Sandos Playacar

Jose & Miriam make the avenue bar, makes having the VIP black worth it alone. The hospitality and effort put into welcoming you and looking after you is second to none. Remembering you favourite drinks and making them on your arrival is second to none service. Gracias Jose and Miriam!

We both got sick two days after arriving. Vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration. When we voiced our concerns,we were dismissed with the comment"we have protocols in place so it can't have come from the resort" Worse week of vacation ever. Never again

Gabby and Iris gave world class services massages and pedi for my husband and I. I definitely will request them again! Thank you ladies you are the best! We had pedi’s and also had massages on the beach, definitely an experience you don’t want to miss.

We stayed at Sandos Playacar Resort/Hotel from 5 Mar to Mar 12, 2025. This is our seventh visit to Mexico and our fourth stay at Sandos in Playa Del Carmen. We are fully vaccinated. including Hepatitis A and B. That is your choice. The rise in communicable diseases and a...

We stayed at Sandos Playacar Resort/Hotel from 5 Mar to Mar 12, 2025. This is our seventh visit to Mexico and our fourth stay at Sandos in Playa Del Carmen. We are fully vaccinated. including Hepatitis A and B. That is your choice. The rise in communicable diseases and a lack of personal hygiene is obvious and has been observed. We enjoyed our short holiday and did not suffer any illnesses. My youngest daughter will visit later this month with her partner and my grand-daughters. I scouted the resort due to recent complaints. No doubt some guests were sick. However, we question the origin of the illness. We seriously doubt the source is and was the resort. Regardless, they are ultimately responsible. Sandos investigated to find the possible source and cause, cleaned and treated their water and sewer lines and inspected their water and food services sources. We do not book directly with the resort therefore we get no preferential treatment. I am not an employee of Sandos nor am I receiving any stipend for this writeup. We have never, including this visit, suffered stomach problems from the food, the drinks or water served by any resort. It is important to understand that most if not all resorts and some cities are on septic tank systems for sewage waste. Therefore, you can expect a “sweet” smell in some areas. We smell worse at certain intersections in our town where millions of litres of untreated sewage flow in to our rivers and lakes after a rain storm. For drinking (potable) water and ice cubes the resorts provide purified water in large bottles in rooms and this service is free. We had a large “office style” bottle of purified water in the room and sealed smaller bottles, and they are not the cause of the stomach issues, nor do they smell of sewage. The water served and ice for drinks in restaurants is purified; if you are not sure ASK. Beware of bottle/can drinks provided in coolers on side trips; you cannot guarantee the ice in the cooler is purified and may contaminate your beverage. Do not drink any bottled water if the cap has been “twisted” open because you cannot confirm the source of the water. Wash your hands after using the washrooms and after meals. The standard rule for drinking water is frequently ignored: Do not drink water from the tap and this is posted in Playa del Carmen, and at the airport in Cancun. Do not brush or rinse your teeth with tap water. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them properly, especially if your use the bathroom. Sandos post signs were refrigerated cold meats, vegetables and cheese products are available for consumption with the warning that uncooked foods are used at your own risk. This issue has always existed, even in our local stores and restaurants. How many people touch the fresh vegetables or fruits at your supermarket. The food at the resort, such as fruits and vegetables, are carefully inspected, cleaned with purified water, before they are placed on trays for guests. The serving areas where food is served are either refrigerated and/or heated. Do not return food to the trays by hand after touching them. Near where cooked foods are available signs are posted advising to use the utensils provided and NOT TAKE THE FOODS WITH BARE HANDS. We witnessed adults and children taking food from the serving trays unto their plates with their bare hands, and on several occasions food from their plates returned by hand to the serving trays. Parents should supervise their offsprings. We kept an eye on the servers. Thousands of people touch the serving utensils at the buffet at every meal; we wash our hands before touching our table utensils and before eating and after every meal. It only takes a second. Current information supports that two out of three men (67 percent) DO NOT WASH THEIR HANDS AFTER USING THE WASHROOM and this was observed. Women are a little better with personal hygiene. With children, your guess is as good as mine. We ate at all of the restaurants - the food and service were exceptional. Just like driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, boating, and swimming or partying near water, including in the pools is utter stupidity. We observed a woman come out of the pool completely smashed, losing her balance, could hardly walk or stand, could not put on her flipflops. had difficulty speaking and was finally escorted to her room by friends or family members. SMOKERS SHOUD BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL. The resorts may provide locations to smoke, and this falls in a grey area. However, Mexico has the strongest anti-smoking laws in the world, and they include all public areas, including the beaches and the resorts. If the resorts are not enforcing the law, they can be fined and smokers may find themselves butting out or evicted without compensation. Furthermore, it is illegal to bring narcotics and opioids in Mexico, including e-vapes cigarettes, as one guest found out. If you get caught you may not enjoy the remainder of your vacation and may be held legally responsible and financially accountable. Our room was clean and well maintained daily by the staff. The room appeared freshly painted. We noticed the sofa bed needed cleaning where guests, still smeared with tanning oil and lotions, sat without showering. Would they do that at home? Bridal parties are frequently the most careless group. Enjoy your vacation and do not be an ugly tourist. They do not have to speak your language and may not understand what has been said, smile at you and nod. I speak four languages. Some local travellers from Winnipeg have received and exhausted their 15 seconds of fame. We would return without hesitation and my daughter has been briefed on what to expect. Sandos fix your elevators – guests with ambulatory problems must be accommodated and deserve this respect.