I’m giving Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya three stars, mainly based on comparison.
If this had been my first visit, I likely would have rated it four or even five stars. However, having stayed here before, it’s clear the overall quality has been reduced compared to what the resort used to offer.
The biggest downgrade is the alcohol selection. In the past, Jack Daniel’s was available throughout the resort. It’s now gone, and the overall alcohol quality has noticeably declined. Food quality has also slipped. At the LandShark Bar & Grill, the LandShark burger used to feel like a fresh meat patty; now it looks and tastes like a frozen, industrial pre-made patty. The removal of the nacho tower is another disappointment — it used to be a fun standout feature and has been replaced by a basic plate of nachos.
We also had issues getting reservations. We were never able to secure a spot at the steakhouse, so we didn’t get to eat there at all due to lack of availability.
On the positive side, the resort is still very clean and well maintained, and the property remains in great shape. The lack of a beach was expected and not an issue.
Finally, the Joe Merchant store has changed for the worse. You used to be able to redeem points for many items; now the selection is very limited, with most items requiring payment. Overall, the resort is still pleasant, but the noticeable downgrades make it hard to justify a higher rating.