Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

19544 reviews

• 

  Somewhat disappointing

  This was our 10th trip to Valentin. We primarily return because of the wonderful staff (Sam, Isidro, albino, Abraham, gabino and Maria at Mar Tierra restaurant, and Oscar at the French restaurant. They never disappoint!!! The grounds are well maintained and beautiful. I have a few issues that I must mention: 1st getting coffee served and refilled in the morning has been much slower than ever before. We actually had our breakfast on the table before getting our coffee! Also at dinner we ordered coffee and dessert and each time the dessert was delivered long before the coffee arrived. That was disappointing and defeated the purpose of coffee and dessert together. 2nd and most important. The biggest change over the years has been the golf carts not stopping to offer a ride. The staff zip right by without bothering to offer a ride. This was unheard of when we first started going to this resort 5 years ago. We may not always want a ride but it sure would be nice if they slowed down and offered! Kevin is a staff member we met years ago. He personally whizzed right by my husband and I as if we were standing still several times during our week long stay. Lastly- Just a couple suggestions: There should be benches outside the French and Mexican restaurants for people who have difficulty standing for prolonged periods. There are places to sit outside the Italian and Ginger restaurants. Many people get there early and end up standing for prolonged periods. Also- try changing the pool entertainment up a bit. It’s been exactly the same activities for the last 5 years- tequila tasting, bull riding, foam party, guitar guy, water ballet, etc. Lastly- the menus have been changed and most have been good changes. But getting rid of the salmon recipe at the French restaurant from a few years ago was a huge mistake. It was much better before it was changed. Also- chocolate mousse dessert was the best at the French and Italian restaurants. For some reason they are no longer offered at any of the restaurants. While we love Valentin- they need to step it up and get back to their A game.

  Dec 02, 2025
• 

  Vacation/ first timers

  1st time and will be back. Staff and service excellent. Rooms are clean. Food is great. Cannot say enough good things about our trip or the Valentin. Dora has been great to chat with along with many other staff (so bad with names, sorry). Until next time. Highly recommended!

  Dec 02, 2025
• 

  Birthday Celebration 🎂

  This is our 11th time here. Everything is wonderful as usual. Rooms are very clean and comfortable. Staff is very attentive and knowledgeable. Very friendly and hospitable. We love the resturant choices. Ginger is by far or favorite. The food trucks at the pool are a great addition. Activities around the pool are so much fun. Plaza at night is a lot of fun with drinks and entertainment. Pool was very fun and we had a good drinks. I spent my beautiful 69th birthday 🎂 and was excellent 👌 See you in April for our 12th visits and we will bring more friends 🧡

  Dec 01, 2025
• 

  Awesome vacation

  This is our 8th times at Valentin Imperial and we still coming back. Because everything is awesome. All the staff were very friendly in helping us with anything. The food was very good and all the entertainment was good. The coffee shop is very good. We will be back next year

  Dec 01, 2025
• 

  A new favourite...

  My husband and I booked this trip last minute. It’s been on his radar for years, but never worked out until now. I was anxious to learn that there is no dinner buffet, and a ‘dressier’ dress code. In the end, these were not problems at all, and by day 3 we were agreed that we should return the next chance we get. *Resort tips at the end* The food: We ate at ‘Le Marche’ breakfast buffet each day, with a stop at Café Sisal for specialty coffee. The buffet has everything you could want, and they ask each and every time about food restrictions/allergies. Lunch was a rotation between ‘Le Marche’ buffet and the ‘Mar Y Tierra’ with the occasional snack from the Pool Bistro Trucks. It’s nice that they come around the pool to waiter truck food all afternoon, as do the service staff. They are on point! For dinner, as I mentioned, I was anxious about dressing appropriately. Everyone was dressed nice, but not over the top. It’s very comfortable, and my best advice is to have nice flats as some areas are stone, or wood planks etc. We went to every restaurant except the Japanese because my husband isn’t a fish eater, but a few friends have told me it’s amazing. Our favourite was the French: French Onion Soup, Fillet Mignon, and Crème Brulé. We joked that we must come back just so we can get another run at each restaurant. Our ‘wild card’ was the Asian, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise (I can recommend the Glace pork ribs!) We eat early and would watch it get busier as we sat. I noticed they have those light up buzzers if you are waiting, and many would go over to the sports bar, or Don Miguel’s to enjoy a drink while they waited. As someone who isn’t much of a drinker and her beer loving hubby, try ALL the things at Don Miguel’s. Especially the Expresso Martinis! The beach bar (Sonya and Jose) and pool bars seem to be very consistent in their drinks. I loved the frozen mojitos, and Mango Daiquiri (spicy rim). Pool and Beach The beach is groomed beautifully every day. We had no sargassum (seaweed) even after a couple of heavier wave days. On calmer days there are plenty of angel fish around. If you walk in either direction past the resort it becomes rocky but scenic, but not good for snorkelling. As a beach person, any time before lunch and after 2pm you should get a spot without issue. We are early risers, and although I saw a few ‘saved’ pool chairs, really there was lots of prime seating available until 8:30-9:30 (depending on the turnover days and groups). Everyone seemed to share and make room for others to join especially since most were floating around with the provided floaties like a bar table. Entertainment There is a pool social like no other. The DJ is a relief from the typical songs on repeat! The Entertainment team is top notch, and although I only participated in one water cycling session Israel always knew exactly who I was after that. Rooms We did not upgrade. Our 3rd floor room was spacious, clean, and faced the pool but with a curtain of trees to provide privacy. We were very happy with the room, but if you need any help, there is a concierge on the main floor. Golf My husband contacted the resort before we got there, and Jose Velazquez was able to help him get a good tee time, transportation, and affiliation discount at MayaKoba. It is a beautiful course that has hosted PGA and Live. Jose was great to deal with, as was his partner Diego who knew us and remembered our room number (better than us!). On that note, we met many couples who return year after year. They say that the staff get to know you and will remember your name or something about you, and I believe it! I mentioned a few stellar employees, but I was attentive to the staff. There are quiet ones, some who don’t have as much English, and some that are more vibrant. They all work together, little shoulder taps and gestures that make them seem like a close-knit team. I have been told that the Valentin is a place people want to work and it shows. Resort Tips: Ladies bring comfortable flats as there is plenty of walking, and stone/wood plank pathways. Request extra hangars from your concierge when you get to your room. Download the Valentin App – it has information, all the menus’ hours and dress code, room service etc. Join the Facebook page – people will post weather, ask questions, offer contributions left behind (ie. sunscreen, bottles of liquor, floaties etc) I did get a few mosquito bites, but they have repellant at the courtyard bar, and host counters if you’re sitting outside at a restaurant. If you have an early flight home, call (or app) room service the night before. Final Thoughts: We want to be those people who visit the Valentin again and again. It has become one of our top favourite resorts.

  Nov 28, 2025