1. Viceroy Riviera Maya
Consistently lauded by travel experts, this stylish member of the Viceroy Resorts clan has a long-standing reputation to uphold. And aside from a few complaints about high room rates, Viceroy Riviera Maya also wins the hearts of its guests. Surrounded by white sands and verdant jungle – just north of downtown Playa del Carmen, Mexico – this intimate resort encompasses 41 villas designed to mirror the Riviera Maya’s impressive landscape. Accommodations are appointed with private plunge pools, outdoor rain showers and hammocks, plus creature comforts like Bose radios, free Wi-Fi access and satellite TVs with DVD players. Recent guests recommend dining alfresco at Coral Restaurant + Bar, which pairs seaside scenery with enticing traditional small bites. But past patrons assure you won’t be disappointed with a meal at La Marea, which offers a sophisticated setting and flavorful Mexican dishes. And though the therapeutic massages and revitalizing body treatments at the WAYAK spa come attached to steep price tags, past guests assure the services are well worth the extra cost.
2. Grand Vela’s Riviera Maya
This 85-acre, all-inclusive property approximately 5 miles northeast of central Playa del Carmen, Mexico, garners rave reviews from its guests. The accommodations impress with whirlpool tubs, 42-inch plasma-screen TVs and at least 1,100 square feet of space. Meanwhile, guests consistently praise the resort’s excellent customer service, its gourmet cuisine and its revitalizing spa services. During your stay, you can sign up for invigorating treatments like the Mayan Jade Facial or the Coffee & Cocoa Experience. If you’re more interested in staying active, consider breaking a sweat in the fitness center, signing up for a free fitness class or borrowing complimentary kayaks and boogie boards at the beach. The all-inclusive rates also cover meals at the property’s eight restaurants and other privileges, such as kids and teens club activities, 24-hour concierge services and drinks. Plus, the hotel is part of the Preferred hotel group, so members of the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program can earn points and use free night certificates here.