I honestly don't even know where to begin. There are quite a few lovely things about this place,…read morebut they quickly get swallowed up by some not so nice things.
The resort is massive. The main lobby is right off the road which is light years from the main eating areas and even further from the beach. I heard checking in is a slow nightmare. We went last week, beginning of the off season, with only 2 people in front of us, 1 which cut the line. It took a good 20 min to check in.
As soon as you arrive, you are greeted by a welcome person. They do not work there. They are time share people. Super friendly and accommodating but with the sole goal to get you to sign and commit to sit for 90 minutes the next morning. They will not take no for an answer and will haunt you every waking moment of your trip if you don't get aggressively assertive and to them to F off. If you do relent and sit for their torture, opt for the $120 cash in hand, not some crappy massage.
The "family rooms" where we foolishly booked are 2nd furthest from the food and beach. While the rooms are old but nice, we were put on the 3rd floor w a broken elevator. Only 2 in each building. The other one right on cue broke on day 2. The best part, I walked in the elevator with my son while 3 maintainence guys watched and didn't say I word. The doors closed and we didn't move. I banged. They didn't say a word. My son began to get scared. I grabbed the seam of the doors and ripped it open and luckily got out. I recounted this part of the story to the front staff each time and they just smiled and nodded.
I went to the front desk 3x to complain asking for a room change as I had a heavy stroller to bring up and down multiple times a day. They all yessed me to death and no one took action. "Oh the manager is not here." One didn't even ask my name or room #. The best part is concierge called to see how the trip was. When I told him my issue, he said call the front desk. Good for nothing I told him! My 5th attempt was a different call from concierge and she had no prior knowlegdge of my previous 4 attempts for help which is even more insane, but luckily I got FERNANDA.
Finally someone who listened and helped fix a problem. Not a mindless uncaring robot zombie. She had me upgraded to a villa the next morning. Albeit still the furthest villa from the action, at least she cared and helped which is light years beyond the rest of the front desk staff. BUENO PARA NADA. Good for nothing. The villa was delightful. Spacious, cold clean water in the room (the family room only provided tepid water under the guise of "conservation"), hot showers all the time (again, unlike the family rooms). Way better all around.
Onto the good. The food was very good all around. The buffet had countless options that rotated for all meals every day. The lunch buffet was the same but always delicious for a pool side break. They have half a dozen restaurants you need to book but as we went beginning of Sept, they are walk in--first come, first serve. All were delightful from Mexican and French to Indian and Italian. Service from waitstaff and bartenders was exceptional all around. They also have a coffee shop and pseudo chipotle in the main area that are open most of the day and night--both air-conditioned oasis to go hide out in as there is no cool air anywhere else to be found.
The beach sand and chair set up was also delightful. They even have free kayaks. The seaweed problem which is rampant thru out the area was present so the ocean was lackluster but that is not the fault of the hotel. They cleaned it daily as best they could.
Another downside was the limited places to eat and drink. It's all inclusive but you can't take food to go and the open spots to get food and grub are limited. The Kids Club was never open as well as some other pool side spots (like a small gaming area that we passed every day but couldn't utilize). The heat was brutal and yet in the "Guest Services" area which is the outpost lobby by the buffet where the time share vultures nest, there is no AC or fans. Spend $500 and cool off the literal heart of the hotel!
The main pool bar is also sub par. It's a great pool and awesome kids area with slides and water features. Put a fresh can of paint, throw up a flat screen, and put some neon lights! The main stage is a sauna petri dish too. Put some high power fans up for your customers!
It's not brain surgery.
Overall, the food was good, the kids had fun. I walked prob 5 miles in 5 days. The waiters and bartenders were excellent. The front desk was useless. The time share vampires were relentless, the pools were awesome but the ocean was dirty. Don't come if you are looking for 5-star 4 seaons. Come if you can get a deal and know you are paying for that deal.
Sandos Playcar--more like Sandos Mexican Roulette! You never know what you're gonna get!
I would give 2/12 stars but I'm rounding down bc front staff still sucked & I only got helped by luck.