Blue Diamond Riviera Maya All Inclusive Adults Only

We stayed for 10 nights in early November 2012. The hotel is situated 40 minutes from Cancun airport and is in a good location for visiting the shops and bars of Playa Del Carmen and the archeological sites at Tulum and Chichen Itza. The hotel is low rise set around streams and lagoons and provides privacy from neighbouring rooms by lush planting. The beach is clean and well equipped with sun beds and umbrellas however in peak season, these may be in short supply. The rooms are large and nicely furnished and very clean. The food offering is what lets down this resort. There are only two restaurants which are not always both open. The choice and quality of food on offer is quite poor - for eaxmple there was no change in the choice of 3 main courses during our 10 nights and food arrived almost cold and inedible in the main restaurant. However if this were to be improved the resort would offer much better value for money (as it is all inclusive) and would be a great place to stay.

The Blue Diamond Riviera Maya's service staff and room options were excellent. This hotel is nestled among the mangrove just off the beach. This gives you a very private feeling while on the property. This is not a big bustling hotel, it is a luxurious private resort. The lobby and spa are beautifully appointed with a zen like atmosphere which immediately put you in a calm relaxed mode of vacationing. The pool and private beach do not disappoint. We stayed in a junior suite with a private outdoor bathtub/pool. The room was spacious, clean, air conditioned as well as had ceiling fans. There was a large walk in closet and a beautifully appointed large bathroom with two person indoor/outdoor shower. The room's minibar was continually stocked and the staff were very good at learning your personal preferences and refilling those more frequently. The service staff on all levels go above and beyond what would be expected at an all inclusive resort. They call you by name, remember your food and drink preferences, and accommodate your every wish. Moving about the resort was made easy, they offered to drive you about in golf carts or will give you a bicycle to ride if you prefer not to walk. The restaurants each had a different atmosphere to provide. The food was wonderful. Wine was not included in the all inclusive menu and each night for dinner there were two options for an extra charge (a Waygu beef steak, lobster tail, etc.). But EVERYTHING else was included - all brand liquors, and an extensive menu to choose from, not just a couple of items. The location of the Blue Diamond was good for this area, 40 minute drive from Cancun, 25 minute drive from touring the Mayan Ruins, multiple golf courses within 10 minutes (one of which is included in your stay), 15 minute drive to Playa Del Carmen town and public beach. The island of Cozumel is close too. Lots to do if you choose to leave the resort. I recommend visiting the Xplor park for some zip lining and denote (cave) exploring.

My wife and I stayed for 4 days at Blue Diamond and we wished it could have been longer. The number of rooms on the property is low, but the actual size of the resort seemed enormous. Everything was clean, scenic, and beautiful. The enormity of the property isn't a problem because transportation is either offered with a golf cart pickup at your convenience or bicycle riding. The architecture of the hotel is modern and beautiful, they used lots of wood and stone. The room was absolutely amazing. We could have stayed there forever if it wasn't for the need to go back to work. We stayed in the villas just off the beach, huge bed, great view of the ocean, and had its own private plunge pool on the rooftop deck. Only problem with the room was that it could get warm in bathroom once the sun was coming through the glass in the bathroom. The food was amazing, and some of the freshest food we've ever had. Lot's of options, and we never went hungry. The people working at the resort were amazing and friendly. From giving us some Spanish tips, to keeping our glasses constantly full. The entire staff knew our names within 2 days. Blue Diamond is an amazing place!!

This place has so much potential, but falls so short of what it could be. The place is beautiful and there's not a bad room in the place...ALL beautiful. But there are so many maintenance issues that keep this from being a top notch place. A/C does not work even if you switch to another room...very weak and you will fry! Several electrical outlets did work, so refrigerator, coffee maker, lamps, etc...were useless. Serious issues with toilet not flushing; not only in our room, but in public restrooms as well. We spent the first 3 days just waiting for people to come 'fix' stuff. We would call to have someone come and be told they 'would be right there' only to have to call again two hours later when no one had shown up. They asked when we wanted housekeeping twice a day, so we set up the times we wanted for each housekeeping & turn down and those set times never happened. Only got turndown 2 times simply because 3 times they showed up at 5:00pm when we were showering for dinner. The outdoor tubs are worthless...rusty water fills the bath and they have to fill it for you but the drains don't work..so why bother. Food is average; sometimes really good other times really bad. Drinks were hit or miss. Service could be so slow that breakfast literally took 1.5 hours out of your day. We're not in a hurry, but waiting 20 minutes for a menu??? Odd. Staff was very good, overall. Some way better than others. Beach is nice, but rocky to walk out...so just swim out instead. Hardly any umbrellas and when you find one, they're all broken and very difficult to move or manage. Do beware of the 'time share' guys! They will tell you it is NOT time share, but just a way for you to see what they offer and join their 'beach club family.' It's time share! The presentation was amateur and stuck in the same presentation style they used in the 70's! I'm sure it will benefit someone who has an extra $6,000 to $23,000 as a deposit on buying 20 weeks, but I've yet to meet any time share owner that didn't wish they could unload their timeshare. Again, I'm sure it is a benefit to some. They promise spa credit to take the tour, but you will have to hunt them down to get it. They were going to deliver it to our room, then the front desk, then the concierge's office (oh, they NEVER answer the phone!) then here, then there...we literally had to hunt it down. Ridiculous. This place needs some serious maintenance to bring it back to life and management to create real customer service. You will NOT get a memorable experience here; just an average experience. Is it worth the price? No. Go to Secrets or Excellence or better yet, go to the best place there...Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita...if you want to know real pampering and have an amazing time!

Hotel and personnel y great, there are some small things that can be improved but I'm sure they'll get even better :) Temazcal included, relaxing experience; gourmet food really great; all beverages included (except full bottles, but you don't really need them). Great place to have rest and do nothing but relax, I loved that there are only about 130 rooms so it's exclusive and not as crowded as the huge 2000 rooms hotels (love this fact)! Oh by the way it's also only for adults so no need to worry about kids or parents screaming or yelling at each other :D

The physical property is absolutely gorgeous. Rooms are massive and modern. Common spaces are stunning. The spa is very expensive, although beautiful, but they don't have much staff on hand. Food is good, but not amazing. I wish there were more Mexican food rather than multinational attempts. Service is very friendly although a little unpolished. Be sure to tip. Drinks are top shelf and you can specify pretty much whatever you want.