If you haven’t already read my first blog article on favorite resorts (re. adults-only), then check that one out.  Here’s the second article in the series–my personal favorite resorts which are family-friendly.  All the resorts I mention I have actually stayed at so if you don’t come across them in my resort review section then they are on their way–I have taken a year off of writing resort reviews in lieu of finishing my book on all-inclusive resorts and am trying to catch up.

Let’s start with my #5 personal favorite and work my way to the #1 spot…

#5.  Catalonia Playa Maroma.  I loved the location of this resort–in the midst of a mangrove jungle with a great winding pathway from guest room buildings to the pool and beach area with all sorts of critters along the way, particularly the coatis.  Just don’t feed them and you’ll be fine, they can be voracious and start fighting amongst themselves when people offer them food.  The beach here cannot be beat; Maroma Beach was once touted as one of the best beaches in the world and it was labelled as such for a reason with turquoise ocean water and fine white sand beach.  I also loved the crepe station; it sounds rather silly to admit part of why I would return to a resort was because of their crepes, but they were scrumptious and very tempting to be sure.  When I stayed there the rooms needed renovations so keep that in mind and check the resort reviews to see if and when those renos have occurred.

#4. Riu Palace Riviera Maya.  While this is categorized as a family-friendly resort, on my multiple stays there I rarely encountered many children of any age.  So I’ve always regarded this property as one of my favorite alternative adults-only resorts.  It is located on one of the more beautiful beaches in the Riviera Maya, Playacar Beach, and is also in a gated community so you can feel safe walking around the streets at night.  Riu Palace property guests are free to visit other Riu resorts, Riu Palace or non-Palace, so there were other Riu properties I visited in the vicinity for various reasons (Riu Yucatan, Riu Palace Mexico, and Riu Tequila for example, so it’s stay at 1 play at multiple resorts).  The property itself is beautiful with its chandeliers, large paintings, and tiled flooring patterns, so the aesthetics can be appreciated as a separate element of one’s vacation experience.  The property was easy to navigate and the evening entertainment may be outdoors but was nicely placed to enjoy both live music presentations on a separate stage and shows on another.  On Friday evenings this resort offers free transportation to Riu Tequila to enjoy their Riu theme parties–Neon and White parties.  I walked it instead, it’s only about a 15 min. stroll down the street.  Oh yes, and another plus for staying at this resort is that you can walk to downtown Playa del Carmen if you have about 25 min. to spare; a taxi ride is only about 7 min.

#3.  Dreams Playa Mujeres.  This was a very impressive resort for a variety of reasons–dramatic views from the lobby area, swimmable beach, free beach Bali beds for upgraded Privilege guests (true Bali beds with palapa roofs for shade), two beach bars, a huge main pool with lots of swim-up bar seating, a grotto bar, a lazy river for Privilege guests, balcony Jacuzzi for Privilege guests, a children’s water park plus several waterslides for older children and adults, and easy to navigate.  When I stayed there adults were also permitted to walk over to the adjacent Secrets Playa Mujeres and spend time enjoying their amenities–stay at 1 play at 2.

#2.  Barcelo Maya Palace.  It’s no secret to anyone that follows my blog that the Barcelo Riviera Maya megaresort complex is my overall favorite megaresort in Mexico.  When it comes to the five family-friendly resorts in this complex, the Maya Palace is far superior with its huge main pool, separate lap pool, children’s water park not far from the main pool, best a la carte dining in the entire resort complex, and snorkeling off the beach area to see sea turtles.  There was also a smaller separate adults-only pool area with massage tables and its own bar, so lots of onsite water options.  By staying at the Palace property, guests have access to the four other family-friendly resorts and their amenities–Maya Tropical, Maya Colonial, Maya Caribe, and Maya Beach.  That means you can enjoy mini-golf, the FlowRider, separate water park, bowling alley at Strikers, sports courts at the Colonial, and motorized and non-motorized water sports equipment over at the Colonial as well (you can also snorkel off the Colonial pier for excellent fish sightings).  I would recommend upgrading to Premium–you can make your dinner reservations when you check-in, plus you get free hydrotherapy access at the main spa also located between the Caribe and Colonial properties.  Stay at 1 play at 5!

#1.  Iberostar Selection Paraiso Maya Suites.  I made an extremely fortunate choice last summer when I booked this resort which is part of the Iberostar complex in the Riviera Maya.  What a pleasant surprise it was with all it had to offer–large guest rooms which had been recently renovated, close room proximity to the huge main pool and beach areas, grotto swim-up bar, a great coffee shop, loved the pyramid building which houses the lobby bar, wave pool, lazy river, and access to two separate water park areas (pirate ship and splash pad for younger children, and waterslides for older kids and adults).  The food was surprisingly good as well, and the beach was swimmable with its own beach bar and food options for snacks and lunch.  Staying at this resort gives you access to the Lindo, Maya Beach, and del Mar resort properties as well (stay at 1 play at 4), and all guests can either walk across the main road or take a resort shuttle to enjoy the nightclub, main spa area, a children’s play area, Kid’s Club, large gym, and sports courts including pickleball courts. There is even a small chapel with church service held on Sundays. This megaresort even has its own golf course, it’s only a shuttle ride away.

That’s my list of personal favorites when it comes to family-friendly resorts.  Any commonalities or differences when it comes to your own choices?  Let me know in the comments section below.