Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya - Heaven

Faro: except for one section for eggs, meat, other hot items, one has to be served by personnel behind the glass counter which make fo significant waiting and less selection. Ciao has much better selection and convenience for breakfast and lunch. Servers Gaby, Manu and cook Cinthya remembered us from months ago, so very friendly and happy! The staff gave us a wonderful card of appreciation. This so typical of the people of HRRM. We have been here about 20 times, 3 times a year and we have ALWAYS found the staff so KIND and HELPFUL!!! Toro (now the old Ipanema): very busy and very noisy adults and too many children. Do not order any special dish when busy, such as filet cooked “blue”, it came medium rare. The real Toro’s magnificent native wood architecture and roof was removed and steel girders are being erected to create a major poolside food service area.. Petit Cochon: smallest but the best restaurant here! We have second home in France and can appreciate this restaurant. Fernando also remembered us from before. Manager Maria is the most personable and effective manager, constantly checking, helping, in motion. She is sometimes absent because she is so talented, she is sent trouble-shooting to other restaurants. She always greets us with hugs and happiness. Ciao: the second most elegant restaurant for dinner. The breakfast and lunch buffet are more efficient and have more choice than the Faro. The menu is elaborate. Ricardo and Santana remembered us. Umo: very pleased to get fresh fish, sea bass ,which is uncommon to have available and is delicious. One can ask for it to be unspiced. Racoons: Bands of 5-6 racoons, not afraid of people, sometimes roam the hallways. They plunder leftover room service and scatter metal lids to disturb rooms. This has happened in other buildings and other visits. Room service leftovers are now quickly gathered. Racoons navigate via tall, thin, utility doors between the three floors; broken locks need to be repaired. Management needs to complete these actions, and capture them, and move them away. I should not criticise HRRM, but I am bothered. Also, my comments to Trip Advisor should be unbiased. Spa: This, and the lagoon, are we have been here about 20 times. The masseuses/therapists are remarkable in their technique. I recommend instead of “deep tissue”(DT), but “HOT STONE”, which more favourable to both patient and therapist in that it applies equal or more pressure to the affected areas than only the hands, and is less fatiguing for the therapist. The ‘service charge’ does NOT go to the therapist. They have minimal salary and TIPS are the major part of their income. Please consider reasonable tips. Theresa was most excellent the last visit. Lagoon: The other reason why we chose here. We have been at ‘hotel zone’ beaches and could not enter the water for days due to sargasso (seaweed) and waves. The lagoons have effective barriers, no seaweed, and no waves, safe for children, and floating with drinks (no glass), and snorkelling to some fish. We take a bundle of dollar bills and leave (optional, and never expected) tips on the tables. Altho’ we are members, we have invested in several additional contracts and had visited about 20 times, which shows our happiness and appreciation of the wonderful staff and local people of HRRM! Read less

A slice of Heaven. The Presidential Suite at Hard Rock Riviera Maya Heaven side building One was just wonderful. The swim-up Suite on the ground floor was perfectly situated and had an amazing Ocean view. We were near the Edan pool as well as Faro for breakfast and sometimes lunch. Our favorite restaurants Wai and Umo were just behind the Edan pool. Our butlers Fernanda and Samantha were some best we have ever had. What an awesome pair! They made a special trip even better. If you have a chance to experience their hospitality and kindness, you fortunate. We even had a chance to tour the Brett Michael's Suite on the third floor of the building. Thank you to Amy Plans Magic Travel Advisor for planning this fantastic week. #youoweittoyourselftotravel Read less