The service is subpar and I would expect them to attempt to rush to defend their "reputation" more than attempt to actually resolve any problems. We ended up getting food poisoning early in our trip at the hotel and they were more interested in defending how good of a hotel they were as opposed to admitting any fault or showing any sympathy for the problems they caused us. They are experts at blame game and finding excuses. They are more interested in their reputation than to actually do right by their guests. They never offered to send a doctor at their expense when the hotel was clearly the cause of our illness instead they wanted to continue to claim how great their food prep system was. This does little to help any guests who are rolling in pain with their vacations ruined. The attitude is much different at their other location in Cancun where they bend over backwards to make you happy and are more concerned with you as their guest than their "reputation." The Cancun reputation is well earned while this location are clearly made up of in an attempt to compete with actual good hotels in Playa del Carmen. Anyone else get food poisoning at this hotel or dealt with this same holier than thou type of attitude?

I thought I would wait a good month to see if I would cool down after the dreaded trip, but I haven't. This was our 3rd time vacationing at this resort and 2 prior years spent at the sister resort The Royal in Cancun. We always get the walk out swim up oceanfront suite even though it costs more, it's worth it to us.

I had e-mailed weeks before our arrival to the chief concierge to see if we could reserve the same room as always because of the extended sunning area around the pool. We received an e-mail back saying they would do their best to reserve that room for us. 2 days before arrival, I tried the online check in and it wasn't available. The following day, still wasn't available. I phoned the resort and were told that room was occupied for another week. We ended up with the room next door with far less sun time. Oh well :) . . . we're on vacation . . it's ok . . . we will just use 2 chairs across from our room like we always do . . . . not so much!!!

What an unpleasant experience it was, running into an arrogrant group of 28 guests from a Canadian wedding party. Their bullying tactics caused two women who were just following the sun to move from our beautiful swim out suite to an inside swim out suite with no view, to the sister resort The Royal in Cancun. All over 2 lounge chairs!!!! These were adults in their mid 50's trying to look early 40's, behaving like spoiled, young teens. Somehow they thought they booked the entire resort. I guess lack of hockey has made the average Canadian over aggressive.

We have made great friends over the years and even met some on this trip. We have NEVER had a bad experience until this one. The staff and management couldn't have treated us better, but by that time we moved resorts - our 6 days were pretty much ruined. All I can say to the group is you're lucky we were in Mexico and not in the States :)

We stayed for 2 weeks in Feb 2011 and have booked for another 2 weeks in Feb 2013. Since then stayed at Barcelo, Decameron, Paradise and Princess - all good, but not up to Real standards! Our other trips have been 7 to 10 days however as we have decided to treat ourselves to 14 days again, the choice was a known versus known average or the unknown. We're confident that the choice we've made is the right one based on our previous stay.
We love the access to 5th Ave - during the day, it's tourist central but at night, it becomes a quaint Mexican village. Music, dancing, dining - not the aggressive vendors that you see during the day time. The ambiance is fun and safe - prices are better at night when the resort tourist outside of PDC have gone.
RDPC is a gem. It's not a huge resort thus are able to meet other guests that you can connect with (we're still in touch with people we met in 2011). The resorts intimacy is part of it's ambiance! You have to play the pool towel game as there are limit chairs on the sunny side of the pool area if your wanting sun all day. For those that burn easy, the shady side is better as this resort has limited umbrellas or pallapas.
No need too book the ala carts. They have pagers for the restaurants to coordinate. During the wait, a drink will help set the mood. Food at the buffets was excellent, and the ala carts was Devine. The service we had was exceptional and tips provided appreciated. If you are there for an extended stay or duplicate any option, they will likely remember you and wii strive to make the experience exceptional. Our issues that we had were with other guests versus with the people who were the to make our stay memorable.
This ones not the cheapest but it's a 5 star in our books -worth every penny. Please, don't tell your friends as we want to keep this gem to ourselves!

This is my first time at this resort. It will NOT be my last. Why would you want to stay anywhere else? You have it all. Great hotel, great service, great location. They aren't kidding when they say all inclusive. You even have liquor dispensers in your room and fully stocked mini fridge with water, pops, and juice. ( all included).

Our room was great. PLENTY of room for 2 people and always clean. The turn down service they offer is a MUST!

The staff/service was beyond great. I did not encounter 1 person that did not go out of their way to make sure we were happy and cared for. Make sure you bring money around to tip them ( they deserve it) and I think most of the guests that I saw did not do that enough.

A few of my favorite staff:

Sports & Entertainment: Danny Boy, Alejandro, Azu. They keep you busy and active and laughing. They love to have a great time and make sure that you are entertained :) Truly a pleasure to be around everyday. I Miss them already!

Servers: I think they move around a bit and are not always at the same restaurant. Felix ( he was working at the tapas restaurant when we were there) Benjamin, Sergio ( had them both in a few different restaurants)

Location: Can't get any better. You are on the beach and right out of the resort is all of the action on 5th Ave.

I wish we didn't have to leave. I Can't wait to go back!