From the beach to the jungle, these are the best boutique and luxury hotels in the Riviera Maya, Mexico

We’ve already showed you the very best boutique hotels in Mexico City, but where should you stay if you’re a design lover in need of a beach break? Located on Mexico’s Caribbean coast and taking in the area south of Cancun, the Riviera Maya offers travellers the chance to indulge in some stunning stays, while allowing easy access to cenotes, diving, and exceptional cuisine. From Puerto Morelos to Tulum and on the island of Cozumel these are the best boutique and luxury hotels in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

The best boutique and luxury hotels in the Riviera Maya, Mexico

1. Hotel Esencia | Quintana Roo

Hotel Esencia should be top of your list for a glamorous escape in Quintana Roo. The property’s hacienda-style architecture exudes sophistication, blending mid-century features with vibrant Mexican antiques, and its stunning coastal location only helps the aesthetic.
The 47 suites and four villas are a study in understated elegance, with white-washed walls, sleek wood furniture and pops of colour in the quirky artwork.

Expect thoughtful touches like morning pastries and coffee delivered to your room before relaxing days filled with morning yoga in the pavilion, a swim in one of two pools or a Mayan-inspired spa treatment. The scenic beachfront is scattered with cabanas and attentive staff waiting to bring you a refreshing drink. You can take to the water in a kayak or paddleboard to work up an appetite before the restaurants call your name – try Japanese at Taiyo, mouth-watering steak in the world famous Beefbar, or (our favourite) fresh seafood at Mistura.

Find out more about Hotel Esencia or Book through Booking.com

2. Hotel B Unique | Cozumel

Adults-only relaxation is the name of the game at Hotel B Unique, where cosy rooms with terraces and lounges look out into the jungle and seafront. It’s small but mighty, designed with bright beachy palettes and light wood, plus drinking, dining and yoga spots perched over the ocean. Some things not to miss are the outdoor pool with ocean views and the rooftop sky lounge, which is perfectly placed for a sunset drink.

The diminutive spa packs in a hot tub, treatments and outdoor wellness area, but it’s the dining that really stands out. Xulha blends Asian and Mexican flavours in dishes such as octopus ceviche and pad thai, or you can join a seven-course chef’s table on the roof. We recommend hanging around afterwards for the hotel’s evening sunset events featuring live DJs and cocktails.

Learn more about Hotel B Unique or Book through Booking.com

3. Casa Malca | Tulum

Casa Malca is a trendy, art-filled boutique hotel that combines Tulum’s laid-back beach vibe with a bold, artistic twist – you’d never guess that it once belonged to the infamous Pablo Escobar.

It’s in a stellar location right on the beachfront, so you’re a few steps from the ocean or a short drive from downtown Tulum. Inside, it’s less hotel and more gallery, thanks to unexpected artworks from owner Lio Malca’s personal collection from the likes of famous artists like KAWS and Keith Haring.

The eclectic decor extends to the rooms, which have rain showers and beach views, and interiors made from polished concrete and local crafts. Outside, you can unwind by either pool (one is in an underground cavern!) or try some yoga on the beach. Dining is equally unique, with Philosophy Restaurant offering oceanfront dining and a menu serving Mexican seafood and steak; there’s also contemporary Asian at Ambrosia and grilled dishes at Head of a Madman.

Read more about Casa Malca or Book through Booking.com

4. Rosewood Mayakoba | Playa del Carmen

A laid-back pace and luxury surroundings are what you’ll find at Rosewood Mayakoba, where you’re quite literally whisked to your room on a speedboat! Each suite is a haven of tranquillity thanks to private terraces and plunge pools that overlook the gardens or ocean. Delicate wooden furniture and natural light maximise the outdoor living feel, especially in the beachfront studios, which are right on the sand.

Leaving the resort is hard because there’s so much to do: six pools – including an adults-only one, a beach club, and a spa quickly fill the days. And if you do run out of things to do, your private butler can suggest exclusive local activities.

There are almost too many restaurants and bars to list, but our picks are Asian fusion at Agave Azul, Mexican street food with your toes in the sand at Aqui Me Quedo and sweet bakery treats at Pan Dulce.

Discover more about Rosewood Mayakoba

5. Maroma, a Belmond Hotel | Punta Maroma

When you hear the name Belmond, you know you’re going to get unrivalled luxury. Maroma is no different – possibly even better, thanks to its location between the jungle and beachfront.

The hotel got its look courtesy of designer Tara Bernerd, who ensured that almost all of the property’s materials and furnishings are from Mexico. The rooms, suites and villas feel exclusive, all opening onto the ocean with private balconies and gently swaying thatched roofs. If you can, nab a villa which has up to four bedrooms, a private pool, and VIP service.

The first Guerlain Spa in Latin America opened here, offering everything from sound therapy with Melipona bees to unique “under the waves” meditation. Experiences are similarly out there: try bee therapy, agave mixology, and the coolest (in our opinion) – beachfront golf with biodegradable golf balls that turn into fish food. Round off the day at the 100% sustainable Freddy’s Bar, which serves fresh oysters and spicy sundowners.

Read more about Maroma, a Belmond Hotel or Book through Booking.com

6. Palmaïa – The House of AïA | Playa del Carmen

At Palmaïa, you don’t have to choose between exciting activities or wellness and relaxation because this hotel is all about balance. Rooms here are spacious, with boho-chic design and touches like macramé, natural stone and mahogany accents. Plus, many have balconies with ocean views, perfect for watching the sunrise.

Mornings bring sunrise breathwork sessions and gentle water sports, all fuelled by a roster of healthy but tasty vegan food and drink. Restaurants are mostly plant-based, and finding your zen is definitely on the cards thanks to yoga, meditation and a spa.

If you only try one thing, the Architects of Life programme includes more than 50 holistic and health activities, which you can request to join via your spiritual hotel guide. You can create your own tailored escape here, because did we mention it’s all-inclusive too?

Learn more about Palmaïa or Book through Booking.com

7. Azulik | Tulum

If you haven’t heard of Azulik, you’re in for a treat. Its otherworldly architecture melds into the surrounding forest, looking like a creation from Avatar or perhaps a futuristic luxury treehouse.

The eco-conscious resort in Tulum is home to 48 beautiful villas with a twist; it’s all about the experience here, as you won’t find a TV, air-con or even electricity here. Villas are entirely made from natural wood, with alfresco design and open-air bathrooms, and everything is lit by candlelight, but our favourite feature is the deep stone bathtubs.

The resort’s focus on wellness includes daily activities like Mayan ceremonies, meditation, and yoga in an equally impressive dome. The beach is wild and windswept and doesn’t require clothing, offering plenty of loungers and a beach bar to keep things relaxed. The famous restaurant, Kin Toh, is known for its birds-nest style treetop tables and a menu that evokes the different senses, but you’ll also be perched high above the jungle at Tseen Ja while the food at Jungle Cuisine is tailored to each diner and so delicately presented, it’s like eating artwork.

The property also features in our guide to the world’s best sustainable hotels.

Find out more about Azulik ​or Book through Booking.com

8. Etéreo | Playa del Carmen

Etéreo, located in the luxurious Kanai development, is a beachfront resort that mixes modern design with Mayan influences. The white stone buildings and elegant pools are set amidst lush mangroves, and guests are welcomed by a Mayan shaman, which sets the tone for your stay. The rooms and suites here look out onto dramatic forest or ocean and come with terraces and plunge pools. The design is sleek and pared back, but soft furnishings and bathrooms with rain showers keep the beachy, Mexican feel.

Experiences here really dive into Mexico, whether you try a chilli tasting, a cacao ceremony, or explore cenotes at twilight. Within the hotel are multiple pools and SANA spa, plus beach activities like paddleboarding and tennis.

Dinner here is highly recommended; they use products from local farmers, fishermen and food suppliers, meaning everything is ultra-fresh. Dining options include the Mexican flavours of Itzam, Japanese sharing plates at Che Che and beachside tacos and juices at El Changarro.

Discover more about Etéreo or Book through Booking.com

9. Chablé Maroma | Punta Maroma

Located in Punta Maroma along the Riviera Maya, this low-key beach resort is the kind of place where you’ll immediately want to kick back on the beach with a cold beer. The hotel features 70 casitas which each feel totally private, with plunge pools, breezy interiors by Paulina Morán and huge outside living spaces looking into the jungle.

You don’t really need to leave your private pool, but the hotel has two more, along with a roster of activities like meditation and yoga on their extended stretch of private beach. Experiences are also excellent: cenote diving, catamaran cruises, mezcal ceremonies, and cocktail making are just a few things to look out for. At Michelin-listed Kaban, enjoy fresh tacos or a filling breakfast, and for a fancy dinner of authentic Mexican dishes, make a beeline for Bu’ul.

Learn more about Chablé Maroma or Book through Booking.com

10. The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai | Playa del Carmen

We love an EDITION hotel and their Playa del Carmen property is exactly why. It mixes chic, modern resort vibes with nature, thanks to being surrounded by a huge nature reserve filled with lagoons, mangroves and a beautiful beach. All of the rooms use clean lines, wooden furniture, and touches of local culture, like novels by Mexican authors and books on Mayan architecture, plus ocean views and private terraces. The resort’s cenote-inspired spa has hydrotherapy pools, a Turkish hammam and even an infrared capsule room, or you can lounge like the lizards outside by the infinity pool.

Dining here is a true culinary adventure: So’ol Beah Club offers light dishes with sea views, while Ki’is, helmed by award-winning chef Paco Ruano, serves a creative tasting menu featuring regional Mexican ingredients and is a favourite of ours. Beyond dining, sustainability is a top priority, with a biologist on-site and efforts to preserve the mangroves and local wildlife.

Find out more about The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai or Book through Booking.com

11. Viceroy Riviera Maya | Playa del Carmen

Viceroy Riviera Maya is all about barefoot luxury, just a stone’s throw from seven miles of white sand beach. This adults-only resort consists of spacious palapa villas, each with natural wood and rattan touches, just steps from the beach. All come with private plunge pools, swaying hammocks and outdoor showers, while the larger villas also have impressive stone dining tables, vaulted ceilings, and a private patio.

Your butler’s always on hand to whip up everything from fresh guacamole to margaritas, and you can fuel up at La Marea, a candlelit, alfresco dining spot where they put a contemporary spin on Mexican dishes.

We recommend Wayak Spa which draws inspiration from nature with alfresco treatment rooms and a soundtrack of real jungle sounds, and for more adventurous exploits, you can try private cooking classes and excursions to nearby cenotes.

Check out more about Viceroy Riviera Maya or Book through Booking.com

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