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Where to Stay in Riviera Maya Right Now

PublishedAug 13, 2025
Todd Plummer
Todd Plummer

     

    Chase Travel experts explore the world to help you find the perfect hotel for every situation. Get inspired for your next trip with more curated hotel guides.

     

    Mexico’s Riviera Maya is one of North America’s great vacation destinations, drawing travelers from around the world with its lush mangrove forests, warm Caribbean waters and ancient Maya ruins. Located south of Cancun (which benefits from numerous direct flights to major American cities), the region has an enormous array of hotels—from large-scale resorts with all the bells and whistles, like Banyan Tree Mayakoba, to boutique properties like the intimate Hotel Esencia, where luxury is measured in the amount of beach you’ll have to yourself each day.

    Thanks to the sheer number of options, choosing a place to stay in this part of the world can feel dizzying, but a handful of properties stand out. Whichever one you select, you can expect fantastic beaches and a relaxing retreat on Mexico’s Caribbean shores.

     

    Viceroy Riviera Maya
    Playa del Carmen
    Member of The Edit by Chase Travel

    This property might be part of the global Viceroy brand, but it still has a cozy feel. There are just 41 standalone villas here, each with their own private pool and outdoor shower, as well as a jungle spa offering treatments inspired by ancient Maya culture. Enjoy service from the comfort of your lounge chair right on the beach, or borrow some complimentary flippers and snorkels and swim out to the Mesoamerican Reef. Since Viceroy Riviera Maya is for adults only, you can also find peace by the lagoon pool.

    The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya
    Playa del Carmen
    Member of The Edit by Chase Travel

    From above, this new-ish resort is meant to resemble the constellation Pleiades, and there are certainly a beguiling cluster of things to explore here. There are numerous pools (including one for families), as well as five restaurants spanning local and international cuisines (in addition to room service). The rooms are particularly luxurious, finished with natural materials that nod to traditional Mexican and Maya design. Don’t forget to gather in the St. Regis Bar for nightly Champagne sabering, a beloved St. Regis tradition.

    Banyan Tree Mayakoba
    Playa del Carmen
    Member of The Edit by Chase Travel

    A $50 million renovation in 2021 added several suites, restaurants and a beach club with an infinity pool to Banyan Tree Mayakoba, with another to be unveiled in late 2025, but the brand’s wellness-forward, Asian-leaning ethos remains. Also part of its glow-up: the Wellbeing Sanctuary, where guests can undertake wellness consultations, enjoy a hydrotherapy circuit, take boot camp and yoga classes and generally feel like their vacation involves more than simply plopping down on a beach chair with a margarita in hand (although they can do that, too).

    Maroma, A Belmond Hotel
    Punta Maroma
    Member of The Edit by Chase Travel

    Though it sits between the hectic hubs of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, this recently renovated Belmond property manages to feel removed from the tourism din—and full of local charm. The rooms have   hand-painted tiles by a Guadalajara-based ceramicist and mostly hand-carved furniture. If you’re a spa lover, be sure to treat your skin to a honey-infused massage at the luxurious Maroma Spa by Guerlain. Experiences play a starring role here: Consider a tortilla-making class or a private excursion to the region’s best (and often overlooked) cenotes.

    Unico 20°87°
    Akumal
    Member of The Edit by Chase Travel

    Whoever said all-inclusives can’t be cool clearly hasn’t been to Unico 20°87°. At check-in, guests are assigned a local host to guide them around the resort, help make reservations at the four on-site restaurants and book off-site excursions. No detail is overlooked, from the rooms, where the beds are comfortable and a pillow menu ensures you can rest your head however you choose, to the beach, where the staff takes great care to remove the seaweed that washes ashore (which can be an issue in this part of Mexico).

    Hotel Esencia
    Xpu Há
    Member of The Edit by Chase Travel

    Originally the vacation house of an Italian aristocrat, this boutique hotel is now the stay of choice for the contemporary jet set. The stylish rooms feel pristine, with bright, glossy white interiors punctuated by dark wood and colorful accents. For a splurge, opt for a Rooftop Wellness Suite, which includes a steam room, a private fitness studio that can be set up with your choice of equipment and an outdoor terrace complete with a heated plunge pool. You’ll feel like a celebrity yourself in no time.

    Hotel Xcaret México
    Playa del Carmen

    The all-inclusive package here is a compelling value proposition. Your rate not only includes accommodations and meals, but also airport transfers, a catamaran tour to nearby Isla Mujeres and even access to the nearby Xcaret water and theme parks. With 20 on-site restaurants, 16 pools and a large beachfront lagoon area that’s protected from the waves, there is a lot—and we mean a lot—of resort to enjoy here. It’s a great option for those traveling with families in search of plenty of things to do both at and just outside the resort.

    La Valise Tulum
    Tulum

    At 22 suites, La Valise offers attentive service and absolute privacy. Expect an intimate, design-forward experience: architecture that melts into its surroundings, decor that incorporates work by local artisans and inviting daybeds along the private beach. The hotel also has an infinity pool, a spa and a fleet of cruiser bikes so you can explore Tulum at your leisure. There are even some jungle trails nearby that make for a great walk. And the open-air restaurant   here is, unequivocally, fantastic.

     

    Booking With Chase Travel

    Chase Travel is the first stop for your next adventure. At chasetravel.com, eligible Chase cardmembers can earn and redeem points for hotels, flights, car rentals and more.

    Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers will earn bonus points when booking a hotel stay through The Edit by Chase Travel℠. Cardmembers who applied for their card on or after June 23, 2025 will earn 8 points per dollar. Cardmembers who applied for their card prior to June 23, 2025 will earn 3 points per dollar through October 25, 2025, and 8 points per dollar beginning October 26, 2025.

    Eligible cardmembers who book through The Edit will receive special cardmember benefits including daily breakfast for two and a $100 property credit, along with early check-in, late checkout and a room upgrade, when available.

    Looking for inspiration? Eligible Chase cardmembers can discover hotel reviews, editor-curated guides, and book local experiences at chasetravel.com.

     

    Lead photo courtesy of La Valise Tulum.

     

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