The 1,012-room Colonial & Tropical is an upper-middle-range all-inclusive resort located right on a white-sand beach just south of Playa del Carmen. It offers several huge pools, eight restaurants, and a long list of activities for all ages. While many types of travelers can appreciate the hotel’s extensive features, the hotel seems to cater mostly to families, with great kid-friendly extras such as a kiddy pool, kids’ and teens clubs, and spacious rooms that can accommodate up to five guests.
The 1,012-room Colonial & Tropical is an upper-middle-range all-inclusive resort located right on a white-sand beach just south of Playa del Carmen. It offers several huge pools, eight restaurants, and a long list of activities for all ages. While many types of travelers can appreciate the hotel’s extensive features, the hotel seems to cater mostly to families, with great kid-friendly extras such as a kiddy pool, kids’ and teens clubs, and spacious rooms that can accommodate up to five guests.
The 1,031-room Caribe & Beach is a mid-range all-inclusive resort located right on a white-sand beach just south of Playa del Carmen. It is the least luxurious of the three properties in the Barcelo complex, but offers two huge pools, six restaurants, and a long list of activities for all ages. The hotel caters mostly to families -- with great kid-friendly features such as a kids’ and teens' clubs and rooms that can accommodate up to five guests -- but it is also popular with couples and groups.
The 1,031-room Caribe & Beach is a mid-range all-inclusive resort located right on a white-sand beach just south of Playa del Carmen. It is the least luxurious of the three properties in the Barcelo complex, but offers two huge pools, six restaurants, and a long list of activities for all ages. The hotel caters mostly to families -- with great kid-friendly features such as a kids’ and teens' clubs and rooms that can accommodate up to five guests -- but it is also popular with couples and groups.
The Palace offers a high-end all-inclusive experience on a gorgeous stretch of white-sand beach 15 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. It’s the smallest, newest and most upscale of the three properties in the Barcelo complex, with 756 beautiful rooms surrounded by gorgeous pools and manicured grounds. All rooms are Junior Suites or Suites with pretty bathrooms featuring separate showers and tubs. There’s a lot for everyone here, from couples to families to groups, but those who want to party will have to walk to the hotel's sister properties next door, and non-Club Premium guests should expect to pay for Wi-Fi.
The Palace offers a high-end all-inclusive experience on a gorgeous stretch of white-sand beach 15 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. It’s the smallest, newest and most upscale of the three properties in the Barcelo complex, with 756 beautiful rooms surrounded by gorgeous pools and manicured grounds. All rooms are Junior Suites or Suites with pretty bathrooms featuring separate showers and tubs. There’s a lot for everyone here, from couples to families to groups, but those who want to party will have to walk to the hotel's sister properties next door, and non-Club Premium guests should expect to pay for Wi-Fi.
Hotel Barcelo Maya Beach is one of five resorts that make up the Barcelo Maya Grand Resort complex. While water sport activities, a gym, and spa are common all-inclusive features, a haunted house, mall, mini-golf, and Dolphinarium are not -- and that’s what sets this huge three-and-a-half-pearl hotel apart. The beach is basically private for guests and rarely feels overcrowded. The pools are fun and offer separate sections for adults and kids. Modern suites are renovated and all 630 rooms feature free minibars. Downsides include mediocre food, long wait times at check-in, a fee for Wi-Fi, and dated standard rooms, but families and couples are generally happy. For a resort that takes advantage of Playa del Carmen’s city life, check out Playacar Palace, a smaller but more modern resort that offers intimate service.
Hotel Barcelo Maya Beach is one of five resorts that make up the Barcelo Maya Grand Resort complex. While water sport activities, a gym, and spa are common all-inclusive features, a haunted house, mall, mini-golf, and Dolphinarium are not -- and that’s what sets this huge three-and-a-half-pearl hotel apart. The beach is basically private for guests and rarely feels overcrowded. The pools are fun and offer separate sections for adults and kids. Modern suites are renovated and all 630 rooms feature free minibars. Downsides include mediocre food, long wait times at check-in, a fee for Wi-Fi, and dated standard rooms, but families and couples are generally happy. For a resort that takes advantage of Playa del Carmen’s city life, check out Playacar Palace, a smaller but more modern resort that offers intimate service.
The 687-room Hard Rock Riviera Maya is an upscale all-inclusive resort that pushes hard to instill its brand name. Expect rock-themed rooms, all with jetted tubs and balconies (some with ocean views). There are three pools, six restaurants, two kids' clubs, a constant barrage of adventure activities, a convention center, and Wi-Fi even in the remote areas. Note that even though this is the family-friendly side of the Hard Rock complex (sister resort Heaven at Hard Rock is for adults only), it can still get a bit rowdy during high season. The biggest downside here is the man-made beach on a lagoon; for a natural beach on the ocean, consider the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun instead.
The 687-room Hard Rock Riviera Maya is an upscale all-inclusive resort that pushes hard to instill its brand name. Expect rock-themed rooms, all with jetted tubs and balconies (some with ocean views). There are three pools, six restaurants, two kids' clubs, a constant barrage of adventure activities, a convention center, and Wi-Fi even in the remote areas. Note that even though this is the family-friendly side of the Hard Rock complex (sister resort Heaven at Hard Rock is for adults only), it can still get a bit rowdy during high season. The biggest downside here is the man-made beach on a lagoon; for a natural beach on the ocean, consider the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun instead.
The luxury Sensimar Resort Riviera Maya is an adult-only, beachfront all-inclusive about an hour from Cancun, that's known by its loyal guests for having superb food. Ten gourmet-style restaurants and bars keep bellies full and drinks in hand, while the resort's peaceful grounds and lagoon beach make it easy to relax. All 360 rooms come with two-person whirlpools, coffeemakers, and furnished balconies or terraces, but decor is a bit sparse and dated for a hotel of this caliber. Guests generally like the relaxed dinner dress codes, large spa with hydrotherapy circuit, and romantic vibe. However, rates are often higher than comparable properties in the area. The TRS Yucatan is worth a comparison for those looking for an adult-only property with a more affordable rate.
The luxury Sensimar Resort Riviera Maya is an adult-only, beachfront all-inclusive about an hour from Cancun, that's known by its loyal guests for having superb food. Ten gourmet-style restaurants and bars keep bellies full and drinks in hand, while the resort's peaceful grounds and lagoon beach make it easy to relax. All 360 rooms come with two-person whirlpools, coffeemakers, and furnished balconies or terraces, but decor is a bit sparse and dated for a hotel of this caliber. Guests generally like the relaxed dinner dress codes, large spa with hydrotherapy circuit, and romantic vibe. However, rates are often higher than comparable properties in the area. The TRS Yucatan is worth a comparison for those looking for an adult-only property with a more affordable rate.