Riviera Maya in Style: Resorts, Beaches, and Experiences
We landed in Cancun and were quickly through customs, then whisked to our first hotel, Dreams Riviera Maya, just 20-25 minutes from the airport. Our Preferred Club Ocean View room overlooked the beach, and the rooms were spacious with a fully stocked minibar and thoughtful amenities. That afternoon we relaxed on our balcony and even got to watch a wedding taking place nearby. For dinner, we visited Himitsu, which specialises in Asian cuisine.
The next morning I took a walk along the beach and visited two neighbouring hotels from the AM Resorts Collection: Excellence Riviera Cancun and Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun. Both are beautiful properties that I would highly recommend. After our site inspections, we checked out and made our way to our second hotel, Occidental at Xcaret. This expansive resort sits within 200 acres of lush jungle in a historical preserve once home to the Maya. Our basic rooms were comfortable and well-suited for both couples and families. After exploring the resort, we spent a relaxing afternoon by the pool and enjoyed dinner at the Royal Level a la carte restaurant, which did not disappoint.
The following day was spent at the Eco Park, right next to the hotel. You can either walk there or take a short boat ride from the main reception. The park is vast, with shows, dolphin and manatee experiences, and a variety of eco and cultural activities that explore the Mayan world. After returning, we enjoyed a leisurely afternoon at the hotel’s man-made beach cove, perfect for families with young children.
Next, we travelled about 50 minutes down the coast to Secrets Akumal, a 5-star adults-only resort. Even the basic rooms had a “wow” factor, and the layout of the resort is designed to appeal to all types of travellers. The grounds feature three pools - from the quiet back pool with relaxing music, to the lively beachfront pool with live music and a swim-up bar. There’s a wide choice of restaurants, unlimited top-shelf spirits, 24-hour room service, daily refreshed minibar, live entertainment, and plenty of activities. On our first night we dined at El Patio for Mexican cuisine, and the following night at Oceana for seafood. Both meals were flawless.
On day two, we visited the Tulum Ruins, just 15 minutes from the hotel. Early morning is the best time to visit before it gets too hot. Back at the resort, we spent the afternoon by the pool and even hired snorkels to swim with the turtles - an absolute highlight.
Our final stop was Grand Velas, set within the jungle and split into three areas. The Grand area offers luxury suites with private plunge pools, ocean views, and personal concierge service - ideal for a true indulgence. The Ambassador level is beachfront and suitable for couples and families, while the Zen area provides a serene retreat in the jungle, also family-friendly. Family rooms include thoughtful touches like strollers, highchairs, and other essentials, and the kids’ clubs are exceptionally well-run.
The resort has a range of restaurants - we dined at Frida, a world-class Mexican restaurant, and Piaf, an award-winning French restaurant. Activities within the resort included a mixology class, eco tour, and eco-bites class. Even though the weather was a little unpredictable, we made the most of the spa and ended our trip with a beautiful Water Ceremony, included with a pre-booked spa treatment. Grand Velas truly offers a luxurious all-inclusive experience with incredible attention to detail — it’s a destination I would highly recommend for anyone seeking an unforgettable holiday.
