Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Hotel Xcaret

    3.2 (340 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndHotels

    Hotel Xcaret Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Hotel Xcaret

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Water bottles given to you to use to reduce plastic consumption.
    Tunicia W.

    This hotel is very overwhelming (that's if you let it overwhelm you) but it is very nice! There is not a lack of things to do and if you are traveling with family there are plenty of activities for the children. Whenever you stay at Xcaret or the two adults only spinoffs you have several adventure parks included in the price. To me that is an amazing deal considering that if you actually stayed in Cancun, by time you pay for transportation and one of those parks, you could have just stayed at Xcaret. It is well worth the money. The food is amazing-something there for every palate, many places to swim (inlets, ocean, pools). The bed was super comfortable and rooms well appointed. I can't wait to go back.

    Tiffani N.

    Stayed for five days and we had an extraordinary vacation. We had a river view room in a Phase 2 casa, which was beautiful and peaceful. Check in was a bit iffy, but once we were settled in the service throughout the resort was excellent and consistent. My group spent half a day at Xenses and absolutely loved the unique and immersive experiences. One night we did Xochimilco and had an absolute blast. Every restaurant we tried was amazing, with elevated food selections you don't usually see at all inclusive resorts. The market buffet was incredible and even featured a cart of different tequilas where you could sample as many as you wanted. On our last day we went to the beach lagoon. It was not super hot because it was mid January but we still had a great time with endless shots and fun energy. I would return in a heartbeat! I highly recommend Hotel Xcaret if you are looking for a true luxury experience that stands out from most all inclusive resorts.

    Ino R.

    The magic is waning, but XCaret still is the resort in Quintana Roo. This review focuses on Hotel Mexico Phase 2 (HMX2) since we stayed here this time around. We missed our original flight into Cancun, but finally made it in later that evening and we're able to hang out on the new XCaret lounge while we waited for our transport. We were dropped off at the new phase HMX2. We got a room at Casa Luna (9232). Though the rooms are exactly like HMX (Phase 1) rooms, the new phase caters even more to families than the original. The complex has fun lounges for all ages. Luna-teca, ages 2-5, Xiquitin for ages 6-10, a teen lounge, Maquinitas Bar (and arcade for all ages...even adults). There is a group of four tube slides (and a drop slide) with a sky top pool and bar area...we actually lounged her three of the five days we were here. We visited a plethora of new state theme-flavored, they were all great. We started at Monarca, which was Michoacan themed. They had great ceviche/aguachiles and great live music. We also tried the Veracruz-an seafood place of Costero. The Puebla themed Azul Nogada was the toughest to get into and was full by eight o'clock (TIP: get there early, like 6pm). Also, the food is very good but we did not come with the hunger. There is food at the skytop pool. There's a food stand restaurant with a variety of menus and flavors next to the slides called Xinema. You can get ice cream and sorbets at Xorbete. If you're going to visit the parks, Central provides grab and go or buffet options, but it's not like the Mercado de la Merced buffet offered at HMX. The room was awesome and it was tidied up everyday. The staff were great. Casa Luna room 9232 was a swimup. The Casa Luna swimups are less swimups, like at Casa Tierra (HMX) and more wading pools, but our room had access to the kid slides not too far from our room and the big slides and swimup bar were well within walking distance (10m). It was a fun time. Looking forward to the next adventure here.

    Zan L.

    This review is for hotel Xcaret Arte specifically. I went to all the parks and visited Hotel Xcaret Mexico as well but I stayed at Arte so this review is specific to that. I just got back from spending four nights down there and I can honestly say I had a wonderful experience. It is a bit expensive, we spent about $1250 per night for the jump in river suite which basically means you can open your door and jump in from the deck into the river and swim, which we did many times, and also we added the Art Aroma Foodie Pass which grants you access to all 30 restaurants (one being a 1 Michelin Star which we had dinner at our first night included with this pass) at Xcaret Mexico as well. The price is very high because everything is included breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as drinks and all sorts of other items. There are extras you can add on such as massages and merchandise, but they do a really great job including everything in the price and delivering very high-quality service. I did have one issue with billing in that I kept getting an automated false charge to my card, but the front desk was helpful in dealing with it, and it was sorted out by the time I left, aside from that the service was top-notch and the grounds of the resort are really beautiful. I would say my favorite part was swimming in the river that surrounds the entire property and finding many hidden waterslides all around. The rooftop pool at Arte is also really nice. It has great views of the whole property. Staying here gives you access to all of the parks and we did all of them however we ran out of time to see Xenses. That itself is a great deal and the real reason you would stay at this resort. You can go to the beach and all sorts of other places on the grounds too, but having access to all the parks and the many activities is the real bonus. They also have shuttle service to and from everything so it's really easy to get around. I think this place is especially nice given because Arte is for adults only or if you want to travel with kids and swim with them and all that you can stay on the Xcaret México side. I would highly recommend and I would visit again in the future.

    Mandy K.

    We stayed at the La Casa de la Playa property and it is hands down the most incredible hotel I have ever stayed in. 5 star is an understatement. The architecture, amenities, service, location and curated dining are so well thought out that it's almost like it isn't real! I used the spa each morning, starting my day with the hydrotherapy circuit. From there, a gourmet breakfast.... Sometimes in my ocean front room next to my personal plunge pool ... sometimes in one of several first class restaurants. Then beach, pool or boat... And an evening with a tequila or wine tasting followed by superb dining. Your personal butler is a text away 24 hours a day. Truly. La Casa de la Playa is the definition of exceptional.

    Haiyang H.

    I brought my kiddos over for holiday break. Here are what we thought. The night we checked in was horrible.... They oversold their rooms (ie likely rooms sold at full capacity while staff is about half or barely over half of the full capacity). Checked in was long painful and full of issues. When we arrived, we were greeted with some offering of popsicles. Though it was appreciated, we came in late and hungry.... Something tangible would have helped a bit more. The long wait was pretty intense. Late, hungry and patience was running low for all, especially they were short of staff and made a lot of mistakes directing folks around. There was a lady who was supposed to pre-check us in. But she couldn't find us in their system. Argh.... Why? They also don't provide much info over resort during check in. You are directed to concierge for a walk to your room/intro. Here are some issues: the guy who showed us around told us except for the steak house, we don't need reservations at their restaurants. That info was outdated... apparently, 10 days ago, they now require reservations on most restaurants. This guide also didn't point out key info to us. We didn't know about the bus stop etc, which is critical. We were also told that it would take more than 2 hrs for room service. So tired and hungry, we went to their buffet. It took long time to check in to wait for another 20 min before we were seated.... We received zero service for that dinner. To make it worse, after fetching some sweets with my kids, my hoodie was gone.... Their security took my hoodie.... We asked around and were told by their servers that oh... sorry . It was lost it is lost. We caught up with folks at front desk and were placed on a call with their security people. They were asking where we were.... Well, we are new. There was only limited info we could provide. The person who got us on the call also walked away, leaving me alone on the call.... Anyways, we waited for another 15 min before someone brought over my hoodie. At midnight local time, one can imagine this is not a normal nor pleasant experience. Walking around, we ran into a lot of equally lost people. I feel that we formed a support group off the ground. Though first night was rough, we did start to grow loving the place. Since it got connected to a number of the parks, and the resort is huge, the resort itself never got too crowded. Some of the tips: two ways to get to the parks, one through the bus station next to the central buffet with pink bus nearby. Buses on platform 9 running to Xcaret every 20 min almost all day long. Boat runs every 30 min. On the first floor is their inner river, we sort of enjoyed swimming around. Second level is where pools are most located. There is a small snorkeling area on site. I tried their gym. It is 24 hours and well equipped and maintained. Their buffet is a hit and miss. They got amazing pastry chef and loves doing flan with chocolate shells. Loved it. Grilled seafood was good. Their steak temp is not very consistent (eg I ordered medium well for kids and got medium rare etc). Staff are mostly amazing and super friendly. They are prob used to lost guests. Some structure is used and not working (most on resort camera things are not working). I had an issue with a lady at concierge who didn't seem to be willing to help. I had to push really hard to get her help me out. So be aware of inconsistent service and may need to try different people. Room itself is great and we all appreciate the hammock. Beds are comfortable and very clean. We overall enjoyed our stay. Word of advice.... Don't come here during holiday season..... or be prepared for some inconsistent services or lack of services. Free access to all parks is well worth the price. We enjoyed the park and the onsite facility, also most of the staff here.

    Jason Y.

    It's my 2nd time at Hotel Xcaret Arte. First time was with my whole family and this time was just me and my parents. My brother is a member so we have certain perks every time we go. Because this was the 2nd time I knew my way around the resort much better. Amazing and beautiful resort. Tried restaurants I didn't try last time and visited some parks that I didn't visit last time. Restaurants are all amazing and all of them have their own twists. I only have a few that I couldn't go to this time and which I plan on checking out on my next trip. My butlers Sebastian, Luis, and Santiago were amazing. They made my stay comfortable and relaxing. Can't wait to plan our next trip back.

    Leah a.

    This hotel is filled with lots of gems. Incredibly special. It is gorgeous, but I think if I stayed here two months, I wouldn't be able to see everything. You get a lot of bang for your buck, but it is quite on the high side. Buffets are good hands-down. The restaurant of choice would be.Kibi Kibi every night. So much to do that's included. I will say if you're using their transportation and not booking your own private transportation getting to and from the airport, it's not fun. I would suggest taking your own transportation. It's worth it. The staff is very hospitable and many standout too many to name. The coffee machine, machines, ice machine, machines, and water refills scattered throughout the hotel make that very convenient. The grab and go coffee shop is also a win in the main lobby. Overall, a good choice.

    Main pool overlooking the ocean

    Loved every aspect of this facility Wee thought out to ensure a smooth vacation process Highly recommend for families seeking adventure and relaxation without the hassle of planning

    Natalie J.

    This place is incredible! For adults and kids, and everyone in between. When you stay here, you get access to all their parks. They treat you amazing. The food, the drinks, the amount of activities you can do even within the resort are endless. It is pricey. But if you take advantage, it can be so worth it. The restaurants alone offer such a wonderful experience, from hibachi style, omakase, churrascaria, buffets, truly they have so many option. And understandable, if you want to enjoy the resort, don't do their membership promo. Pass on it. We love coming here and appreciate how easy it has been for us and our families to travel.

    James L.

    We booked this resort expecting a true 5-star experience given the price, branding, and reputation. Unfortunately, the reality has been deeply disappointing from the moment we arrived. To start, there is no real beach. What's advertised as beachfront is mostly rocks with an unpleasant smell, and the actual sandy area by the lagoon requires a 20+ minute walk. For a resort of this size and cost, that alone is misleading. Arrival was stressful and disorganized. After a long travel day with kids, we were held at the gate because they claimed we didn't have a reservation. After a long back-and-forth, they finally found it. This is not how anyone wants to begin a vacation -- especially with children. We were then greeted by a rude receptionist, offered no welcome drink, no orientation, no map, and no explanation of how to navigate this massive and confusing property. Meanwhile, we saw other guests receiving tours the very next day. We were repeatedly told to "use the app" to figure out restaurants and reservations -- except the app doesn't actually show menus. We pointed this out, were told it did, and when we handed over our phone, the concierge realized it doesn't. So not only is the app poorly designed, but staff don't seem to understand its limitations either. The app also wasn't even mentioned or explained to us upon arrival. Weeks before our stay, we emailed multiple times to reserve dinner restaurants. We were told those emails were never received. As a result, we now have no dinner reservations at all. The only option offered was a 9:30 p.m. dinner -- completely unrealistic with an 8- and 10-year-old (and frankly too late for adults as well). Now we're stuck missing out on the restaurants we intentionally planned ahead for. After reading other reviews, it's clear this is not an isolated issue. Despite being a massive, high-end resort marketed as 5-star, there are also very limited lounge chairs, confusing layouts, poor communication, and a general lack of hospitality. This feels like a property relying heavily on branding and price rather than actual guest experience. Five-star pricing? Yes. Five-star experience? Not even close. This has been stressful, disorganized, and deeply disappointing -- especially for a family vacation that was meant to be relaxing. Here's the line for lunch we waited for 20 mins, it didn't move, back to the Buffett again.

    Fresh Ahi Tuna
    Jannet C.

    My husband and I had a wonderful time celebrating our wedding anniversary there! I could write a book of all good things about this place, but I'll try to keep it short. The hotel is stunningly beautiful with rivers, swinging bridges, lots of unique nooks to hideaway and to explore, amazing architecture, art and a bright blue ocean. The service is top notch! I've never experienced such comprehensive service anywhere else. When we arrived at the airport, they have a separate air conditioned Xcaret lounge and served us drinks while we waited for our shuttle. We booked at Casa Fuego, the adult exclusive tower, so we got private check in away from the lines of the front lobby. It also includes a butler service 24/7. Anything we wanted, we just texted our butlers, Christopher and Magaly on call. They are so very helpful! Even got us a last minute reservation at Teatro Rio, the dinner and show. The staff in all the restaurants, pools and all around the hotel always go out of their way to make us feel special too: Special huge shout out to all the restaurant Fuego staff: Xiomara, Marin, Yesser, and other great staff; there are too many to mention. We had a great time on the property. As Casa Fuego guests we had access to the rooftop pool and bar. I love the clear pool and the ocean view there. All the amazing activities are included; we kayaked, swam in the river and the ocean, we went to Xcaret park, Xplor, where we ziplined and attended the Chichen Itza tour, which has a park fee of $30. Totally worth it! The food in this hotel is amazing! They have everything you can think of: Asian fusion, seafood, Italian, Mexican etc; everything was presented beautifully. The Sunday brunch has high end offerings, such as Foie Gras, an Ahi tuna cutting show, fresh seafood, grilled items, Mexican food with tortillas made to order, desserts, etc.. I cannot say enough about their service. Upon leaving, our butler, Magaly met us at the private checkout, the bellboy brought our luggage to the shuttle. The Xcaret representative met us at the shuttle at the airport then carried our luggage and helped us check in with Southwest Airlines. Xcaret is the perfect vacation! We relaxed, explored, learned about history, culture and art of Mexico, and enjoyed some great adventures. We look forward to going back very soon!

    See all

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ken Q.
    115
    106
    15

    21 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 10
    Thanks 3
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    21 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Newman J.
    3
    223
    80

    3 months ago

    After coming here I can't go back anywhere. Amazing. Will go back in a few months. Everything is included.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Gracie M.
    2
    96
    513

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alana S.
    367
    95
    52

    8 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    7 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Liz A.
    1
    11
    31

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Luis M.
    0
    25
    17

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    The staff was focused on selling more services and ignored you when asking about services you already paid.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lizzie C.
    381
    13
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Tofu C.
    1
    69
    89

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    3 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 3

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 2

    Page 1 of 9

    Hotel Xcaret Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Hotel Xcaret

    Must Dos: - Xcaret Park - Xenses - Xplor - Sunday Brunch: additional $60 per person but OMG so worth it!

    Mentioned in 23 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Occidental Grand Xcaret - My balcony visit

    Occidental Grand Xcaret

    (285 reviews)

    $$

    Beautiful Property, But Room for Improvement…read more My family and I stayed at Occidental at Xcaret Destination for seven days in Building 12, Room 12123. Overall, this resort has a beautiful natural setting and plenty to offer, but several issues kept it from being a 4- or 5-star experience for us. Arrival & Room: The bell staff greeted us and took our luggage right away, which was appreciated. Check-in, however, was confusing because there was little signage directing guests to the appropriate lines. The lobby had flavored water and champagne, although we were told we had to ask the front desk to open the champagne. Since we arrived before the 3 PM check-in time, Guest Services directed us to an area where we could change into swimwear and enjoy the resort while waiting. Our room was clean and spacious, but the beds were advertised as queen-size and were actually full-size, which was uncomfortable for two adults. The room also had a moldy/musty smell. Building 12 is conveniently located near the lobby, making it easy to access many amenities. Food & Restaurants: As a foodie, this was probably my biggest disappointment. The specialty restaurants require reservations through Guest Services, and we could only book one day at a time. We tried the Hacienda, taco, and Italian restaurants, but the food was average at best and not significantly better than the buffet. I would not consider these fine dining experiences. We were so underwhelmed that we skipped the Asian restaurant. The main buffet had a good variety for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but I was disappointed by the limited selection of authentic Mexican cuisine. When visiting Mexico, experiencing the local food is a major part of the trip, so I expected more. The dining staff, however, were consistently friendly and accommodating. The beverage selection was also disappointing. Many of the juices tasted artificial and left an unpleasant aftertaste. I mostly stuck with Pepsi, pineapple juice, and water. Wildlife & Cleanliness: I loved how the resort is built into its natural surroundings. We saw coatis, monkeys, iguanas, and other wildlife throughout the property. However, this also created some cleanliness issues. There was a noticeable smell of animal feces around one pool near the snack bar. A large iguana even defecated in the pool while we were swimming, and we didn't return to that pool afterward. At another pool, iguanas left feces on the deck, and during an entire day there, I didn't see it being cleaned up. I understand wildlife is part of the resort's charm, but management needs to do a better job cleaning up animal waste, especially around pools and food areas. The beach area was beautiful and had a buffet/bar overlooking the water. Don't leave your food unattended, though, the wild birds will quickly help themselves! Property & Entertainment: The property itself is beautiful, with Mayan ruins, great photo opportunities, and wonderful sunrise and sunset views. The beach was another highlight. The evening entertainment was one of my favorite parts. The theater had a different themed show each night. A special shout-out to Marlo, the lobby musician, who made the evenings fun with live singing, song requests, and karaoke. The adults-only nightclub/discotheque, open from approximately 10:30 PM into the early morning, was also a great feature. It was nice being able to enjoy nightlife without leaving the resort. Overall: I give Occidental at Xcaret Destination 3 out of 5 stars. The beautiful natural surroundings, wildlife, Mayan ruins, beach, entertainment, nightlife, friendly staff, and buffet variety were all positives. However, the resort lost points for the incorrect bed-size advertising, moldy/musty room smell, lack of cleanup after wildlife, disappointing food quality and authenticity, inconvenient restaurant reservations, and underwhelming beverages. Beautiful property with a lot of potential, but there are definitely areas where management could improve the overall guest experience.

    3.5 Stars Occidental…read moreat Xcaret: Honest Review The Good The setting is what sets this resort apart. It's beautifully maintained and full of wildlife. We regularly spotted monkeys and coatis, and the walking trails even wind past Mayan ruins. It gave the whole trip a unique, immersive feel you don't get at a typical beach resort. The pools were clean, warm, and never crowded, and we had no trouble finding chairs. The beach and lagoon area was equally enjoyable, with calm water and plenty of fish to see. Breakfast at the beach buffet was a standout, especially the omelet station, along with fresh coffee, juice, fruit, and yogurt. We were also pleasantly surprised by Paco's Tacos and La Piazza, both sit down spots that exceeded expectations. D'Oriental and La Hacienda were solid as well, with good service and enjoyable meals. Staff were friendly and attentive across the resort. Roman at the pool snack bar deserves a special shoutout for how engaging and attentive he was with our family. The Barcelo airport transportation was also excellent both ways: punctual, clean, and professionally handled. Room for Improvement Concierge Level upgrades weren't quite worth the added cost for us. The perks were modest, and our specific room request wasn't fulfilled, so it didn't feel like a meaningful step up. The Turnaround By day two, things clicked. Once we settled into the rhythm of the resort, the grounds, the pools, better meals, the beach, we started to really appreciate what makes this place special. Bottom Line This is a resort that rewards a little patience. The setting, wildlife, pools, and overall atmosphere are genuinely excellent, and the food, while inconsistent, has some real highlights once you find them. We'd recommend it to families who value nature and space over gourmet dining, and we'd happily return, likely opting for Royal Level next time, and skipping Concierge Level.

    Hilton Playa Del Carmen Resort - Meeting Room

    Hilton Playa Del Carmen Resort

    (365 reviews)

    $$$

    Gonzalo Guerrero

    We had a really good time at this adults-only resort. There are plenty of activities where you can…read morebe busy or choose to relax and enjoy your time. I was not approached by anyone offering to sell me anything or attend presentations. Staff were super friendly and helpful during our stay. There's a main pool and a quiet pool. So you have an option where you want to be based on your interest. Night shows were great with some fantastic performers. I wish that there was more Mexican themed shows or music but I guess they try to accommodate that the majority of guests were from Canada and USA. Some of the restaurants rotate being open for dinner. Your best bet is to make reservations ahead of time. You can always show up but might have to wait depending on the time. Overall food was good. Drinks were ok but as a social drinker, I wasn't impressed with my 1-2 drinks/day during my stay. I think I had one drink that I found really good. Beach area is not private and you might have people approach you to sell you stuff or services. A polite "no, thank you" works great. Location and proximity to 5th Avenue made it a great place to explore the area. Although filled with tourists, you also get some local interactions. I would come back to this resort in the future.

    NOTE: this is now Hyatt Vivid resort…read more junior suite room was a nice big size that still included two person jetted tub. fan in bathroom which is nice. all-inclusive resort and we tried these restaurants Dolma, Asiana, and the Pelicanos. all were really good especially the asian place. the coffee shop is 6:00-11:00 amazing hours. everyone is very nice. umbrellas are in closets which will well needed for the humid showers.

    Palmaïa - Avalon beauty salon

    Palmaïa

    (17 reviews)

    Playacar

    This is future of wellness all-inclusives! I love this place so much. We came here after a friend…read morevacationed here and said the food, ambiance and classes were unlike any other resort they've been to. Being a vegetarian, it's been a dream to find a place like this where I can eat ANYTHING off the menu. My husband was able to add chicken to his meals so it is friendly to meat eaters as well. We arranged for the airport travel to/from the resort which was highly recommended. It's about an hour commute and took the stress away from the travel. Our suite was on the bottom floor and walked out to the pool. Complete dream of an experience! Not only did we have "guide" who is essentially an assistant/butler who helped answer our questions quickly, helped to book reservations onsite or book transportation through the resort. They were incredibly responsive. Your main mode of transportation is bikes which feels like you're in another world riding through the jungle on bikes. There's a handful of restaurants on site so we didn't end up leaving the property more than once. Because they're a wellness resort, they have all of these classes (cacoa ceremony, movement class, yoga, astrology, etc) where you could interact with other guests. They have a taco stand where they make watermelon tacos. I could go on and on about the food. This place almost converted my husband to be a vegetarian- that's how good it was. They make all their cocktails with OR WITHOUT alcohol and they taste just as delicious. If I could live at this property, I really would. Highly recommend going as a couple, group or even solo. It will leave you more grounded and at peace.

    Incredible experience. It's clear why they have a Michelin hotel rating of two keys. Beautiful…read moreaccommodations, wonderful service, incredible food! We rarely visit the same place twice (and aren't even really resort people) but we're already talking about going back. All of the restaurants are mostly/default plant-based, but there are non-vegan substitutions (and Palmaia is connected to a typical mainstream resort, Sandos, that guests have full access to as well). But also, Palmaia's food is so good I wouldn't recommend changing it or eating elsewhere! We ate conchas and tacos nearly every day. And the pastas at Mar de Olivo were superb! Additional advice: advantage of the wellness classes, the gym, and the beachside taco truck!

    Hidden Beach Resort

    Hidden Beach Resort

    (10 reviews)

    $$$

    Colonia Ejidal

    Wife and I had a most AMAZING time romping around naked for a few days here. Not a lifestyle hotel…read moreat all...just an au natural resort. Very relaxing...very chill....wonderful clientele..and some amazing massages at the beach. A cute little niche boutique hotel. Food was plentiful, though a bit uneven..but would come back here in a heart beat. And hopefully will some day.

    I'll put my full review on TripAdvisor, but it's worth posting a quick redux here as well…read more All said, Hidden Beach is one of the premiere clothing-optional vacation destinations on the planet. The friendly staff, the (mostly) all-inclusive menus, the swim-up bar, the king size beds. All good stuff. But for what you pay, and the fact that they put themselves out there as a five-star resort, I have to say, "Well maybe a 5* resort circa 1983. The rooms are definitely showing their age, totally lacking in electrical outlets for charging your gadgets, and the general ambiance is simply a bit below what you'd expect at that price point at any number of newer resorts on the Riviera Maya. We also agreed to take the "1-hour meeting" with Exotic Travel with the prospect of enjoying reduced rates in the future. The "no-pressure" pitch suddenly became very HIGH pressure at about the 90-minute mark at which point we decided to cut our losses. Seems they didn't want us to go back to our loungers to chat with other guests who've been a bit less than satisfied with their Exotic Travel investments. Hmmmm.... Will we go back? Probable. If we can get a decent rate without making a 10 year commitment.

    Grand Velas Riviera Maya - Inside the men's restroom nearest Sen Lin restaurant, located at Zen Grand at Grand Velas Riviera Maya resort.

    Grand Velas Riviera Maya

    (110 reviews)

    $$$$

    One of the most amazing experiences of my life! The beach was beautiful lots of activities for…read morekids. Grand class was adults only and absolutely stunning but walking distance from the kids friendly ambassador. There was transportation to get anywhere in the resort. Zen the more jungle focused hotel was Also beautiful. All inclusive 24 hour room service unlimited food and drinks and refillable mini bar. Cocina de autor which is a Michelin star restaurant was amazing , the wine pairing is extra but it's worth it. Piaf has great French food , Frida , Luca , sen Lin and Chaka are kid friendly I missed Chaka but the other three are really excellent. The bistro at grand class is great and azule is a great more casual buffet. There multiple bars the pools and the beach which is beautiful have food and drink service. Some activities are included and the spa is beautiful. My suite was over 1000 square feet with a plunge pool on my balcony. Getting chairs early is key at the pool and the beach. There are bars a coffee shop multiple boutiques gyms and activities. One of my favorite was catch of the day on the beach for lunch . There is a kids and teens club and a kids spa. Beautiful place for a wedding, I saw multiple during my stay. The food is really good! They have a mini golf course most of the year. There is night security and the resort is gated. They have mocktails as well as cocktails. The staff is really friendly. Tipping is optional but tipping in American money is recommended it will get charged to your card. There are three pools not including the spa. One at the grand class ( adult only) , zen, and the ambassador. The ambassador and grand class are walking distance from each other. This resort attracts more than Americans. It's beautiful and a world class resort.

    The Grand Velas certainly lives up to its reputation. From the stunning property to the gourmet…read morefood and impeccable service. Every detail is closely attended to from the amenities in the room to the sauces on the plate. If you're looking for luxury in a beautiful setting this place is the one. I highly recommend it and I will be going back the first chance I get.

    Mahekal Beach Resort - Beautiful dessert for lobster night

    Mahekal Beach Resort

    (122 reviews)

    Gonzalo Guerrero

    Do NOT Book Your Wedding Here…read more They turned our wedding week (March 14 Wedding) into a nightmare so I want to warn every couple considering Mahekal for their wedding. What should have been the most magical week of our lives was repeatedly hijacked by the gross incompetence and dishonest practices of this resort's wedding team. And to be clear - we had a separately hired a wedding planner because by November we already knew Mahekal was not providing any support. We went into our wedding week thinking everything was settled without any warning of all the problems Mahekal was going to spring on us: - They lost track of $10,000 which we paid over SIX MONTHS ago. Totally unaccounted for in their system and we had to prove our payment history while onsite for our wedding. - They attempted to charge a $7,000+ penalty, claiming our room block had not been fulfilled through the code. We blocked 40 rooms and had 107 guests staying on property. We had to spend hours cross referencing the list they had which they didn't even have prepared for our meeting, with our list of guests which we had given them. We lost 4 hours to prove their botched webpage caused this issue. - What is truly unforgivable is Mahekal had an entire month after the room block deadline to communicate these issues to us. Instead, they waited until we arrived for our wedding to spring these problems on us due to their poor mgmt. We spent hours each day on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, AND Friday trying to clean up their messes, ruining our moods and taking time away from family and friends. - The front desk charged us $930 for an upgrade that was explicitly supposed to be complimentary. When we checked in they didn't even have us noted as the wedding couple and did absolutely nothing special for us - no rose petals, no welcome gift, nothing but headaches. When I brought the upgrade charge up to Laura, the in-house "wedding coordinator," she showed me on her monitor that their system had the upgrade documented as FREE... I showed her the additional $930 charge on my credit card. She took over a day to find the charge in their system and promised to work with the front desk to return this but has not responded to me or my wedding planner when we followed up. - We didn't get an adequate room even with the purchased upgrade so I couldn't take any getting ready photos. When we toured they showed a room with a living room which was not made available to me. Total bait and switch. I spent 9am to 1:30pm of my wedding day with just vendors because of this... They also do NOT have a bridal suite which is another sign they are not equipped to handle weddings. - I specifically and clearly requested mahi mahi NOT be served as the fish entrée option at our wedding and Laura said she would work with the chef... At our reception I took a bite of the fish and informed my husband it was mahi mahi and he gave me half his chicken... - For our welcome party, we were charged $450 for three infused water dispensers, a "water bar" we had approved for our outdoor cocktail hour (where it made sense given the heat despite the open bar). Instead, Mahekal applied it to the wrong event entirely; the welcome party which was hosted in a covered space with fans (La Cocina) for which we were already paying for a three-hour open bar. I didn't even see this water bar but whether it was there or not, they scammed us out of $450 because they can't even track a single add-on without messing up. - It's obvious now that we were shown updated rooms when we toured a year before our wedding. What we actually arrived to were cracked floors, broken AC, and toilets with rusted flush buttons. We stayed at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba, an actual 5-star resort, for 3 nights after our wedding to decompress from the stress Mahekal had caused. Mahekal felt like a beach motel in comparison. Mahekal is not just incompetent, they are predatory: waiting until you are emotionally and logistically vulnerable so they can hold one of the most important events of your life hostage. The individuals responsible for this horrible experience were Laura Elena Castellanos Patino and Maria Elena Armenta. The only thing I wish for them is Karma. Thankfully, we ended up having a wonderful wedding reception thanks to friends and family, and those memories are slowly replacing our horrible encounters with the resort staff.

    I rarely write negative reviews, but this stay was a major disappointment. The biggest letdown was…read morethe buffet -- very underwhelming food, repetitive options, and not what you would expect from a resort at this price point. Every day we hoped it would improve, and every day it was the same disappointment. The only saving grace of the entire stay was the poolside food and the service there, especially Armando, our poolside server, who was amazing. He was attentive, friendly, and provided the best service we experienced the entire trip. Unfortunately, that was the only consistently positive part of the experience. Another major issue: there is a large family of raccoons living on the property, and they fight loudly over food at night. This isn't a small nuisance -- it kept multiple members of our family awake across several rooms. On top of that, Friday night there was a rave next door that played music until 6 a.m., and again, no one in our group could sleep. For a resort that's supposed to be relaxing, this was unacceptable. Also, be aware there are no TVs in the rooms and there is basically no entertainment around the pools. There was a speaker out there at times, but it was inconsistent on what days it was even set up, and when it was, the music was very low and you could barely hear it. The resort felt very quiet and honestly a bit boring because of this. Fuego restaurant was just okay -- not terrible, but nothing memorable and definitely not enough to make up for the rest of the food on the property. The icing on the cake was checkout. They literally radio someone to go check your room to see if you took any minibar items before you can leave -- and what were they checking for? A small bottle of Evian water. It felt cheap and tacky and was a very disappointing way to end the trip. Overall, this resort did not live up to expectations, and I would not stay here again. There are far better options in the area for the price.

    Viceroy Riviera Maya - Coral Restaurant

    Viceroy Riviera Maya

    (37 reviews)

    $$$$

    We just returned from Viceroy and had such a relaxing and amazing time!…read more - The staff are all welcoming, genuinely friendly and super attentive -prior to checkin I let them know mosquitoes absolutely love me , they had spray upon my arrival (organic and off!) and they sprayed my patio and had a netting around the bed all set up. I never had any bites until I left the resort my last night for a wedding ! - food: We ate at both restaurants and the food was excellent. Especially the shrimp and octopus dishes. Cocktails were done right! Not watered down like other places . - beach - this resort seems to have the best beach area as compared to nearby resorts with actual sand The pool is a perfect size and was never crowded . Pepe and staff always took care of you. -gratuity - 16% service was added automatically to your bills. This is not an all inclusive , for the quality of service we made sure to bring $USD to add tip for everyone. They all work so hard in the heat to make your experience memorable! -Spa - Splurge for this! Best way to start our days first thing with massages and facials . You can also use the jacuzzi and steam room daily without services. I frequent Burke Williams and their masseuses are good , strong too ! They did our services outdoor for couples in this serene area with a fountain running. -room - we enjoyed the premium villas, super spacious with walk in closet, shower and bath tub . All the villas are close so a short walk to the pool - There is a little bass coming from the next door resort's DJ at night, but when I closed the windows , it was very muffled and did not bother us at all. - long drive from main road - so expect a secluded spot . They will call you a taxi that gets there in 20 min. Download WhatsApp and text the same taxi will take you back. Felt safe ! We can't wait to come back someday! Definitely highly recommend this place for all couples who just need to relax.

    Paradise for sure! We felt pampered the moment we stepped into the beautiful outdoor lobby. Staff…read moreis eager to please! From the welcome coconut drink and cool towels to the thorough tour ( thanks Claudia) ,check in was a great experience. Bellmen we're very friendly and helpful. And our villa was just gorgeous! Heated plunge pool, hammock, and more great you as you enter the area. You are in the jungle, so there is a lot of natural privacy. Inside the villa, you will be caught up in the romantic vibe thanks to the sweet and decadent decor. Outdoor shower brings you close to nature. Many special touches await. Poolside is another area to be spoiled- by Pepe and crew. They will get you anything you want, no need to lift a finger. And the wait staff at Coral restaurant are very thorough. They seem more like personal butlers rather than waiters, taking the time to get to know their guests by name, and learning their food and drink preferences. This area is also beautiful, with a view of the ocean. And the spa is very relaxing, access to the spa facilities including the steam room, jacuzzi is complimentary with your stay. Viceroy isn't without its flaws. The small beach is barely swimable due to the coral/rocks. And though they work to remove the seaweed, if you come from May-Nov that will be somewhat of a pain ( the whole area not just here). And there is music that drifts over from the next door hotel which at times annoys. It wasn't too bad while we were here, but was noticiable. There are mosquitos and rainforest animals around, so if you're not okay with seeing agouti while eating breakfast on your patio, this isn't your place. And yes it's pricey. Nevertheless the quality, service, and beauty of this resort make up for any issues. We didn't want to leave!

    Hotel Xcaret - hotels - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...