Top 10 hotels in Playa del Carmen: a paradise vacation on the Caribbean coast

Travelers planning a vacation in Mexico have a lot of choices, as Playa del Carmen is home to a wide variety of resorts that are different from each other. Each of the options is worthy of attention, and narrowing down the list can be a daunting task. Playa del Carmen is a beach vacation outpost, with paradise beaches and crystal-clear waters, jungles that amaze with their wealth of natural beauty, and a thriving downtown area filled with clubs, restaurants, and bars.

Whether you're looking for an adults-only corner of tranquility, want a five-star experience, or spend a vacation with the whole family with kids, the best hotels in Playa del Carmen are waiting for guests. All you have to do is choose a place with the right atmosphere and desired amenities using the following selection.

Paradisus Playa del Carmen

Nestled between the mangrove jungle and the soft sands of a magnificent beach, Paradisus Playa del Carmen is a paradise oasis with something for every traveler. The luxurious resort operates on an all-inclusive basis, offering a wide range of different amenities to suit every taste, including

• a water park with steep water slides;

• several swimming pools;
• a modern 8,500-square-foot YHI Spa;
• 22 on-site restaurants and bars for endless dining options.

To get the most out of the Paradisus Playa del Carmen experience, we recommend splurging on The Reserve package, a VIP experience that includes access to a private beach and pool, and exclusive restaurants.

Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort

Among the luxury hotels in Playa del Carmen is the famous Grand Hyatt, located on the coast, near the pedestrianized Quinta Avenida, filled with restaurants, shops and clubs, where life is always bustling. The resort is also close to the city's key attractions. Hedonism lovers will especially enjoy the fact that the popular Mamita's Beach Club, where the best daytime parties in Playa del Carmen are organized, is within walking distance.

The elegant rooms are decorated in a minimalist style and, regardless of configuration, include furnished balconies, so you can enjoy the extraordinary views in comfort. A favorite place for all guests is the oceanfront pools, where various activities take place throughout the day. In addition, there are several dining options on-site, serving everything from the freshest sushi to perfectly cooked steaks.

Fairmont Mayakoba

The iconic Fairmont Mayakoba is deservedly included in the list of the top 10 best hotels in Playa del Carmen thanks to its five-star amenities and location on one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, near the dense mangrove jungle that cuts through narrow water channels. Take an excursion on one of the resort's many boats or spend time as relaxed as possible by the oceanfront pools – the leisure options are limited only by your desire. There are six restaurants and bars on-site, led by Fairmont Mayakoba, specializing in local seafood.

The Fairmont Mayakoba offers rooms in a variety of configurations, from elegant rooms to VIP suites with panoramic terraces and charming two-story casitas. The resort fee includes catamaran excursions, a credit for spa treatments for the entire stay, and more. Guests can choose either a regular hotel plan or an all-inclusive package.

The Mayakoba tourist complex is home to three other luxury resorts. In addition, there is a championship golf course and a traditional Mexican square, El Pueblito, which has been artificially recreated, with numerous shops and restaurants.

Thompson Playa del Carmen Main House

For those who like noisy parties and activities, the Thompson Playa del Carmen is an ideal choice, focusing on entertainment. In particular, guests of one of the best hotels in Playa del Carmen will enjoy the following amenities

• Alessia Day Club, an adults-only club;
• a luxurious rooftop infinity pool with fantastic views of Quinta Avenida and much more;
• a beach house on the oceanfront;

With live DJ performances, endless bubbly, and panoramic views, the Thompson Playa del Carmen continues to be the center of the town's events. However, if you're looking for something a little more relaxed, we recommend staying at the sister hotel with beachfront rooms and a restaurant, which is located within walking distance.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

This chic all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen offers 539 rooms in various configurations. The suites are located in three separate locations – on the water and in the jungle, occupying more than 200 acres of well-groomed grounds. Each of the buildings resembles its resort eco-system with swimming pools, restaurants, and an entertainment program.

Guests can choose from eight gourmet restaurants, as well as the extensive SE Spa. In addition, there is access to a magnificent stretch of white sand beach, and state-of-the-art clubs are provided for children and teenagers. Guests can also use the services of a 24-hour personal concierge.

Viceroy Riviera Maya

The Viceroy Riviera Maya is filled with the atmosphere and even the aromas of the Yucatan thanks to aromatherapy inspired by local plants, and organic soaps, which the concierge offers a choice of when preparing the bed for bed. Each of the villas of this luxury hotel in Playa del Carmen provides a plunge pool, and a large sunbathing terrace with a handmade hammock. The apartments offer amazing views of the ocean or jungle.

You can plan a vacation with your pet, as pets up to 20 pounds are allowed and get their thatched-roof hut. The benefits of Viceroy Riviera Maya continue at the full-service Wayak Spa. The treatments use local ingredients collected in the Riviera Maya forest. The complex has two restaurants, including:

• La Marea, which specializes in fancy Mexican cuisine and is open for dinner only;
• Coral Restaurant + Bar, which hosts a weekly Antojeria night, during which guests have the opportunity to taste a variety of street foods, such as tludas, tamales, or churros.

There is also a small glass-walled fitness center set amidst a lush rainforest, providing a particularly atmospheric workout.

Xcaret Arte Hotel

The new Playa del Carmen hotel was opened in 2021 and is part of the incredible Xcaret family, which includes three resorts on the Yucatan Peninsula and eight theme parks. However, the all-inclusive Hotel Xcaret Arte is designed for adults only. In addition, the resort is based on Mexican culture and art, and each of the six separate buildings is dedicated to different themes, such as music, painting, or ceramics. If you want to get the best room, try booking an oceanfront suite at Casa de los Artistas, which includes a private rooftop pool and bar.

The cenote-style spa is a must-see. Here you will find swimming pools placed in grottoes, and the treatments themselves are carried out in cozy and warmly lit stone caves.

Guests staying at Hotel Xcaret Arte have unlimited access to all Grupo Xcaret theme parks, as well as a variety of workshops and cultural activities, and the reservation price includes airport transfers.

Rosewood Mayakoba

Located next door to the Fairmont Mayakoba on the same 620-acre property, one of the best resort hotels in Playa del Carmen is surrounded by jungle and surprises with its unparalleled tropical sophistication. You can choose from 129 private residences and suites, with large terraces and open-air rain showers, furnished with custom-made furniture by Mexican craftsmen. On-site guests will find eight restaurants and bars to choose from, where they can sample local street food, enjoy seafood from the country's Pacific coast, and start their day with a traditional breakfast.

Rosewood Mayakoba emphasizes the success of its brand and the beauty of the environment in everything. The spa center, located amidst a freshwater lagoon on a green island, deserves special attention. Here you can order not only classic facials or massages but also traditional Mayan practices and even private sessions with the hotel's shaman. The resort also pays special attention to eco-orientation, minimizing waste, using local products in its restaurants, and introducing daily eco-tours that allow everyone to get acquainted with the unique flora and fauna of Mexico and the Mayacoba complex in particular.

Mahekal Beach Resort

Staying at Mahekal Beach Resort, you feel as if you are on a picturesque desert island, but with much better restaurants and modern amenities. The famous Playa del Carmen hotel offers bungalow-style rooms with thatched roofs and private terraces with wicker hammocks. Some of the apartments are located on the oceanfront, while others are surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, colorful flowers, and tall palm trees.

If you want to have a carefree vacation, spending as much time as possible on the first-class Mahekala beach and by the pools with a cocktail in hand, we recommend choosing an all-inclusive package.

However, Mahekal Beach Resort's best-kept secret is its location just one block from Playa del Carmen's dynamic Quinta Avenida, so guests get the best of both worlds. To explore the surrounding area, it is possible to use free bicycles.

Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun

Among the best hotels in Playa del Carmen in Mexico is the five-star Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún. This luxury all-inclusive hotel is located on 500 acres of idyllic beach, one of the most beautiful in the country. The resort is especially popular with those planning a romantic vacation due to its abundance of amenities and desired level of privacy.

Accommodation options include more than 400 rooms that are spacious and stylish. The main highlight of Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún is its two huge pools, including an infinity pool with unrivaled views of the Caribbean Sea, as well as 12 smaller pools, many of which are attached to suites.

An abundance of activities are included in the price, from taco cooking classes and tennis to snorkeling and access to non-motorized water sports. Of course, no stay at Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún is complete without a visit to the luxurious Pevonia Spa. There you can enjoy decadent treatments, such as a pineapple and papaya cream fresh wrap.

What else you need to know about Playa del Carmen

This extraordinary resort town provides endless opportunities for your adventures. From day clubs and eclectic international restaurants to soft white beaches and mangrove forests, Playa del Carmen has it all. If you're planning a trip to Mexico, keep in mind that the best weather here lasts from December to April, and the hurricane season lasts from June to early November.

If you're looking for something special, don't miss breakfast at La Cueva del Chango. The open-air jungle restaurant is located on a quiet, peaceful street off Quinta Avenida.