I thought I’d have some fun and post my top two Cancun/Riviera Maya allinclusive resort picks in the following categories:  Best Overall, Best Adults-Only, Best Family-Friendly, Best Value, Best Spa, and Most Romantic.  I would love your comments if you agree or disagree and your reasons why.  There is a “Leave A Reply” section following this post; if you are new to responding to my blog there may be a wait time since I review all replies prior to posting.  Here we go!!

Best Overall:  This is a tough category to judge since it encompasses so many factors necessary for an enjoyable vacation.  The “Best Of” has to give me that extra push from enjoyable vacation to fantastic vacation.

1. Hotel Xcaret Mexico.  Beautiful grounds/art/furnishings, attentive service, authentic Mexican food (not Tex-Mex), non-motorized water sports in lagoons and rivers, and multiple excursions/park admissions are included in the overall price.  The upgrade to the adults-only Fuego section with access to the private restaurant and rooftop pool pushed this vacation from enjoyable to fantastic.
2. Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun.  I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Live Aqua, perhaps because it was the very first Cancun allinclusive resort I visited back in 2012.  Seven years and many resorts later, it’s still one of my favorites.  What made this a fantastic vacation included the beachfront circular pool with a 180 degree view of the Hotel Zone, Bali beds everywhere, 5th floor Aqua Lounge for pre-dinner snacks and top-shelf drinks, beach bar with swing seats, and friendly service.  This resort gets extra points for its eucalyptus and mint spa aroma.

Hotel Xcaret Mexico, view from the lobby

Live Aqua, beachfront pools

Best Adults-Only:  Many of you expect to see Le Blanc here.  You will be disappointed.  Just a heads up.

1. Hotel Riu Palace Las Americas.  Big surprise to many, I’m sure.  In defense, the “best” to me isn’t always about butler service, extensive spa services, and wait staff checking in with me every five minutes.  This resort offers a party atmosphere for adults without feeling like spring break–great music and live bands by the swim-up bar pool, pool games throughout the afternoons, a weekly beach party, less red-flagged days for ocean swimming, and an expansive ocean view from the rooms.  It’s only a 5-10 min. walk to the clubs for those who want to extend their party well into the evening.
2. Finest Playa Mujeres.  While this resort is classified as a family-friendly resort, the Excellence upgrade provides an adults-only section within the resort.  While there were children present, their multiple kid’s clubs seemed to keep them busy most of the time and out of the way.  The swim-up suite with wait staff coming over to take drink orders, separate adults-only beach section (you can order lunch from the attentive wait staff and eat on your beach lounger), Excellence Club Lounge  special food offerings, and the separate sake bar to accompany the teppanyaki show tables made this a special resort.  Oh, and the three bottles of alcohol, bottle of wine, and fully stocked mini-bar in the room didn’t hurt either to make this a fantastic vacation, lol.

View from the room at Riu Palace Las Americas

Lobby bar at Finest Playa Mujeres

Best Family-Friendly:  I really wanted to mention Barcelo Maya Grand here, but my family and I got nickel-and-dimed there last July–extra charges everywhere doesn’t equate to the “best”.  The resort, however, does have something for everyone, even if one doesn’t upgrade to Premium, so they get an “Honorable Mention” in this category.  I also wanted to mention Hard Rock Riviera Maya with its Woodward skate park and indoor sports classes, but this particular resort doesn’t have a natural beach and that is an automatic disqualifier for my “best of” categories.  Just my opinion.

1. Grand Palladium resorts.  Both Grand Palladium resorts (the one in the Riviera Maya as well as the new one in Costa Mujeres) are great choices for families with excellent children’s and teen programs (especially the teen program at the Riviera Maya location), multiple pools, dining choices, and evening activities and entertainment for everyone.
2. Dreams Playa Mujeres.  Adults get access to the neighboring Secrets resort, kids get their water park/waterslides/lazy river, and for those who don’t morally object to dolphin interaction, there is an on-site “dolphin habitat”.  The property is well laid out with easy access to all amenities, common spaces are beautifully designed, there is an on-site disco, and there is live music by the main pool every afternoon.  Upgrading to the Preferred Club is a must if you want access to the lazy river and complimentary use of the beach Bali beds.

Kids water park at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres

Waterslides at Dreams Playa Mujeres

Best Value:  Second place in this category was tough since I like to book resorts within their “soft opening” (first three months after opening their doors) in order to get the best deal.  This doesn’t always give me a good sense of overall value, so feel free to give me your ideas in this category and let me know your experience.

1. Riu resorts.  Hands down my first choice.  I’ve always thought Riu resorts were the best four star, “bang for your buck” vacation choice in Cancun’s tourist market.  Always sparkling clean for a moderately priced hotel, great beach access–even the ones located inland have dedicated beach access at beachfront resorts, while Riu Palace choices offer access to other nearby Riu resorts.
2. Iberostar resorts.  Another great four star option with great beachfront locations.  The Quetzal and Tucan resorts in Playacar also offer a higher probability of monkey sightings and interactions, a definite plus for those who want to feel like they are staying in a jungle setting.

Best Spa:  I’ll be honest here, I’m just not a spa person.  While I would like to experience more hydrotherapy circuits at various resorts, the thought of strangers touching me is just not a relaxing proposition.  Therefore, my opinions of this particular category are based on what other vacationers have told me or what I have read in various articles.  So I really need others’ input here–let me know which was the best resort spa you’ve been to and why.

1. Grand Velas Riviera Maya.  Forbes has named Grand Velas one of the top 30 most luxurious spas in the world–high praise indeed.  It’s also impressive that the SE spa at this resort has been certified by “Wellness for Cancer”, an organization that trains spas on personalized services for those experiencing any type of cancer.
2. Le Blanc.  Yes, Le Blanc did make at least one of my categories.  I believe that the resort’s luxurious and relaxing ambiance helps to elevate the spa’s reputation.

Grand Velas SE spa, courtesy Grand Velas Resort

Le Blanc spa, courtesy Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun

Most Romantic:  Another tough category, since my vacation choices are not typically based on romantic expectations.  Let me know your opinions in this category as well.

1. Valentin Imperial Maya.  My daughter and her husband stayed at this resort and thought it was the most romantic and beautiful resort they’d ever seen.  They were so impressed it is always their first choice when considering a Cancun vacation.
2. El Dorado Maroma Overwater Palafitos.  Who needs to go to the South Pacific when you can stay in an overwater bungalow in Mexico?  If I ever truly wanted a romantic getaway this would definitely be a top choice.

Aerial view of Valentin Imperial Maya, courtesy Valentin Imperial Maya Resort

El Dorado Overwater Palafitos, courtesy Karisma Hotels and Resorts

Well, that wraps up a bit of writing fun.  Please feel free to comment below on what I’ve written or give me your own opinions based on personal experience, I’d love to hear your ideas!