few days ago after we did a family photo shoot. Hopefully we get them, as we paid for them.
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Yolis -
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Dreams Tulum Resort and Spa: Beautiful Resort
Dreams Tulum is a beautiful resort with amazing buffet and restaurants. Beach is very nice and landscaping of resort is elegant and well laid out. Great swim up pool bar and mid-afternoon shows are entertaining. Close to Xel-Ha and other activities.
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Sandos Caracol Nature Resort and Water Park: Great Place
Great resort and grounds. The bugs can be problematic so bring lots of bug spray. The restaurants are amazing, loved the vegan a la carte. Really didn't care for the hassle about timeshares, if you really aren't interested please decline upon arrival as you will waste time with the representative. I'm not sure if you can, but try if possible. I would have liked to know about it ahead of time.
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Private -
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The Fives Beach Hotel and Residences Playa Del Carmen: No longer a five star resort
Unfortunately, I think when they changed the name from Azul Fives to Azul Beach Resort The Fives, there was a change in management and significant downgrade in service. We have been to multiple 5 star resorts in Mexico and spoken to families on this most recent visit who have been here before and everyone agrees, this is no longer a five star resort. Sadly, we won't be returning.
I'll start with the positives:
-They are pretty liberal with beach towels. You'll find plenty of new towels in bi[... read more]ns throughout the resort, no need to exchange with towel card.
-Always plenty of cold water bottles at all the bars and tons restocked daily in your room.
-Love the smoothie bar. They use fresh fruit and milk or yogurt so a good healthy option. We frequented this multiple times a day.
-Wifi is available throughout the complex.
-They still have kid supplies available: crib, extra bed, sound monitor, baby sterilizer, high chair, baby bath tub (note: non suite rooms are shower only, they do not have tubs).
My issues:
Day 1:
-We arrived late in the evening and the usual welcome drink and cold towels were not offered. We got a grumpy front desk attendant who took forever to register us. We were in the building next door to the lobby so they didn't even offer a butler to help us to our room. Already, we noticed the service was off.
-We get to the room and it's boiling hot. 30 Degrees. After 10 minutes of turning on the AC, we realized it wasn't working. I picked up the phone to call the front desk to discover the phone wasn't working. Had to walk back to the lobby.
-They eventually moved us to another room and gave us an upgrade (we already booked a two bedroom suite, and now got a two bedroom sky suite) but it was almost midnight before we were settled.
Day 2:
-We go to the concierge to do the usual restaurant reservation bookings to find out two restaurants are closed and the others are closed various days of the week.
-You can also only book restaurants one day in advance which meant we kept having to go back each morning to book.
-The restaurants are also open at different times and the schedule is ridiculously hard to remember. Kept having to refer to the paper but on numerous occasions, we'd end up at the door and realized it wasn't open.
-The kids club was closed the entire time we were there. One of the reasons we go to Azul Five is because it's a very kid oriented resort. This majorly sucked for my 1 and 3 year old. They moved the babysitters to the teen club but there is nothing for kids to do so we never left them there.
Didn't have major issues on Days 3 and 4
Day 5:
-The resort ran out of coconut cream!!! HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? This may seem like a minor point for most people but I love my pina coladas and other coconut flavoured drinks, especially from the smoothie bar so WTF!
-Now, my biggest issue and the reason we will not be returning. There was renovations going on in the suite below us all week but on this day, it was particularly loud and very annoying. I called the front desk and they said the unit below was owned by a private owner and it was out of their control. If you didn't already know (which I did not), Azul resorts allow some units to be completely owned by people and they pay extra for food/drinks, etc. I spoke with the manager on duty and they said the owner would have to stop noise by 6pm. However, I had two kids who still needed to nap and could not. They were both also scared of the noise because it was loud banging and drilling. Totally not what you need for a vacation.
-There is also not enough places open with AC during the day. All the lunch restaurants are open restaurants. The lobby is tiny and you can only go in and out of the shops so many times.
Other negatives:
-There is construction everywhere. It is annoying.
-The only english speaking people are the front desk staff, waitstaff and the concierge. You no longer have a private butler who knows your name and helps you with things at the resort. Housekeeping and people working around the resort do not speak English and it is hard to ask for things you need.
-This resort doesn't have designated nonsmoking areas like other resorts so maybe I'm used to Canada were you can't just smoke anywhere, but smoke everywhere bothered us.
-There is no turn down service (i.e. house keeping only comes by once in the morning). That means no replenishment of fresh towels and when your kids drag in sand from the beach in the afternoon, you live with it until the next day. No chocolates or towel animals either this time.
-We went in the heat of summer and were looking for ice cream during the day. They don't serve ice cream with room service. The only place that had it was at the Oriole outdoor restaurant by the beach. It is a long walk just for ice cream.
And lastly, my thoughts on the accommodations. We opted to book a suite this time. Loved having the extra space and area for the kids to sleep with a closed door. We didn't use the kitchen at all. The kids liked the large living room couch. However, I don't love the open concept design. Some standard rooms have a divider between the bathroom and beds but some down. That means, your tub and sink are in the same area as the bed. The shower and toilet have glass doors but it all essentially one big room. Not a fan.
Now, usually when I give a bad review, management will reply with a comment that said they wish I spoke to someone about my issues. Let me reassure you, I brought every single concern up with someone at the resort and with the exception of the room change, they were not resolved to my satisfaction. We barely got an apology for most of the issues.
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Nicole -
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Bahia Principe Explore Akumal: A great place to go and getaway for some fun and sun
Was very pleased with this hotel. We were recommended this place from some friends and so we went to check it out ourselves and we were not disappointed. The food, service, entertainment, rooms and everything was great. I will be returning to this resort again for sure.
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Private -
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Iberostar Waves Quetzal: Great Resort
No complaints, really.
Property, rooms, grounds, staff at all levels & food are great.
However, 2 points:
A. Food was a bit salty--keeping in mind that salt can always be added by the person eating.
B. 9 PM shows: The first 30 to 45 minutes were always in Spanish--extremely boring for someone who doesn't speak the language.
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Olala -
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Iberostar Waves Quetzal: Amazing resort
Room was great ,clean , employee were exvellent inside and out , food and restaurant were amazing , people are very friendly and helpfull, I would rate it as 200 . I really enjoyed every min I was there . Thank you
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Mich22 -
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Grand Palladium Kantenah: great family vacation!
The staff are so friendly, always welcoming and helpful. Special thanks to Brenda and her crew at the mini kids club. They put in a lot of time and passion in the activities for the kids and it meant a lot to us.
Room was really clean, grounds were very well kept. We really enjoyed walking around the huge resort everyday and all the wild life to see.
Kids pool was a lot of fun for our 2.5 year old.
The beach was beautiful.
Plenty of restaurants to choose from and a very wide varie[... read more]ty of food in the buffets.
We really enjoyed our experience at this resort. Being there for their independence day celebrations in itself was an amazing experience. We were happy to celebrate a very meaningful day with the Mexicans.
Thank you!
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Tan1234 -
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Dreams Riviera Cancun: Great resort and service
The Dreams Riviera Cancun is a great resort. Its a great layout , not too small or too big. Food and service was very good . Rooms were nice and spacious and very clean. Overall a great resort and I would definitely recommend this resorts to friends and family.