The luxury, 501-room Paradisus Playa Del Carmen La Esmeralda is one of the best family-friendly, all-inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen. Its Family Concierge section includes a private pool and lounge, butler service, private beach area, and tons of in-room perks for children. But even those who book a standard all-inclusive package have plenty of options, including two pools -- one of which has a pirate ship with water slides -- a wonderful spa with a serene outdoor hydrotherapy pool, and a full range of daily activities, from wine and tequila tastings to workshops to fitness classes. Contemporary rooms have sitting areas, free minibars (restocked daily), free Wi-Fi, and furnished balconies. Many also feature outdoor hot tubs, and some offer swim-up access. Dining and drinking options include everything from a great buffet to Mexican and Asian a la carte restaurants. Couples can be happy here but may want to check rates next door at the adults-only Paradisus Playa Del Carmen La Perla.
The luxury, 501-room Paradisus Playa Del Carmen La Esmeralda is one of the best family-friendly, all-inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen. Its Family Concierge section includes a private pool and lounge, butler service, private beach area, and tons of in-room perks for children. But even those who book a standard all-inclusive package have plenty of options, including two pools -- one of which has a pirate ship with water slides -- a wonderful spa with a serene outdoor hydrotherapy pool, and a full range of daily activities, from wine and tequila tastings to workshops to fitness classes. Contemporary rooms have sitting areas, free minibars (restocked daily), free Wi-Fi, and furnished balconies. Many also feature outdoor hot tubs, and some offer swim-up access. Dining and drinking options include everything from a great buffet to Mexican and Asian a la carte restaurants. Couples can be happy here but may want to check rates next door at the adults-only Paradisus Playa Del Carmen La Perla.
This stunning, all-suite luxury property in Puerto Morelos has 103 incredibly spacious rooms with huge balconies or patios. Though many have full kitchens, there is only one on-site restaurant, El Faro, which serves international and Mexican cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- but the menu can get repetitive, especially for those on the all-inclusive plan. There are three beautiful pools, including one for children and one for adults that has a swim-up bar. The beach is superior to many in the area, with soft white sand, calm waters, and a lack of seaweed. The hotel offers free parking and Wi-Fi, and has an excellent on-site gym, but the tiny spa is a bit of a letdown. Those who prefer an option with more restaurants should compare all-inclusive rates with the much larger Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa.
This stunning, all-suite luxury property in Puerto Morelos has 103 incredibly spacious rooms with huge balconies or patios. Though many have full kitchens, there is only one on-site restaurant, El Faro, which serves international and Mexican cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- but the menu can get repetitive, especially for those on the all-inclusive plan. There are three beautiful pools, including one for children and one for adults that has a swim-up bar. The beach is superior to many in the area, with soft white sand, calm waters, and a lack of seaweed. The hotel offers free parking and Wi-Fi, and has an excellent on-site gym, but the tiny spa is a bit of a letdown. Those who prefer an option with more restaurants should compare all-inclusive rates with the much larger Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa.
The 672-room Grand Riviera Princess All Suites Resort and Spa is a large hacienda-inspired resort outside of Playa del Carmen. There are a plethora of amenities shared between the hotel and its sister property Grand Sunset Princess: nine bars, seven restaurants, 12 pools, and a variety of sports including tennis, scuba lessons, and a fitness center. The resort is meticulously manicured and laid out around a network of pools and outdoor lounge areas. Multiple guests have noted that upgrading to platinum status can significantly cut check-in time and provide access to more desirable rooms. Rooms are modern, and the best have beach views or swim-out pool access. The spa and fitness center are nice, but there's a fee for internet and the buffet restaurants receive mixed reviews. There is no significant difference between the Grand Sunset and Grand Riviera as all features are shared, so book at whichever side has cheaper rates.
The 672-room Grand Riviera Princess All Suites Resort and Spa is a large hacienda-inspired resort outside of Playa del Carmen. There are a plethora of amenities shared between the hotel and its sister property Grand Sunset Princess: nine bars, seven restaurants, 12 pools, and a variety of sports including tennis, scuba lessons, and a fitness center. The resort is meticulously manicured and laid out around a network of pools and outdoor lounge areas. Multiple guests have noted that upgrading to platinum status can significantly cut check-in time and provide access to more desirable rooms. Rooms are modern, and the best have beach views or swim-out pool access. The spa and fitness center are nice, but there's a fee for internet and the buffet restaurants receive mixed reviews. There is no significant difference between the Grand Sunset and Grand Riviera as all features are shared, so book at whichever side has cheaper rates.
Viva Wyndham Azteca is an upper-middle-range, all-inclusive option for families and couples who want an easy beach vacation in Playa del Carmen. Daily rates are generally low, but guests are nickel-and-dimed for Wi-Fi and premium alcohol. Plus, there are restrictions on how many times guests can visit the non-buffet restaurants here and at the sister property. The outdoor pool is shallow and often overrun with kids. A metal gate in the water sectioning off the kids' area doesn't do much for the ambiance. One saving grace is the gorgeous white beach with sun loungers and umbrellas. VIP guests can get drink service on the sand. You may want to spend a little more money at BlueBay Grand Esmerelda for bigger pools and no restaurant limits.
Viva Wyndham Azteca is an upper-middle-range, all-inclusive option for families and couples who want an easy beach vacation in Playa del Carmen. Daily rates are generally low, but guests are nickel-and-dimed for Wi-Fi and premium alcohol. Plus, there are restrictions on how many times guests can visit the non-buffet restaurants here and at the sister property. The outdoor pool is shallow and often overrun with kids. A metal gate in the water sectioning off the kids' area doesn't do much for the ambiance. One saving grace is the gorgeous white beach with sun loungers and umbrellas. VIP guests can get drink service on the sand. You may want to spend a little more money at BlueBay Grand Esmerelda for bigger pools and no restaurant limits.
The 169-room Hotel Yalmakan is a mid-range all-inclusive beach hotel that's smaller and older, but also quieter and cheaper than its neighboring properties. Set in Cancun’s Hotel Zone and on an expansive white sand beach, it’s an ideal location for tourists. The hotel is basic and does need some renovating -- anyone wanting luxury should look elsewhere -- but those looking for a bargain break on the beach may be satisfied. There are four bars and three restaurants on-site, a kids' club and playground, sports courts, and live entertainment in the evenings. Rooms are spacious and have a Mexican feel to the decor, as well as air-conditioning. There are also fees to use the Wi-Fi and the in-room safes. There are many other more modern and stylish options nearby, like the GR Caribe Deluxe by Solaris or the Sun Palace, but rates are more expensive.
The 169-room Hotel Yalmakan is a mid-range all-inclusive beach hotel that's smaller and older, but also quieter and cheaper than its neighboring properties. Set in Cancun’s Hotel Zone and on an expansive white sand beach, it’s an ideal location for tourists. The hotel is basic and does need some renovating -- anyone wanting luxury should look elsewhere -- but those looking for a bargain break on the beach may be satisfied. There are four bars and three restaurants on-site, a kids' club and playground, sports courts, and live entertainment in the evenings. Rooms are spacious and have a Mexican feel to the decor, as well as air-conditioning. There are also fees to use the Wi-Fi and the in-room safes. There are many other more modern and stylish options nearby, like the GR Caribe Deluxe by Solaris or the Sun Palace, but rates are more expensive.
The 350-room Iberostar Quetzal Playacar is an all-inclusive, family-friendly beach resort located at the southern end of Playa del Carmen, and it shares facilities with the Iberostar Tucan Hotel for added restaurants and common areas. Resort life revolves around the large white-sand beach and the enormous main pool, which meanders through the center of the property with enough space for sun-worshippers and water polo players to peacefully coexist. The resort has its own rainforest, with lush trails and resident wildlife, including monkeys who visit guest room balconies. In addition, there is an adults-only pool, seven eateries, six bars, a kids' club, spa, fitness center, and plenty of water sports. Like most all-inclusive beach resorts in the area, it's a perfectly pleasant and well-equipped place to bliss out for a vacation, but little annoyances include reservation and dress code requirements at some restaurants and a lack of elevators.
The 350-room Iberostar Quetzal Playacar is an all-inclusive, family-friendly beach resort located at the southern end of Playa del Carmen, and it shares facilities with the Iberostar Tucan Hotel for added restaurants and common areas. Resort life revolves around the large white-sand beach and the enormous main pool, which meanders through the center of the property with enough space for sun-worshippers and water polo players to peacefully coexist. The resort has its own rainforest, with lush trails and resident wildlife, including monkeys who visit guest room balconies. In addition, there is an adults-only pool, seven eateries, six bars, a kids' club, spa, fitness center, and plenty of water sports. Like most all-inclusive beach resorts in the area, it's a perfectly pleasant and well-equipped place to bliss out for a vacation, but little annoyances include reservation and dress code requirements at some restaurants and a lack of elevators.
The 300-room, Mexican-owned Royal Solaris is an upper-middle-range property with a ton of resort features, including a water park in the kids club. However, many guests feel the property, built in the late '80s, is in need of a facelift -- especially the guest rooms, which are a bit basic. Highlights of the hotel include the pool area complete with a swim-up bar, waterfalls, and in-water tile loungers, and small, but sufficient spa area. This resort is best-suited to families on a budget, while next-door the more upscale GR Caribe (remodeled in 2010) is better suited to couples.
The 300-room, Mexican-owned Royal Solaris is an upper-middle-range property with a ton of resort features, including a water park in the kids club. However, many guests feel the property, built in the late '80s, is in need of a facelift -- especially the guest rooms, which are a bit basic. Highlights of the hotel include the pool area complete with a swim-up bar, waterfalls, and in-water tile loungers, and small, but sufficient spa area. This resort is best-suited to families on a budget, while next-door the more upscale GR Caribe (remodeled in 2010) is better suited to couples.
With an emphasis on all things regional and authentic, Montage Los Cabos is the first Mexican outpost of this North American luxury brand. With only 122 rooms, including three private casas, this boutique resort offers a casually posh vibe that's similar to Chileno Bay Resort & Residences just up the coast. It's also one of the few resorts in the region to be situated on a swimmable beach -- though there are beautiful ocean-view pools as well. Dining here is a treat, with both contemporary Mexican and great international options, plus local treats at Paletas. The spa here is a dream, with gorgeous landscaping and a beautiful hydrotherapy circuit, while a chic boutique sells local art and crafts -- all with a story behind them.
With an emphasis on all things regional and authentic, Montage Los Cabos is the first Mexican outpost of this North American luxury brand. With only 122 rooms, including three private casas, this boutique resort offers a casually posh vibe that's similar to Chileno Bay Resort & Residences just up the coast. It's also one of the few resorts in the region to be situated on a swimmable beach -- though there are beautiful ocean-view pools as well. Dining here is a treat, with both contemporary Mexican and great international options, plus local treats at Paletas. The spa here is a dream, with gorgeous landscaping and a beautiful hydrotherapy circuit, while a chic boutique sells local art and crafts -- all with a story behind them.
The 225-room Las Palmas by the Sea is an all-inclusive hotel on the ocean in Puerto Vallarta's South Hotel Zone, but this isn't the type of place where you can relax in the sand and have staff bring you endless cocktails with little umbrellas in them. With the right expectations, this older two-and-a-half pearl property can be good value and a convenient home base. The no-frills rooms are clean, quiet, and spacious. There are two ocean-facing pools, an organized kids' club, and handful of decent restaurants. Though food and drinks are included, there are charges for in-room Wi-Fi, the electronic safe, and water sport rentals, plus annoying time-share pitches.
The 225-room Las Palmas by the Sea is an all-inclusive hotel on the ocean in Puerto Vallarta's South Hotel Zone, but this isn't the type of place where you can relax in the sand and have staff bring you endless cocktails with little umbrellas in them. With the right expectations, this older two-and-a-half pearl property can be good value and a convenient home base. The no-frills rooms are clean, quiet, and spacious. There are two ocean-facing pools, an organized kids' club, and handful of decent restaurants. Though food and drinks are included, there are charges for in-room Wi-Fi, the electronic safe, and water sport rentals, plus annoying time-share pitches.
Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel is an excellent option for couples looking for a more intimate and luxurious all-inclusive option outside of the hustle of Cancun. The four-and-a-half pearl property is spread out over gorgeous grounds that are partially manicured and artistic and partially jungle-like and wild so the overall ambiance is natural and feels almost isolated. No kids allowed means the two swimming pools, sandy beach, and plethora of restaurants are generally quiet and relaxing. Adult-friendly facilities include a sleek spa (free access to use the steam room and pool), cigar lounge, and one of the best equipped gyms in Mexico. Suites and casitas come standard with private outdoor bathtubs and minibars stocked with free drinks.
Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel is an excellent option for couples looking for a more intimate and luxurious all-inclusive option outside of the hustle of Cancun. The four-and-a-half pearl property is spread out over gorgeous grounds that are partially manicured and artistic and partially jungle-like and wild so the overall ambiance is natural and feels almost isolated. No kids allowed means the two swimming pools, sandy beach, and plethora of restaurants are generally quiet and relaxing. Adult-friendly facilities include a sleek spa (free access to use the steam room and pool), cigar lounge, and one of the best equipped gyms in Mexico. Suites and casitas come standard with private outdoor bathtubs and minibars stocked with free drinks.