Have you ever taken one of those vacations as a couple where you’re really looking forward to a relaxing break from work and some romantic time together, only to encounter a swimming pool full of screaming kids? Or did you go to a resort with a separate adults-only pool but found it to have a far worse view than the beachfront infinity pools for families? You can avoid this problem by booking a stay at one of the best adults only all inclusive resorts in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
We’ve been covering “the best of the best” luxury resorts in Cancun and the Riviera Maya since 2008, visiting some of them multiple times over the years, so we’ve got a better sense than most about which ones are the best bets for adult couples who want to be around other adults. We also know that nearly every resort wants to call itself a luxury one but only a fraction of the hotels deserve that title.
We look past the giant mass-market mega-resorts and cover the ones with superlative service and restaurants that go beyond the norm. Yes, you can go all-inclusive and eat extremely well if you pick the right place.
The Riviera Maya is a very long stretch of land, stretching from Holbox Island way north of Cancun down to Tulum a couple of hours to the south. There are a few adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Cancun worth a mention and some other top ones south of there, where there’s traditionally been more space to spread out and start fresh. We’re going to start in the north though with Isla Mujeres, just off the coast of Cancun.
By the way, there’s nothing wrong with all-inclusive resorts catering to families and some of the world’s best are in this region. We had a great time with our daughter at places like Grand Velas Riviera Maya and we have detailed reviews of many of these resorts on our site. There are times you are trying to escape the kids though, not vacation with them, even if you’re a parent yourself.
So here are the best Riviera Maya all-inclusive resorts for adults if you’re looking for quiet, relaxation, and romance instead.
Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets
This is one of the newest luxury all-inclusive resorts in the Riviera Maya and it’s one of the best, especially since you never have to worry about seaweed on the beach here. Isla Mujeres gets less sargassum anyway than the mainland does, but also the ingenious dock set-up here has a second purpose of filtering out what does float this way. So the water is gorgeous all year.
We were really impressed with this Hyatt Group property when we stayed in mid-2005 and probably thanks to some point cash-ins, it pulls in a younger crowd than some of the others on this list. Enjoy the infinity pool on the upper lobby level, two more private pools below, and the great oceanfront loungers with food and drink servers roaming around.
You also get multiple restaurants and bars to choose from and if you choose a “Deluxe” level room, you’ll have lots of space plus a furnished balcony with your own whirlpool. Come take a tour here:
Check out a detailed review of Impressions Isla Mujeres by Secrets at our online magazine.
Almare, a Luxury Collection Resort
This is another recent opening, also on Isla Mujeres, that offers an adults-only all-inclusive experience for couples and adult friends to have a peaceful escape. This is one of the smaller resorts on this list, with 105 rooms, so you get plenty of attention from the ample staff.
Don’t come here to have a seemingly endless list of bars, restaurants, and facilities. There’s a rooftop pool with excellent sunset views plus a restaurant and bar up there. Then on the ground floor you’ve got another larger swimming pool, two bars, a coffee shop with pastries, two restaurants, and a lunchtime food truck. The beach and dock area here is beautiful and you can take out a kayak or paddleboard.
As with the Impressions resort above, the resort has its own boat to bring you from the mainland directly to the hotel. Almare is part of the Marriott family, so you can earn or cash in points with them for your stay.
See our detailed review of Almare Luxury Collection Resort in Isla Mujeres. Or take a video tour of Almare here.
La Casa de la Playa
Every few years a resort comes along that tries to outdo what’s already out there in the popular Riviera Maya region and they usually do that by going bigger and bolder. La Casa de la Playa went for quality over quantity instead, outdoing its adults only all inclusive resorts competitors from Day One with celebrity chef gourmet restaurants, true top-shelf liquor, and the most amazing “standard” guest rooms I’ve ever experienced. It sits on what is essentially a private beach since the only way to reach it from elsewhere is by boat.
This is a project from Xcaret, a company not exactly known for being low-key and subtle, but they learned from their other two hotels that are aimed at a wider market and then put all the best aspects into this adult-only resort aimed at the most high-end guests instead. Sure, you still get your swim-up bar, great fitness center, ocean views, and a big flat-screen TV in your room. But you also get a complimentary artisan chocolate room, a restaurant from one of the world’s most famous chefs, and a jellyfish aquarium you can gaze at from your king-size bed!
The private balconies are huge here and rooms are set up like open spacious suites where indoor and outdoor blend into one another. Outside you have an oversized plunge pool with a hammock over it and two lounging chairs. The suites have a full-on party terrace with a larger pool.
All aspects are high-end here, from the Tesla pickup at Cancun International Airport to the custom whirlpool tubs that are a work of art. With only 68 rooms, it’s easy to eat where you want each night and no need for a golf cart pick-up here.
This is one of the most luxurious resorts in North America, one of the best Mexican spa resorts, and this adults-only all-inclusive resort is just to the south of Playa del Carmen. Check out more here: La Casa de la Playa resort review. Here’s an addition to that from the blog: 27 things we loved about Casa de la Playa.
See rates for your dates here.
Royal Hideaway Playacar
Also located just south of Playa del Carmen, this is the Riviera Maya’s original luxury all-inclusive resort (opened in 1998) and one that has always catered to discerning upscale travelers looking for a beach vacation with no stress. Royal Hideaway Playacar is an understated adult resort that is located in a gated community formed back when PDC was a dirt-road village and not one of the fastest-growing cities in the Americas.
Despite having just 200 rooms, there are six swimming pools around the property, some hidden away and very private, while there are a few hot tubs and beach lounge chairs as well. There are also six dining outlets to choose from, one a formal signature restaurant with a piano player and extensive wine selection. The 24-hour room service is part of the all-inclusive plan.
You get access to top white-sand beaches with a view out to Cozumel, but without the big crowds you find in the city itself. With its mature palm trees, water features, and tennis courts, it feels like a more genteel resort than many newer ones on this coast. Just be advised that it’s not a high-rise though, so pick a Cancun option if you want to be assured of spectacular views. On the plus side though, it’s walking distance (or a short cab ride) to Playa del Carmen’s pedestrian-only 5th avenue, so you can get out of the resort and do something easily. Check out this Playa del Carmen itinerary for ideas.
See our detailed Royal Hideaway Playacar review here.
See rates for your dates here.
UNICO 20º 87º
I would imagine that people just type “Unico resort Mexico” into a search bar instead of trying to remember that complicated longitude/latitude name, but this adult all-inclusive hotel has positioned itself well as a top option for younger travelers with plenty of money to spend who don’t want to hang out with retirees. That’s a tough market to stake the fortunes of a huge 448-room property on, but despite the heavy competition in the area, UNICO has managed to make it work.
While this is larger than most resorts we cover for the luxury crowd, it seldom feels all that crowded thanks to three large pools and multiple dining outlets. Restaurants are top-notch and it’s worth noting that the company developing this resort is the same one that owns Nobu Los Cabos. There’s more to do at night here than at many other Riviera Maya options. Here’s what our reviewer found:
The night is young and there are plenty of options to let loose or to unwind at Unico, from a movie night by the pool to live music at Palmera lounge, a deck with Cuban vibes from the 1940s. We went for the wine and astronomy session, looking through a telescope at Jupiter’s moons while enjoying a glass of red.
Rooms have plenty of pampering amenities and enough local touches to provide a sense of place. Plus you’re a few minutes walk from the Mexican Caribbean. Unico has quickly gotten a reputation as one of the best resorts on the coast, even earning AAA 5-diamond status the past few years. See our full review of Unico Resort.
Le Blanc Cancun Spa Resort
This long-established adults-only all-inclusive resort in Cancun competes with Live Aqua (below) as the top luxury choice on the strip. It’s also one of the best spa resorts. Thanks to an aggressive renovation schedule that keeps the whole place looking fresh, it presents a new look every few years while still maintaining its core of great food, service, and beachfront location.
If you like the South Beach Miami look, you’ll be thrilled with Le Blanc Cancun, though they’ve opened up the lobby over the years to make it more of a comfortable lounge space. Still, with some glitzy gold touches, torches at night, and well-designed LED lights on the exterior, the place really makes you feel like you’re in an urban resort by the beach instead of some isolated retreat. The crowd is generally a bit younger than the luxury norm and ready to drink and dance.
It’s hard to find fault with this well-run hotel, with designer-chic restaurants where the cuisine is top-notch, elegant bars, and a good liquor selection where you don’t feel like you’re slumming it just because you’re at an all-inclusive spot. Rooms are spacious and inviting and they all have a good ocean view. The luxury spa here gets high marks and sometimes you can find a package on the official website that includes a generous spa credit.
Marble baths have a wide array of Bvlgari toiletries, robes, and a whirlpool tub for two. Apple TV and Netflix are loaded on the flat-screen TVs, pillow menus and aromatherapy join nightly turndown service. Room service runs 24 hours and is part of the all-inclusive plan. Ready to splurge? “The five Presidential Suites take up the whole top floor of the resort and will make you feel like a head of state with their huge dining room, full living room, office, wet bar, and oversized balcony.” See a video tour or our full review of Le Blanc Cancun.
And hey, don’t just take our word for it: this has been a Mexican 5-diamond resort since soon after it opened. Check rates here.
Live Aqua Cancun – Adults Only All-Inclusive
This is the other true luxury all-inclusive resort for adults in Cancun and Live Aqua gets rave reviews from guests, many of whom have stayed here multiple times. It’s part of Mexico’s largest hotel chain, but is one of their flagship pride-and-joy properties that they’re rightfully proud of.
This might just have the most elaborate swimming pool set-up in the city, with eight pools to choose from spread out among the extensive footprint this property has overlooking the Cancun beach. Several outdoor pools offer views out to the ocean, including the largest one stretching out along the beach and the party zone one at the end with a swim-up bar. There are also hot tubs sprinkled throughout for cool evenings and the beach has plenty of lounge chairs and daybeds.
You get multiple great onsite restaurants to choose from here, all with high standards, ranging from a sushi bar to a sit-down special dinner that goes through the historic cuisine of the Yucatan Peninsula. There are nine choices in all, including a refreshingly authentic beach bar place serving fish tacos and ceviche with buckets of beer.
Rooms at Live Aqua, most with ocean views, aren’t quite as large and pampering as the Le Blanc ones but are well-equipped. I especially liked the terrycloth hoodie robes and the attentive service (there’s a butler on each floor). Upgrade to a suite for more space and access to a lounge with more high-end liquor choices. See our full review of Live Aqua Cancun or check out a video tour here.
Check rates for your dates online.
Secrets the Vine Cancun
AMR Resorts was once a fine independent Mexican hospitality company with high standards, especially at its Secrets, Now, and Zoetry brands, but they went full-on mass-market when Apple Tours acquired them and they didn’t even maintain a PR department. Nearly all their guests were on package tour vacations so the high-end places didn’t feel so high-end.
One of the exceptions was Secrets the Vine on the strip in Cancun, which perhaps because of the clientele it attracted as a wine-focused all-inclusive, kept its service reputation higher than some other properties with the Secrets name. Now that the chain has been acquired by Hyatt, we are more optimistic about the future of the Secrets brand, though they’re still being strangely publicity-shy though, so none of our correspondents has set foot in this resort for years. So pay close attention to customer reviews and read between the lines.
This beachfront Cancun resort for adults only has good-sized rooms with a nice furnished balcony, nice marble bathrooms with dual sinks and robes, and a minibar that can be customized with your drink choices. You have access to a golf course and full-service spa here. Multiple restaurants and bars keep the options interesting and if you’re a wine lover, this is probably the best option apart from La Casa de la Playa mentioned earlier.
See our (getting old) review of Secrets the Vine Cancun.
Check rates for your dates here.
There’s no shortage of adults only all inclusive resorts in the Cancun and Riviera Maya regions, but many of them touted as luxury properties are really way too large and impersonal to provide a true romantic getaway. Most of their guests are coming in on quickly booked package tours, not as discerning luxury travelers who are looking for the top places to stay. At any of the resorts listed here, you’ll be in good hands.
For the more extensive a la carte options available in the region, some also adults-only resorts, see our picks for the best luxury resorts in Cancun and Riviera Maya.
