Catalonia Playa Maroma

Thanks to its acres of protected mangrove forests and five miles of white-sand beach, the Catalonia Playa Maroma doesn't feel like your average all-inclusive. The brightly-colored buildings are filled with rustic, Mexican-folk-art decor, and hammocks are scattered throughout the tropical grounds. The large and airy lobby continues the Mayan theme, with a
vaulted wood-and-thatch ceiling, stone floors, and a pavilion
area with cushioned banquettes and wrought-iron tables
and chairs; its 24-hour bar attracts guests to lounge and mingle at all hours. The meandering, lagoon-style pool has a shallow kids' area and is home to activities like basic scuba lessons; the pool area can get lively and crowded during the day, with loungers filling up early. Fortunately, the beach is larger and there's less competition for space; Privileged guests even have their own, quieter area with waiter service. Hammocks are located around the grounds to accommodate afternoon naps.Thanks to the five restaurant choices, the dining spaces rarely feel crowded, although the main buffet is included in the most packages, so it's most likely to be popular with families. The range of cultures represented in the restaurants' cuisine -- including Italian, Spanish, French, and, of course, Mexican -- is indicative of the hotel's popularity with European tourists.

The Catalonia Playa Maroma is located on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, just 30 minutes south of the Cancun airport but worlds away from Cancun’s party scene. Its grounds are surrounded by mangrove forests -- popular for nature walks -- and spill out onto Playa de Punta Maroma, five miles of undeveloped white-sand beach suitable for long walks, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and sun worshipping. The offshore reefs offer world-class snorkeling and diving, and there are underwater caves nearby for enthusiasts. The popular tourist town of Playa del Carmen is around a 25-minute drive from the resort. Xcaret Park -- an eco-archeological park with Mayan ruins, a butterfly pavilion, riverboat rides, and swimming in a 1,590-foot cenote -- is a 30-minute drive away.

Rooms at the Catalonia Playa Maroma are
simple, spacious, and clean, with brightly colored, folky accents that evoke the area's history and culture. Floors are ceramic tile, and decor includes hand-painted mosaics, tile accents, and carved wood furniture. Bathrooms are generally up to date, if with a bit of water damage, and have hand-painted ceramic sinks and walk-in showers, but no tubs. The Honeymoon
Room has a canopy bed and a more modern bathroom, with a stone-and-glass
shower, two-person jetted tub on the patio, and lush gardens
that come right up to the patio’s edge for extra privacy. All the
standard amenities are provided, including flat-screen TVs with satellite
channels, air-conditioning, and free bottled water. Buildings Five and Six are
closest to the beach and pool, but farthest from the lobby and main restaurant.
Building Four is the most private. It's worth noting that lower-category rooms are less recently renovated than higher-tier rooms, and some guests complain about the softness of the mattresses.

Despite its prime location, the Catalonia Playa Maroma resort offers everything
on site. All-inclusive rate packages vary, but non-motorized water sports are always included; also included are snorkeling, kayaks, catamarans, beach volleyball, water polo, ping-pong, archery, soccer, and tennis (with lighted courts). The lagoon-style pool is surrounded by palm trees and sun beds and has a picturesque footbridge; the sprawling beach has plenty of umbrella-shaded loungers. Margaritas are available all day long, the MaLoo juice bar offers natural pick-me-ups, and the lobby bar is open 24-hours a day. There are five restaurants to choose from: the pleasantly not-generic El Pajarito, the main buffet, with garden views and outdoor seating; poolside grill and salad bar La Tortuga, set under a soaring thatched roof; Tio Pedro, the dinner-only, poolside Mexican restaurant; the rustic-inspired Toscana, with its Italian dinner menu; and the beachfront La Terraza seafood restaurant, not included in the basic rate. There's also a beachfront bar that serves crepes.In a country of beautiful beaches, Playa de Punta Maroma beach is widely regarded as one of Mexico’s 10 best, with white sand so soft that swimmers don't even need water shoes, and two and a half miles of beach for wandering in each direction. The offshore reefs offer fabulous snorkeling and diving, and there are underwater caves nearby for enthusiasts. Privileged guests have access to a cluster of comfy beanbag chairs, and elegant double sunbeds with filmy curtains, with waiter service providing chairside snacks and drinks.There's a large fitness center, as well as a spa with a sauna, whirlpool tub, and full menu of spa treatments, offered indoors or beachside. The entertainment staff leads activities for adults and kids throughout the day and evening, and there is a supervised kids' club, as well as a nightly disco for adults. The resort also has free Wi-Fi, a laundry room, and a game room.