TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

I will break down the experience fairly for everyone, but as a quick first point, I WOULD recommend booking this resort, especially if you have children as it did feel slightly more geared to children. ECO 10/10- This eco aspect made the trip amazing. There are tons of animals spread throughout the resort, we saw monkeys by the pool every single day, even babies. Birds and coati(a native wild dog/racoon mix) galore. There is even a small zoo, tons of greenery and wildlife. This does create some smell in some areas, but you're in a jungle so you have to accept that. They have cenotes(ponds), a river, and free bikes and paths. There are 5 different eco activities included in the stay you can book, you don't even need to waste mo ey on an excursion here. This was the best part of the stay. Beach/pools 7/10 Yes, all beaches in the carribean sea and in the playa del carmen area have a dying seaweed problem, making they difficult or impossible to swim in. It also does have a smell of ocean rather strong. However, the seating and sand potion of the beach is beautiful, lots of chairs and beds and hammocks, white sand. Adults only upgrade good here as there is a private bar for you on the beach with AC, servers who serve the beach chairs, overall nice beach of you're understand of the seaweed issue. The pools are nice, especially the Adults only upgraded pool. Also has a sever, and they even server food to your chair at the pool in Adults only section. The water park is big and awesome for kids, many slides, the kids won't need an excursion, and it keeps them away from the other pools. They didn't seem to have a good pool guy, as the pools badly needed the skimmer, lots of trees means lots of leaves. Rooms 6/10 while decent, the rooms could use an upgrade. Bed was comfy, ac was good, hot water was out when we arrived, they sent a guy in honestly less then 5 minutes and it was hot all week after. They just need a minor faclift. One GREAT part is that your bracelet has a sensor in it, so it is also your room key, you won't have to carry a key with you anywhere. Room service IS ONLY for elite members. Staff 8/10 Everyone from check in, to the maids, to the food and bars, the staff were amazing. Legit 10/10 on service, I only rate 8 because they have way too many vendors and spa people going around, you'll be asked no less than 12 times a day for a massage. If you say I just had one, they will ask if you want another. It was the 2nd worst part of the trip. Other than this, you'll get great service. Food 5/10 This rating was difficult to make, mainly because the actual quality of the was fresh and of great quality. The taste and variety was above average. You can get tacos and margaritas anytime of day. The ala carts were okay, not great, but completely reasonable. Here is the bad parts, although the quality of the food at the buffet was tasty and fresh, it was almost always cold. Everything from rice to potatoes, meats, we didn't fine anything hot until day 4. It was still honestly decent, and we didn't go hungry at all, nobody got sick, they just need to cook in smaller batches when it's slow and get heat lamps or something. Bacon was great, and the poolside menu service was also a nice mid day snack. I was sad to see no Cafe and the coffee was below average. Bars 10/10 The bars were all very good. The drinks never too strong, great blended to order frozen drinks( mango margarita was so good). Good consistency from bar to bar. good name brand choice. The poolbar in Adults only was a great touch and worth the upgrade. Has I sade potion with feezimg AC for a nice relief on those 39degree days, and takeaway snacks like huts and chips and fruits and Sammy's. Even a lil make your own cocktail section if you like to be heavy handed. Constantly stocked minibar in room. In summary, if you have kids, it's amazing, even the shows were well above average. The animals and eco vibes and free activities, even a free river boat ride, really made it stand out and feel different from any place I've stayed. If you're a couple like we were, DEFINITELY get the select club upgrade, there are a ton of kids otherwise, plus there are a fair amount of private areas and perks. Bring bug spray, you will get bit, it's like a small jungle. Do the timeshare presentation and just say NO, took under an hour, and we were gifted free massages and hydro treatments at the spa which were great and beautiful. It was a bit of a hassle to book activities and Ala carts, felt kind of disorganized, also there are very limited areas as a smoker, this sucked a bit for me. Overall, it was a very great trip, lots of fun and things to see, I 100% recommend Sandos for your next Mexico vacation.

We go to this hotel regularly for many years and usually have great experience: that’s why we bought a membership there. The grounds are beautiful, they did a lot of improvements on the beach and food, wildlife is stunning. Everything shows are good. This year went around Easter and it was disappointing-hotel was overcrowded and very noisy. Not just because of many people, that is unavoidable at peak holiday time but they had some construction going on in lobby and music played very loud everywhere, day and night. By the end of the week it felt exhausting , not relaxing. This hotel always had natural and quiet vibe because of large grounds and lots of vegetation, but whoever their entertainment director is now seems to think that more constant entertainment is better. While I understand some people love loud music, not everyone enjoys it: have some area with music and some dedicated to be quiet. Like do you really need to play it at every pool, every restaurant, morning and night? Our room was fairly close to theatre this time and we could not go to sleep till midnight because of sounds from shows and live bands afterward. In the morning at 6 am rowdy neighbours who don’t care to supervise their kids would wake us up. They seem to contract travel agencies that bring bus loads of tourists , many of whom are poorly behaving and inconsiderate. It really affects the hotel vibe not in a good way. Royal elite pool area is typically relaxing but this time people were bringing their own portable speakers playing a cacophony of different music. Nothing was done about that. Eco Activities were on first come basis without prior registration which normally would be ok, but in high season there was a bit too much competition (they would run out of life jackets for ceynote constantly, for example). Kids club was good while our son was little. Teen club is a joke-there is nothing enjoyable there and it sits empty Bottom line, when hotel is at full capacity, a little more organisation and oversight is needed to make it enjoyable for all. You have a lot of good things going on, Keep your natural eco-oriented identity please, there are plenty of party places in riviera maya already.

Alberto was very lovely and helpful. He made my experience in the gym one to remember teaching me new excersises and techniques and how to use all the equipment properly training with a shoulder injury has never been so easy he Mayswel be a personal trainer:)

The spa was very well kept, the staff was kind, my massage therapist Angel was mindful of my injuries and did well. They had beverages available! The steam room, hot tub & hydrotherapy was such a great ending! Overall an awesome experience and recommend everyone to try it!

Spent a week down here at Sandos Caracol in the adults only select club. Water park was a blast. Alejandro made us some amazing drinks at the beach bar. Overall an amazing experience and plan to make another visit. I guess I need 24 more characters for this review.