Catalonia Riviera Maya - All Inclusive

Customer ratings & reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

2998 reviews

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  Nope

  The first room we were put in was incredibly loud as it was located facing an alley way of sorts where carts and vehicles were heard at all hours. Asked for upgrade, was told we had to wait. When they moved us, it was up a floor and down the hall after making us pack up and wait 4 hours. I explained the noise issue again, and after 3 tries, we were finally given a room in a different building. For it being an upgrade, it was exactly the same. We had hopes that the access to the privilege restaurant we be nice as making reservations is not seamless and the buffet is mid. We were wrong. Restaurant was soooo hot for breakfast. Not a single fan and food portions were for that of a toddler. Beach is rocky and full of seaweed. No service is provided outside of restaurants. To sum up: do not pay for the upgrade if you still choose to come to this resort.

  Apr 23, 2025
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  Great experience, we'll be back

  We spent the week before Easter in Catalonia Riviera Maya. It was a great experience all around and it went without a hitch. We were greeted with drinks, including a fancy glass of juice for our 6 year old. She loved that! So, great start! We arrived at 10 AM, and check in was at 3 PM, so we didn't have a room until then. We expected this and had our swimsuits ready. Front desk gave us our resort bracelets, so we had full access to all facilities and restaurants immediately. Once we checked in the friendly bell staff got our bags to our room and we settled in. The concierge told us about the perks and set up our massages and spa treatments (thanks Emma). Actually the thing that stood out most in all of this was the complete lack of hassle from anyone involved. Front desk told us about the option to upgrade to Travelers Club, but in passing without any pressure. No one else mentioned any kind of timeshare, meeting or tried to hassle us into buying anything or upgrading anything. All 3 concierges we spoke to were respectful, helpful and knowledgeable and were a great help (forgot their names, but the tattoo gentleman was great). We had access to Catalonia Riviera Maya and Catalonia Yucatan Beach. Both smallish hotels, but packed with options. I believe 5 pools and also a surprisingly nice beach. I think the wave breaks they installed in front of the beach prevent the waves from washing all the sand away. It was all clean and well maintained. We also noticed a lack of bugs. No mosquitoes or any biting bugs, no flies in or around the food. It was strange, but in the best way possible! There were 2 buffet restaurants and 6 specialized restaurants plus the privilege BLoved restaurant. There was always somewhere you could get food from 7 AM to 11 PM. Once one thing closed, something else opened. There were also a crepe bar with sweet and savory crepes choices (and with ice cream!!!) and a panini sandwich place that were both actually pretty good. The food in general was good. At no point did we feel like we were sick of hotel food, which is pretty rare. Buffets had a good variety of food, and the specialty restaurants were great. I think BLoved stood out to us. (Thank you Antonio and Marin for awesome service!) You can tell it is really really well managed and staff is really well trained, as the quality of food and service stayed on a high level even when they were packed. We also tried the Mexican restaurant which was another great surprise and Rosa was a great waitress and helped immensely with ordering the right items. We ate at the steakhouse where Ivan did the same great job with assisting and suggesting the right stuff to get. The bars made drinks you ordered and never got cheap with the ingredients. Carmen in Abuelo Bar and Louis in the Mexican restaurant bar i think made the best margaritas on the rocks. The pool bars churned out great blended drinks all day and had slushy machines that kids could get. (Love that sugar high! Hahaha) Another thing that stood out was the entertainment. Wow! The animation crew was excellent. Lupita and Kevin are legends! And the theater shows were outstanding, especially given that this is a fairly small resort. We caught 4 or 5 shows which were all great, got to listen to some incredible live music and enjoyed the beach and pool parties. The only minor issues i would mention is the rooms. There was some obvious wear and tear, but nothing that would cause us to call and complain. The mini fridge was smallish and could have had more items in it, but water was replenished regularly and the bars were close and room service quick in a pinch. The restaurant reservations were also a bit confusing and it seems like there was no limit on how many restaurants one can make a reservation at for any given day. I think people took advantage and just booked multiple places and never showed up. We were able to walk in and get a table without reservations and wait was never more that 10-15 minutes. I will call it 4.5 stars, but issues are really minimal and not close to ruin our experience. In the end of this lengthy review, i have to mention the staff one more time. Incredible people, super friendly, professional and helpful. All around, everyone was there when you needed them, whatever you needed. They all work long days, multiple positions in the resort and it never ever showed. It was a great experience and we want to thank them one more time! We'll see you again in November guys!

  Apr 21, 2025
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  Break from the rain

  So this was a great experience but not a 14 day worthy trip and overall I find places still blaming COVID for drop in quality. So let’s do some Pro’s and con’s Pro’s Snorkelling right out front was amazing went twice a day for hours, but I always take my own gear which proper water shoes Close to the village and marina so don’t miss going to see the Manatee Paid extra for privilege which is a must which gave access to B lived restaurant and chill bar with pool Always managed to get a pool chair Great little lobby bar with entertainment after dinner waiting for the show. The grounds were beautiful and well maintained Con’s Must wake up before 8 to try and book a reservation which was close to impossible, and I never had success what a joke. We wold just show up to a have empty place and be turned away saying they were booked , told to wait and they could try And fit us in10 minutes later still no one there and we may be seated if we were lucky or told to come back 3 hours later! Both buffets served the same food every night it seemed , they never seemed to have a theme night or make anything different I felt like I was eating leftovers some evenings but we always managed . They didn’t even have mimosa's for breakfast I like to go have drinks by the pool but not till 11:00 in the morning. this was the first resort that we didn't have pool service apparently they used to , luckily because we did upgraded we could stand I. Line at the chill bar to get a drink A couple of mentions here Burgers Lorenza best service Chill bar Carmen bar tender Angelina at the Brisa buffet Bottom line I would come back for 2 or 3 days but no longer unless booking system was fix d

  Apr 20, 2025
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  very good!

  five starts service! awesome staff all over the hotel. Oscar is the best bartender, very friendly and professional!! I have been to a lot of resorts and this was the best service..Thank you for the amazing service!! I really want to come back!!

  Apr 19, 2025
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  Best Vacation Ever!

  Our first trip to Mexico and it was everything we hoped for and more. All of the staff are warm and caring. There to help with all your needs to ensure you have the best stay possible. We were fortunate enough to eat at nearly all of the restaurants on site and the food was amazing no matter where we went. We have dietary restrictions and the hotel was wonderful in helping us to navigate the buffets. The nightly shows are spectacular! Such amazing talent from all of the staff! Highly recommend taking them in if you get the chance. Views are breathtaking! Best vacation we have ever had. We plan on coming back again!

  Apr 18, 2025