Pros

  • Beachfront location with loungers, umbrellas, and bar
  • Breezy and bright rooms with free minibars, coffeemakers, and balconies; some ocean views
  • Adult-only, family, beach access, and VIP sections of rooms
  • Five outdoor swimming pools and children’s waterpark
  • Ten restaurants, 11 bars, and all-inclusive meal plans
  • Spa offers massages, indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, and hair salon
  • Large modern fitness center with diverse equipment
  • Family perks like kids’ and teens’ clubs, and a playground
  • Entertainment such as casino, live shows, and bowling alley
  • Activities like tennis, water sports, and diving center
  • Thirteen meeting rooms and business center
  • Free Wi-Fi and parking
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Cons

  • Beach is rocky; water shoes suggested
  • Busy hotel with long wait times for service
  • Reports of AC issues and mildew smells in rooms
  • Time-share pitches may be bothersome to some guests
  • Complaints about overbooking, food quality, and pool cleanliness
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Bottom Line

The four-pearl Ocean Riviera Paradise is massive with 974 rooms, five pools, a water park, 13 meeting rooms, 10 restaurants, 11 bars, rocky beach access, and a bowling alley. The rooms are spacious and done in a sophisticated design with balconies, free minibars, coffeemakers, and trendy bathrooms. Some have swim-up access or terraces with hot tubs. Guests have noted issues with the air-conditioning in rooms and mildew smells. There are separate areas in the hotel for adults and families, but the massive size isn’t for everyone and occasional drawbacks include crowds, bland food, overbooking issues, and time-share pitches. Rates are all-inclusive, but Privilege guests get higher quality booze and food. For something more intimate and service-focused, consider the Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa, a boutique property that has a smooth sandy beach and free breakfast.

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Amenities

  • Casino
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Kids Club
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Ocean Riviera Paradise

Scene

Trendy, mega resort with a large property, busy atmosphere, and diverse clientele

Guests won’t be wanting for interesting views -- from ocean to garden to trendy interior designs -- during their stay at the Ocean Riviera Paradise. Opened in December 2016, there are four sections to this expansive resort. Daisy is for families with kids, Privilege is for VIP travelers (who pay more), Eden is closer to the beach with direct pool access, and El Beso is the adult-only section. All combine together to create a chic aesthetic. For instance, the lobby is a large circle with a lovely skylight, white and black floors, tile designs around the walls, and hanging ceiling lamps with white bird sculptures. Further in, there’s a lounge that takes on an artsy vibe with wooden head sculptures, a round library wall of books, and lobby bar with interesting woven lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The restaurants vary in design but each features the same pattern of decor: an airy vibe, cool hanging lamps, tile elements, and often lovely ocean views. With 974 rooms, this is a large and busy property and service sometimes fails to be quick and efficient. There's a free in-resort shuttle that runs from one end to the other, but it too, might require some wait time. Other drawbacks include reports of overbooking and bothersome time-share pitches. Guests are a mix of couples, families, and groups of friends attracted to the new digs and beachfront location. 

See More Scene

Location

Beachfront location just outside of Playa del Carmen

Ocean Riviera Paradise has a beachfront location just outside of Playa del Carmen. The hotel is surrounded by other resorts so there’s little of interest to walk to in the surrounding area, apart from down the beach. The Grand Coral Golf Riviera Maya is a 12-minute drive away. Xcaret takes 26 minutes to reach by car, while Xplor Park is a 21-minute drive. Rio Secreto is a 28-minute drive away. It takes 45 minutes by car to reach the Cancun International Airport. 

See More Location

Rooms

Fun and sophisticated rooms with flat-screen TVs, free minibars, and coffeemakers

The rooms at Ocean Riviera Paradise have sophisticated and fun contemporary decor that's a cheerful combination of retro and glam. Think: four-poster beds, chic lamps, furnished balconies or terraces, and trendy furniture. Great amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi-, safes, air-conditioning, free minibars, coffeemakers, and bottled water. Some rooms have swanky features like direct pool access, rooftop terraces, or terraces with private hot tubs and ocean views. Bathrooms are clean and trendy with colorful tile designs. They have toiletries, hairdryers, and separate showers and tubs. Note that there have been quite a few complaints about issues with the air-conditioning and mildew smells to the rooms.

Guests staying in the Privilege section of the hotel get additional freebies like children’s welcome kits, beach towels, private beach area, access to the Privilege lounge, and 24-hour room service. The Daisy section is for families, and the Besos section is for adults over the age of 18. The Eden block of rooms provides the closest access to the beach and pools.

See More Rooms

Features

White-sand beach, expansive pool complex, and all-inclusive rates at 10 restaurants and 11 bars

Ocean Riviera Paradise is an expansive property, so it’s no surprise that there are lots of activities and plenty to do. First, there’s the beachfront location with loungers, thatched umbrellas, and a bar on the beach for guests. Take note that the beach is reportedly rocky and requires water shoes. The hotel offers five outdoor swimming pools, plus a kids’ pool with a waterpark. Some reports of a lack in pool cleanliness have been made. There’s a relaxing spa with a sauna, massages, indoor pool, hot tub, and hair salon. Workouts are pleasant in the hotel’s well-lit gym with cardio and weight equipment, or with outdoor activities like three tennis courts, other sports activities, non-motorized water sports, and a diving center. Other forms of entertainment include nightly shows, dance classes around the pool, a small casino, and a bowling alley. For kids, there’s a kids’ club, teen’s club, and an outdoor playground. 

With all-inclusive meal plans and 10 restaurants and 11 bars, there are plenty of diverse dining options for visitors from Japanese food to Mexican food. The meal plans include drinks, cocktails, snacks, and meals at buffets and a la carte restaurants. A hot and cold breakfast buffet is included in the meal plans. Room service is available. Though there’s a lot of dining options, guests report poor food quality, slow service in the restaurants, and long wait times for room service. Privilege guests get higher quality food and brand name alcohol, so it may be worth the upgrade for those who are particular about food and beverages.

Business travelers can take advantage of 13 fully-equipped meeting rooms, free Wi-Fi throughout, and a business center (for a fee). Parking is free on-site. 

See More Features

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Oyster Hotel Review

Ocean Riviera Paradise

Scene

Trendy, mega resort with a large property, busy atmosphere, and diverse clientele

Guests won’t be wanting for interesting views -- from ocean to garden to trendy interior designs -- during their stay at the Ocean Riviera Paradise. Opened in December 2016, there are four sections to this expansive resort. Daisy is for families with kids, Privilege is for VIP travelers (who pay more), Eden is closer to the beach with direct pool access, and El Beso is the adult-only section. All combine together to create a chic aesthetic. For instance, the lobby is a large circle with a lovely skylight, white and black floors, tile designs around the walls, and hanging ceiling lamps with white bird sculptures. Further in, there’s a lounge that takes on an artsy vibe with wooden head sculptures, a round library wall of books, and lobby bar with interesting woven lanterns hanging from the ceiling. The restaurants vary in design but each features the same pattern of decor: an airy vibe, cool hanging lamps, tile elements, and often lovely ocean views. With 974 rooms, this is a large and busy property and service sometimes fails to be quick and efficient. There's a free in-resort shuttle that runs from one end to the other, but it too, might require some wait time. Other drawbacks include reports of overbooking and bothersome time-share pitches. Guests are a mix of couples, families, and groups of friends attracted to the new digs and beachfront location. 

See More Scene

Location

Beachfront location just outside of Playa del Carmen

Ocean Riviera Paradise has a beachfront location just outside of Playa del Carmen. The hotel is surrounded by other resorts so there’s little of interest to walk to in the surrounding area, apart from down the beach. The Grand Coral Golf Riviera Maya is a 12-minute drive away. Xcaret takes 26 minutes to reach by car, while Xplor Park is a 21-minute drive. Rio Secreto is a 28-minute drive away. It takes 45 minutes by car to reach the Cancun International Airport. 

See More Location

Rooms

Fun and sophisticated rooms with flat-screen TVs, free minibars, and coffeemakers

The rooms at Ocean Riviera Paradise have sophisticated and fun contemporary decor that's a cheerful combination of retro and glam. Think: four-poster beds, chic lamps, furnished balconies or terraces, and trendy furniture. Great amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi-, safes, air-conditioning, free minibars, coffeemakers, and bottled water. Some rooms have swanky features like direct pool access, rooftop terraces, or terraces with private hot tubs and ocean views. Bathrooms are clean and trendy with colorful tile designs. They have toiletries, hairdryers, and separate showers and tubs. Note that there have been quite a few complaints about issues with the air-conditioning and mildew smells to the rooms.

Guests staying in the Privilege section of the hotel get additional freebies like children’s welcome kits, beach towels, private beach area, access to the Privilege lounge, and 24-hour room service. The Daisy section is for families, and the Besos section is for adults over the age of 18. The Eden block of rooms provides the closest access to the beach and pools.

See More Rooms

Features

White-sand beach, expansive pool complex, and all-inclusive rates at 10 restaurants and 11 bars

Ocean Riviera Paradise is an expansive property, so it’s no surprise that there are lots of activities and plenty to do. First, there’s the beachfront location with loungers, thatched umbrellas, and a bar on the beach for guests. Take note that the beach is reportedly rocky and requires water shoes. The hotel offers five outdoor swimming pools, plus a kids’ pool with a waterpark. Some reports of a lack in pool cleanliness have been made. There’s a relaxing spa with a sauna, massages, indoor pool, hot tub, and hair salon. Workouts are pleasant in the hotel’s well-lit gym with cardio and weight equipment, or with outdoor activities like three tennis courts, other sports activities, non-motorized water sports, and a diving center. Other forms of entertainment include nightly shows, dance classes around the pool, a small casino, and a bowling alley. For kids, there’s a kids’ club, teen’s club, and an outdoor playground. 

With all-inclusive meal plans and 10 restaurants and 11 bars, there are plenty of diverse dining options for visitors from Japanese food to Mexican food. The meal plans include drinks, cocktails, snacks, and meals at buffets and a la carte restaurants. A hot and cold breakfast buffet is included in the meal plans. Room service is available. Though there’s a lot of dining options, guests report poor food quality, slow service in the restaurants, and long wait times for room service. Privilege guests get higher quality food and brand name alcohol, so it may be worth the upgrade for those who are particular about food and beverages.

Business travelers can take advantage of 13 fully-equipped meeting rooms, free Wi-Fi throughout, and a business center (for a fee). Parking is free on-site. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Business Center

  • Cable

  • Casino

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Gameroom / Arcade

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Kids Club

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.