Despite the mixed reviews I found this resort to be just what the doctor ordered, a nice relaxing vacation in the sun. Though, I would not stay more than a week. We were there for 6 days and that was plenty. There is not a whole lot to do in Playacar. The town is a good 30 minute walk but there isn't much to see or do there either. The resort has a good number of restaurants and 2 nice size pools to relax by. On the last day we realized there was an empty pool by the gym. If I had noticed it earlier I would have spend some time there. The food was really good for an all-inclusive resort and you could get drinks with top-shelf liquor as opposed to no-name labels. With 5 restaurants there is enough variety for almost a week's stay. Rooms were okay. They were not extravagant. Noise echos as all rooms face the center courtyard. You may also be bothered by the loud music from the resort next door, depending on where your room is situated. Our neighbors were smoking and it seeped through the walls but they were able to move us the next night. The staff were all very nice and accommodating. This may go unsaid but don't forget to bring a stack of dollars with you for tips. You'll go through them quick. Overall, if you want to spend a few days laying in the sun relaxing, eating, and drinking, this is the place to be.

Overall the trip was very good. The hotel was beautiful, lobby and property well kept & weather was beautiful. Note-this hotel is EXTREMELY quiet and not for those looking to socialize. It's an easy walk on the beach to town (about 25 minutes)-which helps-but not for couples looking for a party atmosphere.

The pool and beach are beautiful, except for the seagulls. By afternoon they almost take over the property. On the first day we were "pooped" on 3 times. (They are even allowed in the infinity pool) It got frustrating, and all the pool covers have stains from the excrement. If you stay to the left and right edges it helps with the flyovers.

Food was very good-the Deck restaurant by pool and beach has an excellent variety and well as quality food. Service is top notch here, with the most friendly people who go out of their way to meet any need. This staff also handles beach service for both food and drinks and is exceptional!

Take the yoga class-I had only taken one before but loved Jesse. She is energetic and friendly,and makes everyone feel welcome. It's a nice eay to get early morning exercise.

The biggest downfall is the restaurant reservation situation. Reservations are required. I emailed the concierge days in advance, and was told we had to follow up on Saturday prior to our Monday arrival. On Saturday we were informed the "show" was Tuesday evening and that she would make Monday night reservations for us at 7:30 pm. Wen we arrived we found that the show was Thursday & the Monday reservations were never made. As a result we were forced to eat at 9:00 pm (or before 6 pm) for the first 2 nights. This was very disappointing and unexpected. Even worse was when we arrived at all pf our reservations the restaurants were empty.

Overall the hotel is beautiful, and the staff is friendly & helpful. December is a beautiful time to visit with the weather. Not worth upgrading to ocean view when it's mostly covered by trees...but is worth staying closer to pool & beach.

My wife and I just returned from a three night stay at the Royal Hideaway Resort. While the resort may have been very nice in the '90s, it is lacking in some very basic areas.

Rooms: They still use bedspreads. The pictures on the internet do not reflect what you will actually experience. The ironing board was very rusty. The hot and cold water never regulated itself. Either it was very hot or very cold, rarely warm. The mattress was not very comfortable. My wife did claim she was fine with it. She weighs 105#, I weigh 185#. Overall maintenance was lacking. We did receive turndown service each evening, which was nice. There are drinks in the room which included bottled water, Mexican beer, and a few cans of soft drinks. There is a coffee machine in the room, but the location inside the desk cabinet was not conducive for use. The walk-in closet was a nice touch. The A/C worked well.

FOOD: We ate breakfast each morning at the buffet. Overall it was what you'd expect. The one item that they did not have was oatmeal. (?) The other odd thing about the buffet was that it changed from one day to the next. For example, chilaques was on the buffet line on the second day we were there, but not the first or third.

There was a daily tea service which was very enjoyable.

We never ate at any of the other restaurants on site. Instead we went into town.

SPA: We each had two massages while we were there. The spa was very enjoyable.

BEACH & POOL: Both are nice. The beach was extra nice.

Overall, I judge a resort by asking myself would I ever go back. Well with this property, I'd have to say NO. Mainly because there are way too many other nicer choices for the same dollar. In all fairness, we stayed there because we decided to go two weeks out from the busiest week of the year. We did enjoy ourselves because we chose to not let the negatives overrule the negatives.

If I wanted to be surrounded by trash, I could have gone to Panama City Beach, Florida and at these prices? I could have had enough left over for a car! The other guests that frequent the resort have no class, are obnoxious and take away from the beauty of the surroundings. Every morning people place magazines on the pool chairs to reserve them, despite there being a no reservation rule, but only use the chairs around noon. Tasteless. Obnoxious.

Of course, it doesn't help that the hotel next door plays party music until the wee hours of the morning.

The servers are terrible as well. I have had better service at Chili's. Our drinks are empty far too often, and our food takes forever to come. But don't worry! They come to take your plate away in .5 seconds! You feel as though you are rushed out the door. And the desserts are terrible! Definitely not their forte.

The location is simply beautiful, the water is a tapestry of greens and blues that I wish I could take with me. The event staff is extremely helpful, and more than happy to help. Too bad theres nothing they can do about all the trash littering their facility.

If you're looking for a place where every need is met, the people around you make a courteous community, KEEP LOOKING!