Best Luxury Hotels in Quintana Roo

Peek across to the island of Cozumel from this immaculate resort in Playa del Carmen. Grand Velas has 531 rooms, six themed restaurants, two gyms and seven bars. Expect manicured lawns, high-end boutiques, perfectly tended sands and gleaming marble surfaces. The decor by Melín Castro Ardavín, is neutral, with mahogany furnishings, expansive walk-in showers and large terraces overlooking the ocean. Whether travelling as a family, or in need of some child-free time, it’s all possible here. There’s a kids’ club, but also a whole area of the resort reserved for over 18s, and a serene spa for some much-needed r&r.

If you’d prefer to stay in a large scale all-inclusive resort from a huge international hotel group, with tons of amenities, the Barcelo Maya Palace is a winner. Located in Xpu-Ha, it has 756 rooms, three tennis courts, three pools, a private beach, six restaurants, five bars, theme nights, tour services, access to a water park, a games room, nightclub, playground, children’s’ club, fitness centre, hammam and a full-service spa. Activities include snorkelling, canoeing, windsurfing, golf, football, tennis, volleyball, aerobics, as well as dance, language and cooking classes. And with theme parks and historic sites nearby, it’s safe to say you’ll never be short of something to do here.

Just north of the vibrant town of Playa del Carmen, lies this romantic, intimate adults-only resort. With 41 suites it’s low rise and peaceful, incorporating a private beach, the Wayak Spa, gym, lagoon pool, open-air bar and grill and a fancy Mexican restaurant. You can pack light before coming, the hotel loans guests sombreros, books, snorkelling gear, DVDs, Neil George bath products – and limos are on hand for exploring further afield. Book a thatched Royal Villa for your own butler, pool, hammock, huge soaking tub and indoor-outdoor showers. Do try The Temezcal, an intensive sweat lodge ceremony to truly unwind and experience the mysticism of Mexico.

ound in the same property as the adults-only TRS Coral Hotel, the new 673-room family-friendly Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa is an upscale resort for families, groups of friends and couples. It’s on the Costa Mujeres beach, a natural area on the Mexican Caribbean, about half an hour’s drive from the town of Cancún. For families looking for a truly premium experience, there is ‘The Family Selection’ service, with access to the best sports facilities, fine-dining restaurants and an upgraded all-inclusive offering.  The resort village has a range of leisure, dining, entertainment and shopping options that ensure both children and adults are having their best holiday.  The property’s facilities feature nine restaurants, four swimming pools, one of them exclusive for children, as well as a convention centre with capacity for 1380 people. In addition, the resort offers world-class spa facilities with the Zentropia Spa & Wellness centre; and also, exceptional tennis facilities with The Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre Costa Mujeres, set to be one of Mexico’s most comprehensive tennis facilities, offering tennis programmes developed by Nadal and his technical team for all levels and ages, suitable for both hotel guests and local residents. There are eight clay tennis courts, a football pitch, one paddle court, a gym for warming-up, stretches and basic training, a Rafa Nadal exhibition area, a shop with exclusive premium sports products, and a bar/cafeteria.