Mexico hotels

[NewtoOrlando]

I know there’s been a few Mexico posts around but I’m hoping for some recommendations. We’re looking at Mexico for next year, more than likely end of Nov/early Dec time. At the moment it’s just me & Craig, the kids might come depending on work/college etc. i like to be busy, Craig does not 😂 so would be looking at 10/11 nights. I did try and talk him into a week in Orlando and 8/9 nights in Mexico but he’s ignoring my demands for now 😂😂 He also poopoo’d mh Thailand idea. So we thought Mexico as we could do a boat trip & visit the cenotes & Chichen Itza to keep my ants in their pants!

But I keep looking at hotels, and I am so overwhelmed. We’ve only ever done long haul to the USA and have never done an all inclusive hotel. Not even in Europe. I like the look of the Planet Hollywood hotel, and the Royalton Hideaway.

I’m looking for something like this

*on the beach
*sea views
*multiple bars & dining experiences - so not just a buffet with themed nights etc.
*somewhere where men are not required to wear shirts/long trousers every evening for dinner
*entertainment not so much if an issue as we’re very relaxed and happy for a nice dinner & a few drinks in the bar, round the pool etc.
*a modern laid back vibe

I’ve looked at some of the premium hotels with TUI - 2025 isn’t on sale yet, but there are so many hotels, that it would be nice to have some recommendations from people who have been! I’ve seen some hotels where you have to book the restaurants early in the morning, or you have to pay to upgrade to a higher class too? Is the the norm? Well out of my depth with this one!

Can a phone recommend anywhere similar to the above? Doesn’t have to be adult only either!

Thank you!

[fluff48]

We’ve been to the Bahia Principe chain in Riviera Maya 7 times (here just now). It’s a big resort with loads of a la carte restaurants. You’d want to stay at Akumal if wanting no buffets at night & room service. Sian Kaan is nice but a trek at nights for the food with trolleys being an issue. Not high luxury but good food/drinks and great staff. If you join the free loyalty programme, you do online check in 10 days before arrival & book your meals. Evening meals will need booked in advance & I suspect most AI Mexico hotels are the same except for maybe the higher price tags ones.

Probably lots of better hotels at a higher price band but you won’t miss out going for a lower price, in my opinion anyway.

Ps all the above ticked & they relaxed long trousers a lot after covid. Only 2 restaurants require long trousers for men now.

[marypoppins38]

We go to Azul Riviera Cancun Resort in a few weeks. I will report back on how it was.

[scottishmum]

Originally Posted by NewtoOrlando

I know there’s been a few Mexico posts around but I’m hoping for some recommendations. We’re looking at Mexico for next year, more than likely end of Nov/early Dec time. At the moment it’s just me & Craig, the kids might come depending on work/college etc. i like to be busy, Craig does not 😂 so would be looking at 10/11 nights. I did try and talk him into a week in Orlando and 8/9 nights in Mexico but he’s ignoring my demands for now 😂😂 He also poopoo’d mh Thailand idea. So we thought Mexico as we could do a boat trip & visit the cenotes & Chichen Itza to keep my ants in their pants!

But I keep looking at hotels, and I am so overwhelmed. We’ve only ever done long haul to the USA and have never done an all inclusive hotel. Not even in Europe. I like the look of the Planet Hollywood hotel, and the Royalton Hideaway.

I’m looking for something like this

*on the beach
*sea views
*multiple bars & dining experiences - so not just a buffet with themed nights etc.
*somewhere where men are not required to wear shirts/long trousers every evening for dinner
*entertainment not so much if an issue as we’re very relaxed and happy for a nice dinner & a few drinks in the bar, round the pool etc.
*a modern laid back vibe

I’ve looked at some of the premium hotels with TUI - 2025 isn’t on sale yet, but there are so many hotels, that it would be nice to have some recommendations from people who have been! I’ve seen some hotels where you have to book the restaurants early in the morning, or you have to pay to upgrade to a higher class too? Is the the norm? Well out of my depth with this one!

Can a phone recommend anywhere similar to the above? Doesn’t have to be adult only either!

Thank you!

See more...

Grand Riveira Princess/ Riviery Maya
Been twice and ticks all of the above.
You can book your a la carte on the app

It also has its own beach type club where if you opt for one meal (payable) each has to spend $45 pp you get stress to their private area on the beach for the whole holiday with waiter service .

[orlandoamber]

I would look at the hotels in the gated Playacar area - you can then also walk out to the shopping/dining area just outside the gates which is nice for a change to the hotel restaurants/bars!

You can also walk to the embarkation point for the ferry to Cozumel which is a great day trip.

[happytraveller]

We are doing Hard Rock Riviera Maya and Hotel Xcaret Arte.

[Marchtime]

We're on a similar search for October 2025.
We're heading away with friends and their two children (6 & 8).
I feel I've read every review and looked at every hotel but still no closer to picking one. Our original short list was Moon Palace and Magaritaville, but a family friend has just returned from Moon Palace and didn't have a great time so that's been struck off.
Following this thread as our criteria are similar!

[NewtoOrlando]

Originally Posted by marypoppins38

We go to Azul Riviera Cancun Resort in a few weeks. I will report back on how it was.

See more...

Thank you! Be interesting to hear your thoughts as we can’t book yet as Nov 25 isn’t on sale so plenty of time to decide!

[NewtoOrlando]

Originally Posted by Marchtime

We're on a similar search for October 2025.
We're heading away with friends and their two children (6 & 8).
I feel I've read every review and looked at every hotel but still no closer to picking one. Our original short list was Moon Palace and Magaritaville, but a family friend has just returned from Moon Palace and didn't have a great time so that's been struck off.
Following this thread as our criteria are similar!

See more...

It’s so hard to pick isn’t it? Our 2 will be 19 & nearly 18 when we do go, at the moment they aren’t coming but at the back of my mind I always think of what they might like about places incase they do want come (actually hoping they want to!)

We want laid back, beachy, multiple dining options and minimum 4*. Not too much to ask is it? Haha. Good luck with your research! My husband really likes the look of Planet Hollywood Cancun as it’s modern and huge.

And for what it’s worth, I always wanted to go to Moon Palace, but my boss went not so long ago and had a rubbish experience so that changed my mind too!

[NewtoOrlando]

Originally Posted by happytraveller

We are doing Hard Rock Riviera Maya and Hotel Xcaret Arte.

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Please can you report back with your thoughts? Always interested in an honest review from dibbers rather than trip advisor!