Generations Riviera Maya Resort
Family-friendly resort in Riviera Maya. Modern, Business.
Atmosphere
Room Upgrades
Amenities
Traveler Insights(220 discussions)
Generations Riviera Maya was purpose-built for multigenerational family travel in a way that most 'family-friendly' resorts only approximate. Every suite faces the ocean, babysitting and kids club run concurrently so parents can actually use the spa, adults get access to two neighboring adults-only resorts via a shared grounds pass, and the More Inclusive package adds catamaran trips, waverunners, cenote excursions, and airport transfers to the standard all-inclusive formula. The lazy river is a genuine all-ages hit, the swim-up bars serve reliably, and the oceanfront setting on the Riviera Maya delivers the Caribbean backdrop that sells the destination. For multigenerational families — especially those traveling with grandparents and very young children simultaneously — the suite configurations and age-spanning amenities are difficult to match at this price tier.
The execution has real rough edges that guests consistently document. Room maintenance is the most cited frustration — the suites are spacious but showing age through cracked fixtures, dusty fixtures, and worn furnishings that suggest the renovation cycle hasn't kept pace with the resort's otherwise premium positioning. Housekeeping is inconsistently described, shuttle service breaks down in the evenings when families most need it, and the restaurant reservation system creates friction that guests feel should be handled proactively at check-in rather than discovered by accident. The artificial reef concrete blocks offshore are visually jarring to guests expecting pristine Riviera Maya beach scenery. These operational lapses are meaningful, particularly given the price point.
The ideal guest is a multigenerational family spanning grandparents, parents, and children under 12 who want everyone accommodated under one booking without sacrificing adult amenities. The El Dorado access pass is a genuine differentiator — adults who want to escape the kids club energy and enjoy an adults-only pool and restaurant just steps away is a feature that competing family resorts simply cannot offer. Budget-wise, Generations sits in the premium tier of Riviera Maya family resorts — above AMR properties like Sunscape and above Barcelo, in the same range as Finest Playa Mujeres and Moon Palace for comparable family programming. The nearby Tulum ruins, Cobá cenotes, and Akumal sea turtle snorkeling provide excellent day-trip options for families who want to see the region beyond the resort.
Pros
- +Every single suite is oceanfront — not just a category upgrade, but the baseline room type for all guests, giving even budget bookings a genuine ocean view and private balcony experience
- +The kids club (Eko Kids Club for ages 4-12) combined with on-site babysitting services means parents actually get meaningful adult time — a functional childcare infrastructure that goes well beyond the typical drop-off tent at competing resorts
- +Included access to El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Casitas Royale next door gives adults a rotating selection of adults-only pools, bars, and restaurants, dramatically expanding the resort footprint without leaving the property
- +The all-inclusive 'More Inclusive' package adds genuinely substantive extras: roundtrip airport transfers, catamaran adventures, waverunner access, a themed water park, and excursions to a cenote and ecotourism ranch all included at no additional charge
- +Lazy river is the family social hub — guests describe it as consistently fun across all ages, from toddlers in tubes to grandparents floating with drinks in hand
- +Spa facilities with in-suite private spa tubs (every suite has one) combined with the full on-property spa create a compelling wellness dimension for adults seeking recovery time
- +Swim-up bar service receives strong marks — staff attentiveness and drink consistency are positively noted, with the bar area serving as a natural gathering point for adult guests across the day
- +Multigenerational design is genuinely executed rather than just marketed — connecting room options, suite configurations for large families, and amenity programming that works across age groups from babies to seniors make it viable for extended family bookings
Cons
- −Room maintenance and upkeep show significant wear — ceiling fans caked in dust, cracked sinks, dented furniture, and aging fixtures are specifically documented in recent guest reviews and suggest the rooms are overdue for renovation
- −Shuttle service within the property and to neighboring resorts is unreliable at night — after evening shows, the shuttle wait can be 20-30 minutes or require a mile-long walk back to the room, frustrating families with young children who need predictable transportation
- −Dinner reservations are required but this system is not clearly communicated at check-in — guests discover too late that their preferred restaurant is fully booked, and some evenings find their options severely constrained
- −Housekeeping inconsistency is well-documented: coffee supplies not restocked, clean mugs unavailable, and basic requests (extra blankets, pillows) requiring multiple calls to reach resolution
- −The beach features over 2,000 artificial reef blocks just offshore that are poorly maintained and aesthetically unappealing — guests expecting a pristine Riviera Maya beach view are surprised by the industrial appearance of the reef structure
- −In-room refrigerators are restocked inconsistently — guests report going multiple days without the promised beer and soft drinks being replaced, requiring repeated calls to get a basic included amenity maintained
- −The resort size means considerable walking between amenities — guests with mobility limitations or with strollers find the distances between pools, restaurants, and rooms genuinely challenging on a daily basis
- −Nightly entertainment quality is inconsistent — while some shows receive strong reviews, others draw criticism for poor production quality, and the lack of a central entertainment venue means shows can be hard to find and acoustics vary
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“We were very impressed with our stay at Generations. The first night was a bit bumpy (we were brought to an occupied room twice that first night and were next to a room with a screaming child in the middle of the night. However when we informed the s...”
“The location of this resort was just close enough to the airport without being a busy area. The check in process was smooth, our room was beautiful with many amenities too. The accessibility to the adults only section by way of golf cart was a bonus....”
“Excellent overall experience. Staff was friendly and professional. Facilities were lovely, but the beach wasn’t really good for more than watching sunrise as there is little space to swim. Very windy every day so water sports were not recommended. Da...”