The Worst All-Inclusive Resorts in Cancun (According to Online Reviews)

Looking for the worst all inclusive resorts in Cancun? Look no further!
As a travel blogger that lives in Mexico, it’s normally my job to recommend the best places to stay in Cancun and the surrounding Riviera Maya region.
But I thought it’d be fun to switch things up and share some of the worst all-inclusive resorts in Cancunβaccording to online reviews!
Despite their beautiful advertisements and promises of a luxurious beach vacation, these resorts have left many travelers with nightmares instead.
And while these cringe-worthy experiences are pretty hilarious and entertaining to read, they’ll also help you avoid potential disaster on your next trip to Cancun!
Ready to discover where NOT to stay in Cancun? Letβs get started!
Worst All-Inclusive Resorts in Cancun
According to online reviews, these are the worst resorts in Cancun:
1. Grand Oasis Cancun All Inclusive
βοΈ Expedia Rating: 5.6/10 (based on 1,300+ reviews)
βοΈ Booking.com Rating: 6.3/10 (based on 3,000+ reviews)
Guest Reviews
Here’s what guests are saying:
- βThis place is not worth your money. The food was absolutely disgusting. The service was horrible. The staff is so rude. Our rooms never got cleaned. The bathroom stinks. Run from this place.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βRooms are super dirty. Our room smelled like urine and there was dirt in every corner. Dirty lampshade curtains dirty with boogers and a rug that looks like it used to be white completely stained. Feels like a sleazy hotel.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βEverything about this place was disgusting.Β Dirty cobwebs everywhere and even saw roaches. The food was abhorrent and the drinks were even worse. Lines everywhere with no staff. Absolutely horrible and I will never ever come back to this place.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βThe room was a mess. Lingering sewer smell in the bathroom. The hotel room looked like it hasnβt been renovated since the early 90s. The room carpets were disgusting, so many stains and dirt on them. The sheet on my bed had a huge dark brown stain and hair from previous guests.β (Read more reviews on Booking.com)
The Grand Oasis Cancun All Inclusive seems to have quite a bit of room for improvement, if these reviews are anything to go by.
Guests have reported everything from negligent cleaning practices and unappetizing food to downright rude staff.
Coupled with outdated and sometimes smelly rooms with cockroach sightings, it’s easy to see why some travelers suggest steering clear.
The only thing this resort seems to have going for it is the beach and location in the Cancun Hotel Zone.
β Recommended Alternative: Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun

2. Krystal Cancun All Inclusive
βοΈ Expedia Rating: 6.6/10 (based on 1,400+ reviews)
βοΈ Booking.com Rating: 7/10 (based on 2,900+ reviews)
Guest Reviews
Here’s what guests are saying:
- βCheck in was a nightmare. Lobby dreary, no live music or entertainment, very disappointing. The noise at night from the nightclubs was unbearable. Hotel is run down and old toilet hardly ever flushed.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βNot too much good to say about this place. The rooms are old and crusty. The bars all close super early. The food is not very good. The only redeeming feature was the pool and the beach.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βFood don’t even get me started. It is disgusting, even farm animals get better food than what they serve at this hotel buffet.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βOur βsea-viewβ room had just a slice of ocean in the corner, but mostly concrete roof for a view. The sea-view room was also facing the clubs which are VERY loud until 3am every night. It seemed like being inside the party for how noisy it is!β (Read more reviews on Booking.com)
Krystal Cancun All Inclusive doesn’t seem to fare much better in terms of reviews.
Guests have complained about check-in issues, run down and outdated rooms with plumbing problems, and subpar food options.
The noise from nearby nightclubs also seems to be a common issue for guests trying to get a good night’s sleep.
While the pool and beach area may be enjoyable, it may not be worth the hassle and discomfort of staying at this resort.
β Recommended Alternative: Hyatt Ziva Cancun
3. Flamingo Cancun
βοΈ Expedia Rating: 6.4/10 (based on 1,100+ reviews)
βοΈ Booking.com Rating: 7/10 (based on 1,800+ reviews)
Guest Reviews
Here’s what guests are saying:
- βThe rooms are VERY old and the majority of items in the rooms do not work. Prison food has to be better than the indeterminable meats with gravy that were served for every meal.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βThe restaurants had long lineups and were limited. The hot tub was lukewarm. For an all-inclusive, we were hungry a lot and ate elsewhere. Staff were argumentative and did not seem to enjoy their job.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βFood wasnβt good. The room had a nasty smell accompanied by really old furniture and bedding. Most people were not friendly.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βI was shocked by the buffet. We chose one night to eat food at the hotel and regretted it immediately. The food was truly slop and the only thing I ate and liked was the bread rolls.β (Read more reviews on Booking.com)
Flamingo Cancun seems to have a trend of outdated rooms and unappetizing food.
Guests were also not pleased with long lines at the restaurants, lukewarm hot tubs, and unhelpful staff.
If you’re looking for a pleasant dining experience or comfortable accommodations, this resort may not be your best bet.
β Recommended Alternative: Hyatt Zilara Cancun

4. All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Water Park
βοΈ Expedia Rating: 6.8/10 (based on 1,200+ reviews)
βοΈ Booking.com Rating: 6.9/10 (based on 600+ reviews)
Guest Reviews
Here’s what guests are saying:
- βHotel is old, rooms are smelly. Rooms are NOT as in the picture and dirty. Food is junk, drinks are water. Staff is not cooperative.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βI am still in shock of my experience. My room was outdated, moldy, and the bathtub had cracks all around it. The food was horrendous.βΒ (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βThis was the worst resort we have ever stayed at! One buffet for the entire resort with the same food everyday.Β If I could give negative stars I would!β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βHotel is much older than it looks from the pictures, looks like pictures made at least 15 years ago.β (Read more reviews on Booking.com)
All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Water Park also seems to have its fair share of issues.
Guests have reported outdated and smelly rooms, poor and repetitive food and drinks, and unhelpful staff.
Some also said that the resort is much older than advertised in the pictures.
The main allure is the water park for kids but Iβd recommend checking out one of these Cancun resorts with a lazy river instead.Β
β Recommended Alternative: Dreams Playa Mujeres
5. Grand Oasis Palm
βοΈ Expedia Rating: 6.6/10 (based on 1,100+ reviews)
βοΈ Booking.com Rating: 7/10 (based on 4,500+ reviews)
Guest Reviews
Here’s what guests are saying:
- βThe WORST hotel. Stay away! It is very limited βall inclusiveβ. The food is awful! The rooms are dirty and many things are broken. The staff always say NO for any and everything you ask of them.βΒ (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βThis is a horrible hotel. It’s dirty, old, smelly. Horrible food both in buffet and nightly dining. Drinks watered down. Bathrooms are dirty. This hotel is a scam and a waste of money.βΒ (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βYou will need to save a beach chair before sunrise to ensure that you have a place to sit by the beach or pool – I counted 62 chairs. There were at least 600 guests. Enjoy the conflict when another guest takes your reserved chair.βΒ (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βRestaurant reservations are almost impossible to get, everything seems to have passed its best days.β (Read more reviews on Booking.com)
Operated by the same company as Grand Oasis Cancun, the Grand Oasis Palm appears to have similar issues with cleanliness and food.
Guests have also reported difficulties with obtaining restaurant reservations and finding available beach chairs for such a large number of guests.
If you’re looking for a relaxing and hassle-free vacation experience, this may not be the resort for you.
β Recommended Alternative: Breathless Cancun Soul Resort & Spa

6. Solymar Cancun
βοΈ Expedia Rating: 5.6/10 (based on 550+ reviews)
Guest Reviews
Here’s what guests are saying:
- βThe all inclusive drinks were not good and the tequila tasted like rubbing alcohol.βΒ (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βWorst hotel Iβve ever stayed at. Room was dirty, TV didnβt work. Management was awful.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βLiterally choose any hotel in the hotel zone except this one. You may spend a bit extra but youβll get at least 3-4 times better experience. Donβt stay at this piece of crap.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)Β
Solymar Cancun is a small all-inclusive resort and has some of the lowest ratings on Expedia of all Cancun all-inclusive resorts.Β
Guests have complained about poor quality drinks and dirty rooms, with some even calling it the “worst hotel” they’ve ever stayed at.
β Recommended Alternative: Wyndham Alltra Cancun
7. The Pyramid Cancun
βοΈ Expedia Rating: 6.8/10 (based on 1,000+ reviews)
βοΈ Booking.com Rating: 7.2/10 (based on 1,400+ reviews)
Guest Reviews
Here’s what guests are saying:
- βMost food was zero stars, fake, left me sick for a week. Staff was usually nice but you have to tip several times a day to get any help or service. Be prepared to fight for pool chairs.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βSmells like sewage, it wasnβt all inclusive like it said. They tried swindling you to upgrade and do other things at the hotel. You call that all inclusive? The food was essentially a hometown buffet, but worse.β (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βYou have to pay to get any seating on the beach. There are also some swim areas that you need to pay for. It might look nice but you have to pay extra for just about everything.βΒ (Read more reviews on Expedia)
- βThey advertise that you get over 10+ restaurants but they donβt tell you that you need a reservation. I was there for 5 nights and only got to eat at 1 restaurant.β (Read more reviews on Booking.com)
The Pyramid Cancun also seems to have its share of issues, including subpar food and customer service.
Guests have reported unpleasant smells, having to pay for beach seating and swim areas, and difficulties with restaurant reservations.
β Recommended Alternative: Paradisus Cancun

Wrap Up: Where NOT to Stay in Cancun
It’s pretty clear that while these resorts in Cancun have their own unique attractions and potential for a fun vacation, they also share some common challenges.
From outdated rooms, questionably appetizing dining options, to less-than-enthusiastic customer service, these experiences highlight the importance of thorough research and reading recent reviews when planning your vacation.
Remember, a good fit for one traveler might not be right for another, so consider what aspects of your stay are most important to you.
Whether it’s gourmet dining, pristine rooms, or simply a supportive and friendly staff, finding the right resort can make all the difference in creating those perfect vacation memories!
π²π½ Traveling to Mexico soon?
These are the Mexico travel resources I use and recommend:
π¨ Hotels: I always find the best deals for Mexico hotels and resorts on Expedia or Booking.com. If you prefer a vacation rental, check VRBO as they are often cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
βοΈ Flights: I recommend using Skyscanner for the best Mexico flight deals. Be sure to sign up for their price alerts for your preferred travel dates.
π Rental Cars: I recommend using Discover Cars because you can compare multiple car rental companies and see detailed ratings for overall value, ease of pick-up, efficiency of agents, car condition, and overall time spent.
π Cancun Airport Transportation: I recommend booking a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation for the quickest and most hassle-free option!
π€Ώ Tours & Activities: I always use Viator or GetYourGuide for booking tours and activities in Mexico. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, plus they have excellent customer service if you were to have any issues.
π¨ Travel Insurance: After my Dad broke his hand in a taxi accident in Playa del Carmen, I always recommend buying travel insurance before your trip for added peace of mind! I recommend Travel Insurance Master for short trips or Safety Wing for digital nomads.
βοΈ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Don’t forget to add biodegradable sunscreen to your Mexico packing list! Regular sunscreen is prohibited on most snorkeling tours, so you’ll need to pack some biodegradable sunscreen for sun protection. I recommend Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is reef-friendly, vegan, and cruelty-free.
