Guest reviews for Cancun Hotels: The Reef Playacar

Guest Reviews: 13 comments found for this hotel: 11 :: 2

Many of the staff speak little to no English. Food in restaurants is unvaried and mediocre. We were supposed to be picked up by a company affiliated with the Reef, but when our transportation failed to arrive the hotel failed to even try to help. On our first night, they were overbooked, so the manager was like: "I'm sorry we could not get you one of the over 200 rooms in this supposedly 5 star resort in the off season. Please allow us to take the money you paid for a suite today and fix you up in our sister hotel, the Budget Inn. Help yourself to a Superficial Letter of Apology, and feel free NOT to leave a complaint in the box on your way out. NEXT!"
John Doe, e-mail withheld, 2008-08-16

We stayed at the Reef Playacar hotel in January 2005 and really enjoyed ourselves, however, the nightly entertainment could have been better! Everything seemed to stop at 10pm! I'm sure if a disco or some other form of entertainment lasted up until at least midnight then the hotel would be close to perfect. No one wants to go to bed early on holiday and it's not much fun to sit in the bar without music every night.
Paula Duncan, e-mail withheld, 2005-08-29

We just completed 3-night vacation at the hotel Reef Playacar. Everything was very nice; clean room, good services at restaurant, crystal swimming pools ... However, my wife and I could not take kids to the beach because a lot of ladies were nude there. Although I rated the hotel 10/10, I definitely won't bring my kids here anymore.
Peter, e-mail withheld, 2005-06-01

I have to say that the Reef Playacar, hotel and beach, was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. There were eight family members in total that went here together and I and my (now husband Dennis) were married on the beach while on vacation. The staff was "excellent" along with the entertainment! We are planning on returning this fall for another great vacation!
Tamra, e-mail withheld, 2005-03-07

We had a wonderful vacation at the Reef Playacar. Six women, for my sister's 50th birthday. The food, rooms, grounds, and beach were great. I was a little apprehensive after reading some of the reviews, but after arriving and seeing the grounds and visiting with all the great staff all of that vanished. We would go there again. It was great to be able to walk to all the great shops and ferry. P.S. The drinks were great too!
Kathy Vest, e-mail withheld, 2005-01-30

The hotel Reef Playacar was beautiful. Food, facilities and entertainment and staff were excellent. The beach was gorgeous over all holiday excellent.
The McDonald family, e-mail withheld, 2005-01-30

We recently stayed at The Reef Playacar and it was one of the best vacations we have ever taken. The resort was beautiful and relaxed. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. The food was very good especially considering the price. How they make any money is beyond me.
Richard, e-mail withheld, 2004-11-24

Wife and I stayed at The Reef Playacar and were very pleased. It was probably one of the cheaper places to stay in that area without feeling scared of our surrounding. The food was overall pretty good. Only complaint that we had was the bed was pretty crummy- not very comfy. Think I'd rather sleep on one of their nice hammocks. Otherwise I'd stay there again without a doubt. All-inclusive is the way to go, even if you eat downtown a few times.
Dave, e-mail withheld, 2004-11-15

My husband, daughter and I have stayed at The Reef Playacar 5 times and are already booked for our 6th visit in February 2005. I really hate to see bad reviews of the Reef Club because I feel the few unfortunate incidents are not a true representation of this resort. No matter where you stay in Mexico or any other country, including the U.S. there will be incidents of theft, poor service and food not to your liking. We love the Reef Club and never had a bad experience. The food is good for buffet food and the Italian restaurant is excellent. As far as the service, you get what you give. If you are friendly, you will be treated well. If you have an attitude, you will get back what you dish out. Golden Rule applies, folks. I have witnessed some incredibly rude guests and have felt extremely sorry for the staff at the Reef Club who will bend over backwards to treat the guests right for just a few dollars a day. Did you know the average resort worker in the Playacar hotel zone earns about $10 a day? How much rudeness would you tolerate for that pay and still be friendly?? Anyway, the Reef Club is a good value with nice rooms, beautiful beach, good service, and fun entertainment. Please take the bad reviews with a grain of salt. Sometimes no matter how nice a place is, some people will complain. Thanks for reading this.
Denise, e-mail withheld, 2004-10-05

Terrible DO NOT STAY HERE!! We had several hundred dollars worth of items taken from our suitcases that were locked in our room. It was very obvious that the thief was a employee of The Reef Playacar. The room itself was clean, but as basic as can be. Nothing but a bed (actually 2 double beds), a TV, and a shower. Not even an alarm clock! We had no water one day. Our sinks drain leaked. We asked for wake up calls that were never delivered. And the food was pretty poor. Spend a little more and go somewhere else.
Rick Nichols, ricknichols54@msn.com, 2004-05-15

The Reef Playacar was the best holiday we ever had. Food was great entertainment top notch you couldn’t fault it. If you go - you must swim with the dolphins!
McDonald's, e-mail withheld, 2004-05-02

We stayed at the The Reef Playacar Mar 23-30. We went with another couple and we both took our 16 year old daughters. Every one had a great time! Lots of activities for the girls and they enjoyed the nightly shows also. The rooms were not fancy... Very Clean, in fact the whole resort was extremely clean. The staff was exceptionally friendly, the beach was the best we have found in all of our travels! BEAUTIFUL! The food was great, something for everyone... We didnt find the drinks watered down at all! Service was excellent and always with a smile! We have stayed at more luxorious resorts, but the staff and service at the Reef made up for the modest rooms! I would highly recommend this resort to anyone... One of the best vacations we have had! ... For the price, you can not go wrong with the Reef Club!!!
Deb Kucera, flamingodeb555 @aol.com, 2003-04-21

Excellent beaches and pool area. Lots going on during the daytime. Cool bars to be found in Playa del Carmen. Would definitely recommend a visit to Xel-Ha (pronounced Shal ha). The Reef Playacar is the most beautiful and relaxing place I have ever been to.
K Colclough, e-mail withheld, 2003-04-05

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