My family of 4 (including 18 and 16 year olds) just returned from a week stay at the Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun. We had an incredible time. The resort is a smaller one than we usually stay in, but all the amenities were checked off for us. The best part of this resort - hands down - is the staff. Led by Jesus, the Resort Ambassador, everyone was very gracious and helpful. Jesus went over and above to make us feel at home - not only tending to any needs we had but also taking the time to get to know us on a personal level. Thank you Jesus for everything.

The food at the restaurants was very good. There was always something for each of the 4 of us and nothing we ordered was bad. There were just 4 restaurants but the resort had 4 different theme meals each week - all very good - so there was plenty of variety. For sure don’t miss the Cheeseburger in Paradise lunch on Fridays. And the best of all is Rita’s Tacos - amazing tacos and an incredible tower of nachos!

The entertainment each evening was typically a live band and each of them was very enjoyable. There were also many activities available during the day.

The pools were very clean (cleaned every morning) and while there was quite a bit of seaweed on the beach, the staff cleaned it out every morning. The best location for us was the SOS swim up bar (conveniently about 10 feet from our swim out suite!). Lounging in the pool with a never ending supply of tropical drinks - heaven! Special shout out to Ernesto and Rodrigo who took great care of us but also took the time to get to know us. Wonderful men who made the trip special.

Our quiet was very nice. Big enough for us to have our 2 teenagers stay with us and have their own place to sleep. Sharing one, relatively open, bathroom for 4 of us was a bit tricky but we worked it out. Having a room to swim out from was amazing.

Also special mention to our concierge Jairo. Like the others I’ve mentioned, Jairo made the trip special for us. We got to know him over our week there and that personal touch meant a lot. Always helpful, always smiling, but a genuinely wonderful man. Thanks Jairo.

We tend to vary our vacations to different locations each time …. But we wouldn’t hesitate to come back to Margaritaville in the future if looking for a tropical getaway. Thanks all who made our trip so nice.

We were a large friend group of 17 staying for 2 weeks, with 6 children aged between 8-16. Jesus walks the complex daily checking in with guests making sure everything is ok and informing you what activities and food parties are being held that day, thanks Jesus for your time and efforts during our stay.

Entertainment
We were a little apprehensive after reading some reviews on the level of entertainment to keep our group occupied, we didn’t need to worry!! There is an app you can download to check activities daily, or book meal reservations. Aqua fit with Alex was brilliant such a laugh, along with his bingo and song request time by the pool and daily beach volleyball (which was enjoyed by kids and adults together) the entertainment schedule is repeated weekly so if you’re there 2 weeks you will see the same acts in your second week. The acts were brilliant, live bands our favourite was the rock band and the band that played during the cheeseburger party. Whilst we were there we were lucky to enjoy a foam party in the pool, we all had a blast, so much fun! Kids had a daily activity such as bracelet making or painting which the younger ones enjoyed to get out of the sun, but being a large group they entertained themselves in the pool each day! We thoroughly enjoyed the evening entertainment in the 5 o’clock somewhere bar, entertainment closed around 10.30 - 11pm which was fine for us when you have been enjoying some cocktails by the pool in the sunshine all afternoon.

Food/Drinks
Breakfast buffet in the beach house was a highlight, so much choice (amazing omelettes) and the staff were very attentive if they didn’t have something out one day all you had to do was ask and they’ll sort it for you!! Through the week there are themed lunches you can enjoy by the pool around 1pm our favourite was the cheeseburger party! Rita’s Tacos was amazing for lunch or early dinner (it closes at 5pm) Evenings you could book a restaurant (book by 2pm) or go to the beach house, the Italian Frank & Lola’s and the Latino restaurant were gorgeous, and they would always accommodate a food request from the kids which wasn’t on the menu. Special shout out to Super Mario in Frank and Lola’s. There were also themed food nights in the evening Caribbean bbq night, Mexican night. As with the entertainment schedule, the themed food events repeat weekly. The cocktails at the compass bar were another level, amazing!! Especially the margaritas! Remember to take lots of small denominations for tipping (you can get change at reception if needed) we tipped at every meal and at each drinks service.

Rooms
High quality, free toiletries, hairdryer, bath robes. The most comfiest beds and pillows!! The minibar for the room is via a points system that you ‘purchase’ your drinks from Joe Merchants with your points. The points are allocated per room not per person. We didn’t get alcohol for the room we didn’t feel the need to with the all inclusive bar offer through the day, the kids would use the points for crisps and snacks but we had that many points left at the end of the holiday we bought bags of coffee and alcohol to bring home!

Beach/pools
The beach has lots of sunbeds that are rarely used, the beach is lovely but the sea has lots of seaweed, the team work so hard clearing it every morning but it does linger and it’s not the paradise clear blue sea that you may imagine. The pools are lovely, cooling, clean. The staff are so attentive cleaning the hotel grounds, everyday we’d see somewhere being freshly painted and cleaned up, it’s immaculate.

Gym/Yoga
Some of our group did yoga everyday and visited the gym and with great reviews. The gym is small with a few treadmills and various weights but there was definitely enough to use.

We had an amazing time at Margaritaville, we felt extremely safe and the kids could wander around freely without an issue, the complex is lovely and small, the food is excellent quality. Thanks again to Jesus, Alex, Super Mario, Moises for his amazing coffee and all the staff! Memories made, we all want to go back!

My wife and I stayed at Margaritaville for a 7 night vacation. Our experience was made especially special because of the genuine hospitality of Jesus the guest ambassador. He was simply amazing! He always greeted us with a smile and care for our needs.
We also need to acknowledge the positive impact of a few others from the hotel’s team such as Rafael from the Concierge team, Ilian “Head of the Food & Beverage Team”, Daniela from the restaurant team, Shirley from the bar and JJ from the Prestige team. In the case of our stay it really isn’t a cliché to say that “the People in the hotel’s team made the biggest difference”.