When a resort starts with “Heaven,” you have to wonder if it lives up to the name. Spoiler alert: It totally does! This adults-only slice of paradise serves up everything from top-notch pools to killer margaritas, minus cannonball-happy kiddos.
The rooms are luxurious, albeit, needing some updates. As for the beach? The sargassum situation might bum you out, but the pools MORE than make up for it.
Travel Tipsy: Don’t miss the spa—it’s so zen, you’ll forget email even exists.
Would we go back? Heck yes, with a piña colada in hand!
5 Star Paradise is a way to describe this amazing resort! A good mix of guests from around the world. The resort is split into two sections, the Adults Only side (Heaven) and the family side (Hacienda) offering two flavors in one resort, a great mix! They will take you between the two lobbies on golf carts for experiences at each side.
Travel Tipsy: You must be booked on the Adults Only side, to appreciate the benefits (i.e. restaurants, beaches, etc.) of it.
We went into Playa Del Carmen, one afternoon. It was a $14.00 taxi ride one way, and roughly a 20 minute ride.
Travel Tipsy: Negotiate your price before you get in the vehicle.
Check-In
Check in began with us being greeted and led through a magnificent lobby to a table where we sat and the staff began our spoiling immediately coming to see what we would like to drink while walking us through the check-in process. This was a very nice touch. Our rooms were ready immediately and we were whisked away in a golf cart with promises that our luggage would follow shortly, which arrived minutes later.
Travel Tipsy: You can upgrade to Rock Royalty rooms, which includes a personal butler – we did not do this, and still had a grand old time.
Rooms
Rooms are a mix of rock-glam with comfort, there’s a hydro spa tub, or ‘hot tub’ as we call them down south 🙂, and private balconies. The rooms are dated, but they are currently revamping them. There is a stocked mini-bar (wooohoooeee!) and 24-hour room service available. We called for extra towels and coffee pods one day, and they arrived in minutes! Housekeeping is amazing too, with fantastic turn-down service every night.
Beach
The beach here is unique, and pretty (the iguanas are cool!), but not really usable in my opinion. If you have done your homework you know an actual beach doesn’t exist. It is just lagoons, and – while gorgeous – I wasn’t really thrilled with the lagoons. Snorkeling may have been okay, but when I walked out and my feet were mushing on the bottom in what felt like sludge I decided to go back to the pool (blek). No biggie if you know what to expect, and you always have the option of visiting Playa Del Carmen’s public beach (which we did) for a beach day.
Pools
Well now! Let’s talk about the shining star of entertainment! These pools are incredible, with swim-up bars, DJ sets, and a party atmosphere. There’s also quieter pools for relaxation. Poolside service is consistently bomb, AND, if you are on the Heaven-side, adults only pool options! Yes, indeed! There are also VERY COOL, luxury cabanas available at Eden pool for rent. They are pricey, but very nice.
Food & Drink
Dining is good and this resort stands out for food quality, from some of our other Playa visits. There are about 14 restaurants (including both sides of the property), including French, Mexican, and international cuisines. “Le Petit Cochon” is my personal fave, because it’s French food! Need I say more? You can find drinks everywhere including premium liquors, wines, cocktails, beachy drinks, tequila tastings, and on and on. It is even in your room, remember?
There were occasions where we found food we did not like but there is food everywhere, you CAN find something you like.
Entertainment
The night shows here, surprisingly, were not as good as some of the other places that we have stayed. They weren’t terrible…I think I just expected more because it is a Hard Rock property. I also had an 80 minute hot stone facial while I was there. Yummy! Just do it!
Service
The SERVICE here, ya’ll! They really treated us like royalty and sometimes we would have 5 different servers checking on us during a meal. They would grab your plate and carry it if they saw you carrying one at a buffet, the manager of every restaurant came by to check on us, etc. TOP SHELF service! Also, no matter where you are, your glass will not be empty for very long. Whether beach, poolside, eating lunch or waiting in the lobby they are on top of their game and come over pretty quickly to take your drink order.
The place is luxurious, romantic, and sprawling. You could stay on this property, and never venture out, and feel as if you have had a very fulfilling vacation.
Grounds
Another shining star! The place is spotless and immaculate, and they are always working on it (seriously – nonstop!), including cleaning any seaweed or sargassum from the beach area, and always so friendly!
You will see wildlife, like iguanas and monkeys!
Great resort! Our second time there, you will not be disappointed. Tipping isn’t expected, but appreciated.
Travel Tipsy: They do offer great benefits (freebies) for a timeshare presentation. We do these often (with my husband kicking and screaming the entire way there!) because the freebies are soooo good! The last time we were there, they were offering excursions (like swimming with dolphins) for a 90 minute presentation.
Overall Ranking:
Grounds
Check In: 9
Rooms: 5
Beach: 4
Pool(s): 10
Food and Drink: 9
Entertainment: 6
Service: 10
Grounds: 10
Adults Only: 8
Would we go again. Yes.
Book your own Hard Rock vacay here. Maybe we will meet up and share a margarita!