Went in November 2025, Background - I have been to many All Inclusive resorts in Mexico and Caribbean. I am not a first timer...
First off - YES! I will be back, Facilities and grounds were amazing, it is a big resort so take some time to explore. There are pathways that act like short cuts, so the resort doesn't feel that big or overwhelming. The map makes it look like a large city, (it is very walkable) They also have free trams that get you back and forth easily, Grounds are beautiful, including the Beach at Family Select - I feels like you are in a movie.
Activities - we tried the pickleball court, GYM, mini golf and the free catamaran (you need to take a lesson $) - all were great. The GYM was busy, but enough to space to get a workout in. All free wights and machines you need) Pickleball can get busy especially in the morning, book a few days in advance, they have paddles and ball (basic but decent, no cost.) Mini golf was OK, (fun to do it once, not much more, they are a little beat up)
Rooms - Booked the Family Select Swim up room, our kids were 12 and 14, we swan mostly in the early evening to cool down from the day, you do not get much sun, unless you get the new beach facing swim up rooms. Rooms were clean, modern aesthetic, and stocked daily. Massive bathrooms. Great soaps and shampoos, I recommend buying the dehumidifier bags from Amazon as the humidity can get high (they kept the cloths and musty smell out, worked like a charm). Beds are smaller, not true queens, pull out couch was fine, overall pretty good. Did not turn the TV on.
Food - Lets be honest - if you are after Celebrity Chef meals at an all inclusive, your expectations are too high, we ate at all of buffet's - Hacienda had the most variety, stayed with the fresh food only, there is literally something for everyone. Food was good, not great, better than most All Exclusive's. Ate at 5 different Al A Carte's - again food was OK not much better than the Buffets. Sports Bar was good, pub food, and they turn on any game you want, including Hockey. But I honestly think the food all comes out of the same kitchen- If you have Family Select - there is a cool little Beach Bar the end of Family Select beach that offered ready made fresh food, check it out - La Jarra Beach Bar. It is unreasonable to expect Michelin Star food, especially in a large resort, so don't expect that, however the food fills you up.
Drinks and Bars - This is where they do really well, not your basic drink choices, tons of options and you do not get sick of the drinks, (with Family Select) you get some more options in quality of booze, including canned beer or brand name hard choices. Drank Mango Margs all day. We went to the adult side (lobby and pool in the TRS) for an afternoon and had some Martini's, need to check that out, all the drinks were amazing and a totally different vibe.
Resort - We explored all parts, every "resort" is somewhat different, The Family pool and teen club were great, did not use them much, the kids went for an afternoon and that was about it. Beautiful grounds and lobby, the pools were good, the one pool is deep, I am 6 feet tall and it came up to my neck. Check out the TRS pool, more party like with DJ and music pumping, Also a salt water natural pool on that side...the other pools are more family oriented.
Off Resort - took the Collectivo Bus to Tulum, did the ruins, rented bikes ($10 USD for the day) to shop around the town and went to Gran Cenote, way cheaper than the resort offering excursions. (90% cheaper) - I would skip the ruins, crowded and the kids were indifferent to the history (sigh) But the town and cenote were fun. We booked transportation to and from Cancun Airport with Canada Transfers, they were good, and you can order drinks for your 1 hour long drive.
Entertainment - I personally did not go to any, the kids went to the neon party and liked it, however there was something on every night.
Crowds - They said the resort was 95% booked, but you could never tell, no lines anywhere, the place is so big, you did not ever feel like it was really busy, we found pool side chairs, even at 2 in the afternoon, White Sands pool was even slower. Did not wait long for trams. Almost no lines for drinks, it was intimate and not overwhelming at all, I love not having to wait, it was amazing.
Service - WOW - on top of everything, fast, and friendly - one of the best things about the place, we had a butler and used them to book restaurants - we were not picky, we just said there are 8 of us in a group, we will take whatever/whenever is available.
Why I would go back - I typically do not like to return to the same place, I like to check out everything... but this was the best of all of them, so many things to do from sports to different pools, grounds were immaculate, go explore all parts of the resort including the TRS side, lots of hidden gems and bars to see and do. Tons of photo worthy areas, it was spectacular. You won't get bored. If you do, go check out the other lobby or other resort or other buffet's... tons of wondering around which is fun in itself... Service was above all the rest, every staff member went out of their way. Drinks were also the best! This is not a party resort, if you are looking for the Vegas pool party frat house spring break, (although the Adult Pool was pretty hopping) this isn't it, if you are looking for a family or adult slow vacation, this is it.
