Do NOT Book Your Wedding Here. They turned our wedding week (March 14 Wedding) into a nightmare so I want to warn every couple considering Mahekal for their wedding. What should have been the most magical week of our lives was repeatedly hijacked by the gross incompetence and dishonest practices of this resort's wedding team. And to be clear - we had a separately hired a wedding planner because by November we already knew Mahekal was not providing any support. We went into our wedding week thinking everything was settled without any warning of all the problems Mahekal was going to spring on us: - They lost track of $10,000 which we paid over SIX MONTHS ago. Totally unaccounted for in their system and we had to prove our payment history while onsite for our wedding. - They attempted to charge a $7,000+ penalty, claiming our room block had not been fulfilled through the code. We blocked 40 rooms and had 107 guests staying on property. We had to spend hours cross referencing the list they had which they didn't even have prepared for our meeting, with our list of guests which we had given them. We lost 4 hours to prove their botched webpage caused this issue. - What is truly unforgivable is Mahekal had an entire month after the room block deadline to communicate these issues to us. Instead, they waited until we arrived for our wedding to spring these problems on us due to their poor mgmt. We spent hours each day on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, AND Friday trying to clean up their messes, ruining our moods and taking time away from family and friends. - The front desk charged us $930 for an upgrade that was explicitly supposed to be complimentary. When we checked in they didn't even have us noted as the wedding couple and did absolutely nothing special for us - no rose petals, no welcome gift, nothing but headaches. When I brought the upgrade charge up to Laura, the in-house "wedding coordinator," she showed me on her monitor that their system had the upgrade documented as FREE... I showed her the additional $930 charge on my credit card. She took over a day to find the charge in their system and promised to work with the front desk to return this but has not responded to me or my wedding planner when we followed up. - We didn't get an adequate room even with the purchased upgrade so I couldn't take any getting ready photos. When we toured they showed a room with a living room which was not made available to me. Total bait and switch. I spent 9am to 1:30pm of my wedding day with just vendors because of this... They also do NOT have a bridal suite which is another sign they are not equipped to handle weddings. - I specifically and clearly requested mahi mahi NOT be served as the fish entrée option at our wedding and Laura said she would work with the chef... At our reception I took a bite of the fish and informed my husband it was mahi mahi and he gave me half his chicken... - For our welcome party, we were charged $450 for three infused water dispensers, a "water bar" we had approved for our outdoor cocktail hour (where it made sense given the heat despite the open bar). Instead, Mahekal applied it to the wrong event entirely; the welcome party which was hosted in a covered space with fans (La Cocina) for which we were already paying for a three-hour open bar. I didn't even see this water bar but whether it was there or not, they scammed us out of $450 because they can't even track a single add-on without messing up. - It's obvious now that we were shown updated rooms when we toured a year before our wedding. What we actually arrived to were cracked floors, broken AC, and toilets with rusted flush buttons. We stayed at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba, an actual 5-star resort, for 3 nights after our wedding to decompress from the stress Mahekal had caused. Mahekal felt like a beach motel in comparison. Mahekal is not just incompetent, they are predatory: waiting until you are emotionally and logistically vulnerable so they can hold one of the most important events of your life hostage. The individuals responsible for this horrible experience were Laura Elena Castellanos Patino and Maria Elena Armenta. The only thing I wish for them is Karma. Thankfully, we ended up having a wonderful wedding reception thanks to friends and family, and those memories are slowly replacing our horrible encounters with the resort staff. read more

I rarely write negative reviews, but this stay was a major disappointment. The biggest letdown was the buffet -- very underwhelming food, repetitive options, and not what you would expect from a resort at this price point. Every day we hoped it would improve, and every day it was the same disappointment. The only saving grace of the entire stay was the poolside food and the service there, especially Armando, our poolside server, who was amazing. He was attentive, friendly, and provided the best service we experienced the entire trip. Unfortunately, that was the only consistently positive part of the experience. Another major issue: there is a large family of raccoons living on the property, and they fight loudly over food at night. This isn't a small nuisance -- it kept multiple members of our family awake across several rooms. On top of that, Friday night there was a rave next door that played music until 6 a.m., and again, no one in our group could sleep. For a resort that's supposed to be relaxing, this was unacceptable. Also, be aware there are no TVs in the rooms and there is basically no entertainment around the pools. There was a speaker out there at times, but it was inconsistent on what days it was even set up, and when it was, the music was very low and you could barely hear it. The resort felt very quiet and honestly a bit boring because of this. Fuego restaurant was just okay -- not terrible, but nothing memorable and definitely not enough to make up for the rest of the food on the property. The icing on the cake was checkout. They literally radio someone to go check your room to see if you took any minibar items before you can leave -- and what were they checking for? A small bottle of Evian water. It felt cheap and tacky and was a very disappointing way to end the trip. Overall, this resort did not live up to expectations, and I would not stay here again. There are far better options in the area for the price. read more

is it a fancy five star resort? Nope! Do they have marble bathrooms and giant bay windows with pristine views and all the bells and whistles? Also no! Do they have an expansive menu with endless dining options? That's a no as well. Don't go into this resort, expecting a Hyatt or Hilton experience. This is a small, quaint, boutique style resort. What they do have is food that is executed and presented beautifully, even if it only features one main restaurant and one buffet each evening. They have excellent poolside lunch options. The menu may be smaller, but everything is perfectly prepared. This is a resort that spares no expense when it comes to flavor. The service at this resort is impeccable. From the wait staff to the housekeeping, I could not ask for better staff. The resort is starting to show its age. It's quaint, with its thatched roofs and tree treehouse like Haciendas. The grounds are well maintained, but again it's missing some bells and whistles. They need to make some updates, including better lighting (especially) adding well lit steps. maybe it was the drinks, maybe it was the early sunsets- but the trips up and down the stairs at night were beyond treacherous! The non-skid tape was well worn and slicker than it should be, and the steps were barely illuminated. We managed to make it through the week without incident, but barely! if you want a five star resort, this probably isn't the place for you. If you have kids and want a lot of activities again, probably not the place for you. However, if you are a foodie who values quality over endless menu options and you just want a nice relaxing vacation. This is a great place to stay. For us, it came down to location, location, location! Being able to walk out of our resort and right into the heart of shopping, food, and authentic experiences was a priceless amenity. I wish the bathrooms were updated, the concrete floors and dated showers have a very strong mildew smell- the lighting throughout is very poor. There isn't enough closet space ( I was able to hang three dresses, my husband's suit, and a few pairs of pants and with only three small nightstand size drawers there isn't much space for unpacking. Maybe it's the thatched roof, maybe it's the flaking concrete, but Even after sweeping the floor feels gritty - definitely come prepared with some slippers or flip-flops. I'm not used to having to wear shoes indoors, but at this resort, I highly recommend it. our week spent here was a bit rainy and overcast, none of the hot tubs at the resort were working. They were all slightly warmer than the pool, which isn't saying much, the ocean was warmer than the pools. Unfortunately, due the size of the waves we couldn't spend much time in the ocean, but their beach is much cleaner than many of the surrounding beaches. They do a great job of staying on top of all of the debris. And they have a lot of great lounging spaces with umbrella coverage. Unfortunately, during our stay Fuego, the main restaurant was under renovation so the limited menu was further limited. We were unable to order whole fish or any of their stone fired pizzas. Despite the closed restaurant, the weather, and the lack of hot tubs and updated facilities the stay was still magical. I can only attribute that to the warmth, sincerity, helpfulness, and availability of the staff. Was it the all inclusive resort experience I am accustomed to? No! Did I have an amazing time absolutely! I think it comes down to knowing what you want in a resort. If you aren't someone who wants 1 million activities a day then this is probably a great place to spend your vacation. They are generous with the drinks and the food, and even more generous with the hospitality! read more

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We stayed at Mahekal for my weekend birthday celebration. We stayed at one of the palapa bungalows with a garden view. We found it very spacious for two people and a few feet away from the beach. We did not select all-inclusive options since we wanted to explore and experience the bustling town of Playa del Carmen. Overall, it was a good experience for us to stay in this resort. Will definitely recommend it to family and friends. read more

Mahekal Beach Resort - Resorts Near Me - Playa del Carmen, ROO

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No on Mahakal again. Loud music blaring into the night. Earplugs don't even block it out. Wild/stray dogs fighting every am. As early as 5 am, incessantly -& in middle of the night. Gross. $2 Charge for inroom coffee. No creamer or stevia after asking. Such a slap in the face after being up all night. Food was overall really gross. Cysco quality. Not tasty. Sewage smell is very bad on beach & throughout this resort. No working hot tubs. Pool unheated and very cold. They lie about them being "broken". Breakfast is only buffet and you have to wait forever to get a simple coffee. They gave creamer only on request Rodents or animals on palapa roof. Found rodent droppings in bed frequently. Front desk/reception isn't responsive. No one has ever picked up our phone calls. Grounds are in a state of disrepair. The back of the resort on the palapa oasis rooms backs up to a barbed wire fence and vacated building with a very creepy looking wooded site. Why don't they have self serve coffee bar for guests in the am?! We felt expected to tip 20% on every meal even though breakfast is only buffet, (on the meal plan), but they only had one another mediocre restaurant which was also standard stale buffet at dinner too. Yuck! Not 4 stars at all. read more

I travel to Playa del Carmen often for business and pleasure--I own a small taqueria near the Mahekal resort--and without a doubt, Mahekal is always my first choice. As someone originally from Mexico, staying here truly feels like coming home. Over the past two years, I've stayed at Mahekal about four times, and every visit has been exceptional. The staff are incredible--warm, welcoming, and genuinely caring. They always make me feel like part of the Mahekal family, and I've met many other guests who return again and again for the same reason. The resort is beautiful, and the food is fantastic--especially the octopus, one of my favorites! The drinks, the ambiance, the service--it's all top-notch. Whether you're traveling for business, vacation, or a bit of both, Mahekal truly has it all. Thank you to the entire staff for always making my stays so memorable. I'll be seeing you again very soon! -- Rosa Conn. read more

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Beware booking a vacation here! I booked a trip on April 5, 2026 for January 2027 and paid a deposit of nearly $1K, which was fully charged and processed. I cancelled the reservation the following day on April 6, 2026, and per the cancellation policy, as long as I canceled within a week of the trip, there would be no fee. It has now been 10 weeks, and I still have not been refunded my balance, and communication has been horrendous with no response to emails with the exception of sending me to various different email addresses. This place looked amazing, but given how unethical this has been with this process, I'm thankful to only be out the $1K versus the full $6K had we gone ahead with the vacation. read more

Just got back home from staying here with 4 other couples for a friend's 50th birthday. Although the location was excellent, that was the only positive. Every person had issues with their rooms, and for around 400 a night with resort fee included, we felt like we got robbed. The first room we were in had broken AC and they wanted us to wait a whole day for it to get fixed, we had to politely demand a new room. Once we got into that room, the AC was good, but then the toilet was constantly running and making noise. Mosquitos were everywhere (although that's really no fault of the hotel, they maybe should think about fumigating). There was no hotel beach. Food was pretty poor, not worth your money to do all inclusive, or pay to eat at the hotel period. All I can say is shop around before booking a room here. read more

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This hotel is right on the beach. It looks very nice in the pictures. It is that nice setting but extremely loud. They have parties all the time in one of their restaurants so all the rooms around it are severely impacted They claimed to have amenities that they just don't have like bikes and athletic classes The prices in their restaurants are extremely high. You can do so much better just outside the wall. If you're planning on staying in Plya Del Carmen, you can do much better than this hotel just shop around read more

Unfortunately I am truly disappointed in my daughters' and my first stay at Mahekal Beach Resort, we arrived at 12 and was told we had to wait until 3 for our room. Well that is to be expected, however, I met others who were also told the same thing but at 2pm, they were given their room keys. I went back up to the desk and spoke with Ana Garcia who told me I would have to wait until 3pm, no reason. Well, I waited patiently until 3pm and my daughter approached Ana Garcia about the room and she asked her can I help you, almost insulting us as to say, we see you and intentionally making fun of us. Not at all professional and also felt targeted since we were the only African Americans checking in. I have been warned this sometimes happens here but hoping that wouldn't be the case. read more

Excellent, all-inclusive optional resort! Las Olas is the lunch/ breakfast service. On the beach at Playa Del Carmen. In a natural setting. Many awesome features, too many to mention. But if you want to relax by the beauty of the beach in Riviera Maya, this is a great option!! Did I mention delicious meals and great service!! read more

Mahekal Beach Resort - Lobby of Mahekal, @Playa del Carmen, Mexico - Resorts Near Me - Playa del Carmen, ROO

Great place. Was our second time there and an amazing resort with a very chill, tropical vibe. Rooms are good, although a bit on the rustic side, especially the bathrooms, but overall loved it. If you can't relax at Mahekal, you just can't relax. Food could be a bit better, but all-in-all very good. One of the best locations in Playa del Carmen with tons of places to eat and drink very very close. If you are are planning on working there be warned that the Wifi near the Fuego pool was terrible, and I mean terrible. No real excuse for that that this day and age, but they really need to fix it. Wifi in/near the rooms is fine. Normally not a problem, as it's vacation, but it was a big problem for me as I had some work to do and wanted to do it near the pool while my family was there. I had to go back to the room several times to get it done. read more

Where to begin with this incredible experience. I had never done an all inclusive resort before as I was always leary of getting stuck with low quality food but based on the solid reviews I decided to take a leap of faith and that was one of the best decisions!! Let's start with the consistency of quality of service across the board. The staff was super accommodating, friendly and prompt. The food and drink was the same level of excellence throughout the entirety of our stay. We did the half board so that we can enjoy some meals outside the resort as well. The location is just perfect. Away from bustling 5th Ave but close enough to walk (less than 5 min) tucked away on a jungley road with some of the best restaurants of Playa. They have 3 pools. One with a swim up bar, one right by Fuego restaurant (fave one at the resort) and an infinity pool near Las Olas restaurant where a DJ occasionally spins during the day with a chill out Miami vibe.. Agave is a neat lil bar with the best cocktails on the resort, some lounge seats, pool tables, shuffle board and ping pong. Both Agave and Fuego had some beautiful live music on certain afternoons and evenings. The room was just a lovely Palapa room with a thatched roof and a hammock to lay lazily outside and enjoy the view. No TV but that was a perk for me personally. The beach is literally steps away and always guarded. Covid safety was absolutely practiced there and offering a free antigen test onsite is such a personal touch. I'm really in love with this place and just can't wait to go back!!! read more

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NOT ALL inclusive. At least the all inclusive part was trash food. No authentic Mexican food. For the all inclusive meals they literally had below average burgers, sausages, mac & cheese, pizza, basic crap. They had ceviche and other sea food for lunch was the worst thing i have ever tasted. Only good food on the property is for lunch they had tacos at the restaurant. Now they have the restaurant really good food for dinner. BUT only basic things included, you pay for better meals. Which is understandable but don't charge so expensive saying all inclusive if you really are not going to include the good food and over charge for the good food too. Resort is a really cool resort system and pricing is way over priced for the crap they are offering. Location is far from the main strip of Tulum. Its in a tourist spot main town with the good bars is 5-10 min by car. Not bad read more

SICK OF THIS BS! Can't GET THROUGH to anyone!!! Spent $1800 on a deposit for a fully refundable trip, paid in advance, with the WRITTEN ABILITY TO CHANGE, CANCEL ETC.!!! I REBOOKED MONTHS AGO AND PAID $2k deposit without even being refunded for the first trip, and they say it will take 6-8 weeks (BULL*HIT also) Every time I check, they say "it will just take longer to keep waiting", so now im out $4k for a trip I have not even taken!!! There is no way to get through to anyone, their whatsapp doesnt work, you cant dial from US to them at all, and they respond to emails in Spanish, their virtual assistant is no good and sent me to a bad email link for concierge, they are totally disorganized and I am so pissed because you cant communicate with these people, and they are basically taking my deposit, and now I have to deal with that! I will remove this review if they refund me immediately but the custmomer service is obviously F'd!!! read more

Awful! Worst Cancun checkin of a lifetime! I would not call this a resort at all. It offers nothing but a headache and makes you sad that you ever left your house for this dump! The hotel it's not a resort at all! They have a tv in the lobby of pretty resorts but this place is not it! The dump offers nothing but a public beach and headache because I'm frantically trying to find a decent place to stay! There is no charm! There is no help! No nothing! The worst place in Mexico I have ever checked into and out of in less than 24 hours! Do not waste your money here! This place is so overpriced for what it is and that is a dump! When I say nothing I mean nothing. There is not even charm here! Worst place ever! Way overpriced for what it really is! Do your research! Awful! The 9.0 that you see is a big fat lie read more

No Hot Water: We were without hot water in our room for two full days, making it impossible to shower properly or handle basic daily needs as well as causing us to be late for appointments on two occasions. Discolored, Brown Water: The water coming from the sinks was brown, which was concerning and unacceptable for guest health and safety. Poor Gym Facilities: The gym was in extremely poor condition -- outdated, rusty equipment, several broken machines, and an unpleasant, dark, smelly environment that made it unusable. Unscheduled Power Outages: In addition to the planned outages we were made aware of, we experienced several unplanned power losses, leaving us without electricity multiple times unexpectedly. Excursion Cancellation Issue: We attempted to cancel an excursion well within your stated 48-hour cancellation policy, but were told it was too late. We are still waiting for a resolution and refund on this matter, with no follow-up or confirmation received. read more

One of my favorite spot to eat on the beach at playa del carmen! What a nice view on the beach! The place is tourist paradise with their big hit, stucked between their nice pool and the beach. The food was absolutely perfect (I had ceviche) and the staff was really kind. Will go back there for sure! read more

Mahekal Beach Resort - Resorts Near Me - Playa del Carmen, ROO

Great location and good food! We had a beach front room with plunge pool and it was awesome! My only real complaint is that the food would get pretty old if you stayed more than 5 days or so (menus never changed). Overall, we had a great stay and almost didn't want to leave our patio because it was only a few steps from the water. We could hear the waves crashing every night. Definitely Recommend! read more

This place is simply dreamy. We stayed seven nights in June and our stay was all inclusive. The staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome and tended to our every need. The resort is GORGEOUS and so green and lush with birds and geckos and cuati everywhere. So many flowers and trees and it's on the beach too. The beach is incredible and pristine. There are plenty of lounge chairs with shade and towels and a shower to rinse off the sand. There are security guards and servers that will bring you a delicious pina colada right to the beach. The pool at Las Olas was our favorite. Definitely get there early and snag your lounge chairs if you plan on hanging by the pool and want shade. There aren't a ton of umbrellas by the pool. It was absolutely glorious to swim in the pool for a bit, then walk the super short distance (like 20 yards) to the sand, relax under a cabana, drink an iced coffee, swim in the perfectly clear ocean, then rinse off and head back to my cabana. Las Olas was delicious and the service was excellent. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner here multiple times and we loved it so much. It was well worth adding the all inclusive package. Breakfast was wonderful and the coffee was so good and the food was beautiful. Tons of fresh fruit, pastries, eggs, potatoes, sausage, but my favorite was the cochinita tacos. Fuego the other restaurant was also beautiful and served wonderful food. It was so lovely to sit on the beach and eat lobster and listen to the live music. Soooo good! The spa was unique and beautiful and calming. Everything you'd expect from a spa but with a touch of local love and magic. I could keep going but I bet you get the picture. Go here. Be happy. Be kind to the locals who work soooo hard to provide this truly magical experience for their guests. Thank you Mahekal. We will absolutely be back. read more

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The location and common areas are beautiful, but the customer service and amenities simply do not justify the price. If you are spending days outside of the resort, consider a different place: We moved to a beach front condo for less than half of the cost and were able to have much better amenities. There, we had secure parking, a fridge, an iron, a modern hairdryer, more modern rooms (i.e. solid bathroom door), and a front desk with excellent communication practices and follow-up. Pros: -Beautiful location and beach front. -The common areas of the facility are incredible. -Great customer service by the staff at Los Olas. -Attentive housekeeping staff. -The wedding planning (we were guests) appeared to be excellent. The wedding planner was present at the wedding and super responsive to guest needs. Cons: -Only one bottle of complimentary water per day and tons of plastic bottles used. For the price, we should have had unlimited drinking water. They should seriously have water coolers throughout to avoid so much plastic waste. -We never had enough towels or water bottles left in our room, and I specifically made a note to the front desk to make sure that we were given enough for 3 people (my son was with us). It always seemed like the front desk did not communicate with housekeeping. -Poor communication and follow-up from the front desk in general. Poor customer service at times. There is NO WAY that this is justifiable, based on the price of the rooms. -It took me three days of asking to receive an iron. When I received one, it was broken and leaking water all over. We had a wedding to attend, and I had to use the broken one 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony. Seriously, buy more irons! The most frustrating aspect was that each time I called, they said they were about to bring an iron. I would wait and wait...then I would call to follow up and they would tell me they were out and that irons are first come first serve. Staff does not follow up if they cannot meet a request, so I wasted a lot of time waiting on promised services/amenities before calling back and learning they could not meet the request. -My hat was lost. I emailed to ask if anyone had found it multiple times, and the front desk simply did not respond. I am not blaming them for the lost hat, but they simply ignore questions much of the time. -The pool areas are extremely slippery, and I witnessed 3 people slip and fall. Something needs to be done about that (some type of coating, etc.) In the U.S., this would be a huge liability. -You cannot get coffee before 7am and they will not provide a coffee maker if you have an early excursion planned. - Cocina can be extremely slow for dinner. Show up early. - A lot of noise from the street/beach in some of the rooms. - Sketchy charging practices. We were overcharged for our deposits prior to our stay. When the front desk informed us that the system had overcharged us, they simply informed us they would apply the extra ~300 as a credit for incidentals. I told them that they had to refund us for the overcharge, which they ultimately did. I do not feel that we should have to instruct any business to refund an incorrectly charged amount. - You are not provided a detailed accounting at checkout. We asked for one and they said we had to email to get it. We received it, but it is in a very confusing format. - Bathroom doors do not offer privacy - they are more like wooden screens. - Hair dryers are extremely old and not high quality. - No parking - this is not a reason for my rating, as they were transparent about this. However, this is not the right place to stay if you wish to drive around the region. read more

Beautiful resort, amazing staff and they did everything to make our anniversary stay special. We had the beach front room with a plunge pool. The resort had a special hand painted sign outside our room. The staff was so quick. They even offered us same day covid-19 testing. We had a security guard around/ outside our room at all times so we felt very safe! We loved our room! The food at the restaurant was amazing! Definitely recommend !!! read more

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This place is an oasis. Its staff are attentive, friendly, and helpful. The resort itself refrains from an over the top commercial space and maintains a local yet lush feel. If you book the resort, be sure to get the breakfast included. It's a wonderful way to start your day overlooking the ocean and eating a three course meal. The seating of the restaurant, Fuego, overlooks the beach. That alone is worth the addition. The staff are mostly bilingual and incredibly thoughtful. The breakfast comes with fresh fruit, daily made pastries, juice, coffee, and a breakfast course. Also, we caught fish on a charter and brought it back to the restaurant to cook. They did a phenomenal job and make the most delicious ceviche! We loved the resort itself, too. The grounds are beautiful and have a jungly feel to them. Each bungalow comes with hammocks that hang right outside the seating area of your room. We spent hours relaxing in them. The rooms themselves do not have a television, which I liked. They are beautifully decorated and have AC. You might get some critters in there, but you are after all in a jungle. There is also no free parking. You need to pay every six hours in the parking machine, but it's incredibly affordable and safe. read more

Mahekal Beach Resort - Fresh fish ceviche - Fuego - Resorts Near Me - Playa del Carmen, ROO

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Amazing location, this resort will make you feel like you are in a remote jungle by the beach but outside the gate you are also located at the best neighborhood in PDC with many amazing local flavors and convenience stores, including several large grocery stores. No wonder many expats are flocking to this area of town. Their beach and pool side restaurant is to die for! The view alone was amazing. Staff were super friendly. Their security guard is taking their job very seriously so if you are not a guest of the hotel don't you dare walking past their fence because they will capture you and refuse your entry. You used to be able to go eat at their beach front restaurant even if you are not staying here but not anymore! That makes you feel exclusive because you know you are not eating with the peasants. read more

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We booked three nights at the Mahekal because we saw it online and it reminded us of our favorite spot in Tulum that is now closed (Rosa del Viento). Love the jungle meets the beach vibe. The property was beautiful and so peaceful, considering its proximity to the main streets. The food was delicious (especially at Fuego - we had three delicious meals there). They have a bar with a couple pool tables and some ping pong, which was really fun to do before dinner. The pools were okay, but we were happier to lay at the beach anyways. The best part of this resort is their staff. Every single person seems genuinely happy to be at work and they try their hardest to make your experience top notch. We had a problem with our room where our shower kept flooding and the manager Rosa handled it so wonderfully. The situation easily could have put us off to coming back, but we spoke with her and she not only corrected it for us and gave us a new room, but went above and beyond to ensure we left happy. We'll definitely go back next time we're in Playa! read more

Excellent location, staff, lodging, food...everything. I hesitate to say how good this is because it seems like such a hidden treasure, but you should enjoy it too. We went during a government mandate to limit capacity, so many of the buildings were closed but we still had a great time. Everything is in walking distance but you are far enough from the very touristy streets that can get loud. The grounds are beautiful, tropical and well maintained. You are literally right on the beach, which I don't think is the norm at other "large" resorts unless you pay the big bucks. There are garden views and beach views but regardless of where your room is, you are a few minutes walk from the water. The buildings and decor are chic with local Mexican vibes. The room was very comfortable and each room has a nice little patio and hammock area. Yes, there are mosquitos, but the breeze keeps them away for the most part. Bring your bug repellant or maybe even a candle for the patio and you will be happy. Also, what other people are saying about the north and south ends being loud due to neighboring buildings, that is true, so just be aware. I don't enjoy being doted on so the staff here was a perfect amount of accommodating and helpful, but not overbearing. I know people like to be catered to, but sometimes it's forced and fake and I am not down with that. This place isn't like that, everyone is helpful and busy doing their work to keep the resort beautiful but also willing to help you with whatever you need. The food and drinks were one of my favorite things. We had the two meal package so we enjoyed breakfast and lunch or dinner. There are lots of choices, very fresh and very local. The set menu dinners are SO good. Duck confit, fancy little salads, and tasty soups. The portions are perfect and everything was enjoyable. It made it hard to venture out into the city, but we did that too. read more

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I am about half way through my stay here, and I couldn't hold myself back any longer. Where were the people that gave this resort less than a 5* rating staying? Certainly not at the Mahekal Beach Resort!! If you had reservation issues, and you booked through a 'shady' 3rd party, or you, yourself screwed up your own reservation, THIS IS NOT THE RESORTS FAULT. Sorry old chap....its yours! My husband and I are foodies, and travelers. The service here is sublime. The staff remembered us by name. We were treated like family by each and every one of them. The food was excellent. Again, we are foodies, and live in one of the food capitals of the USA. Our breakfast and dinner were included, and the buffet choices were incredible. We were able to transfer a dollar credit to their Al a Carte restaurant whenever we pleased. Lobster night was incredible. Yes, our room had a concrete floor - easy to brush and wash. What are people expecting from oceanfront rooms? Carpet? OMG! Our bed was lovely and comfortable; our linens are clean, and changed just about daily. What is there to complain about? No, there isn't a TV in our room, which we could care less about. If that doesn't suit you, then don't go to a beach resort in Playa del Carmen. Oh! And by the way, for the people that say that the ocean was smelly - WTF? No! The ocean, anywhere DOES NOT SMELL. And even if it did, it would NOT be the fault of the resort. FYI, Playa del Carmen and the surrounding areas are built over and around Cenotes. They have a very specific odor to them. Think yourself privileged to amongst some of the most historic things around. Meanwhile, we have extended our trip! W read more

In search of a good hotel for my family of 4(14 y.o. & a 10 y.o.), I came across a plethora of positive reviews of Mahekal on Yelp, Google, Trip Advisor and many other travel websites. I got exactly what I was looking for: -smallish and quaint resort/not huge -authentic spaces and architecture(palapa style bungalows with hammocks for each room & open air dining spaces), grounds/landscaping(tropical jungle & beach front) -clean, clean, clean! -iguanas, geckos, beautiful birds abound -play some pool, ping-pong, read, have kids make a ceramic craft, get an ice cream cone-loved playing pool! -swim in the infinity pool all day -delicious food(partial all inclusive)-the F&B does a nice job of changing up the menu or theme each night -close enough to the Main Street (5th ave) to grab lunch, tequila or beer or just for people watching -quality over quantity-down to the property furnishings for those who care! The vibe is so chill and relaxing and the staff are all sincerely friendly...all worries just melt away. A huge thanks to Angel, Rogelio, Moises, Marco, Manolo, Wilbur at dining & poolside for awesome service & Rosa @ Concierge was so thoughtful to have a ceramic heart made to commemorate our anniversary! I'll be back! read more

I would give this hotel five stars but unfortunately the sheets were damp due to the humidity and it was very difficult to get comfortable at night. The hotel layout is absolutely gorgeous and leaves for a lots of walking paths. I truly hope management takes my opportunities into consideration: 1 add flavor to your food it is extremely bland and not up to par for a foodie experience. If you needed tutorial on how to cook with flavor please let me know I leave Sunday morning and I am self taught and teach culinary classes back home. 2 add vegan options on the menu without having to remove dairy or meat! Better yet increase your profit margin and make everything Vegan and add cheese and meat as an upgrade since it is terrible for the environment. 3 I would recommend doing a smoking of bug spray to keep mosquitoes down as I have over 127 bug bites all over my body Even with the supplied bug spray. I wasn't expecting anything for free but it would've been nice as arriving on my 30th birthday to get a couple happy birthdays, I didn't need anything special in regards to tangible objects but just knowing the special occasions in your guest lives is super important for hospitality! Probably wont be back as we only came for shark diving. The reception area was nice and I appreciate roses after giving me her phone number to attempt to make vegan options but after the dinners mishap I decided not to contact her as I was not willing to have another terrible meal or have to take Benadryl to open my airway and sooth hives! Just FYI vegetarians eat eggs and milk vegans do not eat any animal products including honey milk eggs fish or the flash of any terrestrial animal read more

Mahekal Beach Resort - Resorts Near Me - Playa del Carmen, ROO

This hotel will steal your money! I made a reservation and cancelled within the allowable time and they are refusing to pay me back my refund. I have called at least 30 times and am told by the reservations department to call the front desk and vice versa. It has been over 4 months. Do not waste your time or money at this hotel!! They are thieves. read more

Mahekal room #10. There are only 2 casitas that have 2 queen/double beds without the plunge pool, room #7 and #10. The photo gallery on their website for the Oceanfront 2 Queen Beds shows images of the Oceanfront 2 Queen Beds with Plunge Pool. If you click on the 360 view you will then get a 3D space view of #7 casita. Clear pics so you know exactly what #7 looks like. I called the resort and asked which one would they suggest, and I was told #10 would be the best. In hindsight I probably should have asked for #7. The lock mechanism from the 3D images looks better and there was only one way in and out. We selected the Modified American Plan (MAP) - Half Board Experience. Each day we should have had the option to go to Fuego or Las Olas for Breakfast and dinner at Fuego or Buffet at Cocina. Also the option to swap out dinner for lunch and go to Fuego or Las Olas. Upon arrival we were told that Las Olas was not open and under construction. So the only option for breakfast and lunch was Fuego and for dinner Fuego or Cocina but Cocina was only offering a pre-set menu, no buffet. And Fuego you had to make a reservation each night and I had only made a reservation for Wednesday night since I planned out dinner already for each night. We were told that since it was low season that they didn't offer the buffet at Cocina because it was too much work. Their website as of the day of this post is still showing Las Olas as a restaurant option and pictures of the buffet at Cocina. We got there around 1:30pm and our room wasn't ready since check in is at 3pm. Since the meal plan didn't kick in until 3pm the plan was to go out for lunch and to the Buffet at Cocina for dinner but they only offered a set menu. I had my teenage daughter with me and she is a really picky eater. I was excited about the buffet because I was hoping she would have the opportunity to try new things without ordering a complete meal that she might end up not liking at all. So instead of dinner we wanted to use our meal plan for lunch but since it was before 3pm we could not use it yet either. We went to Fuego for lunch and I paid the full price. And you have to make a reservation at Fuego and they didn't have any openings until after 8pm so we went to an off-resort restaurant instead. Rockas Jamaican Kitchen and it was delicious! So the first day we were not able to use our pre-paid meal plan. Pros 1. It was right on the beach, steps away from the ocean. 2. The mattresses seemed to be fairly new, clean and firm. Definitely checked for bed bugs and it was good to go. 3. The bath towels were nice and soft. The room has air conditioning and ceiling fan/light. 4. Hot water was typical for a hotel/resort. It got decently hot when taking a shower. Cons 1. The sliding doors were rusted and hard to open and close and lock. 2. The main entrance door deadbolt lock was stuck so I couldn't turn the knob to double lock the door and the slide latch above the handle was corroded, almost falling off and didn't line up to even use that. 3. I called the front desk and asked them to bring me a plunger around 6pm in the evening and no one ever showed up. Housekeeping came around 2pm the next day and eventually fixed the problem. 4. Hanging out in the ocean and I could see someone going into our room from the deck. When they came back out they didn't lock back the sliding doors. It's a good thing I saw this because we would have freaked out if we came back to our room and the sliding doors were open when we know we locked it before we left. 5. The linen on my bed had a sour smell to them. Like they were left in the washing machine too long and instead of washing them again they were put in the dryer. 6. The hammocks also were due for a cleaning. We had them hang both for us and they both had a moldy smell to them. Food/Restaurant - Fuego, the breakfast was the best. They offer buffet and the fresh fruits were delicious, and the omelet guy always did a great job. Green juice was really good too. David was our waiter most days and he was a pleasure!!! S Spa/Revive - We had the Serenity massage for 50min + body exfoliation for 25min. It was so relaxing that I fell asleep! I don't remember the names of the 2 masseuses but they were awesome! Walking around the resort we did feel very safe. Since Mahekal sits right in front of a public beach, there were guards everywhere 24/7 making sure that non-guests did not sit in the lounge chairs or take up space on the roped off side of the resort. Overall I give this resort a score of 7. Would I come back, no. Would I recommend this resort, no. For the price I've stayed at similar resorts that were in better shape and there were no surprises. Though we felt relatively safe, I still worried about not being able to lock our room properly and the resort food options for a teen were not the best. I was told on our last day that they had a kid's menu but I didn't even think to ask for it nor was it offered. read more

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We loved the resort, the cabanas are clean, the breakfast buffet amazing, and the service outstanding! We are coming back! read more

Mahekal Beach Resort - Resorts Near Me - Playa del Carmen, ROO

We booked this place for our honeymoon and were blown away with the incredible service, attention to detail, pristine grounds... everything (EVERYTHING) was A+++. The restaurants on site are delicious, yet expensive. But eating and drinking while in paradise gazing at a palm strewn beach is priceless. Every morning we attended their complimentary breakfast, which was an exorbitant display of fruits, breads, egg dishes, fresh squeezed juices (nothing added), granola, honey dripping off the comb, coconut, cheeses, meats... on some days they had a smoothie bar and on others a breakfast quesadilla bar with freshly made tortillas (like pressed right in front of you). The giant palapas ceiling room that this was held in was next to the infinity pool and of course over looked the ocean. To sum up breakfast... the MOST amazing way to start a day! Our room was tucked back away in the what looked like the jungle. We loved walked the grounds to our room, because all the greenery is lush and beautiful, manicured to perfection and fun to walk through. After laying out by the pool on the first day we came back to our room to find an artistic presentation of chocolates and written message of "Happy Honeymoon". A very thoughtful touch that my wife and I instantly appreciated. On day two after returning from an excursion there was an ornament hanging underneath our room number. The ornament was painted heart and it had our last name and word "Honeymoon" underneath it. We were blown away. The room itself was neat, clean and simple. It suited us perfectly. The Resort is close to 5th Avenue which is the main hot spot in Playa del Carmen. We found ourselves walking around on 5th several nights during the trip and easily found live music, food and drink specials, and fun little shops to peruse. And on the 38th (where the Mahekal is located) there are 6 or 7 restaurants well worth visiting. All of the beaches on the East coast of Mexico are having issues with seaweed. There is a lot of it and many beaches aren't doing anything about it. In front of the Mahekal there were government workers raking the beach of seaweed, keeping it pretty clean. This place is a must visit and my wife and I will be back!!! read more

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I booked this hotel on Cheap Tickets and paid in full at the time I booked it. When I arrived at the hotel late at night they would not honor the reservation I made and paid for they charge me double. It was too late at night to get another hotel plus too late to get a refund from the original booking. The person checking me in was rude and argued with me for over an hour. I've traveled to over 50 countries and I have never experienced this. The front desk was also rude when I checked out. I paid for an ocean front room but they fail to tell you this time of year the water looks brown and is full of seaweed and you cannot get in the water or take pictures. The smell was awful to and the security was overly aggressive. I ended up leaving and getting a room in Tulum. They really ruined my vacation.... My stay was in June 2021. read more

ABSOLUTE PARADISE! I miss it already. Family friendly, great for couples, and perfect for groups of friends. Basically anyone with a pulse. My boyfriend and I stayed in a beach front palapa with a plunge pool. It was beautiful, relaxing, and we loved it! The rooms exchange tv's for hammocks and tubs for rainfall showers. Our room was right by Las Olas (one of the resort's restaurants) and the infinity pool. There is also a jacuzzi that isn't very hot but feels just right in the sun while sipping on a margarita. Throughout the resort you'll find other pools, restauraunt and bars. Personally, the infinity pool and Las Olas was my favorite because of the ocean view, quality of food and the drinks. The best margaritas you'll ever have are made by Jobney. You must try one! The food is top notch. The service is superb. The views are priceless. This resort does not resemble a typical corporate stay. It's very personal and unique. You'll forget about the time and have no idea what day it is. Nearby they have jet ski's, paddle boarding, parasailing, and snorkeling. All walking distance. And if your room is by the infinity pool it's just a couple steps away. Within the resort, there is a place to play pool, shuffle board, enjoy ice cream, relax at the spa, and even rent bikes. In addition, the resort is a short walk to 5th Avenue - where you'll find shops, restaurants, bars, and ice cream. The beach does have a seaweed problem, so you will smell that, and have to go through that if you decide to go inside the water. I'm more of a pool person so it didn't bother me, but it's just worth mentioning for those who like going in the ocean. However, I don't think the seaweed stopped people from going in because I saw lots of people swimming in the ocean. If Playa del Carmen is your destination and your looking to relax, be pampered, and have fun - Mahekal is your place! read more

Mahekal Beach Resort - Beach front palapa with a plunge pool...you'll never want to leave! - Resorts Near Me - Playa del Carmen, ROO

Incredible location. Incredible staff. Fantastic get away. Every staff person we came across could not have been friendlier. I want to point this out first because it made our experience so enjoyable. They were helpful, interested in our conversation, and focused on making sure we had the best time possible. We asked for 4 more waters to our room, they showed up in 2mins with 8. That type of service. The property itself is beautiful and feels like a private paradise right in the heart of the action of PDC. Walking distance to everything. Bikes available for guests free of charge. Our room was so cool and had great A/C. The sports bar they have was such a fun way to end our nights with ping pong, shuffle board, and pool. There's a painting area. We loved the little fitness center. The property was quiet even though you're nestled up against the action of the beach. We didn't eat at any of the places on property so I can't speak on that. Overall, a wonderful visit and we can't wait to go back some day. Thank you Mehekal! read more

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Mahekal was a disappointment. It started at check-in, which is not how anyone wants to start their vacation. Apparently, Mahekal does not guarantee you will get the type of room(s) you reserve. I reserved two ocean front casitas, one for my husband and I and one for our adult daughers, for a week to celebrate a milestone birthday. Mahekal had rooms for us, but not what we had reserved and not near one another. Resolving the situation took 3 hours spread over two days! It was very unpleasant and we often had to literally wait in line behind other resort guests with their own complaints, one of which was feces coming up and out of the shower drain in a couple's room. While we were able to get rooms near one another, our room was of a lesser category. The resort would not reimburse us for the significant difference in price. Instead they offered us a massage. After some negotiation, we were able to get a food and beverage credit less than what we were owed. Suffice it to say that the front desk was utterly lacking and unable to make any executive decisions. Management, when present was rarely, if ever, present or available. That was how we started our time at Mahekal. The patio for our ocean front casita was not a pleasant place to be so we rarely used it. More times than not, beach goers were leaned up against the patio wall, listening to their music on portable speakers, smoking, and intoxicated. It was at best unpleasant, at worst unsafe. While the resort does have security guards roaming the property, their priority seems to be to keep beach goers off of resort property. However, when an intoxicated male came onto the resort grounds to sit uncomfortably close to our daughter's friend and tell her she was attractive, there was not a guard response. In contrast, upon exiting our beach front casita, I happened upon a security guard prone, with his pants down, on our designated chaise lounges, while another man with a syringe was preparing to inject him. It was horrible. I shared the experience with the Mahekal front desk. Later that day, management paid us a visit to apologize. They said they were going to compensate us but never did. That said, the restaurant food was quite good and the restaurant service was fantastic. Maybe whoever is running the restaurants should be running the resort? Also, we happened upon Spa staff performing a blessing or cleansing of sorts to the resort grounds and they offered to give my daughters and I one. It was wonderful. Unfortunately, Mahekal and Playa del Carmen have grown too big and are poorly managed and maintained. Find someplace else. read more

I couldn't wait to check out this place to leave my review. If I could give zero stars I would. First off, we get here and because my daughter came I was charged hundreds of dollars extra for her to stay in my room room!! Granted, we booked for 2 people and this is not our first trip to MX and have always been accommodated with our kid and never charged. It's 11pm and the noise you hear in the room from the street is ridiculous. The price for these rooms are not cheap yet the conditions are. You hear music, motorcycles, people screaming. How is this relaxing! I would NOT recommend anyone to come here unless they want somewhere that's not peaceful or want to be overcharged. One of the worst hotels I've stayed in for sure. read more

Awesome beach resort. Staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Ocean breezes. Sandy beaches. Food and drinks. Plenty to do. Book the adventures you want. We have extended our stay by 2 days there is so much we want to see. read more

When i pay a higher rate for having 3 people in the room, I expect to at least have 3 keys. They are refusing to give me a 3rd key and said I have to pay additional $15 for the 3rd key. I was told that was standard but i just came from another resort that gave me 4 keys for 4 people. There are 2 towels. Should we share towels too? If not for a wedding we have to attend here I would walk out. read more