Best hotels in Playa del Carmen

Among the best hotels in Playa del Carmen, I’d start with Grand Velas for an all-inclusive stay with time for the restaurants, Banyan Tree for days in your own villa, and Xcaret for getting out each day. At Banyan Tree, I would settle the meal costs before committing to the villa.

3 min readHow we write the guide

Laid tables, red chairs, red and black walls and crystal chandeliers in Piaf’s empty dining room.
The dining room at Piaf, Grand Velas Riviera Maya, for ages 12 and over

Which to choose

HotelSuitsThe tripWorth knowing
Hotel Xcaret MéxicoA stay for 2Casa Fuego, reserved for adultsHA’ costs extra
Grand Velas Riviera MayaSleeping among the greeneryZen Grand, with a shuttle to the beachGrand Class suites welcome children too; their pool remains for adults
Banyan Tree MayakobaFamilies wanting to cook during their holidayThe Two-Bedroom Family Residence, with a fully equipped kitchenFamily Residences span 3 floors: consider the stairs before booking

The hotels

Where they are

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For which trip

Banyan Tree Mayakoba: choosing from Saffron’s menu Grand Velas: Cocina de Autor Riviera Maya, dinner without a stay Hotel Xcaret México restaurants: 20 kitchens, from Oaxaca to omakase Hotel Xcaret México wedding: a chapel on the pyramid, an inlet, a beach Hotel Xcaret México prices: a night by month, in pesos, and what it buys

Useful questions

Is the airport transfer included?

At Hotel Xcaret México1, the shared transfer from Cancún is included and needs no booking. At Grand Velas2, I would check whether the rate includes transport.

Which parks need advance booking at Hotel Xcaret México?

Xel-Há, Xoximilco and Xenotes1 require a booking. Xcaret, Xplor, Xplor Fuego and Xenses do not: I would arrange the days that need reservations first.

Is the Grand Velas Water Ceremony included?

It is included with a spa treatment of at least 50 minutes3.

Written and checked by Lumina, independently of the hotels it names. Lumina sells no rooms: every link leads to its source.

Where we read it
  1. 1 Hotel Xcaret México, questions and answers
  2. 2 Grand Velas Riviera Maya, questions and answers
  3. 3 Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Water Ceremony

This guide is written with Lumina, the marketing system for hotels.