I stayed at this resort from July 7-11, 2021 as a solo traveler.  While I originally chose CRT for its beautiful Xpu-Ha beach location, the massive amount of incoming sargassum made it impossible to get into the ocean or fully appreciate the natural beauty of this beach area during my time here.  However, I did enjoy my stay; hopefully this review will help others to decide whether the beach is the draw at CRT, or whether a resort booking here is worth it regardless of the sargassum situation.

First and foremost, vacationers should be aware that this resort is adults-only (18+).  The resort is on the small side for its location in the Riviera Maya with just 288 guest rooms.  CRT is surrounded by much larger all-inclusive resorts–the Barcelo Maya Grand megaresort is just one resort north of CRT, while the Grand Palladium Riviera Maya megaresort is less than a 10-min. drive to the south.

While it is possible to stay at CRT for a cheap price (watch for online sales and use the Catalonia Rewards program–it’s free to sign up), that does not mean this is a “cheap” resort with few amenities.  Here’s a list of what I found to be exceptional at this resort with this price point:

• Bloved Restaurant.  Upgrade your room category to Privileged just to use this restaurant.  It’s beachfront with wonderful views of the ocean, and the food is very good.  You’ve got to try the Chilaquiles with Red Sauce for breakfast!

• Beachfront Jacuzzi.  Located by the Bloved Restaurant, this beachfront Jacuzzi is elevated so it offers great views of the beach and ocean.  While it’s not heated, it is a great way to either relax or meet other guests.

• Large beachfront pool.  Although the overall resort is small, the pool is very large with lots of loungers and shade umbrellas.  A swim-up bar was added in 2019, and it is continually busy.  Also, check out the cabanas at the pool area; some of them are by the small, shallow circular pool (the pool which no one uses) but it’s only a few steps to get into the main pool.  FYI:  The main pool is deep (I believe it’s approximately five feet in depth).  Be prepared to swim or float whenever you move away from the pool steps or gradual entry.  If you need a flotation device, they have many of them for sale in the designated poolside hut.  Try poolside dancing lessons or aqua aerobics (my fave) for some fun while you exercise.

• Complimentary room service is included with a Privileged room category upgrade.  I tried room service twice–you can either call and order from your room phone (unlimited number of items), or you can order online by accessing the QR code you can get from the lobby or on the ground floor by the guest room building entrance.  An online order will be limited to only one choice per food category (entrees, desserts, etc.).  The food was surprisingly good for resort room service.

• Lots of wildlife on the grounds!  If you like coatis (pronounced koh-ah-tees), you will love the main pathway from the guest room buildings to the pool/beach area.  Watch out for overhanging tree limbs, coatis can climb very efficiently and may surprise you while you are taking a stroll along the main path.  FYI:  Please do not feed the coatis, they can become aggressive in their begging or may even fight among themselves when trying to take a morsel from vacationers.  It is not a pretty sight.

• Upgraded rooms have been renovated with large bathrooms and plenty of space to relax.

• Ma-Loo Juice Beach Bar.  For those vacationers who need a break from alcohol or who just want a special treat, the juice beach bar, Ma-Loo, has some very tasty alternatives.  I asked for something special with bananas, and the attending staff whipped up a drink in less than a minute.  Delish!  This bar also has a menu set up on the counter so you can choose something very healthy as well.

• While I did not use the spa or the gym, the resort has both to offer its guests which I found to be surprising given the resort’s smaller size.  Guests need to make reservations at the gym due to COVID.
• While I did not get a chance to experience the beautiful beach due to sargassum, I’ve seen photos and videos of when it is exceptional–it is a do not miss experience if you are a beach lover like I am.  I asked the front desk staff when would be the best time of year to stay at the resort to experience the beach and was told “January” with no hesitation.  I will definitely be back to see it.

I already wrote a blog article with an attached guest room video from my stay at CRT.  I have to be honest and say I wouldn’t stay here without upgrading to a Privileged room of some sort–my Privileged Deluxe room was big on space with an excellent bathroom, plus I received free room service and access to the Bloved restaurant which was my favorite restaurant at this resort.  If you want to know more about the perks of upgrading to a Privileged room, just click this link to the blog article.

Here’s additional information about restaurants and dining opportunities.  The open-air La Palapa buffet restaurant by the pool/beach is only open for breakfast and lunch.  I tried it for lunch–you will have your temperature taken as well as given a set of plastic gloves for handling the buffet serving utensils.  I thought the disposable gloves was a great idea.  The food offerings were surprisingly limited for a buffet restaurant, but the street tacos in the Mexican food section were outstanding.  Across the pool from La Palapa is Sorrento where you can order pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.  Sorrento is a sit down restaurant, not a buffet, so no wet swimwear in either restaurant.  For dinner I tried La Toscana (Italian) and Adelita (Mexican) a la carte restaurants–no reservations required for most a la cartes here.  La Toscana was superior in terms of food and dining experience–why is it that Mexican a la carte restaurants at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico aren’t typically the greatest…I have no answer.  If anyone is wondering what happened to the old Rauxa format, the resort’s dinner cabaret show, it is permanently closed.  The resort is trying a new type of dinner show in the same theater building with a DJ and performances by local artists.  I did not try it out, but it is LOUD in there–you can clearly hear the music outside the building while walking to/from the lobby.  Dinner reservations are required at the new Rauxa.  FYI:  Although several a la cartes have A/C, they seem to be on a preset mode which doesn’t feel very cool, at least to me they weren’t, so be prepared to feel a bit warm during dinner.

Do not come here expecting to party day and night.  This is a relaxing resort for adults who enjoy some drinks, minimal poolside activities, and a great beach.  There is limited evening entertainment with no designated theater; evening performances are typically held by the pool.  If you are looking for drinks in the evening, Las Margaritas lobby bar can be your go-to.  It is hidden away off the main lobby area by Adelita restaurant; while there are no bar stools, there is plenty of seating in the general bar area and in the lobby itself.  The lobby is open-air, but there is enough air circulating through that it is not stifling hot like some open-air lobbies can be.

Be aware that upgraded guests do not have a special check-in area, nor do they receive top-shelf liquor at the bars.  Top-shelf liquors at this resort are only available for vacation club/timeshare members.

This was a very nice relaxing stay for me at a very affordable all-inclusive resort.  It could have been truly excellent if only the beach and ocean water would have been free of sargassum, but then the resort cannot control Mother Nature.  I will be back to experience the lovely beach I know Xpu-Ha to be!

Take a moment or two to enjoy the photo gallery below–just click on any of the thumbnails to get a larger view of the picture.

The comments in this review are those of the author/reviewer.  The trip to this particular resort was paid for in its entirety by the author; at no time were any monies or services exchanged for this review.

Location:  70 min. south of the Cancun airport.

Telephone:  52-984-875-1800

Email:  royaltulum.reservas@cataloniahotels.com