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.
I’ll admit, I don’t know much about this new resort, Palmaïa House of AïA, which opened Dec. 2019. I do know exactly where it’s located, though, because I walked down to this beach area Aug. 2019 when I stayed at Iberostar Tucan. This resort is located just south of Sandos Playacar in the gated community of Playacar. Obviously the resort wasn’t finished yet when I saw it from a distance, but from what I did observe it was on a pristine stretch of Playacar beach with many rooms having oceanfront views. That’s a great start in and of itself.
I recently returned from a stay at the new adults-only section of the Barcelo Maya Grand resort. It’s called the Barcelo Maya Riviera, and it is a complete reversal in appearance from the rest of this megaresort. While a vacationer is more likely to feel as if one is in Mexico at the other resorts in this complex, the new adults-only section is very contemporary looking with modern decor, sleek lines, updated technology, huge screens in the lobby areas, and a much more spartan look throughout. Guests at the new adults-only section have full access to all amenities at the other resorts at this complex including being able to eat at Palace restaurants without any extra charges.
I have fond memories of this resort. I first stayed here around 2015 in an upgraded Excellence Club Swim-Up Suite and thought it was a fabulous resort in terms of service, food, and amenities. My opinion still hasn’t changed. In fact, I’d place Excellence Collection Resorts as being among the top two resort chains in Cancun and the Riviera Maya (sorry, but my number one spot is claimed by Grupo Experiencias Xcaret with their wildly popular beginner resort, Hotel Xcaret Mexico–can’t wait for the opening of their new upcoming resorts which are currently being built right next door so to speak from Hotel Xcaret, La Casa de la Playa and Hotel Xcaret Arte).