Best Luxury Hotels in Quintana Roo

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.

Coming from one of the world’s leading luxury hotel groups, this contemporary, large and stylish resort is connected by lagoons and waterways. 129 rooms and 11 residences appear to float on water and have been crafted using indigenous materials, in a minimalist, calming design. The Forbes-rated spa even has its own island, Sense, offering a huge range of Mayan healing practises and treatments and a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course El Camaleón. Kids are well catered for at Rosewood Explorers’ children’s club and for some adult-only time, chill out at Aquí Me Quedo, where three plunge pools are sunken into the sand beside the sea. There are five dining options, as well as a delectable bakery, weekly themed meals and several bars.

Stay right on the edge of the Laguna de Bacalar, with a reservation at Amainah. The hotel offers private jetties across the water, thatched spaces, an outdoor infinity pool, relaxation areas, massage treatments, a mixology bar and a restaurant serving Mexican and Caribbean cuisine, (including daily cooked breakfasts). It has just 16 bedrooms, ensuring an intimate feel; each is equipped with a smart TV, a minibar including complimentary items, a soaking tub, soft robes, down comforters and premium bedding. Amainah is a romantic bolthole that caters exclusively to adult guests.

Lovers of luxury who appreciate gourmet cuisine are sure to be in their element at this very luxurious beachside resort. Among the impeccable amenities that guests are given full use of a lagoon-style infinity pool that is lined with pergola-topped Bali beds, a pool that boasts its very own artificial coral reef that has been designed especially for divers and a luxurious spa that has been created in the Mayan theme. Each and every room comes complete with its own balcony that looks out on the Caribbean Sea, while those who book a room in the exclusive Club 91 on the top floor will be treated to the very best that the JW Marriott has to offer.

Located in Mayakoba, between Playa del Carmen and Cancun (around 15 minutes to the lively hotspots), the Banyan Tree is spread across jungle, lagoon and beachside areas. Enter through the AAA Five-Diamond resort’s pagoda, a first taste of the Asian – Mayan design fusion. Made up of unique villas complemented by handcrafted Mexican furniture, guests enjoy private pools, outdoor bathtubs and a dedicated butler. Experience hydrothermal wellness at the award-winning spa with ‘The Rainforest’ hydrotherapy circuit. Take a romantic mangrove boat tour, bike ride (up to two are available per villa) and enjoy meals in eight different locations. It’s a great option for families, with a kids’ club, babysitting service, nursery and kids’ pool.

Seamlessly transitioning from the Ritz-Carlton resort into the Kempinski Hotel, this property provides eight dining options, two freeform swimming pools, a seaside whirlpool, a spa with relaxation gardens, tennis courts, a salon and a kids’ club. There are 315 guestrooms and 48 suites of which have balconies or terraces. And the hotel has its own 400-metre stretch of beach, with cabanas and neat rows of sun loungers. Book the top-level Saasil Suite for three king-size beds and your own oceanfront pool with a teak terrace.

Perched on Punta Maroma’s sandy shores, stay at Chablé Maroma and you can watch the waves while catching rays beside the infinity pool, snacking on shrimp and lobster tacos. Its 70 rooms feature hand-carved sinks, local palm weavings, indoor-outdoor showers, private pools flanked with lush tropical greenery – and for larger groups, there’s a three-bedroomed villa. Take a wellness journey inspired by ancient Mayan rituals at the onsite spa, by yourself or enjoy a treatment with a loved one. Products are locally sourced and climate-friendly, including food and drink. Fine dine in the restaurant Bu’ul, take a relaxed meal in Kaban, or tuck into fresh oysters, octopus tacos, fish and mango ceviche at the Raw Bar.

This Tulum escape will suit wannabe castaways down to the ground. Its proprietor Lio Malca has created a unique, bohemian and quirky resort. With a concealed entrance and sandwiched between wild jungle and sandy shores, it houses just 40 bedrooms filled with colourful enormous modern art pieces and oversized grand mirrors – for the ultimate treat, opt for a Master Suite Beach Front with hammocks and a private terrace. The hotel and grounds are rustic, yet super stylish with an eclectic mix of baroque and contemporary design, with more oversized sculptures and artwork. Of its three pools, one has a moodily magical underground grotto and the onsite restaurants offer truly sensory dining experiences.

The adults-only TRS Coral Hotel is the pinnacle of the Palladium Hotel Group’s adults-only portfolio of hotels. Sharing the same Costa Mujeres property as the Grand Palladium Resort & Spa, the TRS Coral Hotel is on a beautiful beach in a less-developed area. About 30 minutes drive from Cancun. Guests not only have access to the hotel’s exclusive a la carte restaurants, and designer bars but also all the facilities and dining options of the Grand Palladium. The hotel is all-inclusive with a new approach of ‘Infinite Indulgence’, with no limits for guests. The service includes a premium all-inclusive package, such as a fully personalised and stocked in-room bar; as well as a personal butler and various other benefits such as a complimentary in-resort transfer facility, 24-hour room service (available via the property’s free app) and unlimited access to all the facilities and services offered at the next-door Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa.

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.

This flagship property of the Live Aqua group of hotels, is in the heart of Cancun’s hotel zone, with privileged direct beach access, and proximity to high-end designer shopping at Luxury Avenue and sophisticated retail and family-friendly leisure entertainment at the Fashion Harbour mall. The property is a delight for the senses; from the aromatherapy in the rooms, the award-winning spa; to the seven different swimming pools with different temperatures and orientations.  Dining is another highlight, including the new gourmet ‘In Laa´Kech’ restaurant, by Executive Chef Cesar Germain. This is a resort for couples, friends and families that want style, fun and superb facilities all close to the attractions of Cancun and those amazing beaches.

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.