TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

Very happy with the staff. friendly and informative ,, the food was excellent ,, buffets were incredible. The pools were clean and the beach was free from any seaweed. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a nice quaint, not too big of a resort easy to get around. The rooms very clean and tidy and the cleaning stuff was excellent

Hi I loved the smaller resort and experience of Puertos Aventuras Marina Life. I wanted to shout out Neldy at the reception for answering all my questions & giving me great info when needed. Her smiling face at reception was always a great presence when I walked down my corridor to the main lobby. Thanks so much Neldy you made my family have a great time.

Review of Catalonia Riviera Maya (Privilege Package) We recently stayed at the Catalonia Riviera Maya in a Privilege Deluxe room for 10 days, and overall, our experience had both highlights and notable drawbacks. Arrival & Room Experience We arrived late at night and were initially assigned a room with a king-size bed, despite our travel agent requesting two queen beds. The room was also in a poor location—right beside a service pathway leading to the Beloved restaurant. Staff frequently passed by with carts early in the morning and late at night, and the proximity made it feel like there was little privacy. After raising the issue, we were eventually moved to room 214, which was a significant improvement and much more enjoyable. Food & Dining The food was one of the highlights of our stay. We especially enjoyed: The steakhouse The Italian restaurant Beloved (our favorite) However, one major disappointment was the limitation on à la carte dining. We were under the impression that Privilege included unlimited à la carte access, but in reality, we were only allowed four reservations over our 10-day stay. Attempts to book additional dinners were mostly unsuccessful due to lack of availability. Service Bar service was excellent—staff were friendly, wait times were minimal, and the drinks were very well made. The margaritas, in particular, were a standout. Unfortunately, housekeeping did not meet expectations. We often had to call multiple times for towels and minibar restocking. Despite tipping regularly, service remained inconsistent, and we did not experience the extra touches often expected at a resort of this level. Beach & Ocean This was the biggest downside of the resort. The ocean area is enclosed by a rock barrier, creating a calm, lagoon-like environment. While some may appreciate this, it felt more like “snorkeling in a bathtub” than a true beach experience. There are no waves, and the water can become stagnant, especially in the afternoon, with visible debris floating on the surface. For those who enjoy long walks on a sandy beach and the sound of waves, this resort will likely be disappointing. Pools & Seating The Privilege pool area was another weak point: No proper stairs for easy access—difficult for anyone with mobility issues Very small and overcrowded in the afternoons Limited shaded seating Chair reserving was a major issue, with guests placing towels early in the morning and not returning for hours. Combined with the lack of shaded areas, this made finding a comfortable place to sit very difficult. Smoking Areas Smoking accommodations were extremely limited and poorly designed. There are only a few designated areas across both the Yucatán and Catalonia sides, and they lack seating and shade. One area near the front entrance felt particularly unsafe due to bus traffic—I even witnessed a near accident. Overall, the smoking setup felt inconvenient and uncomfortable. Entertainment & Atmosphere Evenings were fairly quiet. There are shows available, but beyond that, there isn’t much nightlife unless you leave the resort and spend additional money at nearby bars and attractions. This is not a party resort—it’s better suited for those looking for a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere. Final Thoughts While the food, drinks, and friendly bar staff were definite highlights, several key issues impacted our overall experience—particularly the beach, room service, pool design, and limited dining access. Would we return? No, primarily due to the ocean experience and overall layout of the resort. Who might enjoy this resort? Guests who prefer calm, enclosed water over waves Those looking for a quieter, low-key vacation Travelers who prioritize food quality over beach experience I hope this review helps others make an informed decision when considering this resort.

We came to this resort as a family of 13 for our annual family trip, and overall we had a great experience. The resort was very clean, we always felt safe, and the staff were, for the most part, very friendly and welcoming. We did notice that the resort is on the quieter side and seems to cater more to seniors and families with young children. It would have been nice to have more music and energy by the pool and beach. Once we realized this, we ended up bringing our own speaker. If you’re looking for a lively, party-style resort, this may not be the best fit, as the entertainment and live shows are more family-oriented. The food at the restaurants was good, and the resort itself was well maintained. We upgraded to the Privilege package, but we’re not entirely sure it made a big difference since we didn’t really use the separate pool section. One thing to note: alcohol isn’t served until 11:00 AM, so if you’re hoping for a morning mimosa, that won’t be an option. The beach is a bit rocky, so definitely pack water shoes. That said, the staff did a great job cleaning the seaweed daily. The beach bar was a highlight for us thanks to the amazing staff. The pools were nice but could definitely use more music and a livelier atmosphere. Overall, it’s a great resort with hardworking and kind staff. A special thank you to Antolin (lobby, day time) Ishmael, Carmen( beach bar) and Edgar (snack buffet) for your attentive service, as well as the team at the front entrance who greeted us with so much warmth and made us laugh every day. We truly appreciated all the kindness shown during our stay. God bless you all!

We just finished seven relaxing days at the Catalonia Maya Riveria resort. This is a wonderful resort that had met most if our needs. The food was excellent as was the service however the beach was not a strong point at this resort. Firstly I wanted to thank the ETC staff for wonderful service and attention to all our needs. The ETC team included: Concierge: Aurora, Ivett and Ivonne. Butlers: Rogelio, Manuel and Mariana. Supervisor: Jazmin We feel that your more than a team, your a familia that works very well together. The gym is newly renovated and very big with lots of equipment. Special shout out to Omar the gym trainer, who is very approachable and friendly. Mi Amigo. The Algeria Spa is also in the same building. We went there for a very nice water treatment. It was also very big and had a Zen feel about it. There were a variety of restaurants, with many wonderful menu choices. I'm a huge foodie and loved the food here. Our go to spot for breakfast and lunch was the Beloved restaurant. We experienced great service and the food was top notch. Special thanks to Brenda, Theresa and Viridiana at the Beloved. Also special shout out to Ivan, who was our waiter for our romantic dinner on the beach and also at the Steakhouse restaurant. Overall this resort is good value and gives you a good Mexican resort experience.