Sandos Playacar - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

25089 reviews

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  Beautiful beach - older resort- friendly staff - good food

  If you read nothing else here are 3 things of note/tips: 1. *** If you’re drinking, ask for the liquor by brands vs taking their house liquor- IE Bacardi Rum, Jose Cuervo for tequila, Smirnoff for vodka. (Which any class of guest can ask for) I think they are still watered down, just not as much? **** 2. The beach is super beautiful and was really enjoyable. Chairs are not an issue for both the beach and the pools, so don’t stress 3. Inside the taco bar (very central) there’s a fountain machine with ice right at the front of the restaurant. Really easy for kids to grab pop or soda/bubbly. We just got back from this resort over March break. We were a group of 14 total with 8 kids from 6-13. We were quite worried because of the recent media coverage. Our experience was very good. One kid did get sick. It was likley from heat stroke vs food. I also feel Sandos might have stepped up the sanitation because of the recent events. We did use the water in the room coolers to brush our teeth and had no stomach problems Stayed in the hacienda section. Building 66. Rooms are a bit older. But good. They do need a bit of updating. Hot tub was warmer but not so so hot. Small pool was nice if kids wanted to keep the party going while families got ready. Good Overall the place is quite clean Lots of greenery - more than normal Lots of different animals if you’re into that Pools weren’t crazy busy Lines for drinks and buffet were close to non existent Staff were all very good-excellent, everyone was pleasant Size of resort was nice, not to big or small Room bar fridge was filled each day Buffet food was better seasoned with good variety Men’s bathroom in the main buffet was super AC’ed (which is sooooooo nice! lol) Bad or things of note Eco Caracol is not a sister resort anymore unless you have a black bracelet - $100USD per person if you want to visit A la cartes were just okay-Asian was the best. The others are okay to good Brazilian- meats were generally very well done (which might be for the best lol) There was bit of a gap in food between breakfast and lunch. IE- buffet closes at 10:30 till 12:00. The buffet near the family pool was open, but is only open to the premium club members until 12:00. November real drink service to seats. It was available, but not enough to make a difference. No basketball nets Water park is a little too small for kids 10 and up Aside from tacos and room service, no real late night snack No crepes in the taco bar anymore Excellent Beach was EXCELLENT! White sand, some days were wavy and others were calm. Wavy days were good for boogie boarding (free). If it’s windy/wavy, get the boogie boards early as they do run out. Not too much seaweed, but a little bit does form. They cleared it each day. Shows at night were varied. Bigger production (vs just staff in polos) and lots of seating space the girls and wives loved that. Paddle, tennis and pickleball courts were really fun for the kids and families in the evening. The boys did this while the shows were on. Our girls 6-8 LOVED the kids club - made a big difference.

  Mar 16, 2025
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  Best resort staff. Will definitely come back.

  The staff were the most helpful I’ve ever seen at a resort! For example: after I was having trouble finding very specific souvenirs in Playa del Carmen, one of the front door attendants/bellhops named Domingo went out of his way to help me find them. It wasn’t his job to do that and there wasn’t any expectation for him to help me, other than to help make my trip to Mexico more memorable.

  Mar 15, 2025
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  Bad

  418 / 5.000 My experience at Sandos Playacar during the days we were there was very pleasant, except when we booked at Gourmex Royal Elite. The waiter Pablo was not very friendly. He brought us the wrong drinks and never came back to refill them. I asked another waiter if he could please refill a glass of water for me, which he never brought me. We are members and did not receive the same treatment as the Anglo-Saxon guests.

  Mar 13, 2025
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  Amazing night

  Thank you Deisy Yam for your great service at the buffet 😍 We loved the quick and generous service. Good vibes only and we really are satisfied and happy and generous! you rock and Life is good here ... Me and my boyfriend and my friends Maryleen and jepetto and my friends are so fulfilled

  Mar 11, 2025
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  Sandos Playacar Wedding Review: A Beautiful Day to Remember

  Location: Sandos Playacar Resort (Playa del Carmen, Mexico) Ceremony: Beach (4 PM) Cocktail Hour: Rooftop Terrace (5 PM) Reception: Covered Rooftop Terrace (6–10 PM, extra hour added and moved to covered terrace due to weather) Wedding Package: Seaside Bliss Wedding Coordinator: Armando Villaseñor Why We Chose Sandos Playacar: We selected Sandos Playacar for its variety of amenities, spacious layout, and highly rated wedding packages with customization options. The beach was a huge selling point, and we wanted a venue that would accommodate guests of all ages while providing a venue for my vision for an “upscale beachy” wedding experience. Wedding Planning & Coordination: Our planning experience started with limited communication. Initially, we were assigned multiple coordinators (Ricardo → Frida → Armando). Frida was unresponsive, leading to last-minute planning challenges. However, @Armando went above and beyond to compensate for lost time once we arrived at the resort. He meticulously reviewed every detail with us, resolved issues, and even provided thoughtful extra touches to enhance our experience. From the moment we met, his dedication was evident. If you're planning a wedding here, be proactive and anticipate delayed responses beforehand—but rest assured, the team takes their roles seriously and delivers a truly unforgettable day for you and your loved ones. Pre-Wedding & Setup Tips: • If bringing your own décor, label and take photos of the setup for more straightforward execution. • Have a detailed photo list for the photographer to streamline the process and arrange for one of your guests to have the people ready for photos for efficiency. • If opting for the spa, book earlier than expected to avoid delays. Bring waterproof makeup essentials! The salon and spa staff provided excellent hair and makeup service. Ceremony on the Beach: • The setup was stunning, exceeding expectations. The florals, seating arrangement, and drink table were all well done. • Expect onlookers, as the beach is public, but photographers did a great job minimizing distractions. • It was windy, so consider hairstyle adjustments and veil placement! • Our officiant was fantastic—he positioned himself strategically for photos and delivered a perfect ceremony. Cocktail Hour & Reception: • Due to potential rain, we moved the reception to a covered terrace, which worked well. • The Caribbean-plated menu (beef & seafood options) was a hit with all guests. The 3-tiered cake was beautiful and delicious! • The DJ was excellent—he adjusted to last-minute changes and kept the party going. • Cold fireworks for the first dance? A must! They created an unforgettable moment. • Décor: Bringing some of our own saved us over USD $4,000. Well worth the effort! Overall Resort Experience: • Guests stayed in all sections of the resort, and no one had trouble finding entertainment, food, or space to relax. The resort is huge – be prepared to allot time for walking or waiting for a trolley. • Beach & Pools: Plenty of seating—no fighting for chairs, even with a large group. • Food & Drinks: The buffet had various options, and the Mexican, French, and Italian à la carte restaurants were the best. A few guests fell ill, but this is expected in a resort of this size. Bring hand sanitizer, and remember the golden rules of travel, “boil, cook, peel, or leave it”. • Accommodations: Our Oceanview upgrade was a highlight! Some of the rooms are a bit dated but comfortable. • Spa: We received 2 messages while here, and both were excellent! (I wish I could remember their names...). The mineral pools were needed post-wedding! Final Thoughts: Despite some pre-trip planning stress, our wedding at Sandos Playacar was incredible. The location, beach, and service made for a truly magical experience. If you are considering Sandos for your wedding, prepare for some logistical challenges, but trust that once you're on-site, the team (especially Armando) will deliver. ⭐ 4.5/5 – Would absolutely do it again!

  Mar 11, 2025