Yolanda Zappaterra enjoys fun in the sun at two very different all-inclusive hotels in Mexico’s Riviera Maya
With its trademark Caribbean powder-white sands, crystal-clear waters and party vibe, Mexico’s Riviera Maya, set between Cancun to its north and the jungle canopy of Tulum to its south, is a great destination for youthfully minded clients looking for a slightly more grown-up affair than Cancun. Here are two very different adult-only all-inclusive hotels that we think they’ll love.
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
The party venue
The Hard Rock’s lively vibe is done to perfection in the adult-only Heaven resort at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, where new rooms, activities and restaurants are offering music-loving guests even more fun than before.
If you want to feel like a rock star, this is the place to come. The star fantasy – and treatment – begins the moment I set foot in the Hard Rock’s lofty lobby, which is filled with a good-sized stage and musical motifs.
It’s easy to imagine I’m a rising star, especially in one of the brand-new swim-up collection rooms, featuring hammocks and private sun terraces. It’s bright and modern, with the large whirlpool bath (which in standard rooms is on the balcony) taking pride of place in the room.
A-lister appeal
A minibar, 24/7 room service and Bluetooth speakers on the giant TV make it hard to leave, but the live music and DJ sets from the new Oasis pool eventually tempt me to one of the new luxury poolside cabanas to enjoy the vibes. A quieter pool, a freshwater pool modelled on Tulum’s famous cenotes, and sheltered little beaches offer appealing alternatives if the party atmosphere gets too much.
The ultimate dining
Heaven’s French, Mexican, Asian and Italian eateries will soon be joined by a Thai restaurant to broaden the poolside array of fast food. But the acme of eating here is the new Awaken Your Senses multisensory dining experience, where a combination of music, storytelling, playful interactive elements and seven imaginative courses is unforgettable.
More, more, more
Music fans will love the live acts, chillout tunes at the bar and dance beats of the nightclub. But the poolside prog rock one morning sends me off in search of some peace at the tranquil Rock Spa and Wellness, where the Body Rock gym, 75 treatment rooms and a full hydrotherapy programme leave me feeling wonderfully revitalised.
The final countdown
On my last day, I borrow a bike to explore the resort. I’m struck by how big it is, but also by its tranquillity; away from the pool, the site teems with colourful and exotic wildlife. So while the Hard Rock feels high-energy, it is so much more – essentially a top-end adult-only resort with genuine mass appeal. Just watch out for that prog‑rock‑loving DJ.
Book it: Seven nights at Heaven at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya costs from £1,795 per person sharing a Deluxe Gold Room on an all‑inclusive basis, including British Airways flights from Gatwick, departing June 4, 2023.
caribtours.co.uk
hrhrivieramaya.com
Unico 20°87°
The chillout space
From the moment I enter Unico 20°87°, I know I’m home. My imaginary home. As in, somewhere filled with so many beautiful objects and spaces that I never want to leave.
If Hard Rock is a feast for the ears, Unico is very much a feast for the eyes, a resort clearly connected to the region’s culture and aesthetics. Check-in is a blur as I take in a sophisticated lobby filled with dark wood, colourful ceramics and Mayan art.
The Bar Balam is equally lush, as are the gifts, clothing and homeware in the shopping area. Beyond them, the Unico’s restaurants and Palmera Lounge, where shows and clubnights take place, are just as high-end and chic. Awed, I head for my room with sky-high expectations.
Natural beauty
I’m not disappointed. An elegantly neutral ocean-view room of 624 square feet is perfectly in keeping with the resort’s whole Mexico-inspired decor, and a spacious exterior area accommodates a hydro spa tub and large lounger. Here, I enjoy a sunset beer from the minibar, I’m surprised by the swish of a bat nearby.
Bijou and chic
The resort isn’t big, but it packs a lot in. Three pools – the sedate-ish La Unica, more upbeat 20.87 and quieter Escondida – are served by various swim-up bars and a bar/kitchen with an extensive menu. Bridges lead to a peaceful beach. And, of course, the Esencia Wellness Spa is everything I’ve quickly come to expect: a classically luxurious full-service spa with modern touches.
Just do it
An action-packed agenda of imaginative activities is centred around the 20.87 pool and bar – from aqua spin to painting classes – and includes a recently added selection of gastronomy-themed activities. I try a mixology class and chocolate-making, but best of all is creating authentic Mexican dishes on the terrace of the gorgeous Cueva Siete Mexican restaurant.
Eating and drinking
Contrasting the grown-up feel of Cueva Siete, beach restaurant 20.87 is bright and breezy, and I fall in love with the zen vibes of Asian restaurant Mura House and the gorgeous waterside terrace of Mediterranean eatery Mi Carisa. But neither can outdo the ornate tilework of the Cafe Inez, which looks for all the world like it’s been relocated from 19th-century Mexico City.
Book it: Seven nights at Unico 20°87° costs from £2,599 per person sharing an Alcoba Tropical View King Room on an all-inclusive basis, including British Airways flights from Gatwick, departing June 4, 2023.
caribtours.co.uk
unicohotelrivieramaya.com
Things to do in Yucatan
Snorkelling: Snorkel the stunning coastline of the Riviera Maya by boat or catamaran, breaking for a zingingly fresh fish ceviche lunch on board.
Mayan ruins: Climb the pyramid-temples of the Cobá archaeological site in the heart of Tulum’s exotic Mayan jungle before cooling off with a dip in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Jungle gym: Zip through the heart of that jungle with Cancun Adventures. Fly five different ziplines above the jungle canopy before swimming and snorkelling in a Mayan underground river and cave system.
PICTURES: DMP Productions; Derechos Reservados; Hard Rock International; Cana Y Punto
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