My friend (38) and I (29) stayed at the Royal PDC 4/29-5/3 after a short stay at La Tortuga. First a little background… This was my fifth time to the area. I’ve previously stayed at Gran Porto Real (while the Royal was being built), Copacabana (Catalonia Tulum now I think), Iberostar Paraiso del Mar and Iberostar Cozumel. It was my friend’s third time down here and he’s previously been to the Iberostar del Mar and Oasis Grand Cancun. We have always wanted to stay at the Royal PDC, so this time we decided to give it a go… and we will definitely be back!

We booked through Funjet. Check in was very quick. We had booked a regular junior suite and done the online check in, but they didn’t have a record of it so we still had to fill out the paperwork. We decided to upgrade our room to a poolside junior suite and we were so glad we did! It was very easy to get chairs in the morning in front of our room, and it was great to just walk back in the room for a quick cool off and having our own bathroom poolside. We will definitely ask for this room again. The room itself was great. The beds were extremely comfortable. We never used the jacuzzi, but it looked nice. The bathroom had lots of toiletries, good shower pressure and hot water. The fridge was stocked everyday and if you asked for something it was there. They also provide you with chips, peanuts and cookies. Also, the AC was great… this was the only room I’ve stayed at in Mexico where it didn’t feel muggy in the room and I was actually freezing when I got out of bed.

We didn’t spend much time on the beach while we were there because we are pool people. The pool is a good size. You do have to play the towel game here if you want a specific place or an umbrella, but the pool attendant, Pedro, will help you find an umbrella or chair if you need one. He was so helpful to us during our stay that we tipped him everyday and he was extremely grateful. Alexis is also wonderful with his magazines and sunscreen. My only negative about the pool is that the pool bar is not easy to get to because there’s not an easy way to get to it. I had also read in previous reviews that the music around the pool was loud, but we never really noticed it.

I thought the food was great for an all-inclusive, but that’s just it… for an all-inclusive. I wasn’t really ever “wowed” by a dish, but I did not have anything I didn’t like and I never got sick of the food because there are so many options. Asiana was our favorite and we ate there three times, once for lunch and twice for dinner. The sushi was pretty good and so were the teriyaki dishes, vegetable salad and fried ice cream. Maria Marias was good, especially the tacos and chocolate cake for dessert. The buffet always had something I liked on it. Pelicanos had a great breakfast and it was nice eating in the morning right by the ocean. We had a couple lunches there (the corn soup was delicious) and we ate there for dinner our last night and it was excellent. The bar right next to Pelicanos was great to hang out at in the evening for a change from the lobby bar. Both bars were great for meeting people. We also ordered room service several times for breakfast. It was nice to sit on our patio and eat breakfast right before walking three steps to our pool chair for the day. The french toast and omelettes were our favorites on the room service menu.

I should also mention that the service at this resort is absolutely top notch. The staff works very hard and they are so wonderful to talk to. We did not notice a lot of tipping going on here, which surprised us. We always tipped at the restaurants, bars, etc. These people work long days in the hot sun, but never seem to complain. We were happy to give them extra.

Overall, we had a fantastic time. In fact, we’re planning to go to La Tortuga for a couple nights next year, followed by the Royal PDC again and then extending the vacation on to the Royal Cancun! Email me with any questions.

Fantastic service, food, and staff! Over the entire stay, we only had problems with one staff member at the Chefs Plate when we were arriving to be seated. Her attitude towards us was terrible but fortunatly the rest of the staff more than made up for the maitre de's poor attitude.

The pool activity staff were absolutely great as well as the waiter service on the beach. We felt like we were leaving friends when we had to go. Alberto, Rebecca, Denys, Angelo, Veronica, Alex, and Fernando, thank you all for making it wonderful week for us.

Lastly, my wife and I travel 2-3 times per year to new places. Karen, for the first time, said she would love to come back to the Royal for another stay. That is the highest compliment I can give.

Just returned from both the Royal in Playa del Carmen, as well as the Royal in Cancun (will post a separate review for Cancun). My fiancee had never been to an all-inclusive and was highly impressed with all aspects of the Royal. The architecture was beautiful (although the carved decor through the resort was a little over-done) and layout is perfectly designed. Loved the online check-in feature, done in advance of our stay to pick our exact room. The service was exceptional, the grounds are meticulously maintained and the resort is so spotless you could eat off the floor. The staff can't seem to do enough for you and are always willing to go out of their way if they sense the slightest interest of you wanting something a little extra. The accommodations are airy, spacious and comfortable. We have stayed in a few Ritz properties, and I have never seen a "pillow menu" with 5 options from which you can select at any Ritz Carlton. The website does an admirable job of detailing all the extra perks and things that make the Royal stand out. The "magic box" for discreet room service is a great idea, as is the 24-hour lounge with a full bar and round-the-clock snacks. After a satisfying dinner at one of the restaurants (we tried them all, of course), my finacee was thrilled to purchase a cigar and linger in the vast lobby lounge with a Baily's and his stogie. Housekeeping is at every turn, from brushing the pool table felt to polishing the ice machines. While not every menu item is going to knock your socks off, you at least have 6 restaurants to choose from - and there are plenty of tasty things to satisfy most people. If you are a true food snob, you might skip all-inclusives entirely. Artfully presented and service with a smile go along way. Five out of 6 eateries require no reservations - just walk in and be seated. Even at the buffet, they are quick to take your plate to the table for you. The gift shop is more than adequate, and the spa was heavenly. They have pretty much thought of everything. Highly recommended.

This was our second year staying at the Royal and were not disappointed! You can't beat the location of this hotel. 5 minutes (maybe less) away from 5th avenue for great shopping, bars and restaurants.

The rooms are quite large, beautiful and very clean. The housekeeping staff are friendly and efficient. The nightly turndown service is also a very nice touch. I had to contact maintenance to change to battery in the smoke detector and they came in minutes, as well I messed up the safe combination and security came to reset the safe very quickly.

The gym is amazing. First class equipment including spinning bikes, treadmills, elipticals, freeweights and pilates equipment and weight machines. I didn't have a problem with wait times for the equipment, but I did go early at around 6:30 am.

What can I say about the beach? GORGEOUS. I walked on that beach for 2 hours every day. Loved it!!!Beautiful white sand and a beautiful blue ocean. The beach on the otherside of the breakwater (by the Gran Porto Real) is not as nice - lots of coral and sandbags. Although its great to walk that part of the beach to see the sights, the walk isn't as peaceful than on the Royal side (don't know what direction I was going- i.e. north, etc, but it was towards Cancun.).

I didn't spend any time at the pool, so I really can't comment on anything there, except the pool is large and beautiful and everyone around the pool seemed to be having a great time.

Enjoyed all the restaurants with Pelicano's, Maria Marie's and Il Pescatore being my favourite. You can't beat the guacamole and shrimp cocktail at Pelicano's. Went to Spice one night for the buffet, but wasn't as happy with the meal as I was at the a la Carte restaurants.

The staff work extremely hard at this resort and all are very friendly and accommodating. The sports team at the pool and beach are fantastic! They make all of the guests feel comfortable and welcome. I would recommend the bike tour with Fernando. This gave me an opportunity to see the city that I otherwise would have missed. I had no idea that Playa del Carmen was so big and had such a history. Fernando is friendly and entertaining, very knowledgeable of the area, and his English is excellent.

This was my 6th time in Mexico and this is my favorite resort to date. I would not hesitate to come back for another holiday.