Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun

Brianna

I wanted to share an honest review of our stay at Margaritaville Cancun, because while there were some positives, there were also several disappointing aspects that future guests should be aware of. Unfortunately, the food was the biggest letdown of our trip. With the exception of some really good wings and ribs that my husband had, the food overall was very poor. Breakfast options were extremely limited, and bacon was almost never available. When it was, it wouldn’t be replenished unless you specifically asked, and even then it was hit or miss. I tried going both early and later in the morning with the same result. Even more concerning, many guests we spoke with—including myself—experienced stomach aches and diarrhea, which we strongly believe was caused by the food. On a positive note, the housekeeping staff does an excellent job keeping the resort very clean, and that effort does not go unnoticed. Service, however, was inconsistent. Most of the bartenders we encountered were rude and clearly unhappy in their roles. That said, one bartender named Abdiel truly stood out in the best way. He was kind, personable, and genuinely seemed to enjoy his job. He made guests feel welcome, which sadly was not the norm elsewhere. The late-night front desk staff were also rude during our interactions. Additionally, the main bar closes sharply at 10:00 PM, after which there is only a very small sports bar open until midnight. On more than one occasion, this bar closed 10 minutes early, and when I politely asked for a last drink, I was met with a rude refusal. Room service closes at 11:00 PM, and after that, only very limited snacks are available—essentially just sandwiches and salads. This is disappointing, especially for guests who are drinking and hoping for more substantial late-night food options. Overall, while the resort is clean and has one or two standout employees, the poor food quality, frequent stomach issues, limited dining options, early closures, and generally rude service made this stay very underwhelming. Unfortunately, I would not choose to return.

Kimberly Brunet

One of the main reasons we chose Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun was its autism double-checked status, as one of our children is autistic. We booked a Paradise Junior Suite for our family of four because it clearly stated it had two queen beds. We understand that specific room numbers and locations aren’t guaranteed, but we booked directly with the hotel expecting the room type and bed configuration advertised. I even showed our child photos of the room and beds from the hotel website to help him prepare for the stay. When we checked in, we were given a different room with only one bed. We didn’t ask for or want an “upgrade”, we simply needed a room with the number of beds we booked. Eventually, two cots were brought in, and placed next to the bathtub, which were uncomfortable and felt like a poor workaround. To make matters worse, the staff pulled bedding from the one bed we did have to make up the cots, leaving the main bed without proper sheets. My requests for additional bedding went unanswered. We also learned this wasn’t an isolated issue. Other guests were experiencing similar problems with room types and bed configurations. I raised these concerns with our concierge (Miguel), but nothing was done to resolve the issue. In fact, I felt avoided by him for the rest of the trip. It seemed like there was an attempt to make up for the problem, but ultimately, nothing happened, and I left feeling that the hotel didn’t care. Another major disappointment was food availability. Basic items were routinely unavailable: hamburgers were out for an entire day across all locations, another day no fish tacos, no breakfast cereals, and even coffee options at Joe Merchant were missing. This was during Christmas week, not low season. I posted about this on Margaritaville’s Instagram, and other guests agreed, but the resort deleted all comments about food shortages. While we joked about what would be missing next, the reality was stressful because our autistic child relies on familiar foods. Not having basic cereal or hamburgers was a big issue for us. Despite these frustrations, a few staff members stood out: Ruben (Beach House and Rita's), Angela (Blended), and the bartenders at Compass Bar. Rita’s Taco House was excellent when items were available. And Pedro the raccoon was a highlight for the kids. Overall, this stay was far from what we expected, and I cannot recommend this resort, especially for couples or families who need reliability and consistency.

Laurey

My family enjoyed our November 2025 vacation. It was a stellar 5/5 experience. Joel was our amazing knowledgeable butler who offered kind assistance that made our vacation relaxing and fun, especially for our 4 and 6 year old grandchildren. They especially enjoyed the foam filled pool party and the planned daycare activities. We enjoyed the restaurants and the spa services. All staff was extremely proficient and seemed happy at their work. We’re going back in February to experience the beach, pools, food and entertainment at this small gem.

Bonita Woods

For ParrotHeads, this is not as Jimmy Buffet infused as other Margeritavilles, but really lovely all the same. Beautiful environment, yummy food & drinks, friendly staff... We had a great time. I totally recommend that you check out the spa. A nice little gym, but the services are fantastic! Gracey and Yolanda are amazing!!! I got a mani-pedi with Gracey. The next day, my husband and I got a couple's massage, which starts with 1 hour of hydrotherapy. A wonderful experience!

Carol Burt

Totally enjoying my birthday 🎂 celebrations at this hotel. Its a quiet hotel though. Not much in entertainment and no local nightlife as the distance to the nearest village is not in walking distance. The service can be hit and miss. Some staff go out of their way to ensure you're happy whilst two or three make you feel like you're a burden. Even asking for a menu. Well I have to admit this is the first time on a TUI holiday where I have struggled slightly to get appropriate vegan dishes. Home Pickled Cauliflower Ceviche without the main ingredients Cauliflower no cucumber, tomatoes or almonds. We have been on some great excursions though which makes up for some of the negatives. Unfortunately the sea is not swimable due to discoloured water and seaweed which the staff do their best to clear daily. I understand why drinks and snacks are not in the rooms yet a point system to ensure you have what you need only works if you have sufficient choice. Including basics like crisps not necessarily dorittos. Still enjoying ourselves let's see what today 23rd, my birthday 🎂 brings and of cause Christmas.