The Best Playa del Carmen Resorts (according to me)
I get asked a lot of questions about Mexico. But probably the number one question people want the answer to is, “What are the best Playa del Carmen resorts?”
I get it. Playa del Carmen is one of Mexico’s most popular destinations — and rightfully so. It has those powdery white sands, the turquoise water, the tropical breeze that sets the mood for alcoholic things served in coconuts. It’s dreamy. Plus, it has ancient ruins, world-class diving, an indigenous community that has been around for thousands of years, and, of course, some of the best hotels in Mexico. This is all to say, I get why people want tips when booking the best hotels in Playa del Carmen.
The problem, for me, is that to define anything as “best” is SO tricky. What is best? Are we talking in terms of luxury? What time of year are you going? What do you like to do? Do you prefer to be on the beach, or steps from bars and entertainment? Maybe you want the best hotels in Playa del Carmen for couples. Do you have kids? Are you LGBTQ+? You can see why I’m hesitant to make one recommendation and have it be a blanket “best” for everyone. On top of that, no matter how many times I’ve been to Playa del Carmen, I have not stayed in even half of the resorts available. There are a LOT of resorts in Playa del Carmen and the surrounding Riviera Maya.
It seems maybe I’ve scared you off completely from continuing on. So before you click away, I will say that I have been to Playa del Carmen no fewer than 60 times. I do know a few things about the hotel scene there. So now I will detail for you the best of them (according to me), which will hopefully help you decide which one is right for you on your next trip there.
Note: I do earn a small commission if you book hotels through my blog.
Best All-Inclusive Playa del Carmen Resorts
Hotel UNICO 20°N 87°W
I really can’t say this enough. This is my favorite all-inclusive resort in all of Playa del Carmen/Riviera Maya. To me, this is one of the best A-list experiences I've ever had in Mexico. The best part of the UNICO all-inclusive experience is just how little it feels like an all-inclusive.
The luxury lifestyle hotel opened in 2017 and I have yet to see anything live up to its standards in this category. The adults-only hotel is one of the best hotels in Playa del Carmen for couples, but it’s also really fun for groups of friends. It has 448 rooms, 90% of which have ocean views. All first-floor rooms have swim-up pools, while those on higher floors have deep hydro spa tubs on the terraces (big enough for two!). There are three epic pools, some for parties and others for zoning out. By day, DJs spin, grills fire, and cocktails are ever-flowing. At night, guests like to steal over to the Palmera Lounge for mojitos and cigars. The bar design is a throwback to 1940s Havana.
For dining, I personally love Mura House, which serves top-notch sushi. Oh, and then there's Mi Carisa, the beachside restaurant that throws a truly memorable Champagne brunch. Guys, did I mention that this hotel is all-inclusive? I could go on, but if I had to pick one beach hotel for adults in Playa del Carmen, it would absolutely be this one.
Barcelo Maya Riviera
I have to admit, I am not the most knowledgeable about Barcelo Hotels & Resorts. They were never really my vibe. But I recently visited the brand-new Barcelo Maya Riviera and it is a true game-changer. Even the most loyal Barcelo customers will be floored when they get a look at this adults-only, all-inclusive Riviera Maya resort.
I love the clean lines and sleek design, which seem to be a total changeup from other Barcelo resorts in Mexico. Those tend to swing more traditional hacienda-style. I also usually don't love mega resorts, but with so many places to play and hide, you almost don't notice that the resort has 850 rooms (which is still pretty small by mega resort standards). Most of the all-suite rooms have ocean views, and of those 110 are swim-up.
The food is truly worth writing home about at each of the restaurants, but I swooned over the Japanese restaurant, as well as the Italian restaurant. If you are a Barcelo devotee, you will love that guests of Barcelo Maya Riviera have access to the other resorts in the complex, including their dining options and the impressive fitness center at Barcelo Maya Caribe, which in my opinion is the best hotel gym I've ever seen. (Ever.)
Hotel Xcaret Arte
Allow me to introduce you to one of the newest all-inclusive resorts in Riviera Maya: Hotel Xcaret Arte. The resort opened in 2021 and is an absolute masterpiece and game changer. Its sister property, Hotel Xcaret Mexico, opened in 2017 and is a fabulous family option, but I prefer Xcaret Arte because it is adults only. You can read more about that resort below.
Located about 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, the sprawling all-inclusive resort is all about the embodiment of Mexican art, culture, and design. The 900 rooms are spread between five different “casas,” each of which is themed around a Mexican artistic style, like painting, potter, music, etc. Note: The best “casa” is Casa de los Artistas because it is oceanfront and has the best rooms. And while 900 rooms seems like a lot, you never feel overwhelmed because the property is quite spread out, with plenty of pool space and things to do to help keep things feeling chill.
The food at this resort is truly next level. From the build-your-own-ceviche bar to the Mercado de San Juan, which has regional Mexican specialties, all handmade. For a Michelin-level meal, book a reservation at Xaak, which is helmed by a Michelin-starred chef and features a wine pairing tasting menu. (This is an extra charge, by the way.)
My favorite place to hang at this resort is either the main infinity pool or down in the spa. The spa is simply breathtaking. Hydrotherapy pools are built into grottoes and each of the massage rooms are inside of hollowed-out caves. The river that flows through the entire property passes by the relaxation areas of the spa, making for a jungle-themed hideaway that is incredibly relaxing.
Guests of both Hotel Xcarets also have unlimited access to all of the Grupo Xcaret parks included in their room rate, so if you’re interested in zip lining, water parks, cultural events, or nightly shows, this would be a great perk for you.
Best City Hotels in Playa del Carmen
The best part about Playa del Carmen is that it offers both city energy and beach vibe. You can spend the day lounging on the sand and walk one block in any direction and be at a fantastic restaurant or bar. There are plenty of people who want a healthy combo of sand & scene, so here are my picks for the best city hotels in Playa del Carmen.
Thompson Hotel Playa del Carmen
Here’s what I love about Thompson Hotel Playa del Carmen: basically everything. The sleek design is something Thompson is known for at all of their locations, and it certainly holds up in Playa del Carmen. The Thompson hotel on 5th Avenue has a perfect location within walking distance to all the restaurants and nightlife, and just a few blocks away is the Beach House, which has rooms, you guessed it, directly on the beach. All guests can use the Beach House facilities, though, which include a restaurant and beach club.
Speaking of restaurants, the pool area at the main hotel has two: Catch (yes, of New York and Los Angeles fame), and C-Grill — both of which are absurdly good, albeit not cheap. You’re going to spend some money if you book Thompson, but the service and quality are entirely worth it. The only downside, in my opinion, is if you are not into a scene you may feel overwhelmed on the pool deck, which is often flooded with wealthy Millennials ordering bottle service and has that omnipresent DJ thump.
The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences
So full disclosure: I haven’t actually rested my head here...yet. But, I will say that I’ve had two spectacular meals here on their rooftop, have done a full property tour of The Fives Downtown, and often used their El Tigre bar as a workspace when David and I were living in Playa del Carmen for a month this past January.
I love the entire design of this space. It’s super modern and eclectic, but doesn’t feel pretentious or cluttered. I think I went around and took dozens of photos of all the different textures throughout the space. It just looks cool, and you feel that immediately when you enter the lobby. Note the massive living wall and dangling Vegas-style gold beaded curtains around the check-in counter. Jetting up to the roof you have an infinity pool and a fantastic restaurant (the hummus with grilled steak is a must).
The hotel has a cool coffee shop, as well, which is a partnership with Rohan Marley, one of Bob Marley’s children. Personally, my favorite hideout at the hotel is the El Tigre tequila bar, which has a wall of past/present photographs of Playa del Carmen.
Aventura Mexicana Hotel
When I first stepped into this budget Playa del Carmen boutique hotel, my first thought was: How have I missed this? My dad and stepmom actually made the discovery of Aventura Mexicana Hotel when they were down in Playa del Carmen visiting us. If you’re looking to stay in Playa del Carmen on a budget, you absolutely cannot do better than this. To me it’s one of the best Playa del Carmen boutique hotels. First of all, it’s right between Fifth Avenue and 10th Avenue, so you are in the heart of the action. It also has an adults-only side, which is tucked away from the family side. And even though it is smack dab in the center of town, it is perfectly quiet and peaceful. The hotel offers daily yoga (something like seven classes per day), has a small restaurant with complimentary breakfast, and has several sunbathing terraces scattered throughout. While it’s not on the beach, the hotel does have a partnership with Kool Beach Club, a few blocks away. Get a discount on food & drink, enjoy the pool, and the beach chairs. I can’t say enough good things about this gem of a city hotel.
Best Playa del Carmen Hotels on the Beach
Then there are people who want to mostly be on the beach, but also want the option of venturing out. Fortunately, Playa del Carmen has many resorts that are directly on the sand, but also within walking distance to the excitement of Fifth Avenue.
Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
Impeccable service, with a fabulous oceanfront location, Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen is one of the best Playa del Carmen hotels on the beach. Hyatt aficionados know what they’re getting from a Grand Hyatt, and the Playa del Carmen iteration does not disappoint. Rooms are sleek and minimal, the food is excellent (particularly at The Grill at 1-26), and the infinity pool is worth getting lost in for several hours at a time. Bear in mind that the hotel is very close to some of Playa del Carmen’s biggest beach clubs, so depending on the season the scene might not be particularly tranquil. But if it’s a scene you’re after, you will feel perfectly at home.
Mahekal Beach Resort
I love this resort. The vibe at Mahekal Beach Resort is wonderful — picture Robinson Crusoe, but with infinitely better dining and amenities. Each of the rooms is like its own little beach bungalow. Some are directly on the beach and others are tucked amid palm tree-filled gardens. There is a small beachfront, wonderful restaurants (Fuego is my favorite), several pools, and a spa.
The best part? It’s within walking distance to Fifth Avenue, but you’d never guess it when you’re tucked away within its walls. It allows guests to have the very, very best of both worlds: beach and city. I will say that it is a family-friendly resort, so that does affect the pool scene noise levels. If you are looking for ultimate peace and tranquility, I might suggest an adults-only option, instead.
Best Luxury Hotels in Playa del Carmen
Mayakoba
There are a lot of luxury resorts in and around Playa del Carmen, along what is known as the Riviera Maya (the stretch of coast from Cancun down to Tulum). I have not stayed at all of them - not even close. But I feel confident in saying that some of the best luxury hotels in Playa del Carmen can be found in Mayakoba.
What’s cool about Mayakoba is that it is an enclave of four luxury resorts all built around mangrove canals — it’s kind of like a tropical Venice. Within the community is the Fairmont Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Rosewood Mayakoba, and Andaz Mayakoba. Each has its own distinct vibe (and price point, though all would be considered luxury), and offers something unique for guests.
The resorts also have some of the best beachfront in all of Playa del Carmen. What’s cool is that guests can take boats or bicycles or buggies around the complex to experience each of the different resort vibes and dining scenes. Here are my personal favorite dining experiences at the different Playa del Carmen resorts in Mayakoba:
Best Breakfast: Brisas Coastal Grill & Bar at Fairmont Mayakoba. The menu comes with a huge display of fresh fruit, charcuterie, and freshly baked pastries. On top of that, you can’t go wrong with the smoked salmon and avocado toast, or the crab cakes Benedict.
Best Lunch: La Fondita at El Pueblito. El Pueblito is a small recreation of a typical Mexican village within Mayakoba. Each of the four resorts has a restaurant outpost there. There are also boutiques, a bar, and a small church. La Fondita is Rosewood Mayakoba’s contribution. It has a wonderful selection of different tostadas that are insanely good. The Atun con Chicharron and the Cochinita tostadas are two of my personal favorites.
Best Dinner: Saffron at Banyan Tree Mayakoba. Phenomenal Thai food, overlooking the mangrove canals. It’s super romantic and the food is exceptional.
Best Beach Dining: Sotavento at Andaz Mayakoba. Toes in the sand, live music…it feels like you’ve been shipwrecked on a tropical island, but ever so elegantly. Picture driftwood dining tables, throw pillows, and dangling Edison bulbs, and pair it with grilled oysters, steaks, grilled whole fish, and lots and lots of veggies.
Best Playa del Carmen Resorts for Families
Hotel Xcaret
You kind of have to see it to believe it, but Hotel Xcaret is truly its own, special little world. Under the Experiencias Xcaret Group, the company behind the eco parks scattered throughout the Riviera Maya, Hotel Xcaret is all about highlighting Mexican and Mayan culture, history, and heritage. Their first all-inclusive Playa del Carmen hotel, the massive jungle compound has 900 suites, spread over five different themed "casas," which operate like individual mini hotels. The resort is built to be reminiscent of the Xcaret Park. Picture Jurassic Park meets the Mayan world. All the rooms, which are suites, have balconies or swim-up terraces.
But what makes it so great for families is that entry to all of the eco theme parks is included in the room rate, meaning guests have full access, from transportation to entry to dining, and beyond. Shuttles run from the lobby every half-hour taking guests to as many parks per day as they wish.
Of course, you don't have to be a family to enjoy the resort. Many of the casas are actually adults-only. My personal favorite is Casa Fuego, which is luxury, adults-only, with a private gym, restaurant, and rooftop infinity pool.