The restaurant is a main attraction. Great food, particularly the pasta, plus good service and an idyllic location. A continental breakfast is included and is a great start to the day (cappuccino, fresh fruit, juice and pastries). Lunch was excellent, though pricey for Mexico. A sandwich, salad and soft drinks came to 500 pesos (Can$ 50). For supper a salad, half order of pasta 2nd and main pasta or fish with wine was 1,800-2,000 pesos including the 15% mandatory gratuity. In contrast, dinner in the main town on Isla (good large Mexican meal with drinks) was under 500 pesos.
It is a beautiful location; brilliant blue waters with Cancun in the distance and nice sunsets. The pool area is very nice. The beach is small and has a very small swimming area. For snorkeling you will need to grab a taxi to Garrafon park (60 pesos) and either pay 800 pesos entry to the park or go to the small rustic beach area beside the park (Castilla) for 50 pesos and snorkel the same reef. We did see some fish, but the reef is in pretty bad shape and there is significant current. The beach at Castilla is nice and food / drinks are very reasonably priced. Lockers are available fro 20 pesos. Snorkeling gear can be hired for 60 pesos.
At Villa Roladi we had a 'deluxe suite' that was reasonably spacious and a comfortable bed. The furnishings were very dated and in need of major repair (toilet, mirrors, furniture, outdoor spa). Given that occupancy was under 70% the week we were there we can only assume that our room was typical of what you can expect. This is not what we expected for 5,500 pesos (Can$ 550) a night. It is important to note that Villa Rolandi not a 'green' hotel. Expect your towels to be changed 2-3 times per day! This philosophy is in keeping with the dated decor and needs to change.
Some staff members were great, others not so much. The cleaning staff and waiters were very friendly. Be cautious - the door to our suite was left unlocked one day and the balcony door was frequently left open. The rooms have safes - suggest you use it. While all of the the front desk staff were courteous, many were unable (unwilling) to provide basic information such as where to snorkel, what activities (other than those the hotel was offering at a premium) are suggested, where to exchange funds, how to book at the spa, etc. This was a problem with attitude and was not related to language.
Getting to and from the hotel from the airport was easy. Our small leading hotels (SLH) package included 'private transfers' that in reality were a van that we shared with a larger group of people. I belive that the hotel offers this same service at a premium.
While Villa Rolandi is a lovely in may respects, the rooms, attitudes and philosophy are in need of a major update. In our opinion it is not reasonable value for the cost and we would neither return in the near future or suggest staying there to friends.
