The Reef Playacar Resort & Spa All-Inclusive, Playa del Carmen

Too bad I can't give this place 0 stars. This resort appears to be very nice and is in a great location. We did not stay there, but were instead taken in by the time share scam. Avoid this resort at all costs as they are full participants in the con.

I have to say that the place and service is ok, but we had a really bad experience with the time share seller at Reef. We are in a process to sue them. PLEASE stay away from them. Do not even think about making a business with them. They are dishonest and for this reason I would never go back to this resort. The Reef should protect their clients, but instead they push clients to talk to the reef representatives. They totally suck.

We went with few expectations, given that we had never been to an all inclusive before and some of the negative reviews. It's hard to believe that they even went to the same resort! We loved the Reef! The atmosphere is quiet and private, the grounds are incredible, the view tremendous. Neighboring resorts are huge and noisy in comparison. We went with friends and they loved it as well. The Reef met our request for rooms near each other. The rooms were smallish but renovated so others might not be as nicely equipped. Food and drinks were very good, especially check out the chicken wings by the pool, the ice cream and tea time. Staff do make the time share pitch but you can tune that out. Playa del Carmen is a nice 15 minute walk on the beach or a quick bike ride; it was very touristy and we were happy to lounge about the resort. Only one negative to report, and it is significant: Mayaland Tours/Grey Line, the tour office located on the property is to be avoided. We got a day trip for four (Tulum and Xel Ha) and it was a disaster. No one showed up to pick us up, after waiting an hour they got us a taxi but with unclear directions. It got complicated, but we wasted hours trying to undo their mess and they refused to compensate either the taxi driver or us. It was a classic case of passing the buck. It would have been funny if it hadn't been so contemptible. No reflection on the Reef except that Mayaland/Grey Line are located on the property. Find another vendor! As for the Reef, we'd love to go back!

The staff at the front desk is very rude, gave us the wrong room, the room they moved us to had a broken airconditioner, the parasailing trip they said was 65.00 they tried to charge me 85.00 for at front desk, the food at the buffet was not good. The two restrauants were good but thats about all that was

Liked everything. Small friendly walking distance from town. For the past six years the family and I have been traveling to different resorts in Cancun and Playa area this hotel is was one of the first we went to and is still our favorite.There is always something impersonal or commercial with the others that bothers us.

I have to start by saying that I think the hotel, itself is a nice looking place. The grounds are adequate and somewhat clean. The setting is a jungle setting and the pictures you see on the website are accurate. I do have to say, though, that I would not come back here for the simple reason that I was very ill from what I can only think was the food. I have a pretty strong constitution and can pretty much eat anything, but I was so sick for a couple of days, that I really would reccommend to tay clear of this place. The Staff was pretty friendly, with the exception of Brendon or Brandon (what ever his name was). He is the concierge and nothing more than a nag to recruit people to sitin on the time share presentation. The food was rather bland and not very good. The service was average. Not too good or too bad. I have to say if you are coming to Playa Del Carmen, stay somewhere else. There are a vast number of resorts that I have heard great things about.

I can't believe all the negative reviews.. maybe the place has inmproved in the past year+, because we thought the staff was great, the rooms were clean and comfortable, the resort is so beautiful and quaint and easy to get around. We were OK with the food - it's nothing special, but you're eating for free and we would typically go into town for a nicer dinner or something anyhow. If you're looking for a 5-star hotel, well, stay at a 5-star. If you want a nice, clean, affordable place to stay that includes food and drinks, then this is a good place for you.

Wanted to go somewhere with my daughter after she graduated college for 5-6 days. This resort was perfect (besides a good price) - I did not want to stay in a fancy high rise hotel where I had to worry about my wardrobe - it's vacation. Staff was friendly, room was spotless, Italian restaurant was wonderful (I am from NY so I know good food). Buffet had good selection (if you just want to eat on vacation, go on a cruise). Walked to town many times. Went scuba diving, snorkeling right off the beach, took ferry to Cozumel, zip-lining at Selvatica (great), lounged at beach and pool bar - GREAT VACATION.

When we got to the reef inaugust '08 we were told that they had overbooked. While they were figuring out what to do with us, they offered us something to drink ,(there is a bar in the under airconditioned lobby). We asked what they had and the gal said she'd have to see.........hmm...at 2pm the bar wasn't opened yet-this is an all inclusive?Due to the overbooking situation,they opened it up early. The 'orange juice' served in my drink was actually an 'orange drink' type orange juice-similar to Tang. Not something to be served with a cocktail. The Reef put us up for the night at another property-The Grand Porto Real I believe it was and wish we'd stayed at that place the week. It was indeed an all inclusive with stocked mini fridge, drinking water and coffee pot. Back to the reef, we were greeted with an empty fridge(they don't stock it)no coffee pot and the most unbelieveable was that there were 2 small bottles of water by the sink with a note on them that the water was $5 per bottle if we drank them.Absolutely no drinking water available unless we went to the restaurant or the bar. Unbelieveable! We asked the staff if the sink water was safe since there was no warning about the water and were told-don't drink the water since it has a high mineral content and will upset our stomachs. The pool at the bar area was filthy, never saw employees checking the quality of the water,never smelled chlorine. The bartenders were very very nice, however the way the cups were washed at the bar was unacceptable. Cups were taken from patrons,swished in a soapy water,swished in a soapy rinse water and then reused. It's no wonder my tummy didn't feel the greatest! The food was the same old thing and not a very good thing at that! The main buffet opened at a certain time and closed promptly which left one to eat at the snack bar(the best food in the place in my opinion). We brought some to go containers with us to the buffet so we could take some food to out apartment to eat later but the sign posted says-don't take food from the restaurant. The grounds were lovely-very jungle like with cute little squirrel/rabbit mix looking critters. Location was good,walking distance a store and bike riding distance to shopping by the ferry dock. Will never stay at the reef playacar again!!! Beware of the staff saying come pick up your welcome package-we thought they were going to give us a presentation of the property and let us know about the restaurants and services available. Instead it was a way of them trying to sell you a timeshare type thing and believe me, this isn't the type of place you want to visit again-even at a %50 reduced rate.This is one of those places that the phrase 'you get what you pay for' applies.

The Reef is a beautiful hotel that is very comfortable...rooms are very nice although my wife found one ant in the bathtub the second day we were there but no big deal...hot and cold wated was plentiful...water pressure in shower could have been better...food in the buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner was good and the selection varied...grounds were kept very clean by the staff who were friendly and helpful. Tipping is appreciated by all the staff. Watch out for the orange bands that they give you that identifies you as a guest of the Reef because all of the scammers recognize this on the main street...5th ave....and the other hotels probably have the same thing only different colors. Scammers recognize the colors and pretend to work at your hotel so you will buy them drinks or worse. Hotels should use something else for their guests. The scammers are all over and pretend to work at hotels, car rentals, and other places you are sure to go. They are selling time shares and anything else that you might be interested in. Finally, the Reef should be rated 3 or 31/2 stars. The beach is georgeous. The Caribean side is breathtaking with the azure aqua colors. You will love your stay at the Reef and my wife and I look forward to returning.