Lote Hotelero No. 6, Playa del Carmen, Mexico | 52 (984) 873-4500
Adults-only all-inclusive resort on a beautiful beach in Playa del Carmen
Located a short drive from great shopping along Playa’s Fifth Avenue
Luxurious rooms have jetted tubs, separate showers, and balconies
Two-level suites with hammocks, living spaces, and kitchens available
Six outstanding restaurants, including a Chef’s Table and Mexican eatery
Six swimming pools, including ocean-view infinity pool
Three bars serve premium-branded alcohol, plus there’s 24-hour room service
High-end Retreat Spa offers massages, wellness treatments, and salon services
Small fitness center, plus two lit tennis courts
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Free non-motorized water sports and games like ping-pong
Daytime activities and evening entertainment at theater
Personalized wedding packages available
Main pool can get a little loud and often difficult to snag a chair
Only one bar remains open after midnight
No buffet restaurant and restaurants require reservations
The 201-room Royal Hideaway Playacar is an adults-only all-inclusive resort offering a luxury beachfront experience in Playa del Carmen. Extensive features consist of six swimming pools, a full-service spa with great treatments, lovely beachfront with sunbeds, and a good array of activities and entertainment. Unfortunately, guests have complained of loungers at the main pool getting snagged early. Six restaurants serve well-regarded food, including Mexican, Italian, and Asian cuisines, but there’s no buffet and all eateries require reservations. Premium-branded liquor and non-alcoholic beverages are served at the three bars. Colonial-style rooms range from attractive standard units with jetted tubs, separate showers, and furnished terraces to two-level Casitas with living spaces and kitchens. The beautiful grounds, overall sophisticated vibe, adults-only policy, and beautiful coastal location a short drive from shopping on Playa’s Fifth Avenue make it one of the most attractive options for couples in Playacar. Families, meanwhile, should consider the kid-friendly Grand Velas Riviera Maya, an all-inclusive luxury resort.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
What Are the Design and Scene Like at the Royal Hideaway Playacar?
This gorgeous, mostly peaceful all-inclusive property has European flair, an adults-only policy, and some of the best food around.
The adults-only, all-inclusive Royal Hideaway Playacar wows at first sight. A red carpet placed along a wide, airy hallway dotted with colonial-style benches, candelabra, and plants guides guests to a stunning, two-story reception area where the concierge welcomes them with a flute of champagne and a cool towel.
The old-world-inspired lobby is probably one of the most striking public areas in the hotel, with long, narrow windows showing off a beautiful garden view and a grand staircase that descends to the lower level, where guests can read one of the books borrowed from the hotel’s library. The reception area features a dome with a skylight, as well as elegant decor, including a couple of European paintings, and two wooden desks where guests are checked in.
Several two- to three-story buildings house the hotel’s 201 rooms and suites, all featuring upscale Colonial-style decor, swish bathrooms, and balconies or terraces overlooking the manicured grounds. Winding paths are dotted by fountains, man-made ponds, and palm trees that run between the buildings, making this all-inclusive feel smaller and more intimate.
Only adults 18 and over are allowed at the resort, and daily activities and entertainment are kept to a minimum, so those looking to spend a quiet vacation will probably find this to be more relaxing than many other hotels in Riviera Maya. However, note that the main pool area can get a little loud during the day, plus past guests have complained of loungers being reserved as early as 7 a.m. Fortunately, there are other swimming pools and the beautiful beach for lounging.
Where is the Royal Hideaway Playacar Located?
The resort is on a white-sand beach in Playacar, a resort community just outside of Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya.
The Royal Hideaway is located on the southern end of Playacar, a resort community just south of Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya of Mexico. There are several high-end properties surrounding the hotel, but little else can be found within walking distance. However, Playa’s Fifth Avenue -- home to fantastic shopping -- is just a short 15-minute drive away. The resort is located on one of the best beaches in the area, with fine white sand, and turquoise waters.
It used to be the home of the Mayans and after that a small fishing village, but now Playa del Carmen -- or "Playa" as the locals call it -- is full of exciting nightclubs, popular restaurants, cute boutiques, and resort hotels that sit on lovely white sandy beaches. The closest airport is Cancun International Airport, which is a roughly one-hour drive away.
What Are Rooms Like at the Royal Hideaway Playacar?
Bright and spacious rooms have Colonial-style decor, furnished terraces, jetted tubs, and separate showers.
The Royal Hideaway Playacar’s 201 rooms are housed is several low, yellow buildings surrounded by lush greenery dotted with fountains and small ponds. They have an elegant Colonial-style design consisting of dark-wood furniture, beige marble floors, and linens in white, beige, and robin’s egg blue hues. The overall look is attractive but on the traditional side. Furnished balconies or terraces offer garden or ocean views, and upgraded suites add loungers and hammocks.
Entry-level Luxury Rooms measure 528 square feet, while Honeymoon Suite Rooms are 1,270 square feet across two levels. Bathrooms are swish across the board, equipped with jetted tubs, separate walk-in showers, free toiletries, hairdryers, bathrobes, and slippers. Other standard amenities include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, free minibars, electronic safes, free fresh fruit basket upon arrival, iPod docks, and coffeemakers.
The two-level, 1,625-square-foot Royal Casita has three bedrooms, a living and dining room, kitchen, and hot tub on the terrace.
What's the Beach Like at the Royal Hideaway Playacar?
This gorgeous stretch of white-sand beach sits next to pretty turquoise waters and is lined with free loungers.
Royal Hideaway Playacar is located right on a beautiful white-sand beach, considered to be one of the best stretches in the area. It features lots of loungers with shades and bar service. It is adjacent to other hotels' pools, but it is normally quiet, as most people stay by the infinity pool, which has music and bar service.
What Are the Pools Like at the Royal Hideaway Playacar?
There are several swimming pools here, including two with ocean views, but no swim-up bar.
The hotel features six swimming pools, two of which feature ocean views. The main infinity-edge pool overlooking the beach is the most popular one, offering bar service and music during the day. It’s the loudest of the pool areas, and can get crowded from early in the morning. In fact, many past guests have complained of loungers getting snagged by 7 a.m. Also note that pools do not have swim-up bars.
Those who want to relax might want to head to the garden pools, which don’t offer bar service and are mostly empty. They’re quieter and more private, and feature lots of loungers and tropical plants.
What Other Features Are Available at the Royal Hideaway Playacar?
There are a relaxing spa offering wonderful treatments, a small fitness center, daily activities and entertainment, and free non-motorized water sports.
The Royal Hideaway’s Retreat Spa, located adjacent to the fitness center, is small and relaxing, with elegant decor and several treatment rooms. Spa services include massages and wellness treatments using high-end products and salon services.
The fitness center is divided into two areas, both with natural light and modern equipment. The other room, full of treadmills, has pool views. Free non-motorized water sports such as kayaking are available, as are two floodlit tennis courts, basketball, and games such as ping-pong.
Daytime activities and evening entertainment shows at the on-site theater are offered.
There are several meeting and event spaces, and personalized wedding packages are available.
What Restaurants Are at the Royal Hideaway Playacar?
Six restaurants serve outstanding food in elegant spaces, including Mexican, Italian, and Asian cuisines, but there's no buffet.
Royal Hideaway Playacar features six restaurants -- ranging from formal to casual -- known for serving some of the best food in the area. They can get pretty busy, and reservations are not only required, but encouraged to be made way in advance, even before the trip. It's also worth noting that there's no buffet restaurant. Room service is available 24/7.
What Bars Are Available at the Royal Hideaway Playacar?
There are three bars, including one by the main pool and beach, but only one is open late.
There are three bars at Royal Hideaway Playacar, serving free premium-branded liquor and non-alcoholic beverages such as sodas, water, and coffee.
What Does the All-Inclusive Package at the Royal Hideaway Playacar Cover?
The all-inclusive rate covers access to all the hotel’s facilities and restaurants, plus a few other perks such as concierge service and water sports.
Other
Other
