Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya Review: Our Stay, Dining & Tips

Arrival, Airport Transfer & Check-In

We landed at Cancun International Airport around 3:30 PM local time after a flight from Salt Lake City, Utah. Outside the terminal, Alfredo from the BTX transportation team greeted us and helped get our transfer underway.

The drive to the resort took approximately 25 minutes with light traffic. That was our experience that afternoon; I would allow extra time when planning your own transfer.

At the resort, the bell team took our luggage while we checked in. The process was smooth and took roughly 10–15 minutes. We received our wristbands and points for Joe Merchant’s Coffee & Provisions before being given a short introduction to the property and escorted to our room.

Our Room & Ocean-View Balcony

Our room was beautifully decorated, clean, and comfortable, with an ocean view from the balcony. What impressed me most was how well the basics worked.

The mattress was especially comfortable and passed my personal comfort test easily. The air conditioning worked perfectly, and the bathroom and shower area were immaculate. We found the room nice and clean, which made it easy to settle in and relax.

Wi-Fi was another highlight. The connection was fast and reliable during our visit, making it easy to upload content and stay connected.

The ocean view was lovely to have, even though the shoreline itself was not a highlight of our stay. I would choose this resort for the room comfort and pool experience rather than assume an ocean-view room comes with a great swimming beach.

What We Ate: Restaurant Highlights & Misses

Dining gave us some of our favorite moments at the resort, but the dishes we tried were not equally successful. These impressions are based on our individual meals.

Frank & Lola’s Italian Trattoria: Start with the Pizza

Our first dinner was at Frank & Lola’s Italian Trattoria. I ordered a margherita pizza as an appetizer, and it was one of the dishes I enjoyed most. The restaurant uses a wood-burning pizza oven, and the pizza would be my first recommendation here.

For my main course, I chose the salmon. It was good overall, although I would have liked a more generous portion of mashed potatoes on the side. That was a small criticism of an otherwise enjoyable dinner.

The Boat House: A Good Breakfast with One Drawback

At breakfast, we were seated before heading to the buffet to choose our food. I tried the red chilaquiles, which had good flavor and a red sauce I enjoyed. However, the tortilla chips had become quite soggy and lost the crunch I prefer.

I would give that particular dish a 7/10. The orange juice tasted fresh to me, which was a welcome part of breakfast, although I did not confirm how it was prepared.

License to Chill: My Favorite Casual Meal

License to Chill, beside the main pool, was my favorite stop for a light meal. The Baja-style fish tacos and ceviche were excellent and exactly the kind of food I enjoy in this setting.

If you like fish tacos, I would put this spot near the top of your list. It was a dining highlight I would happily repeat.

LandShark Brewery & Grill: A Lunch I Would Skip Next Time

We also tried LandShark for lunch, where I ordered the fish and chips. Unfortunately, this dish did not work for me. The batter was thin and fell apart easily, and I did not enjoy the flavor of the fish as much as the fish tacos I had eaten earlier.

I saw burgers and fish sandwiches that looked appealing, but we did not try them, so I cannot comment on their taste. My disappointment was with the fish and chips we received; I enjoyed LandShark much more as an evening stop for beer and live music.

JWB Steakhouse: My Partner’s Favorite Dinner

JWB Steakhouse was one of our favorite restaurants for its atmosphere and service. Our waiter, Jimmy, took excellent care of us, and we were greeted and seated promptly for our reservation.

I chose a lighter dinner of mixed greens and a fresh orange drink. My partner ordered the shrimp cocktail and sirloin steak, and she rated her meal 10/10. It was her favorite meal of the visit.

Based on her dinner and the service we both experienced, JWB is a restaurant I would make a point of reserving.

Pools, Beach & Resort Atmosphere

The pool areas were among the most appealing parts of the property. They stretched through the main resort area and gave the grounds a spacious, relaxed feel. We saw plenty of guests enjoying them, and the swim-up bars looked especially inviting for an afternoon of drinks and downtime.

We did not swim in the pools ourselves, so I cannot assess the water temperature or service from inside the pool. Visually, though, this was a setting that would appeal to someone who enjoys spending their vacation around the water.

The shoreline was the biggest drawback for me. During our late-September visit, there was very little usable beach, and sargassum affected the water. We did not find the shoreline suitable for the beach-and-ocean experience we would want.

Seaweed conditions can change, but I would not choose this resort if a generous sandy beach and ocean swimming were central to my vacation. The pool setting was a much stronger reason to visit.

The overall atmosphere felt relaxed during our stay. I would describe our experience as more about unwinding than constant partying, while keeping in mind that entertainment and activity schedules can vary.

LandShark After Dark: Beer & Live Music

We stopped at LandShark around 8:30 PM on our first evening and enjoyed a few drinks while listening to live country music. The beer was very good, and the music made this an enjoyable place to spend time after dinner.

Despite my disappointing lunch there, I would return for the evening atmosphere. It was one of the most enjoyable places we found for entertainment during our visit.

A Look Inside Fins Up! Fitness Center

We briefly visited Fins Up! Fitness Center on the fifth floor to take a look and document the space. The equipment looked excellent, and the treadmills faced panoramic views over the surrounding jungle.

We did not complete a workout, so this is an impression of the facility rather than a review of using it. Still, the space stood out positively and would be worth exploring if fitness is part of your vacation routine.

Practical Tips Before Your Stay

Dinner Reservations: Use the App or Ask the Concierge

During our visit, we were directed to use the Karisma app for dinner reservations rather than arrange them through the telephone operator. If you prefer assistance, the concierge office beside License to Chill was a helpful alternative.

I stopped by around 3:20 PM and was out in less than 10 minutes with a confirmed reservation for two at JWB Steakhouse that evening at 8:30 PM. That was our experience with availability on the day, rather than a guarantee of same-day reservations.

Joe Merchant’s Points: Know Your Allowance

We received 7,500 points for Joe Merchant’s Coffee & Provisions. We did not use them because we are not big snackers and generally prefer drinking water.

Staff explained that the allowance depends on the room category and does not replenish daily. We were also told that purchases beyond the allowance could be charged to our account using our wristbands. Because we did not make any purchases, I would confirm your own allowance and any additional charges at check-in.

Reliable Wi-Fi Was a Plus

The Wi-Fi worked very well for us. If you need to stay connected or upload photos and videos during your visit, our experience was reassuring.

Our Verdict: Would We Return?

Yes. My overall impression is 8.5/10, and I would happily visit again. The room comfort, welcoming service, well-maintained grounds, and attractive pool setting were the strongest parts of our experience.

Food inconsistency and the limited beach experience are what kept my rating from being higher. Some dishes were excellent, particularly the fish tacos at License to Chill and my partner’s dinner at JWB, while others were less memorable.

I would recommend Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya to adults who want comfortable accommodations, relaxing pool time, drinks, and live music. If your ideal vacation revolves around a sandy beach and swimming in the ocean, I would consider other options.

For the kind of relaxed, pool-focused getaway we experienced, there was plenty to enjoy.