Playacar Palace

Dr. Yousef Dabaja

I recently stayed at Playacar Palace in Playa del Carmen, and while the resort had its highlights, there were several areas where it fell short of expectations. Pros: The location is undoubtedly one of the best features of this resort. Situated right next to the dock, it offers convenient access to ferries headed to the island of Cozumel. Additionally, it’s perfectly positioned on the bustling tourist strip, making it easy to explore shops and local attractions. The beach is stunning—clean, soft sands, and ideal for a daytime stroll. The café at the resort was another standout feature. The workers there were exceptional, and the coffee and treats were consistently a delight. Cons: Unfortunately, the food was underwhelming. While the restaurants were decent, they leaned heavily into a “fine dining” concept that didn’t quite hit the mark. Simplifying the menu and focusing on delivering high-quality, approachable dishes would significantly improve the experience. The buffet was extremely limited, and the lack of vegetarian and pescatarian-friendly options was disappointing. Service was inconsistent. While the staff was generally nice, they didn’t match the exceptional service I’ve experienced at other Palace Resorts. Service at the pool deck, in particular, was notably poor. Adding to the frustrations, the pool itself was not heated properly, and the Jacuzzi was lukewarm, making swimming less enjoyable. Another major drawback was a persistent beeping noise coming from under our room on the first night. The issue took two days to address, leaving us unable to sleep during that time. Lastly, the resort lacked on-site activities. Aside from swimming, there wasn’t much else to do, which was disappointing for a property of this caliber. Conclusion: While Playacar Palace has an excellent location and a beautiful beach, it struggles in terms of service, dining, and amenities. For the price and reputation of the Palace Resorts brand, I expected more. If the resort focused on improving its food options, service, and attention to detail, it could be a truly standout destination. For now, it’s a decent choice for those prioritizing location and beach access, but it falls short of being a truly memorable stay.

Lon Southerland

An Unforgettable Stay at Playacar Palace Hotel for Our Family Wedding We recently stayed at the Playacar Palace Hotel in Playa del Carmen for our son and daughter-in-law’s wedding, and it was a wonderful experience. The staff was incredibly inviting, kind, and engaging, making us feel right at home from the moment we arrived. The food was excellent—we thoroughly enjoyed every meal—and the entertainment added a nice touch to our evenings. Starting our day with a great cup of coffee from the lobby’s coffee shop became a delightful routine. Alan, the barista there every day, was amazing. He was very friendly and took great care to ensure our beverages were exactly how we liked them. Also gave us some great tips on the area!! We appreciated his warm conversation and exceptional service. The beach was beautiful with calm, clear water every day of our stay. There was plenty of room at the pool, and we had fun participating in the various activities around the pool area. The overall atmosphere was relaxing yet lively. I would definitely recommend the Playacar Palace Hotel if you are considering a stay in Playa del Carmen. The combination of excellent service, beautiful surroundings, and engaging activities made for an unforgettable experience. We’ll definitely be back!

Greg Hardwick

After having visited Xcaret 2 years previous, this resort seems a little small. Had we come here BEFORE Xcaret, perhaps our expectations might have been different. Unfair comparison because it is nice! The resort, although small, is pretty. For teenagers it might be somewhat boring unless they love the beach. In all honesty, the service at Playacar Palace is exceptional and the property is very well maintained. Would we come here again? I’d consider it. I think the location is wonderful, and would be a great option if you were coming here as a couple looking to relax, or perhaps with very small kids as the pool is not deep at all, and there seems to be decent services for little kids. But if you have teenagers that are close to entering adulthood, this may not be the resort for you.

Marco Miguel

Our best all-inclusive destination experience. Staff was impeccable. Restaurants were excellent, on service, quality and variety. They made all necessary accomodations for dietary restrictions, without sacrificing taste or quality. Special kudos to the staff at the Cafe El Mar (David, Estefannia, Sotero, Paola, Giovanni Fabiola, Alexander) and Trattoria (Ricardo, Nayel, Andrea, Deicev, Luis, Jesús, Kevin, Domingo, Enrique and Karla)

LMS

RUN AWAY!!!! These people are extremely nice and helpful upon arrival, however if you refuse to buy their timeshare package, everything changes. Julio, and Karen, both managers were not only unhelpful, but they laughed at us when we communicated several frustrating issues. Cockroaches, hair in food, constant text messages pressuring my family to purchase their timeshare, and airport shuttle confusion went unresolved. We came as a group of 11 people and each person is agreeing to this review. Food is mediocre at best, and if you do choose to book accommodation here, be prepared to be buckle and dimed TO DEATH! No food by the pool, poor pool service regardless of band color (ours were black), and the gift shop credits they tout are only applicable for select cologne, sunglasses, and nothing else. BOOK AT YOUR OWN RISK!