17 Best Hotels in Playa del Carmen, The Riviera Maya

A pair of curvaceous buildings contains stylish condo rentals, each complete with a fully equipped kitchen, washer-dryer, and Balinese furnishings. In El Taj Oceanfront, luxurious touches range from stone showers to private whirlpool tubs and rooftop barbecues. Across the street at El Taj Beachside, a lap pool set off by tree-trunk columns winds through a quiet courtyard. You can make your own meals in each condo's designer kitchen or dine at nearby Plank, where El Taj guests receive 15% off. Guests also receive 15% at the Magic Hands spa and free access to The Gym, including fitness classes. El Taj is also one of the few pet-friendly properties in Playa del Carmen.

Mosaic stone paths wind through lovely gardens, and colonial-style hardwood furnishings gleam throughout at this inn on a side street. At the center of the property are a botanical garden and stunning pool area with multiple pools, some interconnected, where tiki torches and illuminated palm trees lead to two-story adobe buildings. Rooms are small, but most have balconies and are equipped with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes. There's a common area with a bar, pool table, little library, and games, as well as a small spa where guests get 15% off. Although La Tortuga isn't on the beach, the pool area is a delight, a sundeck is available, and guests get discount passes to three nearby beach clubs.

Art and antiques from around the world fill the lobby, and streams, waterfalls, and fountains fill the grounds of this 13-acre resort on a stretch of pristine beach. Luxurious rooms with two queen-size beds, sitting areas, and ocean-view terraces are set in two- and three-story colonial-style villas, each with its own concierge. Prepare for some serious pampering; service is second to none.

This small, colorful inn three blocks from the beach is split in two, with a family-friendly side and a separate adults-only area, both with pools. The garden restaurant serves up tasty fare for an early dinner (try the tequila shrimp, but go early: it closes at 9 to keep noise down for guests). A palapa out back hosts a weekly fresh market and daily pay-what-you-can yoga classes. The design is a work of art, with Mexican decor, batik wall hangings, and rustic wood-frame beds. Junior suites in both buildings have living rooms and microwaves for a quick meal. There's also a small business center and spa.

This funky boutique hotel melds retro with modern, as evidenced by the red vinyl couches in the lobby and the exceedingly cool rooftop pool bar, where tables and chairs wade in the water. Whitewashed concrete walls lead to stylish rooms with wood-plank floors imported from Brazil; freestanding whirlpool tubs; dual rain shower heads; and basics like a TV, minibar, and safe. Guests receive a good deal at the ground-floor sushi restaurant.

The family-friendly sister hotel to The Royal (which is across the street) has downtown Playa's best accommodations for the schoolyard set. Two pools, a Jacuzzi, a giant chess set, minigolf, afternoon bingo and blackjack, and a kids' activity room (with babysitting!) will keep young ones busy while Mom and Dad get massages on the beach or mimosas at the breakfast buffet. Although adults may find cast-concrete Grecian columns, New Orleans-style wrought iron breezeways, and walk-in Moorish showers a bit grandiose, they'll make an impression on the juniors. Oceanfront rooms have access to The Royal, and all categories have access to Gran Caribe Real in Cancún. Beach-facing rooms are significantly nicer than those in back, with corresponding prices.

If you are looking for the royal treatment, this massive, colonial-style resort has everything from laundry service and a 24-hour on-site doctor to in-room whirlpool tubs and fully stocked minibars. Ordinary-size rooms are tasteful and equipped with king beds and minibars stocked with snacks (and refilled twice a day); swim-up rooms have clever pool entries from the sliding doors. Wi-Fi is complimentary.

An interesting fusion of Maya and contemporary decor, budget-friendly Kinbé (which means "path to the sun") is steps from the beach. Even if you don't stay here, visit the impressive lobby, where an onyx bridge crosses an illuminated pool filled by a three-story waterfall. Rooms are divided into four categories: Pretty (the smallest, with one double bed), Moody (two doubles or a king), Rugiada (one king), and Garden (a striking bilevel option with a king bed in the loft). There are private terraces in 10 of the 29 rooms, but only one has a partial ocean view (for better views, head to the rooftop sundeck). Rooms are simple, clean, and stylish with bright white linens and small pops of color on pillows and blankets.

From the lush jungle courtyard to the airy, stone-walled rooms to the sunny, plush rooftop deck with distant ocean views, this boutique hotel is designed to charm at every turn. Rustic chic hits you head on—you enter via a narrow hallway that spills into an open-air courtyard with fountains and streams leading to a breakfast atrium that overlooks a cenote. Purchased at Mexican flea markets, one-of-a-kind room furnishings range from vintage refrigerators to headboards made from 1960s mail-carrier bags; creature comforts include air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, and organic bath products. For extra space, request Room 8 (with an outdoor shower) or Room 9 (with a tub on the terrace). The beautiful rooftop deck has sun beds and a cozy hammock. Laundry service and wine are included in the price.

Although it has few facilities, this hotel is still a great value, with impeccable rooms set around a garden courtyard where trees grow past the third floor. Dark cedar furniture, queen-size beds, spacious bathrooms, and shared patios are among the creature comforts. There's no breakfast included here, but four suites have full kitchens where you can make your own. The beach is just a few blocks away, beach towels are provided free at reception, and beach club discounts are available for guests.

Despite its size, this all-inclusive resort—consisting of the adults-only Tucan and the family friendly Quetzal sections—has managed to preserve natural surroundings that are home to flamingos, turtles, toucans, peacocks, and monkeys. Landscaped pool areas surround the open-air restaurant and reception area. Spacious rooms have cheerful color schemes and patios overlooking dense vegetation. Activities include bike tours, yoga sessions, salsa dancing, and Zumba programs. The roaming animals, kids' club, teen disco, and designated pool for children make this hotel a family favorite.

An elegant entrance, Spanish-tile floors, and hand-crafted Guadalajara furnishings greet you at this classy inn, where guest rooms have terraces, as well as sitting areas with dark hardwood furnishings and interesting local crafts. Although all rooms have been upgraded with soundproofed windows, some noise does get through those overlooking Avenida 5 rather than the garden. Breakfast is basic, but hotel offers designated parking ($12 per day) and free access to several beach clubs. Book direct for a 15% discount.

With three blocks of beach and grounds that include both sandy shore and cool jungle garden, this resort offers a taste of everything the Riviera landscape has to offer. The expansive all-inclusive property features comfortable lounge spaces in a large palapa reception, a quiet spa, a little library, four pools, a fitness center, a dive center, four bars (including one swim-up bar), and three restaurants. Rooms are spacious and filled with lovely details, like colorful sinks and pillows, murals painted lightly on concrete floors, and decorative preserved wood hanging from the walls. 

This all-inclusive offers flash and class in a Vegas-meets-cruise-ship environment with 14 restaurants, 11 bars, and nearly 1,000 rooms housed in two buildings—the adults-only La Perla and the family-friendly La Esmeralda, where extras for the kids include PlayStations, nightly turndown with milk and cookies, and a pool area that looks like a water park. Consider purchasing the Nikté Upgrade package, which includes a water ritual at YHI Spa, an activities menu for kids and teenagers, and private whirlpool tubs. The two resorts are connected by way of the restaurants and bars, however, certain establishments are only open to La Perla guests, who pay higher rates.

Palatial in name, scale, and decor (oversize entrance columns, crystal chandeliers, fountains), this all-inclusive is known for its breathtaking beach and exceptional service. Although rooms are well equipped, they aren't very large, and you should request one overlooking the courtyard, away from the noisy entertainment area. A steak house and Japanese restaurant are the most popular of the many dining options, despite the fact that reservations are required. Guests are permitted to use the amenities (including restaurants for breakfast and lunch) at any of Riu Palace's six sister hotels throughout Playa del Carmen.

It may not have the bells and whistles of other Playa hotels, but this small property, on a quiet street two blocks from the beach, is very pleasant. Surrounding an attractive pool are rooms with tile floors, cedar furnishings, and spacious baths; suites also have hot tubs. If you want a balcony, request a "standard plus" room. Considering the central location and lovely setting, this may be the one of the best values in town. Although the hotel doesn't operate its own restaurant, there is one attached near the pool.

Formerly known as the Panama Jack Resort, this property in the heart of Playa rebranded and reinvented itself as an all-inclusive, adults-only option, where the decor is modern without being flashy, and the overall atmosphere is fresh and relaxing. Most of the rooms, which are done in neutral colors with pastel touches, enjoy ocean views. Dining options include a traditional Mexican restaurant and a laid-back beach bar.