Riu Playacar - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

8800 reviews

• 

  A brilliant beach hotel

  Upon arrival at this hotel, the Reception staff were extremely welcoming In particular i would mention Leida, who thoughout my 2 week stay, was always available to provide advice and assistance I was also most impressed at the speed with which any problem in my room was fixed immediately by their professional In House Team of electricians, Plumbers etc This is a small hotel( compared to most of the others on this Quintana Roo coastline ); thus there were never any queues in the restaurants and bars; no advance reservations were required for any of the restaurants The long powder white sand Playacar beach was beautiful; any seaweed was swiftly collected by local teams each morning Sunbeds were in abundance, around the pools, on the beach and under the many palm trees; there was no necessity to " bag a lounger" with a towel at crack of dawn; there were literally hundreds of empty loungers, available all day long Food in this hotel is of the highest standard and there was a vast choice to suit every palate at every meal time Staff throughout the hotel are all very cheerful, happy and eager to assist in any way The sea was acceptable for swimming but not as warm as normal; this was due to December and January having been unusually cold The water in the pools was a bit on the chilly side but will soon warm with normal Playa sunshine Bike hire is available in the quaint local shops opposite the hotel and I thoroughly enjoyed my daily cycles around the area There is a Fitness Gym in the hotel, with pleasant views of lush tropical vegetation My thanks also to the hard working army of Gardeners who beaver away all day to maintain the beautiful tropical trees and beautiful shrubs I have stayed in literally hundreds of hotels around the world; this is an excellent hotel in every possible way and it would be a total impossibility for anyone to have any complaints

  Feb 27, 2026
• 

  Brilliant

  This was our second visit to this hotel and it was better than last years stay. We have booked it again for May 2026. This hotel completely meets our needs, to the extent that we are returning every year. Sssh Don’t tell everyone though.

  Feb 20, 2026
• 

  Does what you want to a good standard

  10/10 for friendly helpful staff, loads of sunbeds, though a few of the canopy shades were splitting. Pool, Beach and hotel very clean. Restaurants had a decent variety of food, though the speciality ones didn't vary their menu but you could use them as often as you liked. Evening entertainment was the usual Riu fare, largely dancers and music. The seaview room was spotless and modern and despite contrary comments did have a USB socket. Regrettably we had a cold front come through and there is nowhere indoors to sit when it's cool, but not a problem for most of the year. There are shops across the road and a Santander ATM which is much cheaper than the one in the hotel.

  Feb 20, 2026
• 

  Amazing!

  We booked Playacar after realizing that Riviera Maya Palace (stayed here twice) was booked and we are sure glad that we did.

  Feb 20, 2026
• 

  Solid All-Inclusive in Playacar That Delivers What Matters Most

  This was our second stay at a Riu property in Mexico, and once again, we were impressed with the overall value of the all-inclusive experience. The resort sits inside Playacar, an upscale gated community with multiple resorts, luxury homes, golf, and a bit of retail. The setting feels secure and well-maintained, and it's only a 30ish-minute walk to downtown Playa del Carmen for shops, restaurants, bars, and the Cozumel ferry. The grounds and facilities are well-maintained and easy to navigate, and the size feels comfortable rather than overwhelming. It is clearly popular with families with young children, especially around the pools and dining areas, so travelers seeking a quieter, adults-focused atmosphere may want a different property. The beach is the highlight. We did encounter a period of heavy seaweed, and staff worked hard to remove it, but nature ultimately limits what any resort can control. The pools were a nice alternative on the worst of the seaweed days. Our room was spacious and comfortable but somewhat dated, with visible wear. Because the guest buildings are positioned perpendicular to the beach, room location matters. The rear rooms near service paths facing adjacent properties can be noisy early and late. A center-facing side unit would likely be quieter. Also note that there are no elevators in the 3-level buildings, so for those with mobility restrictions, a ground-floor room is a must. The food is solid. Buffets leaned toward North American tastes with enough variety to keep things interesting. Specialty restaurants had nicer atmosphere and service, but similar food quality. Certainly not 5-star dining, but everyone should find something they like. Breakfast and lunch sometimes felt understaffed during peak times, though not due to lack of effort by the servers. Whenever we did receive focused service, the interactions were friendly and professional. This was true for staff across the resort, as all were welcoming and genuinely helpful. The overall experience feels premium without being pretentious, which contributes to a relaxed vibe. We also met several repeat guests, some returning for a decade, which speaks to the consistency of the resort. This is a friendly, comfortable resort with a great beach and strong value. Not ultra luxury, but an enjoyable stay and one we would happily repeat.

  Feb 19, 2026