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Reviews of The Reef Playacar Beach Resort & Spa-Optional All Inclusive 4 stars

Paseo Xaman - Ha s/n, Playacar, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Mexico

#159 of 235 hotels in Playa del Carmen

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 635 hotel reviews

7.8

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.4

  • Comfort

    8.4

  • Location

    8.8

  • Facilities

    8.0

  • Staff

    8.2

  • Value for money

    7.7

  • Free WiFi

    6.6

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Showing 76 – 100

  • Reviewed: 26 January 2023

    7.0
    Fun, but some hickups.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Premium Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The buffet was soooo bad. Like soooooo bad. And the spa (though now i see thw word play of *optional* ) was not included, i booked almost exclusively for the spa. Which i was not able to enjoy

    I loved the classes they offered like water aerobics, it was so fun, the singer who comes on tuesdays was also SO phenomenal, that being said, rhe buffet food is almost unedible, you DEFINITELY will want to make a reservation at the Italian restaurant every night if you are all inclusive, because it is very good! The buffet was soooo bad. Like soooooo bad. And the spa (though now i see thw word play of *optional* ) was not included, i booked almost exclusively for the spa. Which i was not able to enjoy. I still loved the views, and pools, and atmosphere, very closeby some ruins as well! And lots of cool animals you can see in the surrounding green areas :)

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 16 January 2023

    8.0
    we enjoyed our stay.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Premium Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    that there was so beach service . definitely Would make the experience better. The towel service also could use some changes. We went a couple of times and couldn’t exchange towel for fresh ones because there wasn’t any to replace with.

    the staff was friendly. Victor was so kind, helpful and greeted us everyday we saw him in the front lobby. definitely made our trip feel more personable

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 15 January 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 10 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The food could be better on the buffet. It was hard being on a keto diet.

    Nice location. Beautiful spa. Beautiful resort!

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 15 January 2023

    8.0
    A nice resort with some room for improvements
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The buffet could be better, more variety especially at lunch and dinner.

    Amazing location, right on the beach which is beautiful. The room was clean and functional, way better compared to other Mexican hotels I’ve stayed in. Friendly and helpful staff

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 14 January 2023

    9.0
    Want to go back
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Superior Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 7 nights

    When you are at the room you here everything outside where the stairs are, you also hear from neighbouring rooms. Sometimes it felt like the room have walls of paper. The wifi was not working most of the time in the room. The tips are supposed to be included when you buy all-inclusive package. At the buffet it was quite clear tough that you don't get the same service if you don't tip. By saying that I still want to stress that we are happy with the service we got.

    The food was very good The beach was amazing We are very happy with the service The kids club had very nice activities It was close to walk to the center The entertainment was nice and not too mezzy or noisy The following people were really amazing, they should get a raise: Odeth and Alejandro that served us at the Italian restaurant, Antonio at the Mexican restaurant, Humberto that helped us with the bags and maintenance, Alberto at the bar and Michelle at Kids Club.

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 13 January 2023

    7.0
    Just ok, but a great value for the cheap price
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Premium Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 5 nights

    Dinner buffet was mediocre. Service at the reservation restaurants was extremely slow, and the Italian restaurant had tiny tiny portions. I ordered the Gnocchi, and there were 7 Gnocchi's in the bowl total. Room was on the small side. Our room faced a bar that was open till 2, so it was not quiet at night. Fine with earplugs in.

    We loved the snack bar, where you can get pizza, hot dogs, quesadilla, nachos, etc during the day and take it to your pool chair or to the beach. Many things were just ok or good but not great, but for the dirt cheap price, we were fine with it. Location is great as you can walk or take a 5 min taxi ride into Playa del Carmen's 5th Avenue for shopping and restaurants.

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 13 January 2023

    9.0
    Fantastic and highly recommend
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Superior Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    While the rooms were nice, ours had a very leaky bathroom, but it was fully functional. Also, not much air circulation in the rooms, but there is an AC and fan. The pool was not always clean.

    There were lots of things to like! The breakfast was great and so were the other meals. Great and friendly staff. Beautiful grounds and amazing beach. The kids loved it and felt very comfortable going around and taking part in the kids activities! The kids hosts especially Michelle and Sergio were fabulous! The pools were a good size. Super convenient and relaxing place. The garden was like a rainforest! Super beautiful! The hotel is about a 20 minute walk from a very cute city full of shops and life.

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 10 January 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Superior Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 5 nights

    The food is really not good. Don't know who one can screw up pizza that much, but most of the food is cantine-like. The fruit selection was nice though. Drinks were fine as well. Lots of stuff is available for additional payment only.

    Clean and good rooms, very beautiful hotel with all the trees, looks like a jungle. Most employees are very friendly. Please be careful when booking an airport transfer with the hotel. I asked two times at the reception to book the transfer back to the airport and it was confirmed two times that it was booked. On the day of departure, however, nobody knew about it and I had to catch a cab (which wasn't that easy).

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 6 January 2023

    8.0
    Lovely relaxing stay, but beware the timeshare rep and eat elsewhere
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 7 nights

    When we arrived after nearly 24 hours of travelling, without sleep, the lady who welcomed us kept trying to sell us trips and tours and the 'special breakfast' (which I knew from other reviews was actually an intensive timeshare sales event) rather than letting us go to our room and sleep, then she got offended in the morning when my wife said no to the timeshare thing. We only had the breakfast package, the food was very average though the coffee was excellent. A staff member tried to get us to upgrade to the full meal package by saying that the main town was "25 minutes away" or would cost a lot in a cab. It was a pleasant 15 minutes stroll and one of the nearest restaurants was the best that we ate at.

    We picked this hotel after seeing the pictures of trees around the apartment blocks, and the waterfall (which we found was artificial, but no matter). It was worth it - much nicer than the big, boring blocks nearby. And the cute little agoutis were everywhere, plus a couple of coatis. Like most hotels, the pools are smaller than the pictures suggest but the sea is warm and shallow (only up to my waist and I'm average height) all the way to the rope boundary. Just as our stay was ending, The Reef was installing water fountains for guests to refill the plastic water bottles they give you, which will hopefully cut down on the tonnes of waste this must create every year.

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 4 January 2023

    7.0
    mediocre
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    pools were cold and never any chairs. they should have enough to accommodate guests but that wasn’t the case. bed was hard, limited food choices

    beautiful property, jungle feel and lots of nice beach. the pools were nice too

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 29 December 2022

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Triple Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Internet; food (can be more taste)

    Location; Beach

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 28 December 2022

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Superior Room (2 Adults + 2 Children)
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    well located. very close to playa del Carmen down town

    Stayed in November 2022

  • Reviewed: 27 December 2022

    9.0
    Cozy resort, perfect for a relaxing gateway with relatives or friends
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Superior Room (2 Adults + 2 Children)
    • Stayed 8 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Everything was good, no complaints at all

    It’s a cozy resort, staff were friendly and helpful.

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 13 December 2022

    9.0
    great stuff
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    the toilet was dripping water

    victor was so attentive with us, always helping to make our stay wonderful

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 12 December 2022

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    if pay for the allinclusive the breakfast is really good but lunch and dinner not to much, I’ll come back but won’t pay for the allinclusive

    the beach and the hotel style are the best

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 11 December 2022

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 7 nights

    The view from the room.

    The beautiful view combines with the ocean and the pool to enjoy the tropical.

    Stayed in November 2022

  • Reviewed: 7 December 2022

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The room we stayed in are close to other guest rooms. Is a little bit noisy.

    Good breakfast buffet

    Stayed in December 2022

  • Reviewed: 26 November 2022

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Premium Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    no wifi on room 712

    Stayed in November 2022

  • Reviewed: 13 November 2022

    8.0
    We had a wonderful, relaxing vacation with our family for a reasonable rate.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Superior Triple Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    -Food at the buffet was not good, though the food at the specialty restaurants was very good -Towels in the rooms were skimpy and rough

    Beautiful location, lush scenery, beach & pools were great, spa

    Stayed in November 2022

  • Reviewed: 4 November 2022

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Superior Room (3 Adults + 1 Child)
    • Stayed 12 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The location was great, Playacar is a secured area within 20min walk to Playa del Carmen center. You can walk along the beach or though estates. The resort is beautiful, looks like you are in the jungle with all the palms and trees inside of it. We had a room with a pool and slight beach view, it was amazing to wake up each morning to see this view. The room was big enough with large wardrobe, tv, desk and balcony. Each room had a safe box, iron and hairdryier. Room was cleaned every day. Staff very nice and friendly. The buffet meals were very nice with large variety of options.

    Stayed in October 2022

  • Reviewed: 24 October 2022

    8.0
    Nice resort for a week
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Superior Room (2 Adults + 2 Children)
    • Stayed 8 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    No coffee available only during breakfast, lunch and diner. You could get some coffee but need to pay 40 mexican dollar extra in the lobbybar. The food is very boring and not so much variation, the mexican and italian restaurants are nice pre-reservation. Not too much entertainment

    Nice hotel with a private beach, not so big resort so you feel more the mexican lifestyle. Short walk from 5th avenue

    Stayed in October 2022

  • Reviewed: 19 October 2022

    9.0
    Very good.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Superior Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    More food facilities. Just 2 restaurants for dinner.

    Nice facilities, clean room, very friendly staff and customer service.

    Stayed in September 2022

  • Reviewed: 16 October 2022

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Superior Double Room with Garden View
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Food was good, but I think they can do better

    Location, nice setting and beautiful villas

    Stayed in October 2022

  • Reviewed: 15 October 2022

    7.0
    very good facility but rude staff
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Premium Family Room (2 adults + 2 children)
    • Stayed 5 nights

    the service and attention of the staff, rude and unwilling to help you

    the hotel is completely beautiful, you feel connected to the nature with the rooms between big trees and a natural cenote, the sound of the water was so relaxing

    Stayed in October 2022

  • Reviewed: 14 October 2022

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Family Superior Room (2 Adults + 2 Children)
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The amount of food offered was ok but a bit limited.

    The location was great.

    Stayed in October 2022

Showing 76 – 100

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