79 Best Hotels in The Riviera Maya, Mexico

This Thai chain has brought its own traditions to Mexico's Riviera with stunning results—in addition to vaulted ceilings, lounge areas, dining rooms, private gardens, and Talavera earthenware sinks, all rooms have outdoor bathtubs and private 376-foot swimming pools, a unique perk. Guests are always greeted with a bow from the attentive staff, most of whom come from Thailand. An on-site romance coordinator can organize sunset boat tours with a private chef. The spa here is considered one of the best in Mexico, with 16 spa pavilions and state-of-the-art hydrothermal facilities.

This funky boutique hotel melds retro with modern, as evidenced by the red vinyl couches in the lobby and the exceedingly cool rooftop pool bar, where tables and chairs wade in the water. Whitewashed concrete walls lead to stylish rooms with wood-plank floors imported from Brazil; freestanding whirlpool tubs; dual rain shower heads; and basics like a TV, minibar, and safe. Guests receive a good deal at the ground-floor sushi restaurant.

At this resort on the south end of Maroma Beach, a 25,000-square-foot spa offers massages and body wraps made with chocolate, seaweed, and coffee, and winding paths extend over the mangroves, leading to bungalow suites that rise above the lush vegetation. Also available are five beach casitas and more affordable patio rooms built around sculpture gardens. All rooms have Asian influences like rice-paper walls, onyx sinks, and rain-forest showers. A private dock marks the launching point for diving expeditions. Since this property was formerly the Mandarin Oriental, it doesn't have the typical all-inclusive feel often associated with large resorts in this area.

Home of the "grand slam" (fishing lingo for catching three different kinds of fish in one trip), this charming lodge has nine bungalows, each with air-conditioning, two double beds, couches, bathrooms, and screened-in porches. Boats and guides for fly-fishing and bonefishing are included in the price; you can rent tackle at the lodge. Meals (which are also included) consist mainly of fresh fish dishes and Mayan specialties. You can book a three-night package for $2,155; weeklong stays are a comparatively better deal, though at $3,600 per person per week this is never going to be a cheap ticket.

This fishing lodge is on a rocky outcrop on remote Punta Pájaros Island, reputed to be one of the best places in the world for light-tackle saltwater fly-fishing. The almost all-inclusive stay includes your charter flight from Cancún, a fishing boat and guide, and all meals but not drinks for $6,649 per person per week. An open-air, thatch-roof bar welcomes anglers with drinks, fresh-fish dishes, fruit, and vegetables at the start and end of the day. Cheaper nonfishing packages are also available. A 50% prepayment is required.

A wonderful place to stay if you want to dive, snorkel, kayak, fly-fish, or just relax in a hammock, this hotel has spacious rooms with colorful tiles and hand-woven blankets on single or queen beds. Each room has Wi-Fi, a collection of books, and a kitchenette—though you don't have to worry about breakfast as it's included in the room rate and served in a palapa dining area. Despite the lack of air-conditioning, rooms stay cool with ceiling fans and the ocean breeze. Kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel or fishing equipment are free to use. In high season, there's a three-night minimum (or an additional $5 cleaning fee for shorter stays).

This lavish, adults-only resort was designed around the surrounding jungle and has a great beach, nonstop activities, and terrific food for a resort in its price range. Activities like snorkeling, diving, kayaking, aqua aerobics, water polo, and pool volleyball can keep you occupied for the duration of your stay. The marble-floor lobby has bamboo furniture and a central waterfall underneath a giant palapa roof. Rooms have pleasant wood furniture and private terraces with views of the lush foliage. Three large pools, separated from the outdoor hot tubs by an island of palm trees, look out onto the spectacular beach. The food is exceptional and varied, with everything from Spanish tapas to fruit smoothies.

Slip through the nondescript entrance, and you'll find a charming property with a lush, sprawling garden with partly tiled pathways, lights strung up from palm trees, two inviting pools, and a spacious central palapa with whirring ceiling fans. Rooms encircle the garden, and all are large, clean, colorful, and decorated with furniture purchased secondhand from Mexican haciendas in neighboring states. Being in town instead of at the beachfront has its perks, more local color and much better prices chief among them. Plus, guests here can take advantage of a day at the beach at one of this property's sister hotels. If you're traveling with kids, ask about adjacent rooms. If you're feeling like a splurge, ask about rooms with whirlpool tubs. And if you're sensitive to noise, ask for something at the back of the property (away from the busy road out front).

Tranquility and seclusion are the name of the game in these adults-only, cozy bungalows located a stone's throw from the beach. Although small, each has a bath, a queen- or king-size bed, a hammock, and a terrace that leads to a garden; the three-person suite has an extra pullout bed and a kitchenette. Added creature comforts include hair dryers, TVs, Wi-Fi, refrigerators, and coffeemakers. Meals are served in an on-site restaurant, where the menu includes seafood, grilled dishes, and brick-oven pizzas. To cool off, there's a small swimming pool and the beach is just a two-minute walk away.

The guest rooms at this sprawling resort—built around a lofty lobby with views across the grounds and to the sea—are lustrous, from the contemporary Mexican decor to the marble bathrooms. Some first-floor accommodations also have private plunge pools and direct beach access. Preferred Members enjoy a private beach area and VIP lounge, plus ocean views and private whirlpool tubs. By day you can enjoy volleyball, yoga, Spanish classes, and cooking courses, and, by night, live performances, theme parties, and movies on the beach. Sailing, snorkeling, and kayaks are also included. While parents relax poolside, kids can play at the Maya-themed Explorer's Club, which has a pyramid-shaped climbing wall, a planetarium theater, and a CPR-certified staff. An adjacent playroom with a ball pit and toys appropriate for small children is available for parents with babies or toddlers.

Since access is only via a walk along the beach, there isn't much standing in the way of you and the ocean at this stark-white property, which, as the tallest hotel in Mahahual, also offers spectacular views from its rooftop, where you'll find a small infinity pool and a rooftop bar (open 5 to 10 pm). Most rooms feature two double beds, and all of the rooms here have a hand-painted mural, air-conditioning, cable TV, and a mini-refrigerator; the four rooms facing the water have balconies. This hotel also features one handicap-accessible room on the ground floor with a bed and a futon.

Although this beachfront property has been overshadowed by its newer neighbors, the location—amid 500 acres of lush jungle—is as alluring as ever. A crystal chandelier and marble infinity fountain vie for attention in the extravagant lobby. Junior suites have small sitting rooms, king-size beds, hot tubs, and ocean-facing terraces; in the more upscale Casitas Royale section, swim-up casitas have dome roofs and oceanfront terraces. Eight restaurants serve exceptional dishes. Despite the size of the resort, it strives to be eco-friendly by using solar water-heating systems, energy-saving air-conditioners, and recycled water; a 70,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse grows most of the vegetables served. There's free shuttle service to Cancún and Playa del Carmen for organized shopping tours.

If you absolutely need a place to stay in the area, then this simple three-story hotel is really your only remotely acceptable option. Rooms, which can accommodate up to three people, are bright and clean but basic and dated; upper level ones toward the back are quieter than those on the street level. The restaurant does a brisk business with locals who come for good Yucatecan specialties like poc chuc (pork marinated in sour-orange sauce), bistec a la yucateca (Yucatecan-style steak), and pollopibil. The mole is also recommended.

This small hotel is a repurposed 25-year-old house that caters mostly to divers who come to the XTC Dive Center and use it as launching point for their adventures and explorations. The rooms are cozy and fresh, with ceiling fan and comfortable mattresses. Some include a kitchenette, while others enjoy gorgeous ocean views. 

The family-friendly sister hotel to The Royal (which is across the street) has downtown Playa's best accommodations for the schoolyard set. Two pools, a Jacuzzi, a giant chess set, minigolf, afternoon bingo and blackjack, and a kids' activity room (with babysitting!) will keep young ones busy while Mom and Dad get massages on the beach or mimosas at the breakfast buffet. Although adults may find cast-concrete Grecian columns, New Orleans-style wrought iron breezeways, and walk-in Moorish showers a bit grandiose, they'll make an impression on the juniors. Oceanfront rooms have access to The Royal, and all categories have access to Gran Caribe Real in Cancún. Beach-facing rooms are significantly nicer than those in back, with corresponding prices.

This all-inclusive resort offers Mexican luxury at its best with top-notch gastronomy, stylish rooms, a certified Blue Flag beach, an outstanding spa, and lots of activities for all ages. There are three different types of suites (Zen, Ambassador, Grand Class), but they're all large and have luxury amenities like an ample terrace and a plunge pool or whirlpool tub. The resort might be a bit pricey but it's definitely worth it. 

Live out your rock-star fantasies at this 85-acre all-inclusive—either in the adults-only Heaven section, a pampering resort within the resort, or the family-friendly Hacienda wing, which has a teens' club, disco, kids' pool, 100-foot climbing tower, snorkeling cove, and obstacle fitness trail. This is a great place to bring little tykes, too—the Ultimate Playtime package includes everything from babysitting and diapers to strollers and Gerber baby food. All rooms have balconies, hydro-spa tubs, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour room service. The free Music Lab program lets you play instruments, mix beats, and shoot a music video. Plenty of good restaurants and an enormous spa are also on-site.

At this sophisticated, adults-only sanctuary—in a secluded complex just 15 minutes south of Cancún's airport—a modern Mexican design and a natural color palette with touches of turquoise blue complement the outstanding ocean views. Not a party resort, this intimate all-inclusive property has a calm lagoon-like pool plus an oversized, two-level pool where guests quietly socialize around a swim-up bar. Even the twice-weekly evening DJ's playlist is subdued. The all king-size bedded suites, with either a private swim-out or balcony with a hot tub, include luxuries like twice-daily maid service.  Elevate your stay by booking a Serenity Club oceanfront suite with multiple VIP amenities. On-site restaurants include a Mexican steak house, Asian Fusion with Teppanyaki stations, and the upscale Olios, with a Mediterranean flair. The mixology program is backed by award-winning Yucatán bartenders who are happy to handcraft drinks to your taste. Head to Moons for cabaret five nights a week or join hosted events like casino night. The expansive spa offers cutting-edge treatments, with a hydrotherapy regimen and alternative healing techniques, including Reiki, shamanism, and energy work.

If you are looking for the royal treatment, this massive, colonial-style resort has everything from laundry service and a 24-hour on-site doctor to in-room whirlpool tubs and fully stocked minibars. Ordinary-size rooms are tasteful and equipped with king beds and minibars stocked with snacks (and refilled twice a day); swim-up rooms have clever pool entries from the sliding doors. Wi-Fi is complimentary.

This chic little hotel set right in front of the lagoon offers its guests creature comforts, an excellent restaurant, and lots of tranquility. Rooms are equipped with both air-conditioning and ceiling fans and are decorated with handcrafted furniture made of local wood. On-site amenities include a snack bar, a swimming pool, and a private dock.

Back in the 1960s, Pablo Bush Romero established this resort as a place for his diving buddies to crash, and it still offers pleasant accommodations and a congenial staff. The ocean view trumps the room decor, which is simple and functional. Multi-unit bungalows are surrounded by gardens and standard rooms in the three-story building have pool or bay views. There are also two restaurants and a large swimming pool here.

An interesting fusion of Maya and contemporary decor, budget-friendly Kinbé (which means "path to the sun") is steps from the beach. Even if you don't stay here, visit the impressive lobby, where an onyx bridge crosses an illuminated pool filled by a three-story waterfall. Rooms are divided into four categories: Pretty (the smallest, with one double bed), Moody (two doubles or a king), Rugiada (one king), and Garden (a striking bilevel option with a king bed in the loft). There are private terraces in 10 of the 29 rooms, but only one has a partial ocean view (for better views, head to the rooftop sundeck). Rooms are simple, clean, and stylish with bright white linens and small pops of color on pillows and blankets.

From the lush jungle courtyard to the airy, stone-walled rooms to the sunny, plush rooftop deck with distant ocean views, this boutique hotel is designed to charm at every turn. Rustic chic hits you head on—you enter via a narrow hallway that spills into an open-air courtyard with fountains and streams leading to a breakfast atrium that overlooks a cenote. Purchased at Mexican flea markets, one-of-a-kind room furnishings range from vintage refrigerators to headboards made from 1960s mail-carrier bags; creature comforts include air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, and organic bath products. For extra space, request Room 8 (with an outdoor shower) or Room 9 (with a tub on the terrace). The beautiful rooftop deck has sun beds and a cozy hammock. Laundry service and wine are included in the price.

Large and modern by Chetumal's standards, Hotel Los Cocos has a pool framed by a pleasant garden (a boon on sweltering days) plus rooms—some with balconies or outdoor sitting areas—that are tidy, if not especially stylish. This is also one of the few area hotels that offers guests a gym and communal computers. The waterfront is within easy walking distance. Check the hotel website for discounts.

Although it has few facilities, this hotel is still a great value, with impeccable rooms set around a garden courtyard where trees grow past the third floor. Dark cedar furniture, queen-size beds, spacious bathrooms, and shared patios are among the creature comforts. There's no breakfast included here, but four suites have full kitchens where you can make your own. The beach is just a few blocks away, beach towels are provided free at reception, and beach club discounts are available for guests.

Despite its size, this all-inclusive resort—consisting of the adults-only Tucan and the family friendly Quetzal sections—has managed to preserve natural surroundings that are home to flamingos, turtles, toucans, peacocks, and monkeys. Landscaped pool areas surround the open-air restaurant and reception area. Spacious rooms have cheerful color schemes and patios overlooking dense vegetation. Activities include bike tours, yoga sessions, salsa dancing, and Zumba programs. The roaming animals, kids' club, teen disco, and designated pool for children make this hotel a family favorite.

A perfect spot for a romantic getaway, this lavish adults-only hotel is in the heart of Tulum's world-famous hotel zone. Although the Diksha Spa is considered its main asset, the two excellent on-site restaurants don't stray far behind. Rooms offer wide ample space and make smart use of wood furniture and floors, including the spectacular bathtubs carved out from a single piece of fine local wood. 

This jungle-chic, environmentally conscious hotel on a pristine beach is all about the details—say, colorful, traditional cotton robes made on a loom and handblown glasses from Jalisco. All rooms have king-size beds draped in 200-thread-count cotton sheets and duvets; spacious cabanas come with private plunge pools that can be heated or cooled. The pleasant restaurant serves traditional Mexican dishes made with fresh ingredients, but reserve a seat at the Chef's Table—a small, intimate space featuring a special eight-course tasting menu—for something truly memorable. On Sunday nights, locals gather for free salsa lessons and late-night dancing. And on Saturday, locals gather for a beach party and barbecue.

Built for ecological sustainability, Las Ranitas (the Little Frogs) generates its own electricity through wind-powered generators and solar panels. Each chic and very private room has an ocean view, gorgeous tile headboards, and fabrics from Oaxaca. Terraces overlook gardens and ocean, and jungle walkways lead to the breathtaking beach. Yoga classes are held at 10 am in a fitness studio, and several swimming pools have been added to the property. There are 11 categories of rooms, so choose carefully.

An elegant entrance, Spanish-tile floors, and hand-crafted Guadalajara furnishings greet you at this classy inn, where guest rooms have terraces, as well as sitting areas with dark hardwood furnishings and interesting local crafts. Although all rooms have been upgraded with soundproofed windows, some noise does get through those overlooking Avenida 5 rather than the garden. Breakfast is basic, but hotel offers designated parking ($12 per day) and free access to several beach clubs. Book direct for a 15% discount.