Which Cancun/Playa Del Carmen Hotel Is Right for You?

“What’s the best hotel in Cancun?” It’s not an uncommon question. The answer, however, is complicated. With hundreds of hotels scattered from the tip of the Cancun Hotel Zone all the way down through Playa del Carmen and beyond, choosing the right one can be, well, nearly impossible. The best way to answer the question is to first ask, “what are you looking for?”

The beauty of having so many fabulous hotels within a short distance is that each resort caters to a slightly different style of travel. Whether you’re looking for over-the-top luxury, all-inclusive resorts geared for families, romance, rooftop pools or a combination of it all, Cancun and Playa del Carmen have a hotel to match.

When it comes to finding the right Cancun or Playa del Carmen resort for you, the primary question you have to answer is what kind of travel experiences you are looking for next. To make it easier for you, we’ve taken out some of the guesswork and rounded up our list of top-resort picks for each and every type of traveler.

While some of our recommendations aren’t available to be booked with hotel points, remember that flexible points such as those from the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card can help offset the cost.

Best for Extreme Luxury: Andaz Mayakoba

World of Hyatt Category 6—25,000 World of Hyatt points per night in standard season

If exquisite luxury is your vibe, then it is difficult to top Riviera Maya’s Mayakoba. Much more than a resort, the Mayakoba master-planned community is actually four separate resorts in one. Mayakoba hosts Fairmont Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Rosewood Mayakoba and Andaz Mayakoba—each one with its own unique vibe. Only the Andaz Mayakoba is bookable with easily-obtained hotel points, but flexible rewards can be used to offset the cost of other resorts.

The resorts are connected by a series of canals that weave in and out of a mangrove forest. You can visit each resort by hopping one of the private lanchas that ferry guests to and from the different restaurants and amenities. The resorts are also blessed with one of the most stunning beaches in the Riviera Maya. A stark-white stretch of sand stretches almost endlessly, backed by a beautiful jolt of electric blue water.

The resorts in Mayakoba are not all-inclusive, so expect to pay a premium for not only the rooms, but for the many restaurants and amenities available, such as the spas, golf course and shopping village. But with that high price point comes unparalleled service, impeccable design and supreme luxury.

The Best Rooftop Pool: Thompson Playa del Carmen

World of Hyatt Category 3—12,000 World of Hyatt points per night in standard season

It may not be a beach resort, but once you see the pool at the Thompson Playa del Carmen, you likely won’t mind. If a pool scene is what makes the vacation for you, then the Thompson Playa del Carmen absolutely aims to please.

This thriving, energetic, chic resort sits directly on Playa del Carmen’s famous Fifth Avenue, just steps from the destination’s famous bars, restaurants and shopping. That said, you won’t have to go very far to experience great dining and entertainment—it’s right in the hotel. The trendy UMI Rooftop restaurant, shopping mall and the epic pool scene on the rooftop pool deck are all right there.

On the pool level you’ll find an infinity pool that hugs nearly the length of the rooftop, with space for lounging and dining on either end. A DJ booth is always at the center of the action on weekends.

Of course, if you do want a beach scene, you can always visit the nearby Thompson Beach House, which is set apart from the main hotel on a small stretch of beach. The Beach House has 27 rooms and suites, as well as an exclusive location for lounging and dining directly on the sand.

Best Beach in the Hotel Zone: InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort

Point prices vary but hover around 38,000 IHG One Rewards points per night

Cancun’s Hotel Zone is spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting upscale and luxury resorts. But certainly one of the best, if you’re looking to cash in those IHG One Rewards points, is the Presidente InterContinental Cancun Resort. The hotel is especially appealing if you have the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card, which gives the fourth night free on award bookings.

The top selling point of this 300-room beachfront property is just that—the sweeping stretch of white-sand beach that is one of the very best in Cancun. The resort is also within walking distance to the Plaza Mayafair, which means you’ll be close enough to the action of the Hotel Zone, but far enough away to enjoy peace and quiet at night.

This is one of the oldest resorts in Cancun, but a renovation in 2014 means that it continues to stay relevant and chic, even as newer resorts continue to pop up all the time. Repeat guests continue to return to enjoy one of the largest beaches in Cancun.

Presidente InterContinental Cancun Resort has 300 rooms, all with balconies that either face the lagoon or the beach. You’ll have a lot of different categories to choose from, with rooms spread across 10 different types of categories. Additional amenities include a family-friendly pool, a beach club, two restaurants, gym and spa.

Best for Secluded Island Living: Mystique Holbox by Royalton, A Tribute Portfolio Resort

Point prices vary but hover around 42,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night

If you haven’t heard of Isla Holbox yet, you will soon, and you’ll be glad that you did. Once hot on the backpacker and yogi trail, this Caribbean-style island sits just off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula and is one of the fastest-growing destinations in the entire country.

In the past it attracted mostly budget travelers looking to stay in tranquil, eco-style lodgings. The island is car-free and visitors make their way around on beach cruises, hopping from lazy beach bar to lazy beach bar. A small downtown has a few restaurants and dive shops but not much else.

All is about to change though, as is evidenced with the opening of resorts waving familiar brand flags. Mystique Holbox by Royalton, A Tribute Portfolio Resort is a perfect example. This Marriott property is a boutique, beachfront resort on an island with chic, contemporary rooms sporting bright island colors, light wood tones and open floor plans.

The five-star resort is among the first of its kind on Holbox and has a beachfront restaurant, pool and fitness center.

Best All-Inclusive for Families: Hyatt Ziva Cancun

World of Hyatt All-Inclusive Category E—35,000 World of Hyatt points per night in standard season

Hyatt’s Ziva brand was designed with families in mind, and the one in Cancun puts families at the convenient doorstep of all of the rest that Cancun has to offer. The all-inclusive resort tends to attract families that like to stay on property, though, especially since it offers so much in one location.

The massive resort has more than 500 rooms, as well as three infinity pools, eight restaurants and three lounges, a water play area and even a spa for parents when they need a little time to themselves.

Rooms are all considered suites at this resort, which is especially great for a little extra space when traveling with the family. Balconies are furnished and have views over the sea and the infinity pools. All bathrooms have rainfall showers, as well.

The spa has 14 treatment rooms and six beachfront palapas, where parents can bliss out while kids relax at the KidZ club. Teens can chill at @Moods, which is decked out with foosball tables and virtual reality simulators. The entire family can all hang together at the pools, hot tubs, or with kayaks and paddle boards on the sea.

Best for a Little Bit of Everything: Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen

World of Hyatt Category 6—25,000 World of Hyatt points per night in standard season

If you want a little bit of everything—prime beachfront but walking distance to the heart and energy of busy Playa del Carmen—your choice has to be the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen. Perched on Mamitas Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Playa del Carmen, Grand Hyatt ensures that guests are both at the doorstep of the very best the city has to offer, as well as the relaxing beachfront that made this part of Mexico so famous.

The sexy resort has a dramatic entrance and stunning views out to sea. The resort features 314 rooms, including 36 suites. Each room has its own private balcony that overlooks the mangroves or the Caribbean Sea. Rooms are fresh and airy, with white linens, warm woods and pops of turquoise color. Some rooms even feature plunge pools on the terrace. Others are full swim-up suites and feature Grand Club benefits.

The restaurants are next-level as well, from The Grill Playa del Carmen to La Cocina Restaurant & Terrace. Dine on gorgeous steaks, Mexican cuisine and be sure to make a stop at the Sushi N Raw Bar.

But the top selling point of the Grand Hyatt, beyond its luxury rooms and amenities, is its prime location directly on the beach, as well as within walking distance to thriving Fifth Avenue. For those who want energetic nightlife, a wide variety of restaurants and attractions as well as a gorgeous beach, the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen is the perfect resort to book.

Best for All-Inclusive Luxury for Families/Couples: Hotel Xcaret Mexico/Hotel Xcaret Arte

These two side-by-side sister resorts are relative newcomers to the all-inclusive scene along the Riviera Maya. But in a short amount of time they have gained a considerable reputation for luxury. No expense was spared at these two resorts—they’re both gorgeously designed with wonderful food, included amenities, a top-rated spa and beautiful suites.

The key difference between the resorts is that Hotel Xcaret Mexico is family-friendly, while Hotel Xcaret Arte is adults-only. They also have different restaurant options and different themed rooms. The resorts are otherwise mirror images of each other. Each has different houses, which act like resorts within the resort. The resorts have 900 rooms each, which can sound overwhelming, however, rooms are spread out between different casas—five in Hotel Xcaret Mexico and six in Hotel Xcaret Arte—which makes it feel very well spaced out. Hotel Xcaret Arte’s casas are themed after Mexican arts, like music, painting and pottery, while Hotel Xcaret Mexico’s casas are themed after the five elements.

The resorts pride themselves on the “All-Fun Inclusive” experience, which means that everything from the airport transportation to the rooms, food and beverage and even unlimited access to the Grupo Xcaret theme parks is included in the nightly rate. Rooms and decor are designed with Mexican artistry in mind, and much of the resort was designed from local materials, right down to the staff uniforms. The thoughtfully designed and executed resorts have certainly changed the game for all-inclusive luxury in Mexico.

Best for All-Inclusive Luxury: UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya

Of course, we cannot mention all-inclusive luxury in Mexico without mentioning UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya. It’s a different kind of experience from the Xcaret Hotels, but the quality of rooms, creativity of the space and level of service and food is still among the best in Playa del Carmen.

UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya is also much smaller, with just 448 rooms, so for guests who want a more intimate-sized all-inclusive, this is the one to book. It is romantic enough for couples but energetic enough for groups of friends. The Esencia Wellness spa is among the best on the Caribbean Coast, so couples or friends who want to get a little Zen have come to the right place.

The specialty restaurants at UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya really set the bar for gastronomy at an all-inclusive resort, and the beach, while small, has brilliant blue water that’s calm for swimming. The pool scene at UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya is where you’ll find the heart of the action, whether it’s the energetic “party” pool or the tranquil quiet pool.

Best for Romance: Beloved Playa Mujeres

Romance is sort of built right in when you’ve got a setting as idyllic as the beaches of Cancun and the Riviera Maya. But the Beloved Playa Mujeres is one resort that dials the romance right up. This small, adults-only all-inclusive resort is geared specifically toward couples. Suites are designed specifically with couples in mind, with everything from private plunge pools and jacuzzis to rooftop terraces and jungle-shrouded or beachfront casitas.

The resort sits on a remote stretch of stark-white sand just north of the Cancun Hotel Zone in a developing area called Costa Mujeres. Rooms are splashed in white, with cream tones, light woods and floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the spaces with natural light.

What sets this resort apart from others, aside from its couples-only vibe, is its gorgeous spa, known for the massive hydrotherapy circuit, billowing curtains, relaxation lounges, mud baths, therapeutic baths and a crystal hammam.

Dining is top-notch and chic, from a sushi and ceviche bar to beachfront bites to a decadent steakhouse. The restaurant scene was designed to match whatever mood fits your romantic style. Of course, what makes the resort so incredibly romantic is the spectacular stretch of beach, which is a cut above the rest in an area that is fierce with competition.

Best for Luxury Near the Airport: NIZUC Resort & Spa

If you’re looking for luxury in Cancun, but don’t want to travel very far to get it, then NIZUC Resort & Spa would be the right Cancun resort for you. Located on Punta Nizuc, which is just about 10 minutes from the Cancun International Airport, this luxury resort is a calm, secluded oasis.

Entering the resort’s main lobby, the rest of the Cancun Hotel Zone seems to melt away. Guests are greeted by soaring white rock walls, dark slate waterfalls and a simple, yet chic decor that lends itself to dramatic lighting and beautiful ocean views. Guest rooms are also impeccably decorated with a modern yet cozy vibe, and furnished outdoor terraces provide quiet perches from which to relax on day beds and drink in the views.

NIZUC has six restaurants, serving everything from Mexican and Peruvian, to grilled seafood to Asian-style dishes. Everyone loves sidling up to the bar at Bar A-kan for a cocktail, or the second-floor drink spot, Terra Nostra Lounge, which is the best spot for a front-row sunset seat.

Though the resort is incredibly luxurious and romantic, it is also family-friendly and a kids club is well-equipped with games and other activities.

Best All-Inclusive in the Hotel Zone: Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun

What’s fantastic about Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun is that for a smaller-sized all-inclusive resort, it offers quite a bit for everyone. The adults-only all-inclusive resort has 371 rooms on a beautiful stretch of wide, white sandy beach. Not only that, the resort is in a prime location in the Hotel Zone, making it a fantastic home base if what you want is the best beaches of Cancun and the liveliest atmosphere.

Live Aqua Cancun’s rooms all have balconies and ocean views, as well as views down over the resort’s beautiful oceanfront pool. To the back of the hotel is the lagoon, so no matter where you are on property chances are you’ll be seeing water somewhere.

For extra perks, book one of the 36 Aqua Club Rooms, which are located on the fifth and sixth floors of the resort and have access to the Aqua Club Lounge and its additional perks (private check-in, hors d’oeuvres, top-shelf liquor, etc).

Dining at Live Aqua is fantastic, especially for an all-inclusive, from barefoot casual at Sea Corner to something decidedly more elegant at the experimental MB. You’ll also find Asian cuisine, a sushi station, Mediterranean and Italian dishes for you to choose.

Bottom Line

Simply put—Riviera Maya has some of the best hotels in Mexico and it also happens to have the best hotels in Mexico that cater to many specific styles of travel. Whether you’re looking to pull out all the stops on a family reunion or disappear to a private Caribbean island with just you and your favorite plus one, the Riviera Maya will have the right resort for you.