Finding the perfect all-inclusive resort can feel like a big task, there are like what feel like endless options and many considerations. Beautiful beaches, delicious food, a comfortable room, and a sense of having gotten your money’s worth immediately come to mind. But, a few places really stand out in Cancún, the Riviera Maya, and the nearby islands of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres.
Traveling With Children
If you are looking for a resort that is great for the whole family, you will often see Hyatt Ziva Cancún at or near the top of several lists. People love it because it feels like a paradise for kids, with big playgrounds and a fun kids’ club, but it is also stylish and comfortable for adults. The rooms are modern, and many have stunning ocean views. Another family favorite that comes up often is the Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancún. It is known for being reliable and for offering safe, fun, thematically designed pools for children with slides, which is always a win for keeping the little ones happy.
Another standout for traveling with children is the Nickelodeon Hotel, which offers comfortable themed rooms and a host of water slides and attractions featuring cartoon characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and the Rugrats.
Island Romantic Getaways
For couples or anyone wanting a quieter, more grown-up atmosphere, the options get even more luxurious. The Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancún is frequently ranked among the very best. It is an adults-only resort that focuses on top-tier service and relaxation. Just up the coast in the Playa Mujeres area, which is near Isla Mujeres, you will find two gems: Beloved Playa Mujeres and Excellence Playa Mujeres. Both are adults-only and consistently receive high marks for their beautiful rooms, excellent food, and amazing value for the level of luxury they offer. In fact, guests have rated Excellence Playa Mujeres incredibly highly for its value. The service is wonderful, making you feel truly pampered and cared for.
Speaking of Isla Mujeres, if you want something truly special, there is the brand new Almare, a Luxury Collection Resort. It opened recently as an adults-only, all-inclusive island escape and has already made a big splash on “best of” lists for its stunning setting.
When it comes to the beach itself, which is often the main event, you have to think about the seaweed, or sargassum. Some areas are naturally better than others. The west side of Cozumel, for example, is often a safe bet. The Melia Cozumel is a great example. It sits on a long, shallow beach with soft, white sand that is perfect for swimming, and it is much less affected by the seaweed that can sometimes pile up on the mainland coast.
In the Riviera Maya, the Catalonia Riviera Maya in Puerto Aventuras has also been praised by guests for its beach. They have built breakwaters that do a good job of stopping the seaweed from coming ashore, so the swimming area stays clean and clear.
Another huge complex in the Riviera Maya is the Barceló Maya Grand Resort. It is made up of five different hotels in one, so there is something for everyone. It sits on a huge stretch of private beach, giving you plenty of room to find your own quiet spot. With 22 restaurants across the property, the dining options are endless, and the rooms, especially in the Caribe section, can be incredibly luxurious with their own private pools.
For a fantastic blend of value and fun, the Riu Dunamar, located in the Costa Mujeres area near Isla Mujeres, is a great choice. Recent guests have described their family vacations there as “flawless,” praising the friendly service and the wide variety of food at the buffet. The resort has five pools and a fun water park with slides, which is perfect for keeping everyone entertained. The beach there is also described as beautiful, with plenty of sunbeds. It shows that you don’t always have to pay the highest price to have a wonderful and memorable holiday.
Celebrating a Truly Special Occasion?
If you are dreaming of a truly special splurge, there is a new and exclusive option in the Riviera Maya called The Reserve at Paraiso de la Bonita. It is a “resort-within-a-resort” with only ten suites, each with its own private infinity pool and butler service. It is the ultimate in privacy and luxury, with special dining and private areas on the beach.
Though its beaches have been hit quite hard by sargassum over the past couple of years, the Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya really stands out. The quality of the food is in a league of its own. As august as this adult-only resort, one is also able to make use of the amenities of all the other hotels, including pools and restaurants operated by Riu Hotels nearby.
Another standout is the Dreams Riviera Maya, as rooms without an ocean view are clustered into what the hotel describes as little haciendas with a canal-like pool that encircles each “hacienda,” giving guests access to a pool directly from their room. The gastronomic offerings are also top-notch, especially the seafood.
The Best Time of Year To Find A Great Deal
The most budget-friendly months for booking are usually May, June, September (except during the long weekend of September 15 for Mexican Independence Day), and October. These months fall just after the busy winter and spring periods and before the holiday season picks up again.
With so much competition, all-inclusive resorts in Cancún and the Riviera Maya tend to be very good, and even browsing recent reviews on travel sites like TripAdvisor or Expedia can give you a fairly good idea of what to expect.