Sandos Playacar - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

25733 reviews

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  Solo Trip - November 2025

  The best part of this resort is the beach. Playacar Beach is one of the best, for sure. Swam in the ocean daily. However, drink service is spotty, and lots of vendors trying to sell things. If you have any mobility issues, I would choose a different resort. Very large property and waiting for the shuttle can take awhile. Lots of stairs, steps, and elevators that do not work. Walk to the main lobby from the adult only section 25-30 min. I, personally, dont have trouble with mobility, but if I did, I think this property would be a challenge. Stayed on the adults only side, which is next to the beach. Rooms are outdated, shower head is not made for tall humans, literally had to duck to get under it, and water pressure is pretty much non-existant. Room was on the first floor and my view was a bank of dirt and plants. I would describe the matress as super firm. Food at the buffett is mid to meh. Over salted, repeatitive, and often cold--even if there when it first opens. Went to the disco one night, entertainment there was good. Nightly shows are hit or miss. The Mexican night show was great and Ceclia who performs an acoustic set outside the Cupcake Cafe was good. Service is pretty much non-existant, with the exception of the ladies at the Cupcake Cafe --- they were great and probably my favourite spot on the property. The Mexican snack bar next to the Cupcake place is also great, not crowded and serves made to order taco, burrito, and quesidillas. Better lunch option than the buffett in my opinion. I had a massage at the spa and it was great. The hydrotherapy circuit was very relaxing. Wished they hadnt tried to sell/book/upsell me another spa service while I was still receiving the current one, but its their job..i get it. Value? Honestly, for the price, I have stayed at better resorts on the Riveria Maya. Many of the experiences I read about in the reviews before booking, I now realize are from members of the Royal Elite Club. If you are a black wrist band guest, you have access to different bars, services, and areas of the resort, which would like result in a better (4.5 star) experience. However, if you are just a regular guest (I was gold band), I feel the resort falls more into the solid 3/3.5 star range, for sure. Tip, if you book an excursion with an early pick up ( mine was 7am), do yourself a favour and bring a little flashlight or make sure you have your phone. My buildings hallway had zero lighting and the trail to get to the lobby also was not lit, so you're pretty much walking in pitch black, if you dont have your own form of light :) Sandos Playacar is not an awful property, but it's just not 4.5. So, if you go in not expecting that, it'll be fine.

  Nov 29, 2025
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  Bad from the start!

  Let me start with the good: the staff at the buffet and bars. Except for the bakery shop the ladies were rude to me and my kids but not to my husband. We had a bad experience from the start I booked the hotel’s shuttle service I specifically told them it was 10 passengers and common sense at least expect 10 pieces of luggage. The hotel sent a shuttle for 8 people and cramped the luggage inside next to my husband. The driver complained that we had too many pieces of luggage. It was really uncomfortable. But we had been waiting for such a long time because on top of that he was late so we just got on . The garden and outdoor areas are very well kept but the rooms are in desperate need of renovation. We had leaks under our sink and toilet. We booked for 6 nights and were not able to reserve at any of the restaurants at the hotel, we asked for help and received none. The staff is more interested in selling time shares . It was a shame because my family booked 3 rooms. I will avoid staying at this hotel and will not recommend it to my family or friends.

  Nov 29, 2025
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  Meriam and Jose are always smiling and very welcoming. They remember our drinks and are very accommodating!

  Meriam and Jose are awesome bartenders! They make us feel welcome and remember our drinks! We feel appreciated and feel part of the Sandos family!

  Nov 28, 2025
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  Stay away

  This place is just awful. 1. Cost - more than an actual 4 star place. 2. Loud. It's literally like a zoo anywhere you go. Pool is dirty, most areas stink. Stench is so bad you can smell it in your room. 3. Tiny beach and tiny pool. Everyone is on top of each other. 4. Most times no liquor, if your lucky it's beer or soda. 5. Bar in the reception features nice bottles that you can never get. 6. Rooms are broken. Bathroom doors don't close. 7. They try to sell you on a timeshare with access to via areas that are actually cleaner and nicer.

  Nov 28, 2025
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  Misleading, Poorly Maintained, and Not Worth the Cost

  We chose Sandos Playacar based on Air Canada Vacations’ recommendation as a great family resort, but our experience was the opposite. When we arrived, our room was placed at the very back of the resort near the lobby — about a 25–30 minute walk to the family pools. Why families are placed so far from the family area is beyond me. Shuttles were also few and far between, so relying on them wasn’t a realistic option with kids. We ended up paying an extra $4,000 to move to a premium building that was supposed to include access to additional pools and amenities, only to be told “no” at every turn. We were even told by the resort’s own contact number that we could access the sister Sandos property with day passes, but again, we were turned away and told it was “members only.” The inconsistency and misinformation were exhausting. Dining was another disappointment. Nearly every time I ordered a bottle of wine from their lengthy wine list, the bottle was unavailable and they substituted something else. If you don’t stock it, don’t list it. The resort advertises family friendliness, yet most of the entertainment — like foam parties — was geared toward adults. The kids club was rundown, and my youngest wasn’t allowed inside even with us there. Our previous resort had a full indoor playground and allowed parents in the kids club, so this was a huge letdown. Mini golf was falling apart (missing numbers, torn turf), the “catland” had broken cat houses, the pickleball court was out of order, and the padel court was double-booked both times we tried to use it. On top of all this, I experienced attitude from staff nearly every time I asked for clarification about anything. Reading other negative reviews, this seems to be a pattern — even from management responses on here. But the worst part: all three of our kids ended up with hand, foot, and mouth disease by the end of the trip. Another parent in a travel group told me the same thing happened to their children at this resort a few months ago. That’s a huge red flag for cleanliness and sanitation. Overall, this resort was nothing like what was advertised — misleading information, poor maintenance, infrequent shuttles, inconsistent access, dismissive staff, and serious health concerns. Unfortunately, we would not return and cannot recommend this resort to families.

  Nov 28, 2025