Exploring the wide range of adults-only experiences from Playa del Carmen to Isla Mujeres
Prepare to journey across the Yucatan Straight to an all-new adults-only oasis on Isla Mujeres, then down to the suites of Playa del Carmen and back up the coast to the resorts packed with nightlife in the Hotel Zone. Learn about the elevated experience of the adults-only designated sections of family-friendly resorts, and where to go for ultimate relaxation. Whether you are booked, simply researching the area, or in search of a reliable travel advisor I hope my experiences can help guide you in the direction of which adults-only resort is right for you. For more details and assistance booking, please do not hesitate to reach out via phone or email, or fill out a trip inquiry form. If you are looking for a family-friendly experience or overview on Cancun be sure to check out my Cancun overview and family-friendly blogs.
The inclusive and unique guest experience at the all-new Impression Isla Mujeres begins long before you set foot on the island. Check-in begins at the resort's private gazebo on the mainland coast at Costa Mujeres. Enjoy Prosecco and light snacks as your personal attendant takes care of all your check-in details while you await the resort's private catamaran. Hop aboard and enjoy the cruise across the Yucatan Channel to the shores of Isla Mujeres. Step off the yacht and straight into luxury as you disembark on the Impression private dock, where you will be greeted with warm towels, a refreshing drink, and introduced to your personal butler for your stay. Impression Isla Mujeres offers an unparalleled blend of luxury, exclusivity, and Instagram-worthy moments. Whether you're indulging in gourmet dining, lounging by the cascading infinity pools, or partaking in unique wellness activities, every aspect of your stay promises to be memorable and rejuvenating. This resort truly stands out as a top destination for those seeking a high-end, exclusive retreat on the beautiful Isla Mujeres.
The rooms at Impression Isla Mujeres are designed to provide the utmost comfort and luxury. With only suite-level accommodations or above, 80% of rooms overlook the crystal-clear waters of the Yucatan Straight, while 20% of the rooms still feature ocean views looking out across the island. All suites feature spacious terraces with large hammocks, and all ocean-front terraces are well-equipped with hot tub. Each room features a stunning glass shower with dual rainfall showerheads. Rooms are equipped with electronic blackout shades, wine, bar utensils, a regular fridge, and a welcome bottle of tequila. As a wine-drinker, I would like to take a moment here to emphasize not only was this the only in-suite stocked wine, it is also stored in your own personal mini-wine cooler, allowing you to maximize refrigerator space.
Impression Isla Mujeres emphasizes health and wellness, offering a range of activities to rejuvenate your mind and body. Participate in yoga and meditation sessions designed to promote relaxation and inner peace. You'll find unique activities such as palm reading and workshop opportunities such as creating your own dream-catcher or customized facial treatment. If you're interested in exploring the island, guided bike tours are included in your stay and golf carts are available to rent for self-exploration. If you're looking for relaxation, it's hard to avoid with a free 20-minute massage, hydrotherapy experiences, a unique ice fountain for the sauna, and traditional Turkish treatments, with additional services available for a fee.
The resort features a unique and luxurious pool setup with three levels of infinity pools cascading into each other, providing plenty of options for poolside lounging. On the middle level you will find ample shade and a poolside grill, while the rooftop pool is the liveliest, offering breathtaking views, a chic indoor bar, and comfortable seating areas. You can enjoy excellent swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding at the private beach in the calm and crystal-clear waters. The resort's docks come equipped with cabanas and overwater hammocks, providing perfect spots to relax and soak in the sun.
Dining and Entertainment
With seven exquisite restaurants, you will experience a gastronomic journey like no other. The resort's staple is its Italian restaurant, helmed by an Italian master chef and sous chef, offering live lobster and authentic Italian dishes. Enjoy a poolside grill, a fantastic taco place with the best pico de gallo I have ever had, and a 24/7 café that truly impresses. All meals are a la carte, ensuring the highest quality and a personalized dining experience. After a truly delectable meal, engage in lively activities such as salsa nights, adding a vibrant touch to your evenings.
While easily accessible via public ferry, very few resorts boast docks and private yacht transfers.
Located near the heart of downtown Playa del Carmen, the Hilton Playa del Carmen offers a blend of vibrant city life and luxurious relaxation. The check-in area is conveniently off to the side, leading directly into a spacious entertainment zone with a large, inviting bar. The resort is characterized by its affordable luxury and American vibes, with easy navigation and excellent handicap accessibility. Recently renovated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the resort beautifully balances modernity with a touch of traditional charm. Despite the lack of entrance gates, safety is a priority here, with ample security ensuring a worry-free stay.
Accommodation at the Hilton Playa del Carmen is exclusively in suites, many with swim-out options. The rooms are spacious, modern, and come with a unique magic box for 24/7 room service. Each suite includes a jetted tub and a variety of scenic views, ensuring comfort and luxury. The resort also serves as an excellent venue for weddings, especially the quiet pool area, making it ideal for special occasions.
Health, Wellness, and Activities
From nighttime entertainment to a well-equipped gym with high-energy spin classes, there’s something for everyone. Not only that, but you can also enjoy spin and yoga sessions in or on the water (yes that’s yoga on the water!) or take advantage of the scuba diving training offered. A standout feature is the unique Mayan ritual sauna experience, where you can indulge in a hot sauna followed by a refreshing plunge into a cold pool.
The Hilton Playa del Carmen excels in providing diverse entertainment and top-notch dining. The main lobby and bar is specifically designed to feature impressive evening aerial performances. Just a few steps from the live entertainment is a very cool tequila bar featuring tequila drinks curated by expert bartenders with the influence of the current fresh spices and ingredients available. There are a plethora of restaurants available, but if you are looking for a traditional Mexican experience be sure to check out the Maria Petrona, which is preserved in its original form while the rest of the resort was updated to allow for those authentic vibes, complete with murals painted by local artists and flag tributes to the different regions of Mexico. While reservations are recommended upon arrival, they are not mandatory, allowing for flexible dining experiences. For a special culinary treat, the upcharge Chef’s Table offers a four-course meal perfect for a gourmet experience.
The resort features multiple pools catering to different preferences. The main pool is the social hub with music and activities starting around noon. For those looking to join in organized fun, there is an activity pool, while a quiet pool is tucked away in a serene corner, ideal for those seeking tranquility. Insider tip - this pool is surrounded by excellent suites and for those looking for a room away from the activity I highly recommend requesting one of these suites, if available. The pools and luxurious resort experience is certainly the highlight while the beach, while nice, unfortunately has a significant presence of sargassum in the water during peak sargassum season.
Breathless Cancun Soul exudes a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, catering to a young to middle-aged crowd seeking excitement. While the resort offers limited onsite activities like yoga, guests can easily venture out to explore the nearby hotel zone area, easily accessible by bus. The resort layout is very open, bright, and easy to navigate, all handy for a quick getaway.
Savor a culinary journey and vibrant nightlife at Breathless Cancun Soul. Start your day with a buffet breakfast, which transforms into two separate restaurants in the evening, offering Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine. There are a variety of poolside lunch options perfect for a quick bite between dips. Indulge in French, Italian, and Asian cuisine at the specialty restaurants, with the Asian restaurant offering stunning views just below the rooftop bar. Don't miss the teppanyaki experience, available by reservation only. Experience the vibrant nightlife with a nightly nightclub, outdoor entertainment, and occasional themed parties.
All levels of accommodations offer spacious and well-appointed rooms and feature the magic box for 24/7 room service for your late night cravings as well as a doorbell with an electronic do not disturb setting for those looking to sleep in. Xhale rooms offer top-notch amenities with balcony jacuzzis and stunning views.
Health, wellness, activities
A noteworthy amenity for travelers who like to stay active like myself is the gym, which greatly surpasses the average expectations of resort exercise facilities. However, aside from the gym, kayaking, and morning yoga sessions the vast majority of daytime activities are feature live DJ's and geared towards the energetic partiers.
Indulge in ultimate relaxation at the resort's pools and beach. The Xhale Rooftop Infinity Pool, reserved for VIP guests, offers breathtaking views and a tranquil ambiance. For those seeking a lively atmosphere, the middle level rooftop pool comes alive with party vibes all day long. The lower level pool offers a more relaxed environment and easy beach access, ideal for guests looking to unwind and soak up the sun. Additionally, the beach provides serene shores with calm waters and includes kayak rentals for exploring the crystal-clear waters at your leisure.
Cancun's Hotel Zone is built on a narrow sandbar shaped like the number "7", allowing for breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and Nichupté Lagoon from almost every angle, and making it one of the most uniquely shaped resort areas in the world
The welcome at Royalton Chic is pleasant, with a nice greeting and a welcome drink to kick off your stay. However, at the time of my arrival, the check-in process was a bit crowded and lacks the elegance found at other resorts. You will find a very party-centric atmosphere, catering to a younger crowd looking for excitement and fun. With its Americanized feel and convenient location within walking distance of clubs, the resort is an ideal choice for guests seeking a vibrant and energetic getaway.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere and entertainment options at Royalton Chic. If you're looking to dance the night away, the late-night club will keep you entertained all night long. An additional large outdoor area features a stage for evening entertainment or private events. You can enjoy a variety of dining options, including a nice buffet with great views, or choose from takeout pizza or the poolside grill for convenient daytime snacks.
Health, Wellness, and Activities
Similar to the Breathless Soul, the wellness activities may be lacking but the rooftop pool will certainly satisfy any pool party craving. I recommend dancing the day and night away as the gym, while reasonably well equipped, was quite small. A tranquil spa offers standard services, but is not a highlighted hotel feature.
Royalton Chic boasts a variety of pool and beach options for guests to enjoy. Two beachfront pools sit side by side on the lower/beach level, offering a lively atmosphere for guests to soak up the sun. One is designated for the Diamond Club. The rooftop party pool is where the energy and excitement peak, especially around 2:30 pm. The beach at Royalton Chic is inviting, with calm waters and ample space for lounging. Diamond Club guests can enjoy beachside service, while activities like parasailing and jet skiing add to the fun. Lots of loungers and space.
Experience stylish accommodations and dining options at Royalton Chic. Rooms are spacious and comfortable with well equipped spacious bathrooms, with lagoon or ocean views available, the only difference between the room types. While the rooms are nice, some areas of the resort, such as hallways and doors, appear dated. Very simple layout - 18 rooms with straight hallways. Should never be hard to find your room, even after a raging pool party!
The Iberostar Grand Paraiso lives up to the high level of service, peaceful luxury, and exclusive spaces you can expect at any Iberostar complex. This secluded area of the resort features all the amenities guests need during their stay, but allows for unlimited access to its neighboring Iberostar resorts, with golf cart access. For a deeper dive into the Iberostar experience you can check out my family-friendly resort reviews.
The main pool at The Grand is spacious, with plenty of daytime activities and poolside service. Nearby is a quieter pool with luxurious cabanas and the option to scan a QR code for drink and snack service. A third pool features a unique indoor/outdoor concept for those looking to get out of the sun or escape a rainy day - though those are few and far in-between in Cancun! Guests of the Grand Paraiso enjoy a designated beach area, which features luxurious beach-front rooms.
In addition to unlimited access to the centrally-located two story gym in the main access, guests can opt to enjoy a gym and spa area exclusive the guests of The Grand. The reserved spa offer elevated services and the poolside activities are abundant and more adult-oriented.
Dining and Entertainment
Guests at The Grand can enjoy access to 6 exclusive restaurants, in addition to any restaurant in the main complex. Daytime options are far more abundant, including an excellent lunch spot with indoor/outdoor seating, conveniently located near the beach and main pool. While the evening entertainment is slightly more limited than the neighboring resorts, the disco, available to all and conveniently located, comes highly recommended.
While luxurious and well-kept, The Grand has an older, more classic feel. Iberostar is on top of it though, with renovations scheduled to begin with the lower-level suites in August. All rooms are suite-level or above, with options for secluded villas nestled in the lush garden area and beach-front suites for guests seeking prime ocean access. Overall, The Grand delivers a premium experience with its exclusive amenities and services, although it may feel a bit dated, it's a great choice for those seeking a more upscale and service-oriented stay within the Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar
Be sure to check if an advertised adults-only resort is exclusive to adults, or an experience within a family-friendly resort
For an elevated experience at the classic Paradisus, consider upgrading to a room in The Reserve. During my stay, I stayed at both the Paradisus Playa del Carmen and the Paradisus Cancun and while I did not upgrade my stay, I did have the opportunity to explore some of their amenities. The Reserve can be found at most Melia properties, and you can expect similar exclusive amenities across all locations. To learn more about the main area of the resort, check out my family-friendly resort reviews.
The Reserve features several exclusive restaurants and bars, varying from quick bites at the buffet to romantic dining experiences. The upscale Sal Steakhouse Cave provides a particularly elegant and delicious adults-only option, and while it is open to all guests, it is typically strategically positioned to be easily accessible to guests of The Reserve.
While I was unable to see the elevated room offerings at the Playa del Carmen resort, I can tell you the Reserve rooms in Cancun were well worth the upgrade. Guests also enjoy a private lounge and check-in area and a personalized butler experience.
The designated pool area for The Reserve borders on almost as large as the main pool, with its own activities, but offers a much more relaxed and serene experience. The pool is located just steps from the Reserve rooms, and offers poolside service from the designated bar. Guests also enjoy designated beach access for a quieter beach experience.