The Beachfront by The Fives Hotels

Hayden B

We had an incredible stay at The Fives Beachfront hotel in Playa del Carmen for our honeymoon. From the moment we arrived, the service was truly next level. A huge thank you to our personal ambassadors, Alex and Yaremi, who went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of during our entire stay. At one point my wife got sick, and Alex and Yaremi immediately stepped in to help. They arranged for fresh chicken soup made from scratch and had it delivered to our room in about 30 minutes. That level of care and attention meant so much to us and really shows how much the staff genuinely cares about their guests. Our house cleaner Bryan was also fantastic. Our room was always spotless, organized, and refreshed perfectly every day. His attention to detail did not go unnoticed. The food at the resort was honestly the best resort food we’ve ever had. Every restaurant we tried at both resorts was excellent, but the absolute top tier is the restaurant ant the beachfront hotel. Everything is made from scratch and with fresh local ingredients. It takes a little bit of time to come out, but it’s well worth the wait every time. Overall, the quality was far beyond what we expected from an all-inclusive. The rooms are excellent - freshly remodeled and come with top tier amenities. They keep a minibar stocked with snacks and drinks and they serve everything in nice glass bottles (really helps to elevate the experience). If I had to mention one small downside, it would be the wait for the shuttle around the property. Sometimes it takes about 5–15 minutes, but honestly that’s minor compared to how great everything else is. The beachfront hotel does only have one restaurant and limited grab and go options, but the larger resort next door has lots of food and entertainment at all hours. The best part of the trip was being able to come back to our room in the peace and quiet, while also being able to experience the craziness next door on our own time and schedule. Overall, this was an amazing experience, and the staff truly made it unforgettable. We can’t wait to come back!

Lauren Parr

We just returned home from a 7-night stay for our honeymoon and unfortunately left feeling a bit disappointed. Given that this is a high-end boutique hotel with only ~40 rooms, we were expecting a more elevated level of service. From check-in to checkout, the experience fell short. Housekeeping was inconsistent - most days essentials like towels, toilet paper, and water were not replenished. The “ambassador service,” which relies on communicating with staff via WhatsApp, was also unreliable. Responses often took hours, and when we did hear back, requests were sometimes missed or not followed through on. One of the more frustrating moments was on our departure day. We had a bellhop scheduled to assist with our luggage, but no one showed up. We ended up carrying our 50 lb suitcases downstairs while staff nearby did not offer assistance. At checkout, we were also asked to wait while two employees assisted another couple, despite our transportation already having arrived. Prior to this stay, we spent 5 nights at Excellence Playa Mujeres in Cancun, where the service was exceptional - especially for our honeymoon. Thoughtful touches like breakfast in bed, a romantic honeymoon dinner, and daily surprises in our room made the experience feel truly special. While The Beachfront did ask if we were celebrating anything, our honeymoon was only minimally acknowledged with fake rose petals the night before checkout. The contrast between the two experiences was quite noticeable, especially considering this property comes at a similar or higher price point. Another important note: there is active construction next door starting around 8am daily. If you’re hoping for a peaceful, oceanfront experience where you can hear the wave, this will impact your experience as the noise from machinery/hammering is hard to ignore. Additionally, the property itself is fairly limited in terms of amenities and activities with just the pool and one restaurant. That said, we still made the most of our time as newlyweds. A highlight was access to the neighboring hotel, where we enjoyed nightly live music on the beach and great service -especially from a bartender named Alex, who truly stood out. Overall, while the property has potential, the service and surrounding conditions didn’t quite match the expectations set for a boutique luxury experience in the descriptions. If you’re considering this area, it may be worth exploring other options.

Daniela Hernandez

My experience with The Fives Hotel & Residences raises serious concerns that go beyond environmental issues and directly affect guest health and safety. There have been longstanding questions about how this hotel manages its wastewater. Recently, video evidence recorded late at night appears to show untreated sewage being discharged into the ocean. This is not just an environmental problem — it represents a direct risk to anyone swimming in these waters. Guests come here expecting clean, safe beaches. Instead, they may be exposed to contaminated water, which can lead to infections, skin issues, or gastrointestinal illness. This is unacceptable for any hotel, especially one operating in a destination that depends on the quality and safety of its coastline. What makes this more concerning is that this does not appear to be an isolated incident, but part of an ongoing pattern of poor management and recurring conflicts. Transparency and accountability are urgently needed. Until there is clear evidence that proper wastewater treatment is being handled responsibly, I cannot recommend staying here, particularly for anyone who plans to spend time in the ocean.

Trang Bui

I had the most incredible stay at The Fives Beachfront! From the moment I arrived, I felt so welcomed and cared for, but what truly stood out was how the staff went above and beyond to make me feel special on my birthday. They surprised me in the most thoughtful ways, turning my day into a memory I’ll treasure forever. 💖 The property itself is stunning — beautifully designed with breathtaking beachfront views. The food and drinks were absolutely delicious, with so much variety and attention to detail in every meal. The cocktails were a highlight, and I loved being able to indulge while enjoying the gorgeous setting. The service throughout my stay was exceptional. Every staff member I met was warm, attentive, and genuinely cared about making sure I had the best experience possible (special shoutout to Carlos and Cristina). The nightly entertainment brought so much energy and fun, and the spa was pure bliss — one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating treatments I’ve ever had. This resort has everything: beauty, amazing service, delicious dining, vibrant nightlife, and ultimate relaxation. I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday getaway. Thank you to The Fives Beachfront team for making my stay unforgettable. I can’t wait to return!

Karen Partington

This hotel is one of the best. The service cannot be faulted. The food is excellent and the staff cannot do enough for you. Special mentions go to Samuel, Frank, Erik, Alessandro, Cassandra, Kevin and all the restaurant staff who go out of their way to make every guest feel special. We will be recommending you to anyone looking to visit Mexico.