Latest Reviews for Playacar / Playa Del Carmen

great place to stay regardless of age

.after reading a few not so good reviews, we were a bit worried about what the hotel would be like, however we found the hotel, staff, and food all excellent. the only negative was the weather, but you can't do much about that, except make full use of the bar service.Even the nightly entertainment was good, we usually don't bother but it was worth watching. we had no problem getting sunbeds, maybe something to do with the lack of sun!although you can still get a tan through the clouds so put some cream on. with regards to the lack of beach, we found it a lot better than most of the surrounding hotels, who had a lovely view of the dead whales? you'll know what i mean when you see them. it was my birthday while staying at the hotel, and was presented with a bottle of tequilla, and cards from the staff, which was a nice touch overall a great hotel would recommend it to all

Playacar shopping centre is just across the road from the main gate and you can get all essentials from there. Playa Del Carmen is a 5 U.S. dollar taxi ride and all the shops and bars you could possibly need. As far as trips are concerned we only went to Chichen Itza which although well organised we found to be very tiring and I must admit I have seen more interesting ruins including Greece, Egypt and Turkey. Resort suitable for everyone.

Just returned from a 2 week stay and feel we have to comment on this resort due to lack of recent reviews available. The hotel while it may seem small and in need of some refurbishment compared to others in the area. has everything you could possibly need for a wonderful holiday. Having previously emailed the by-request Manager and requested an upgraded room (First Choice rooms are only basic) we found our allocated room to have fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, 2 comfortable double beds, quite spacious and situated in the block near the adult pool. Our room was spotless and all around the site the staff were constantly cleaning and tidying. All of the staff at the hotel, without exception, worked so hard to make our holiday enjoyable, always efficient and polite and nothing too much trouble, even an umbrella available for when it rained which it did nearly every day. The animation staff produced some of the best shows we have seen and we have seen quite a few over the years and also provided a huge amount of activities throughout the day. This hotel seemed ideal for everybody regardless of age.

Playacar is a great resort. We have been 4 times and plan to return soon. Beaches are FABULOUS. Water is crystal clear and aqua blue-just like the brochure.Night life is mostly hotel based and depending on your hotel that can vary from childish to very good. GO, you won't be disappointed

This hotel is old and tired and needs a complete overhall compared to the other hotels around this area. We have stayed in other hotels in this area on 3 occasions and they are modern and bright and pleasant. This hotel is dismal and the paint work in the rooms is depressing. A good coat of paint would help no-ends.Yes the place is clean and the staff work very hard and are polite and smiling all the time but the overall condition of the place is not welcomming. Food is repeatitive, but of good quality. The grounds in the center of the hotel are overgrowing and block the sunlight to you balcony. So it is in darkness during the day.Try and get a room that does not overlook the jungle.If you want a good hotel in Playacar, stay in one of the RUI's, they are years ahead of Iberostar.

Minimise this review Comment on this review

Show existing comments

Situated just a 5 minute from Playacars small shopping centre, with plenty gift shop and craft stalls. There are about 8 public phones to use, so just buy a 100 peso card and it will last about 45 minutes to the UK, don't phone from the Hotel. Take a taxi for 50 peso's (£2) into Playa Del Carmen which will take 5 minutes and there is plenty night life on 5th Avenue. It is full of shops, bars and eating establishments and has some very nice designer shops as well. Just remember to agree the price before you go into the taxi.

Just returned from two weeks at the Iberostar Tucan and it was probably the best holiday we have had. The hotel is just fantastic and the staff superb. It is set in part jungle with monkey's swinging from the trees, Iguana's walking about the various paths in the grounds but they do not come near you. Sitting in the lobby bar you will see the peacocks walking about and getting fed popcorn. There is a superb pool and pool bar and you get clean beach towels every day if you want and there was plenty of sun beds available. We have been going All Inclusive for 5 years and we usualy get fed up with the food after about 8 or 9 days but not here, we never ate outside the hotel once. There is a Japanese, Italian, Mexican, Steakhouse and the normal buffet. The Japanese is great as you get entertained by the chefs as they cook your meal in front of you. Italian was superb as was the Mexiacn & the Steakhouse. There was a choice of breakfast in the main buffet or at the beach cafe, we normaly went to the beach for 0930 and ate in the beach cafe which was your normal breakfast with plent fresh fruit, chees and cold meats and the normal cooked breakfast, along with freshly cooked omletes if required. Lunch could be taken in the buffet in the sister hotel or at the beach. The beach was the same every day, but the buffet was varied most days, normaly with plates full of very large prawns, mussels, clams and other varieties of seafood along with all the usual lunch time grub. Dinner was in the buffet in either of the hotels, which are open to all in both hotels, or you could book one of the al-a-carte's which we were allowed 5 per fortnight. The variety of drinks on offer was also far better than any other all inclusive hotel we have been to, there is a full range of cocktails and you get the international brands if you ask and at no extra charge. In the lobby bar at night it is waitress service all night, so you just sit and relax and get your drinks delivered. Give the bar staff some regular small tips and you will be well catered for. There is a mini bar in the room which is stocked every second day with Beer, Water, Fanta, Coke, Diet Coke & 7-Up etc. Keep the chambermaid sweet with some small tips and you will get stocked daily and have some super towel arrangements, flower petals and chocolates placed on the bed. I would definately go back, as it is by far the best place we have been to and we have used Iberostar before. Have a look you won't be disapointed.

Playacar has a nice little shopping centre about 10 mins casual walk from the hotel which is a reasonable selection of shops. Taxis cost $5 to go into Playa del Carmen 5th avenue is well worth a look at with a great selection of shops & bars.

Recently been to the Iberostar Tucan (August 2008) this is our second visit to Mexico and last year was much better (stayed at Bahia Principe) We were a little disappointed by the Tucan considering it is supposed to be a 5* hotel, we have actually stayed in better 4* hotels. The food was good but repetitive we always knew that there would be Beef & Chicken on the buffet (which there was every night) also not a very good selection of vegetables.

The room was a little shabby for a 5* needed a little refurb. A little word of advice if your ceiling light/fan rattles PLEASE get it checked out because our glass shade fell down one night just missing my head, this caused the glass to shatter all over the floor and it took hotel services two phone calls and a visit to reception to get someone out to clear up the mess (50 minutes in total) (again not very good for a 5* accommodation)

You will also have to get up very early if you want a good placed sunbed because they go very quickly (people reserve them with books etc, nothing done about this despite all the warnings from the management)

Also advise you to take plenty of Mozzie repellent as we were nearly bitten to death.

Dream come true paradise

Absoulty the best place we have ever stayed in ever its beautiful and we are going back next year and cant wait

We stayed at the RIU Tequilla in July this year - had a fabulous holiday and really could not fault the place at all. The staff were fantastic - bit shout out especially for Cha Cha in the Jalisco restaurant and Veronica in the pool bar. The food was fabulous and the choice meant we were spoilt every night. The Thomson reps were brilliant - visible but only there if you needed them. We went on the Dolphin Inclusive trip to Xel - Ha which was just amazing. I feel compelled to write and let everyone know what a great place this is as the staff on the plane on the way home did not give me the opportunity to do this!! - they weren't much interested in anything to be honest. Anyway back to the holiday - this was our 1st long haul holiday and we will definitely be repeating the experience in the near future. If you are looking for a relaxing break or an adventure there is so much to do in this place you cannot fail to have a good time.

A fantastic hotel,couldnt fault it,surrounded by swamp & jungle all kinds of animals:birds,iguanas,peacocks,monkeys,large guinea things plus others.If you are prone to mosi bites (little tip eat marmite on toast 3 weeks before you go,didnt get bite until the last day.)All staff were friendly & helpful.

Food: Food was excellent,catered for everyone.5 a la carte restaurants Italian,Mexican,Japanese,Caribbean & Steakhouse plus a buffet style restaurtants.Italian was the best meal a bit dissapointed with the Mexican cosidering we were in Mexico.

Rooms: Excellent room very clean was in room 2322 balcony looked out into the jungle great to see the monkeys in there own enviorement.1 minute for pool complex.Bed a bit hard but soon got used to,fridge in room well stocked,tv/stat/email + telephone facility, air con + large fan,eletronic safe (first time we never had to pay for it)

Entertainment: Enterainment staff worked very hard day & night were very friendly always stoped for a chat.Drinks plenty of choice wife went through the whole cocktail menu.

Beach & Pool: Beautiful beach very clean white sand, sea a bit rough at times.But the huge pool complex made up for it.

Trips: Plenty of trips to choose from went to Tulum & Coba climbed the pyramid.by all accounts should have gone to Chichen Itza to see the pyramids.One trip highly reccommended is swimming with the dolphins absolutely out of this world & were not very strong swimmers.

Minimise this review Comment on this review

Show existing comments

Just got back from a fantastic time at Riu Tequlia. Our first long haul and at first we were a tad disappointed with the hotel, which is in need of a makeover( found out it closes in August for refurb)The pool was not cleaned nearly enough for our liking and the rooms were very musty. However, moaning over,now for the good bits. Food and drink- something for everyone, you could not fault it and there was plenty of choice, Mexican, pizza, chips, steak, chicken, usual salads, soup and cakes, you can eat and drink 24 *7. The hotel had plenty of bars and the staff were friendly and fast, you never have to wait more than a few minutes for a drink ! which went down well with the brits. The entertainment for this hotel was Excellent, dont miss Grease, Micheal Jackson show and many more excellent shows every night, professional dancers and not your usual young lads trying their best (Tunisia aghh) Beach and water exceptional, so blue and clean, we stayed their most days as it was cooler and the jet skis were great. We went on a few trips and would definitely recommend- Captain Hook, very entertaining and a real fun night, Dolphin Discovery - swim with dolphins, worth the 10 hour flight alone, we booked last minute ( not like Disney you have to book years/ months in advance) and had at least 45 minutes in water with 3 lovely dolphins. The Mexicans were really friendly, the atmosphere was brill and no need to worry about going out at night in the local town. Weather Very hot !!! much hotter than temperatures, felt more like 40 than the 32/35 it was each day. Would definitely go back to a Riu in Mexico and perhaps the Palace next time which was a true 5 star

Hotel ok beach not as advertised they are loosing there beach and if you want a sunbed on the beach you need to be there before 6 but other than that we had a great holiday