The Reef Playacar

Remarks:
"A few things: First, just take a taxi from airport to hotel and back, it is $20 per person each way by taxi and about half the time as the shuttle. It took us 2.5 hours by shuttle one way to get to our hotel, horrible!! They told us it would only be 45 minutes. Same price as taxi, but half the time. Also, DO NOT LEAVE OUT personal items that you do not want stolen in your room. If your money goes missing, then its your problem, not theirs as you should have used the safe in your room (which youre charged $2 per day of use). When the hotel staff checks their "lost and found" ... a word to the wise, they don't have one, because its called their own pocket.... as we found out this morning. The guy behind the desk was wearing our money clip on his shirt pocket after a little girl found it and turned it in where we'd lost it. The guy didn't even bother alerting us that it had been found. We reported it missing a day earlier. If we hadn't continued to hassle the front desk, we wouldnt have got it back (though our wad of money was lost, at least we have our money clip back)... ALSO, if the entertainment staff says lets go salsa dancing, but charges you $35 each to go to Senior Frogs, its a SCAM!!! Senior Frogs does not charge you to get in, and it was not even salsa dancing... it was a regular crowded club where the entertainment staff disappeared immediately once we got there. So, just throw away $70 US on maybe 3 drinks... wow, what a scam. Yes, they only disappeared until they wanted a drink and had you flash your braclet to the bartender so they could get a free drink... thats about it. You can go on your own, don't be fooled into thinking they can show you the town, what a scam. You can walk to Senior frogs in only like 15 minutes for free!! You can walk on your own to anywhere downtown, dont have to blow your $$.

The beach is great, and that is why we came. Rooms are okay, not horrible, we had to fix our toilet almost daily. Food is decent, the Italian restaurant was the best, the service was great in both the italian and mexican restuarant. I think the front lobby and entertainment staff could use a few tips on being morally decent and upright...everyone's out to steal a buck regardless of how it effects you." - Gonzalez from Rocky Mountains, Colorado

Stayed at the Reef Playacar ?

Remarks:
"My boyfriend and I recently stayed at The Reef Playacar Resort in June 2009 and were pleased with our stay. The beach-front in my opinion was better at the Reef Playacar than the RIU Palace next door which is a 4 or 5 star resort. The staff were amazing and very friendly. Some reviews stated that staff pressured people into buying time-shares. We never were approached during our stay at the Reef Playacar. Also, Mosquitos in the room were not a problem like some people complained about in other reviews. The only complaint was the food. The buffet wasn't very good but there are also two restaurants a Mexican and Italian that must be booked 9:00am in the lobby and they book fast so try at least once to make it to a restaurant during your stay. I also recommend the zipline, dolphin swim, horseback riding, and the xel-ha tours. We had an amazing time and are planning on returning to the Reef Playacar in June 2010." - Lisa from Rochester, New York

Stayed at the Reef Playacar ?

Remarks:
"Dear Resort Manager, My recent stay (5/21/2009-5/24/2009) was the worst experience I have had at any resort or hotel anywhere in the world. I travel frequently in Mexico, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia and the United States, and have never experienced such appalling food, service and accommodations. I have done my research and am well aware that you know that there is a gastrointestinal virus that has been infecting a great majority of your guests.I was told by your staff that doctors and scientists have been trying to identify what is causing the illness. I was visiting for a friends wedding with a group of 44 people, all of whom were violently ill for most of the stay. Some of these people were elderly and young children with immune systems that can not support such an illness. Myself and my girlfriend were up all night vomiting profusely with horrific diarrhea and still do not feel normal two days after departing Mexico and returning to the USA. I am a professional chef and a restaurant owner in California, and I am highly educated in food safety, sanitation and preparation. The food served in the main dining hall, the snack bar and at the wedding was the worst quality I have ever seen in any establishment in the world. Serving the same re-heated meat for breakfast that was sitting out the night before at the end of dinner is a major health violation. Rancid cheese on the cold buffet line is unacceptable as well. The air conditioner in our room was barely functioning and dripping water all over the floor. I discovered this as I slipped on my way to the restroom to vomit from the illness that your staff is ignoring. Also, an expensive cell phone was left in our room and is nowhere to be found. The front desk and housekeeping staff were no help in locating the $250 phone. I hope that you take my concerns seriously as this is a matter that should not be overlooked. " - Mark from Costa Mesa, California

Stayed at the Reef Playacar ?

Remarks:
"We went on the (time-share) tour and was hosted by Orlando. We were there for 3 hours. We were told there was NO pressure but that was not true at all. We had 2 pressuring us. Then we were promised things for going on the tour and were not given them when we went back up to the office. We were given the run around for 2 days and then told we could not have them. And almost was not given our $20.00 deposit back there. This has left a very bad taste in our minds." - Robert & Roxie from Coon Rapids, Minnesota

Stayed at the Reef Playacar ?

Remarks:
"Had a wonderful time. Staying there again." - Deb from Muskegon, Michigan

Stayed at the Reef Playacar ?

Remarks:
"The accomodations greatly exceeded our expectations. The feeling of being in such a tropical atmosphere was great. Food was plentiful and delicious, activities galore, staff were VERY friendly and helpful and the beach was beautiful. You could not ask for anything more. I would recommend the Reef Playacar to anyone and would not hesitate to stay there again. I was there with my son and family from Sweden and they felt the same as I did." - Barbara from Norwich, CT

Stayed at the Reef Playacar ?

Remarks:
"This hotel is on the downward slide. Watch out 4 the "snakes!" The Concierge pushed us for a tour of the club - a Time-Share scam. When we refused to sign a commitment that day. Max, a manager for the marketing company, treated us rudely. We booked some tours with a Reef staff member. Alan scammed us out of several hundred USD, and I was unable to take my son fishing. One of the reasons we went to Mexico. I found out that even though Alan wore a Reef shirt and name tag, he did not work for the hotel. No one would admit to whom he worked for. 4 nights out of 8 we had no hot water for bathing, the 1st night our tub plug was broken. The last 3 nights of our stay, 1 of our rooms had sewage water leaking into the tub stall. The electrical wiring is also scary. I feel the resort is a firetrap. The equipment that is included is subpar at best. The boogie boards were all torn and falling apart. The food at Chula Vista is average with very little change in the menu. All 4 of us got very sick from the food. My 60-year-old mother is still vomiting after 2 days at home. The Manager is unprofessional and will promise you the world, all lies. Do not expect to be compensated for any incontinence. I received a free message certificate that did not cover the total cost of the message. The hotel wanted me to sign a waiver promising no legal action against the hotel." - Tina from Hardin, Montana

Stayed at the Reef Playacar ?

Remarks:
"Friendly staff. many activities. wide variety of foods and restaurants. Good equipment. staff could speak english well. friendly evironment. EXCELLENT new room models. Best vacation of my life. Would come back in a heartbeat." - Jack from Warwick, Rhode Island

Stayed at the Reef Playacar ?

Remarks:
"We went to the Reef Club on my sisters recommendation. We were celebrating my daughters 21st birthday. My parents joined us and we had the time of our lives. The staff was amazing and took care of us like we were VIPS! They would have tables ready for us in the buffet because there were 5 of us, they had to put tables together everyday. The Italian dinner in the restaurant was great. Order the molten lava chocolate cake! The beach was closed one or two days but we always found plenty to do. Although we did a few tours, we could have been just as happy hanging at the resort the whole time. Our room was always very clean and she would leave our spare towels in the shape of a swan and then pick Hibiscus flowers and put around the swan. Very nice touch. There was construction next door at the new place but it didn't bother us since we were early-risers. We were only leary about the swim up bar pool because you never see people get out and it smelled! We nick named it the pee-pee pool and wouldn't go in that one. My sister is a repeat customer and we are going back next May for our 15th anniversary. I can't wait." - Melissa from Las Vegas, Nevada

Stayed at the Reef Playacar ?

Remarks:
"Pretty good time for us. The weather was really good. A quick walk to 5th avenue. The room was good despite not getting a garden view, luck of the draw I guess. The food was very good. Resort bikes were really crappy, single kayaks had holes in them so they recommended not to use for more than a 15 minute paddle I thought that was really weak some of us like a little longer. Your own cup is a must as they dont wash glasses very well at all..scary. The last day my Wife and I got very ill and so did 40 other people. I told someone at the office they didn't seem to care much" - Don from Surrey, British Columbia

Stayed at the Reef Playacar ?

Remarks:
"Beautiful grounds, jungle like. Rooms OK-food excellent-staff friendly-good location-down side NO BEACH and the WORST DRINKS on earth-they do a quick rinse of the glasses-no washing and the soap does not get rinsed off- if you are a drinker I suggest going to town as soon as you get there and purchase your own stuff-at least your own glass and wash it in your room when needed. This place was cheap-but you get what you pay for." - Steve from Idaho Falls, Idaho

Stayed at the Reef Playacar ?