Not every traveler can afford a $5k+ vacation for two for a week at a luxury 5-star resort. So I’ve decided to do a series of suite reviews in Cancun/Riviera Maya all-inclusive resorts (or all-inclusive optional resorts) which will give you the most “bang for your buck” (vacation dollar/euro/peso, etc.).
Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun resort in the Hotel Zone is part of the impressive Grupo Posadas hotel chain which also runs Live Aqua properties. If you know anything about Live Aqua resorts, you expect the Condesa Cancun to be something beyond the typical all-inclusive resort experience. A guest’s stay begins with entering the property under the impressive palapa roof which covers the lobby area (the palapa roof rises up to a height of 118 feet tall). One’s stay only gets better with the resort’s terraced pools which include cascading waterfalls, multiple poolside Jacuzzis, a beachfront swimup bar and small kid’s water park with slides, a separate beach bar, and varied dining choices including four a la carte restaurants, a sushi bar, poolside grill, ice cream shop, dessert carts, and poolside BBQ’s options. There is evening entertainment, and both younger children and teens have their own spaces for socializing and scheduled activities.
Looking for nice adults-only accommodations in a family-friendly Cancun Hotel Zone resort? Grand Park Royal Cancun offers its Royal Tower adults-only section with a great location–within a mile of the clubs which means a long walk or an easy bus ride to evening fun!
I stayed at Dreams Playa Mujeres several years ago in a Preferred Club Jr. Suite; if I ever return here, the Preferred Club Master Suite Swim-Out would be a great alternative to match my vacation favorites–a swim-up suite with lots of space plus an ocean view. Perfect.
Secrets Maroma has been a favorite adults-only resort in the Riviera Maya since it opened in 2008. Popular with honeymooners and those celebrating anniversaries, the resort is located on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (voted as “Worlds Best Beach” for four consecutive years by the Travel Channel). The beach is exquisite with its white sand and azur-colored ocean water, calm waves for swimming, and underdeveloped surrounding area–there are only a handful of resorts (some are not all-inclusive) gracing lovely Punta Maroma.
Ocean Riviera Paradise resort has a lot to offer families–four main pools, three swim-up bars, 10 restaurants, 12 total bars, separate coffee and ice cream shop, sports bar, theater, disco, bowling alley, casino, spa, gym, and a children’s water park. It’s situated north of Playa del Carmen, so it’s an easy cab ride into town for some additional fun and shopping opportunities.
This particular Royalton resort has been open since 2015 and has gained the reputation as a great family-friendly place to vacation with a party-like atmosphere (the beach can be less than spectacular, but that is common in the Puerto Morelos area). Within lies a “resort within a resort” which is the adults-only section called the Hideaway . Both sections offer rooms that can be further upgraded which is referred to as the Diamond Club–Diamond Club offers butler service, upgraded in-room amenities, better room locations, etc. (check out the link above).
This adults-only resort is located in the Playa Mujeres area north of downtown Cancun. It’s within easy walking distance to its family-friendly sister resort, Dreams Playa Mujeres. One great aspect about this Secrets resort is that all guests have access to the adjacent Dreams resort–only upgraded Preferred Club guests have access to Dreams’ lazy river, however. Otherwise, Secrets’ guests can use all other Dreams’ facilities including the pools, bars, restaurants, even the water slides. (The easiest way to get over to the Dreams resort located to the south of Secrets is to take the beachfront path).
Here’s a look at the brand new Catalonia Costa Mujeres. While the video primarily features drone shots of the property, there are some pics of restaurants and guest rooms. The video also offers a brief side shot of what I believe to be the new Planet Hollywood which is still being built.
The Reef 28 is a relatively new adults-only all-inclusive OPTIONAL hotel and spa right in the heart of busy Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya (the hotel opened in 2018). It’s basically a block away from famous 5th Avenue and a long block from the beach with access to Mamita’s Beach Club. This boutique hotel only offers 120 guest rooms, all of which are suites with only two room categories–Jr. and Master Suites with plenty of space (for a Playa del Carmen guest room), but not necessarily the best room views. But that’s the price tag attached if one wants to stay in the midst of the very busy city of Playa del Carmen.