Sandos Playacar - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

26149 reviews

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  Spring break at Sandos

  Just got back from spring break here. Stayed in the family section in building 9. We had two rooms - one with two queens and one with a bunk bed. Both rooms were updated and very clean. However, our room was facing the family pool and they blasted music in the middle of the day when my family wanted to rest and get out of the sun for a bit. Also they have a weird setup where the lights are always on at night on every balcony. This, coupled with curtains that don't completely cover the balcony door resulted in fairly lit up room at night. These two shortcomings diminished our experience. Food was good, though the buffet for dinner for very loud and hectic. We mostly visited the a la carte restaurants, which were mostly very good. Thank you so much Eyter for taking such good care of us and helping us with the reservations. Sandos mostly did a very good job with my family's allergy needs. Every restaurant specifically asked about allergies and guided us what was safe to eat. Mirna at the breakfast buffet went above and beyond, meeting us every day and bringing my wife specific foods that were safe to eat. Beach was amazing - very wide, powdery sand and clear water. It was also a very shallow entrance to the water, which is great for smaller kids. Sargassum was a huge problem one of the days, but the rest of the time it was no big deal. The crew worked hard with tractors and rakes to continuously clear it. This resort is big. We were in the very back of building 9 and it's about 15-20 minute walk to the beach. We didn't mind the exercise and caught the trolley once in a while when available. Building 8 is in a better location, still in the family section, but reducing the walking time and keeps you away from the activity pool, unless listening to blaring club music through the closed balcony door is your thing. Shows were really well done and entertaining. The staff at the front desk seems a bit off-putting and bothered if you make a request. They are the guests' first impression upon arriving at the resort and don't convey a great attitude. Overall, I would say this resort is a good value, we definitely enjoyed our time here.

  Mar 31, 2026
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  Great service. Nice gentleman

  Rigo our waiter for the evening was very attentive. More than happy to help and was quick to set our table and serve us drinks in peak time in the festival buffet restaurant.

  Mar 30, 2026
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  Best dining at Sandos

  Our meal at the Indian restaurant, Asana, was outstanding. Our server Gloria, was lovely. Very personable and made our dinner special.

  Mar 29, 2026
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  Grad trip with kids and friends! Fun times!!

  Pros: Rooms - were nice, clean, beds were super comfortable. Safe worked as expected. Air conditioning was great. Water pressure in the shower want the best but no real huge issue. We were on the third floor which we preferred. Fridge was stocked daily. Housekeeping was great. Overall 9/10. Food - ate at the buffet mostly and at the steakhouse one night and the Brazilian another. Food was very good. Buffet was always plentiful, changed up a bit, hot food. Loved the omelet station in the mornings and the crepe station in the evenings. The two alacarte options were really good though the steakhouse maybe needed to cook their steaks a bit longer. Medium well was more like medium rare. Cupcake cafe was a very unique surprise. Overall 9/10. Staff - didn't run into one issue. Everyone was super helpful. Check in and out very easy. No pressure from sales as others have mentioned. 10/10. Bars/drinks - lots to choose from. Bar staff usually measured out the shots but you could always ask for more. Bars usually had only one staff so sometimes had to wait a while. Overall 9/10. Beach - would have been beautiful aside from the sargassam but not the hotels fault. Lots of shade and loungers at the beach. Entertainment/ games for those that wanted it. Overall 9/10. Pool - we we in block 8. The pool there was nice and quiet. Block 9 had the swim up bar and a bit more excitement. The family pool by the beach was usually super busy/less loungers. Overall 9/10. Cleanliness - 10/10. No issues. Wildlife - saw monkeys (never before in a resort) and the usual. 10/10 for interest! Cons: Layout of the resort. It was pretty confusing... regular guests, adults only, premium, who could go to what. I've never been to a resort that is in "one" but seemingly so separate. It took a while to work out what was what. Night time lighting was limited. Be prepared. Entertainment. Was so so. Overall 6/10. Transportation within the resort. Plan to walk a lot. If you don't you'll be in trouble. The transportation system wasn't plentiful. Lots of waiting/full busses. Walking was fine if you were prepared. Block 8 to the beach was 10-12 minutes. Lots of nice things to see during the walk though. If you need ttransportation I'd rate it maybe 3/10. Never did find an a 24 hour bar/snack bar. We were really only there for four nights because of a canceled flight but not having something like that was unusual (though maybe we just didn't find it). Overall.... would I go back? Yes probably. For the food, the beach, the staff, the pools. There was a bit of a lack of atmosphere though (compared to bahia where we have gone before). No celebration/ acknowledgement for St. Patricks day which I thought strange given the tourists. A lovely lobby bar has always been a nice way to end the evening, though not at sandos. But lots of positives still overall. Thanks for a great trip.

  Mar 27, 2026
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  Another great vacation at Playacar

  Special every time! The avenue bar and Jose make every night 10/10

  Mar 27, 2026