All-inclusive hotels are an excellent option for travelers who prefer to know what they’ll do and how much they’ll spend upfront on a vacation. With meals, drinks, most activities and gratuities built into the cost, you’ll never need to worry about going over budget, nor should there be any surprises on your bill at the end of the trip.
These cashless vacations also require little to no planning and give travelers the freedom to completely relax, as most everything is taken care of in advance; the most significant decision you’ll make all day might be choosing a lounge chair at the beach or the pool.
Between on-site activities like water sports and fitness and culinary classes, and the numerous on-property restaurants, you’ll never have to leave the resort. Plus, your minibar is always stocked, cocktails are free-flowing at the bars and room service delivers 24/7 without an extra service charge. So, really, what more could you want?
Luxury, for one. In the past, all-inclusives earned a reputation for having bad food, poor service and watered-down drinks. However, in the past decade, they have evolved, and high-end all-inclusives are no longer an oxymoron.
With excellent service, culinary chops and the ability to create private oases for their guests, the following luxury resorts on Mexico’s Riviera Maya have criteria that set them apart from the competition and are worth consideration for your next vacation.
A Sophisticated Sanctuary
Haven Riviera Cancun
Just 15 minutes south of the airport, the Haven Riviera Cancun sits on a secluded shoreline of Riviera Cancun. This adults-only, all-inclusive resort attracts a sophisticated crowd celebrating anniversaries or milestone birthdays, as well as travelers who enjoy vacationing with friends.
Modern upscale Mexican decor, in shades of turquoise blue with light-colored woods and sandstone tile, adorn all 333 king-bed suites that have either ocean or garden views. Ground-floor suites have swim-out pools; however, if you want more privacy, book a room on a higher floor, where you’ll find a relaxing whirlpool bath on the balcony. Even better, upgrade to one of theSerenity Club Suites, which have premium oceanfront views and include VIP treatment and services, as well as complimentary butler service.
In alignment with the property’s philosophy of pampering and tranquility, the Haven’s spa, a 15,700-square-foot sanctuary, offers several treatments that incorporate Mayan healing philosophies. Begin your treatment with the large hydrotherapy circuit — an intricate maze of hot tub jets designed to massage each part of your body. Then, move on to the water-journey experience, which includes a Hammam-style steam room, an aroma steam room and a cold-water plunge pool. Pair this with a massage, facial or body treatment for ultimate relaxation.
Meals at the property’s four restaurants are informal, except for Olios, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant where flavorful, artistically presented dishes are served at dinner. Before your meal, enjoy a handcrafted cocktail at Limes, then afterward catch a cabaret show at Moons.
Suites from $500-$650/night
Family-Friendly Luxury
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach
Experience refinement at Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancún, which recently converted to an all-inclusive spa resort. Located at the far end of the Hotel Zone on Cancun’s most secluded stretch of white-sand beach, this property is an ideal pick for families. Perfectly positioned in a protected cove across from Isla Mujeres, the resort’s crystal-clear turquoise waters are calm and swimmable. Those who don’t care for sand in their toes can enjoy the large lagoon-style pool that stretches almost the entire length of the property with swim-up bars and plenty of space to swim and play.
The resort’s 602 oceanfront suites come with private terraces and stunning Caribbean views. For those seeking the ultimate indulgence, upgrade your room to the Infinite Club, which includes privileged services and enhanced amenities. No matter which room type you choose, you’ll enjoy the highest level of service from the hotel’s well-trained staff.
The hotel has added a $2 million, 40,000-square-foot Kids’ Club and the ultramodern Gem Spa in the past several years. Parents can feel confident that their children are having plenty of fun without them at this interactive, high-tech playground while they have private time indulging in treatments at the new spa, which includes a 10-step hydrotherapy ritual.
Enjoy breakfast in the privacy of your room on the balcony, lunch on your lounger and, for a special dinner, dine at the AAA five-diamond Le Basilic. Doubling as a gallery, Le Basilic displays paintings by local artist Leon Alva, and classically trained ballet dancers perform nightly during the meal.
Suites from $640/night
Bohemian Paradise
Palmaïa – The House of AïA
Not a manufactured paradise, the newly opened Palmaïa – The House of AïA looks as though it belongs there. The property is situated between the ocean and the jungle on a pristine stretch of beach just south of Playa del Carmen. Sand-colored buildings designed to blend in with the natural environment are surrounded by tropical foliage and cold-water cenotes.
This unique concept hotel focuses on guest relaxation. Yoga, Tai Chi and meditation classes are offered as part of the weekly Architects of Life program. In addition, an outdoor jungle spa with programs designed to heal both your emotional and physical well-being adds to your moment of Zen. Treatments include a footbath followed by a dip in one of the three cenotes on the property.
Straight out of a scene from Ibiza or Mykonos, Bohemian-style cabanas with comfy sun loungers and Balinese daybeds line the resort’s white-sand beach. Bikes both big and small are available for guest use and are found under palapas throughout the property. Hypnotic tribal beats that are part of the Rituals Sound program are the soundtrack to your day, along with ocean waves that crash gently in the background. Unintrusive staff, dressed in flowing gauze robes, seemingly appear at just the right moment to refill your drink or offer you a handcrafted cocktail.
At Palmaïa, the “gifting lifestyle,” a revised term for all-inclusive, means that butlers are replaced with nomadic guides who are available 24/7 via WhatsApp to cater to your every whim. Plastic bottles are replaced with tumblers that you are gifted upon your arrival. The hotel’s plant-based mealsare designed with healthy living in mind, but carnivores are welcome to add meat proteins to any dish. It’s worth noting that food this good is rarely found at an all-inclusive resort.
Families who vacation at the property are invested in spending time together, not in creating Instagrammable moments. In fact, the children’s program is based on the Waldorf Teacher Preparation Programs, which shy away from electronics. With enough room for a family of five, their family suites are thoughtfully designed with king-size beds and bunk beds, as well as a trundle. Bathtubs are replaced with double showers so everyone can quickly rinse off after a day at the beach or pool.
Rooms from $900/night
Five Star and Fabulous
Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun
From the moment you set foot in the massive modern lobby of Le Blanc Spa and Resort, you’ll know why it’s the only all-inclusive, adults-only, five-diamond resort in Cancun’s hotel zone. Their recent $10 million top-to-bottom renovation showcases expansive spaces finished with polished marble, onyx and warm wooden accents. Ensconced in luxury and offering a diverse selection of restaurants and services, it’s an excellent choice for a romantic getaway.
Several weeks before your arrival, a Le Blanc concierge will reach out to assist with dinner reservations and help plan activities. Therefore, you’ll be able to begin your vacation straightaway rather than be bogged down with those particulars upon your arrival.
The resort offers an assortment of gourmet restaurants featuring French, Italian, Asian and other international cuisines. While the dress is defined by casual or formal elegance, evenings are all glitz and glam. You’ll find that ladies showcase their fanciest clothes, especially when dining at Lumière, an upscale, intimate French restaurant featuring a seven-course tasting menu.
Pamper yourself with a treatment at BlancSpa. Begin with a complimentary hydrotherapy session, including a cinnamon-infused sauna, a steam room, an ice room and a jacuzzi, as well as cold and warm lagoons. Next, choose from one of the many unique treatments such as the Kukulcan massage — a sacred Mayan ritual where four hands are choreographed in a simulation of three sacred animals — the jaguar, the snake and the eagle.
Technologically progressive, Le Blanc offers a custom app to communicate with your butler throughout your stay. Preview menus, adjust dinner reservations, make spa appointments, select a pillow from the pillow menu or even schedule breakfast for the following morning. Le Blanc’s high staff-to-guest ratio ensures you are always taken care of.
Rooms from $1,062/night
Serene Seclusion
TRS Coral Hotel
Looking for a more peaceful vacation? Forgo Cancun’s busy hotel zone in favor of the adults-only TRS Coral Hotel located on a quiet stretch of beach 30 minutes north in Costa Mujeres. The resort has earned the exclusive designation as a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, one of only three in Cancun. TRS Coral is a tranquil hideaway; the perfect adult getaway for couples or small groups of friends.
Built with sustainable materials, the hotel’s modern architectural aesthetic blends with the natural landscape. All of the spacious suites have balconies or a terrace and feature a full-size soaking tub with a separate shower, plus 24-hour in-suite service. Your personal butler is available via WhatsApp to assist with anything you need.
By combining two Palladium Hotel Group properties in one location — the TRS Coral and the neighboring family-friendly Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa — the resort can offer unparalleled access to shared amenities such as the new Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre. One of the most comprehensive tennis facilities in Mexico, it boasts eight clay tennis courts and instruction.
The Dine Around program means you can eat at all of the restaurants and bars at both properties, including a 24-hour sports bar and enjoy a dinnertime cabaret show. In addition, although guests of both hotels can go to The Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness Center, TRS Coral Hotel guests enjoy complimentary access to the hydrotherapy area.
Rooms from $450-$500/night
Beachfront Haven
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
If you’re still hesitant to book an all-inclusive resort, the Banyan Tree Mayakoba could be your perfect alternative. Tucked away inside the exclusive Mayakoba gated community, this five-star eco-resort fuses both a la carte style and all-inclusive elements into their rates.
Much like an all-inclusive property, they offer a wide range of complimentary amenities and services, such as margarita-making classes, eco-boat tours through Mayakoba’s mangroves, group yoga classes and access to the property’s tennis and paddleball courts. Additionally, the Rangers Kids’ Club is also free of charge. All accommodations come with two complimentary cruiser bikes, free high-speed Wi-Fi, fresh fruit and bottled water that is replenished daily.
On-property dining choices range from casual to upscale and offer vegan, Asian, Italian, Mexican and other international culinary options. A complimentary shuttle service is available to transport you from your suite to any of the restaurantsat the other hotels within the Mayakoba community. There is no need to carry your wallet along either: After your meal, simply sign the bill to your room.
The Banyan Tree Mayakoba recently underwent a $50 million expansion, adding 34 oversized beachfront pool suites>to its collection of villas. These spacious new suites, ranging from 1,740 to 3,155 square feet, are ideal for large families or multigenerational groups. They seamlessly blend indoor-outdoor living with a fully furnished teak deck; an oceanfront, heated plunge pool; and a limestone interior patio with an outdoor shower and whirlpool bathtub. With room service just a phone call away, you may never want to leave this private retreat.
Beachfront Pool Suites from $1,249/night
Enjoyed this? You might also enjoy these articles from the fall edition of ClubLife:
The Big Island Beckons
A range of activities, room to relax and breathtaking beauty make the Island of Hawaii perhaps the greatest of all Hawaiian getaways
25 Best New Hotels in the World
Inspired new openings from around the globe