Firstly, if you haven’t read any of my other posts, we have traveled to this side of the map a lot, lot, lot.
Getting to the resort from the hotel: Make sure that you have booked transfers from the airport to the resort. Sometimes these are included in your resort package. When leaving the airport DO NOT GET IN A VEHICLE unless you see your name! There is a time-share scam (been that way for years) where they will take you to a different resort for a time share presentation. As long as you see your name, you are in the correct vehicle.
For context, we have also stayed at:
Hard Rock Riviera Maya – Adults only
Xpu-Ha Palace – closed down, and I am soooo sad! This resort was one-of-a-kind, amazing!
Catalonia Royal Tulum – check out my review of that property here.
We absolutely adored Hilton Playa Del Carmen, and here is why:
Adults Only: Can I get a what? What?! Adults ONLY??? Yes, please! Man, oh man ….to be able to comfortably throw an F-bomb, without worrying about the judgey looks from an angry mom, or get cannonball-soaked, while sitting by the pool reading. Count me IN! Again, we love our grand-kiddos, and love traveling with them, but, there is definitely a special joy, of being on an Adults-Only trip, while staying at an Adults-Only property. Haven’t done it yet? Now is your chance.
Rooms: I was using Hilton Honors points for this trip. Did you KNOW you can use Hilton Honors points for All-Inclusive?? Because I had no clue! It was roughly 300,000 points for 5 nights (that’s a LOT of points!) but well worth the costs. Since we were using points we went with the lowest room category, which was a Jr. Suite Garden View, however we were upgraded to a partial ocean view.
The room was over-the-top GORGEOUS and very spacious, and included a hot tub and a decent-sized patio! We were especially pleased since this was considered a Jr. Suite.
Pool: The pools were fantastic, and you could always get a drink. One was more chill – if you want to get away from the crowds and read, the other was more outgoing with daily activities, including the foam party, which I have to tell you, was WAY more fun than we both anticipated! GO to the foam party! There is also a swim up bar, so YAY!!
Beach: Well, this is where the positivity falters a bit. It is the area that this resort is in, quite frankly. Sargassum goes wild here, and this beach is no different. Depending on the time of year that you go, this beach may be stinky and completely unusable. With that being said, the staff does a great job of keeping it as clean as possible, but the pool (or try the public Playa Del Carmen beach), may be your best option.
Customer Service: Top 10’s for customer service. These guys will make you feel like Kings and Queens during your stay. I had asked about a Latte for breakfast, and saw the server leaving. I assumed maybe it was a shift change. Until he returned with a friggin latte! He went to the other side of the resort (and never said a word!) to bring me a latte. Sooo nice! This is just ONE example of the outstanding team at this resort, which is pretty consistent with all of the Riviera Maya area, and one reason that we keep coming back.
Food/Drink: Plentiful and wonderful. Tacos at Rincon (the first place we ate, when we arrived – of course should be Mexican food!) were fantastic. Breakfast has just about anything you could imagine. We enjoyed all of the restaurants at this resort. It wasn’t the same high-caliber as El Dorado Seaside Palms, but it was still very, very good.
Access to 5th Avenue: We loved strolling down 5th Avenue – as soon as you exit the resort, daily. This IS Mexico, and not as ‘Americanized’ as the Cancun strip. It is bright, colorful, lively and vibrant. Locals will try to get you inside of their shops, a simple ‘no thank you’ (and keep walking) works just fine. You can get cheap(er) massages on the strip, you may see a random tiger on a leash. You can also access the public beach and take a ferry (45 min) to Cozumel from here. Believe me when I say it is a people-watching buffet, and you will enjoy it so!
Safety: We have never felt unsafe in this region, regardless of news postings, even on 5th Avenue. With that being said, you are in another country so be smart with your decisions (like, don’t go down dark alleys with rando’s, etc.) and you will be fine.
Overall rating:
Adults Only: 10
Rooms: 9
Pools: 9
Beach: 3
Food and Drink: 7
5th Avenue Access: 10
Safety: 9
Would we return again? YES, in a friggin heartbeat!
