Ocean Maya Royale: Very acceptable, clean resort.

We stayed at the Ocean Maya Royale for a week in February 2017, to celebrate my 50th birthday. It was a very pleasant week, with only a few minor issues. Our overall summary would be this: it was very acceptable and one of the more affordable adults-only resorts in the Mayan Riviera, but nothing special enough to make us want to return for another visit, when there are so many other all-inclusive resorts to investigate. The GOOD: this resort is very clean, and the grounds are well-maintained [... read more], and quite beautiful. We enjoyed seeing lots of animals and birds: coatis, deer, and iguanas mainly. They are not a problem (just please do not feed them) We found the FOOD in the restaurants very acceptable. Nice serving sizes that look too small for North Americans, but actually do fill you up. Picky eaters will always be picky eaters. We tried all of the restos, and thought they were mostly very good. The buffet was available for all 3 meals, and had an impressive assortment of foods. The 4 a la carte restos were all very acceptable. The teppanyaki show at Yookoso was very entertaining, and there was lots of food, although it was all seasoned the same way, so it was a little repetitive. We thought the Mexican “El Charro” was very good, and the Italian “La Dolce Vita” too. Probably because this resort is only about 10 years old, the climate control works very well. It was a treat to find that the air conditioning inside the buildings wasn’t set so low that you were freezing cold. It was just comfortable, and a nice break from the outside heat/humidity. The Mexican and Italian restos are al fresco, so no air conditioning at all… but good breezes off the water! Another nice surprise was that clothes and towels in your room would actually be mostly dry by morning! The entertainment was enjoyable, and some of the shows were surprisingly good. Remember that this is not Vegas… these are young, local dancers and performers who work hard to put on entertaining shows. The resort staff were generally very friendly, helpful, and hard working. Lots of activities around the party pool area if you wish. Unfortunately, guests do go down to the pools/beach to reserve most of the chairs early in the morning, but we were usually able to find a little space to sit after breakfast. IMPORTANT TO NOTE: We booked through Sunquest, and the airport rep gave us a package with our local Sunquest agent’s name and the time we should meet with her to arrange return shuttle to the airport, and it had some coupons for booking daytrips, etc. The airport rep warned us that the resort staff might ask for that package then just try to get you to book extra things through them! When the resort “concierge” checks you in, they will tell you that you must book a private “breakfast orientation” for the next morning to learn about the resort. Be wary of this “orientation”. You might get some resort information, but it is actually a time share talk, and they are very high-pressure. We declined the breakfast meeting, and she kept pushing, but we wouldn’t budge. After that, this concierge was suddenly much less friendly, and although she had earlier promised that they would do something special for my birthday, nothing happened on the day! Very petty. Hubby did ask at the front desk, and they did a little something the next day, so that kind of made up for it. So the moral is: if you want anything special, don’t assume that it will happen with one request…. Follow up a couple of times! This is a fairly small property, only 320 rooms, and there are no shuttles/carts to drive you around. Thank goodness we brought a rented wheelchair from home for my husband who walks with a cane due to M.S. There were several other guests with wheelchairs too. Because of the chair, we were given a bigger room, which was very helpful. The staff were generally very kind and helpful in assisting us. But be warned, there is no elevator to get to the main lobby building where the buffet and 2 of the a la carte restos are located!! There are ramps everywhere, but the main one up to the lobby level is fairly steep. There is a good handrail with the stairs, so hubby was able to work his way up the stairs, while I rolled the empty chair up the ramps… I definitely would have worked up a sweat pushing it up with him in it!! Oddly, the party pool and the quiet pool are right next to each other, and right at the beach. So if you are looking for absolute peace and quiet on the beach or at the pool, you won’t find it, but it is somewhat quieter at the far end of the pool/beach. If you enjoy a nice beach and swimming in the ocean, this resort might not be for you. As you can see in the pictures, there is a boardwalk along most of the beach, with just a small area off to the side with direct sandy access to the water. That area is quite crowded with beach chairs, and only a few umbrellas, but the water looks nice (although some people do complain about seaweed… this IS the ocean, folks). The “beach” area enclosed by the boardwalk is really weird… it feels like a huge concrete slab with about 4 inches of fine sand on top. Very firm. In summary: this is a very acceptable resort, especially if you are easy-going, just want to relax, have some fun, and enjoy different kinds of foods. (i.e.: not a picky eater). We probably won’t return, but we would be ok with recommending it to friends who were looking for a somewhat budget-conscious holiday and who aren’t too uptight!

Bahia Principe Explore Tulum: Beautiful and clean

We as a group of 14 with ages ranging from 12 years to 71 years of age, there were something for everyone. The wait staff and custodians were more than friendly and helpful in every aspect of the resort, unfortunately that did not happen at the reception desks, we Felt they were disrespectful and quite rude with the simple task of even checking in. Other than that it was a fantastic vacation and we would return to that resort again on another vacation.

Bahia Principe Explore Tulum: Fabulous

Had no concerns! Very clean, food was great! Travelled with a mixed age group (12-71) and all were happy throughout stay. Beach walking, swimming, snorkelling were fun. Poolside was enjoyable! So many different areas to just sit and relax!

Barcelo Maya Colonial: Large but great with lobby issues

The hotel is a very large complex with lots of space and very large pool areas. There is a beautiful beach with nice sand areas in the water. Food is absolutely fantastic at the a la carte restaurants and very very good at the buffets. The service at all the restaurants and all the bars was just fantastic. It's always nice to have conversation along with good service. On the negative side. The main lobby service was very bad. No answers to any questions. No king bed and no help in getting one. [... read more] No peso exchange available so bring tipping size notes with you. We were locked out of our room and found a line of people at the lobby with the same issue. We were all told we all must have got our cards wet or oil on them. Unless oil dripped through the safe in our room the second card was shot too. The rooms at the Colonial are a bit tired. We had the classic stuff in the room. Patio door wouldn't lock properly, shower head was half shot, a couple light were broke one hanging out of the wall as just a wire and a light bulb. Overall the resort is very very nice but if you are the type that requires a luxury hotel room?Maybe this is not the place for you. If you enjoy food and the beach with a little Captain Morgan Spiced Rum tossed in and can look past the rest? You will enjoy. Check the concert listing on the resort as the shows will affect the resort very much. Quiet big place unless there is a big show that weekend.

Occidental at Xcaret Destination: Beautiful Resort

This hotel was truly everything it promised it would be and then some. We had an amazing time and the staff and the hospitality were top notch... :) The resort itself was absolutely stunning. The food was delicious... the service was above and beyond..Loved it and can't wait to return...

Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda: Fantastic Resort

This was the first time my husband and I went to Mexico, and it was amazing. Blue Bay was a beautiful resort and the staff was so friendly and happy all the time. The management staff in the restaurants were always making sure everything was fine for the people and you could see the great repore they had with their staff. The staff was always around making sure the people had everything they needed, but they never made you feel overwhelmed they were great. I am so greatful to have experience [... read more]d Mexico for the first time at Blue Bay. Thank you, Marilia Frampton

Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya: Beautiful

Can't say enough about this resort. 2nd time for us and still in awe of the lush private surroundings. We had a ground floor room which was very nice, quiet at night. We tried all the restaurants, no complaints. Lots to do in the evenings, no problem getting a chair at the beach. Weather was absolutely beautiful. Can't wait till next time.

Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo: Fantastic hotel

Great food, particularly the Steak and Gourmet restaurants. Great beach (comparable to Varadero or Punta Cana). Fantastic pools. Great service. Excellent entertainment. Very kid friendly. Highly recommended!

Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya: Dream vacation!

This resort is so much fun! What I really enjoyed was the entertainment. From the sumptuous varied and delicious buffet dinners to the many bars. The dance troupe is excellent. After you get your energy up, Sirenis does not ship you off to a nearby town to dance, all you have to do is go a few steps to the sky bar where a dance band plays at least three times a week. The resort dancers also go up there, something I very much appreciated. We are active people and we love to dance. This was a wond [... read more]erful feature and could make the difference to my choice of resort. The activity pool had bingo, water balloons, and my highlight, a dance party with BUBBLES! So much fun. Beach, so beautiful. I was a bit disappointed that I could not really see the abundant coral just off the beach sand while snorkeling. It was very windy most days and the corals were all covered with sand. A young girl showed me a 5 foot long eel basking in a tide pool however, which was nice to see. Also the resort is full of wildlife. I love animals and enjoyed the many species of iguanas, two kinds of raccoons, beautiful slim cats, (not neutered! tsk tsk!) squirrels, many kinds of birds, and very exciting, a wild spider monkey band. The staff is abundant, and work so hard.They were kind and gracious and I tried to tip as often as I could depending on if I had the correct change on me. Perhaps a correct change option in the lobby? I felt the place was spotless and always being painted, and washed and groomed. The gardens are gorgeous and perfectly trimmed and cared for and healthy. As an acreage owner here in Alberta, I really noticed that. The lobby I found cavernous and quite frankly, ugly. There was a proliferation of the Mayan pyramid shape everywhere, which is a cut off triangle shape. Not my favorite, but hey, art is art, right? The shuttle service could use some organization as we do like to go to the gym every day and the walk there was 15 minutes in the blazing heat, which is draining for us northerners. I know, we wanted exercise, but we really were thinking of weight training. A shuttle that followed the schedule would be nice. We waited several times for the shuttle at the stop and they did not show up. Plus they were always coming up behind you when you were walking on paths about the resort and we constantly had to jump out of the way. We greatly enjoyed our dinner at the gorgeously set Mexican restaurant, and the food was excellent as was the Thai restaurant. The Brazilian restaurant was a let down for us. The meat was served very sparingly, and was often over cooked. I also felt the staff was not very friendly, the only staff on the place I felt that way about. I also heard from another guest that the resort quality was not consistent. Perhaps there is more staff during high season? Understandable, but could be disappointing. They had come twice in a year and the second time which I will guess was Novemberish was a let down. Our room was lovely and quiet. The cleaning staff was very respectful. Bedding was adjustable to your comfort quite easily with light quilt and top single thin cover with a sheet. I appreciated that as sometimes all you get is a super hot cover and one sheet. As a middle aged woman, I need layering options in bedding. We had a nice balcony which looked out onto a tree top. No view really, but I did enjoy watching some beautiful gold birds flitter in the branches which also had violet flowers in them. So lovely. Thank you for a wonderful vacation, Sirenis! You are awesome!

Barcelo Maya Colonial: Beautiful resort!

This was our first time at this resort and we have absolutely no complaints! The grounds, rooms, public areas etc. were all immaculate. The food was much better than we anticipated including the buffets. We would definitely consider going back.

Selection Riviera Cancun: Great Service at Azul Sensatori

We stayed here for our honeymoon last week and we really loved this resort. The rooms were nice and clean and we loved the pools on the property. The staff were friendly and attentive. They were great to talk to and whenever we needed something they were glad to help. We tried almost all the restaurants here and they were all great. We also loved the food and being able to walk to the beach right outside our hotel was nice. We would love to be here again!

Ocean Coral Riviera Cancun: Best Resort We've been to so far!!!!!

We loved this place!!!. We just came back from a week in February 2017. The lobby was impressive and it only got better from there. We were in building 5 on the 2nd floor. very private balcony looking into thick palms facing the ocean but no sightline of the water (we didn't mind and enjoyed the privacy without having to close our curtains all the time) 4 pools allowed us to pick what mood we were in each day. The swim up bar pool was a bit too much of a party pool for us so we stuck to t [... read more]he activity pool and quiet pool most days. We were looking for good beach volleyball and although the resort had a court, they kept taking the net down for special dinners that were set up on the beach and then would take a day to get it back up. They also didn't have lines for the court. (walking along the beach to the south all the other resorts had proper nets and lines) The a la carte restaurants were fantastic!!! we loved not having to make a reservation however be warned that if you aren't dressed and waiting in line at 6pm then you will most likely be getting a 'buzzer' and called back later. We arrived around 7:30-8pm most nights and would have about an hour wait till we could be seated. After figuring this out on the first night we took advantage of the great singer/piano duo that played in the lobby while we waited. Servers were always coming around to top up drinks also. Our favorite restaurant was BY FAR the Crepery!!!!!! We went there for 2nd lunch each day and 1 personally ordered 2 Nutella crepes with whipped cream and strawberries every time. A highlight for sure. The breakfast buffet was wonderful with omelette bars and fresh juice bar, and loads of fruit and pastries each morning. we also were offered Mimosa's and Bailey's in our coffee. (nice treat as Bailey's is an extra charge or for privileged guests otherwise) The rooms were very nice and modern. Huge shower with separate water closet and soaker tub. We initially wondered if these were nicer due to being in the "privileged" area of the resort around the quiet pool, however after glancing through a few windows we saw the same interior around the entire property. The staff was great and we were very pleased with how well most spoke English. The evening entertainment was very well done. They had it set up outside and used the stairs and balcony of the lobby veranda as part of the set. The ones we saw: Grease, Lion King, and International were impressive with costumes, and great choreography. A few things that weren't our favorite: saving chairs around the pools and on the beach was ridiculous. My husband was up one morning and down at 7 am and every single beach chair was saved as well as almost all the pool chairs except around the quiet pool. (we were looking for 4 together) The beach wasn't awesome due to seaweed washing up (I know this is completely out of their control and seasonal) The water seemed to be really dirty with garbage washing in and seaweed growing in the shallow waters made for an unenjoyable time wading in. All in all it was our favorite resort so far and we would definitely go back.

Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa: Ultimate family vacation

We absolutely loved the royalton cancun!! We went with 4 adults and two toddlers in mid February. The food was delicious and they had a variety of foods every day. The à la cart restaurants opened early enough for our family making the experience easier. We really enjoyed the steakhouse and the Italian restaurant. The pools were warm and we never felt over crowded even with the resort at full capacity. Our room overlooked the kids pool and the ocean so we found it fairly quiet. The room itsel [... read more]f was quite spacious and we really enjoyed the rain shower. Room service is available 24 hours and can be ordered through your smart tv. We also loved the free wifi that was included. All in all, a great resort.

JOIA Paraiso by Iberostar: Top Notch Resort

The hotel itself is beautiful and reminds one of an upscale cruise ship. The surrounding property is so well laid out and fabulous looking that we were constantly commenting about it day after day. The staff at this resort makes a stay truly special. They are friendly, courteous, cheerful and so very helpful everywhere you go on the property. We found the quality and variety of the food to be top notch, from the specialty restaurants to the buffet. We had roast duck and lamb for lunch one day [... read more], in the buffet, as an example. We prefer an oceanfront room and the superior ocean front suite did not disappoint. My wife loves looking out on the ocean from the comfort of her own balcony. As experienced travellers we can not imagine a hotel providing a better overall experience than the Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso.

Ocean Riviera Paradise: We'd go back in a heartbeat!!!

Just returned from a one week stay at the ORP in an Eden room. I was a bit apprehensive over the bad reviews I read before I left. As expected for being open 2 months there are still kinks that need to be worked out but overall, I had an AMAZING time. The OR promises a 5 star experience and I can honestly say that I enjoyed one. Being brand new the resort, facilities, rooms, beach, pools and grounds are beautiful and pristine. The staff is incredibly attentive and service is stellar. Check  [... read more]in was seamless taking 15 minutes. We received a delicious welcome drink, and we were drive to our room 5 mins later. . A very nice woman named Marta was introduced to us as our host. She provided maps to the grounds and the area, provided coupons for tours and tried to get us to attend a welcome (sales) breakfast the following day. We declined and were never approached by her, or other 'salespeople" again. The room was impeccably staged and prepared for our stay. The mini-fridge was well stocked and remained so all week. Housekeeping was fantastic. We spent most of our time at the Eden pool. Delicious drinks, daily bingo, dance classes, aqua fitness, crazy games: heaven! We strolled to the El Beso pool for the Tuesday foam pool party and were not disappointed! What a blast! We feasted at most of the restaurants and enjoyed not having to line up to make reservations. The Japanese and Italian restaurants were top-notch, with the Mexican and Romantic in second place. The breakfast buffet was fresh, plentiful, and served up with Mimosas: who could ask for anything more? We enjoyed daily lunches at the beach grill, followed by a quick dip in the beach pool. Sadly, we did not swim in the ocean as it was terribly choppy and much too rocky to enjoy. We did however indulge in sinfully amazing beach massages, and woke up early to witness a beautiful sunrise by the beach. Although all pool bars close at 5:00 p.m., the lobby bar remains open (for what seems like 24/7!) and sets the stage well for the nightly entertainment. We watched 2 evening shows in the theatre, caught a live fire show outside, and enjoyed browsing through the goods that local vendors set up one evening. The bowling lanes are a very popular spot and so we only managed to enjoy bevvies there, and no actual bowling. Was great fun to watch and is a hit with all guests. Overall, I would highly recommend the ORP for all groups (families, couples, singles). Note that it is a very large resort, with golf carts and busses only travelling through unpredictably so some with mobility issues and young children could find it challenging to make it from one end to the other. If you are looking for a clean, modern, ultra-chic resort that is a quick taxi ride away from the action in Playa Del Carmen, look no further. This is the spot for you!

Grand Sirenis Mayan Beach: great resort

We had a 14 night holiday beautiful resort lots of walking which we like met a lot of other Canadians, weather was perfect , food good steak house the best we did twice and Italian good. lobby bar had the friendliest bartenders and our housekeeper was excellent. Only complaint was cement buildings everything echoes doors slamming and people and the carts are noisy through the night. Ice cream parlour excellent and the hotel staff are all friendly and courteous. Would recommend to families. lo [... read more]ts of children at this resort . We stayed from Jan 28 -Feb 11 we flew with Transat great flight also

Ocean Coral Riviera Cancun: A great vacation at a world class resort

Everything about this resort was wonderful. The food especially the Japanese and Italian restaurants were exceptional, the service in the hotel, in the bars and in the restaurants was great and the location was to die for. The pools were clean and very accessible.

Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo: Tropical and elegance all in one package

We've never had a more wonderful vacation. The resort had the feel of the tropics but was so elegant wuth its marble walkways and tigerwood walkways. The water features in the evening were so beautiful. All of the staff were so friendly and helpful. It was evident they wanted to make sure you were enjoying yourself. The food was amazing. We really couldn't have ask for more. I hope Iberostar appreciates their staff. They truly make the difference between a good stay vs. an amazing stay. The grou [... read more]nds were meticulously taken care of. I would be more than happy to return. Trish and John

Occidental at Xcaret Destination: Gorgeous Resort

We had an awesome time at the resort. The grounds were well kept with amazing wildlife running around. The pool areas were very nice and kept clean and free of debrie. All the staff on site were very helpfull and curtious. Rooms also were very nice and the cleaning staff friendly and efficient. I wold recommend this resort highly for all ages. The alacart dining was nice many varieties of food. The specialty restaurants were very nice as well. The only recommendatin I hae is that they should c [... read more]hange the poicy for men having to wear long pants and full toed shoes, were women are allowed to wear what they wish . Felt this to be a bit unfair for some of the women were very poorly dressed as if they did not care that they were in a restaurant were all ages are present.

Riu Lupita: Wonderful vacation spot!

If you are looking for a clean, not too big, relatively quiet, resort to spend your vacation, this is the place for you. We recently spent a week here and we're wowed by everything from the rooms, to the service. Everything was so clean and the staff were so accommodating. If you asked for it, you got it, and with a smile. The only down side was that the resort was not right on the beach but the beach was worth the 10 minute drive by shuttle that was provided by the resort. Having a restaurant a [... read more]nd a pool (both part of the main resort but off sight), was great. It meant that you could stay all day at the beach with most of the resort amenities there as well. The food at the resort was exceptional, and this comes from a couple of self proclaimed "picky eaters". There was a wide variety at every meal in the buffet, which would accommodate most any dietary requirements, or preferences. The only thing that we didn't see was peanut butter. Not sure if that was because they didn't have it, or we just couldn't find it, but if you have a PB addiction, you might want to bring your own. We happened to be at the resort on Valentine's Day and the staff went all out for this, not only with the food, but displays and ice sculptures as well. The young people providing the entertainment were all so fun and full of energy. They were talented but beyond this, they truly seemed to love their jobs. We can't say enough positive about this place. We would (and have already), recommended it to friends.