Just got back. Had a great time. Hotel is beautiful. Food is "good" and plentiful. Staff is fantastic, from the front desk to the house and grounds keepers. Bar tenders and waitresses (pool and beach) are very attentive and you will never want for something to eat or drink. Tip well. They deserve it.

Location is everything. Hotel is right on the beach (and you can walk for miles, if you like), next to the Cozumel Ferry and the town of Playa Del Carmen. We spoke to many people who were staying at other Palace resorts, which they liked, but most of those resorts are out by themselves in nowhere. The folks we spoke to said their resorts were wonderful, but there was nowhere to go unless you catch a taxi or take a tour. That's why they came to Playacar--to get out. The "all inclusive" works at all the Palace resorts, while you're there, so you can go to different ones. We even met a couple who was transfering to Moon Palace (Cancun) without any additional fees. Something to check out next time!

The only downside was the "concierge", which is apparently spanish for "time-share shill". Trying to redeem "resort credits" always resulted in an effort to sign us up for "information" and a promise of more "credits" or a "free" tour somewhere. Thanks to jaime1999 (reviewer) we knew to say "NO" (with emphasis)! We did use some "credits", but be aware there is an eleven percent charge for "taxes and fees" added on. So using $300 in credits (the limit for spa services, btw) will cost you $33 when you check out. The "guest services" staff is most interested in getting you to go for their time-share "information". If you don't fall for it, they are not very friendly or helpful. They'll get your tour or massage scheduled, but don't expect much more than that. Forget about information about a local bar, resturant or attraction that's not affiliated with their resort.

It's a great place and can't say enough good things about the staff (except "guest services"). From looking around online it appears Playacar Palace is pricey, even among "all inclusives". But if you just want to pay your money and not worry about anything once you're there, then this place is a fine choice. Finally, it's RCI affiliated so you can get a room pretty cheap, but you still have to pay the AI fee--about $1100 to $1200 extra.

My girlfriend and I landed in Cancun and instantly got shuffled to this little desk where a guy named Santiago claimed he was from the Mexican National Tourism Bureau. He initially helped us find our shuttle to our hotel. But before we could leave to go outside for our ride, he told us we could sign up for 2 free tours per person, the transportation was free, and all we had to do was tell our friends to come to Mexico and help the tourism economy. It sounded unbiased and normal at first.

Then he told us to meet him at Playacar Palace where his "office" was. (We didn't know PP was another resort mainly comprised of Timeshares) He said he would pay our taxi fare both ways. And we could choose our tours and get our tickets there the next morning. But we had to leave an $80 deposit with him right then and there. We were leery at this point, but he kept flashing his official looking badge that said something about the office of Tourism. And he was stationed at the airport, seemingly unbiased. And he gave us his business card and his personal cell phone which we checked before we left and it worked fine. He also said not to eat breakfast, and they would serve us breakfast at Playacar while they set up our tours. At this point, we were excited to tell everyone to go to Mexico! And I am a New Yorker..I don't get duped very easily.

So we left to go to our hotel (Azul Fives, btw. It was wonderful!) And we went the next morning to Playacar Palace. Sure enough, they paid for our taxi. But that's where everything went south. We had to go to some office where we were roped into them giving us a 2 HOUR sales pitch on buying their TIMESHARES. It was a total hoax. At every turn we kept asking when we'd get our tours and that we wer enot interested in buying a TS. We had to practically twist their arms to get the breakfast we were offered. And then after we sat through THREE different people try to sell us timeshares, literally in tag team style, we finally left and ask about our tours. And every sales person gave us dirty looks as we left without buying anything! Then they denied owing us any more that 1 tour in total! They refused to give us other credits Santiago told us about (for jewelery). When we asked for a supervisor, they said one wasn't available right now. We had Santiago on the phone at 4 different times during this, at that point, almost 3 hour fiasco.

We found our own supervisor who happened to walk up right when the girl helping us decided to say that it would now be fine and they'd give us what we were told we'd get. After all was said and done, we did get our tours, and our taxi fare paid, as well as our breakfast. And we got our $80 deposit back. But it took almost a full 4 hours and a lot of swindling attempts by the staff at Playacar Palace to gip us at every turn. It was completely unprofessional and undermining.

If you want to sell timeshares you might want to be upfront with people about it vs wasting their limited time while they are on vacation. I would have happily paid full price for a couple of tours vs. losing an entire beach day on a 7 day trip. Unacceptable.

Upon our arrival we were so well greeted it was almost overwhelming. The staff caters to all their guests by making them feel at home. The chef Massimiliano and his staff made great meals. I do not think anybody can leave the hotel without gaining a few pounds . The beach was awsome and the service was super.We totally recommend you visit.

Our third visit to Playacar Palace. Amazing as always. Service is exceptional- so accomodating and willing to help. Great location next to 5th avenue for nighttime strolls and shopping. Fitness center now on site which is great. Spa now on site... Almost completed. Some reno's ongoing but not an issue when we were there. Food great as always. Asian restaurant is adding a Tepanyaki grille , so restaurant is closed briefly . Amazing beach. Only suggestion is to add some color/ artwork in the hallways.... They are a bit too white, plain and sterile looking a u walk to your room. Otherwise the nearly complete renovations are adding some value to this already great hotel resort.