Since most reviews were positive, I booked 2 rooms for me and my kids. The rooms were spacious and looked out onto the pool area. My problem was that it was noisy because of the traffic; I don't think it would be much different in any other small hotel. One got use to it quickly. Showers were hot, so I don't understand why it was not so for others. Ceiling fan circulated the air nicely for sleeping. What made it great was the helpfulness of the front desk. Through Juan, the desk person, we found out about Yalku and took public transport there for amazing snorkling. It was really convenient that we could go to the beach and have the sun chairs and towels from the hotel. The restaurant was perfect for our needs during the day. In the evenings there are many places to eat and drink. It was a nice distance from the festive noise of 12th and 5th Ave. I have never been anywhere else but will stay here again.

This was our 5th time to Playa del Carmen, and our first time at the Riviera del Sol. We only stayed one night, as we'd rented a condo for the rest of our time.

The location is fantastic -- in the Italian section, away from the big crowds, and close to the beach. Like most places in Playa, however, it was a little loud. Cars can go down 30th St as well as 1st Ave and Mexicans aren't big on mufflers. There is also a section of 5th that is getting to be more "bustling" than a few years ago -- the Fe Club is close by, and always has very loud music. We were in Room 308 and that was largely muffled, though.

The room was wonderful -- very prettily decorated, immaculate, and a good size. We had a king suite and it came with a fridge, sink, cupboards, and a large balcony.

The staff was very friendly and the pool area, very relaxing. The semi-outdoor 2nd floor lounging area is gorgeous, with subtle lighting, and white couches, chairs, and beds.

I took two showers while there: one was lukewarm, at best. The other was hot for about 2 minutes, then lukewarm. Not impressive. Then, I noticed while brushing my teeth that the ceiling above me was leaking! There was a small hole with water dripping down. Since it wasn't a major leak and we knew the hotel was totally full, we ignored it, but who wants to pay $150/night for a leaking ceiling and cold shower?

I would consider staying there again, but would probably try another hotel on 10th instead -- which I imagine would be a little quieter.

My partner and I stayed at the Riviera del Sol for 4 nights in January 2007. We liked the location, away from the busiest part of PDC, but with plenty of good restaurants nearby, and just a block from the beach. The staff was very helpful and pleasantly informal (at one point, when we said we liked the incense burning in the small lobby, the desk clerk gave us a stick of it). The rooms are pretty--we should know, since we saw several of them. And that brings me to the problem that we experienced. Our first room, #106, smelled incredibly musty. We tried to deal with it for a few hours, but the smell was just pervasive, and between it and a loud party going on in the room next door, we asked them to move us. They put us in #206 for one night, which didn't seem to have any smell at all, but we could only have that room for one night. The next morning, they showed us another first floor room, but that had the same overpowering musty smell as #106. They ended up putting us in #306, which had a strong sewage-y smell coming from the bathroom, but at least the rest of the room did not smell.

We stayed in the hotel for 3 nights. It was during the Christmas and fully booked, we would like to stay 2 more nights but no room is available.

The room is clean, bright, breakfast is good. The location is great, just off the 5th Av, and 2 minutes walk to the beach. We had great time during the stay in this hotel.