Are you dreaming of a beach getaway in Riviera Maya, sipping tacos and margaritas to your heart’s desire, and dipping your body in the Caribbean Sea? You’ve come to the right place!
Mexico’s Riviera Maya is a dreamy and luxurious destination that won’t break the bank. No matter what your budget is, you’ll be living the life in one of the many boutique hotels in the Riviera Maya featured.
Cecilio and I spent a week in Playa del Carmen for our honeymoon (with day trips to Cozumel and Tulum). It’s one of our best trips to date. We stayed in a small boutique hotel, Aventura Mexicana, which is right around the corner from the beach and 5th Avenue (Playa del Carmen’s pedestrian-only shopping district). We stayed in the honeymoon suite, which was the biggest room in the hotel, and had the comfiest California king-sized bed ever. We were treated to towel animals every night after a long day of excursions, from day trips to Tulum and lounging all over Xcaret. Our hotel had a delicious restaurant, casual breakfast, two pools, and yoga classes.
Unfortunately, I just found out that Aventura Mexicana shut down permanently. It’s actually pretty devastating because I would’ve recommended it to you guys to high heavens. I also feel so bad for the staff who lost their jobs. It was the perfect honeymoon accommodation, and it was a total steal for $150/night (our hotel in Oahu was even more expensive and tiny).
Instead, I researched and wrangled other travel bloggers who have also been to Riviera Maya and had an amazing experience during their stays. Also, I’ve been itching to go back to Playa del Carmen to rekindle our honeymoon, and if we do, I will definitely recommend a stay!
Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links, which means I make a commission if you book through this post. If you do decide to book using my links, thank you so much for your support!
Top 3 Picks
Mahekal Beach Resort
- All-inclusive
- 4 outdoor pools
- Wellness activities (yoga, spas, massages)
- Bike rentals
- Watersports rentals (jet skis, kayaks, paddleboards)
- Private transfer service from Cancun International Airport
- Air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi
Náay Tulum Curamoria Collection
- Rooftop pool with cabanas
- Restaurant and bar
- Spa
- Bike rentals
- Air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi
HM Playa del Carmen
- Pool and bar
- Gym
- Private transfer service from Cancun International Airport
- Guided tours
- Air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi
Must-Stay Boutique Hotels in the Riviera Maya
Mahekal Beach Resort
Contribution by Hannah of Hannah on Horizon
Looking for the dreamiest stay in Riviera Maya? Look no further than Mahekal Beach Resort, the all-inclusive resort that doesn’t feel like your typical cookie-cutter one. With thatched rooftops, surrounding palm trees on every corner, wooden motifs, and handcrafted artwork, you forget that city life is around the corner. 5th Avenue is 15 minutes away from Mahekal walking distance, so you don’t have to worry about the hustle and bustle.
Whether you’re looking for a simple room by the garden or an elevated beach house with a plunge pool, get ready to unwind and jump in some of the softest beds in your life. All of Mahekal’s rooms, suites, and beach houses have hammocks, organic Mayan-inspired toiletries, bug repellant, and a walk-in shower.
With 7 restaurants and bars, you’ll be spoiled for different food choices. If you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, you’ll be sure to find an eatery that caters to your dietary needs. For example, Fuego Restaurante y Cantina, Mahekal’s signature restaurant, has a vegan section for lunch and dinner, and they offer a delicious mushroom tostada with charcoal onion, avocado cream sauce, and fried beetroot.
If you need to cool off, you can swim in one of Mahekal’s four pools. Or better yet, take a dip on the beach just steps away from the resort. The Caribbean Sea is calm and the waves are non-existent.
Lastly, don’t forget to pamper yourself in the Revive Spa, where you can get massages with 100% organic, locally-sourced oils and butters.
⭐️ Rating: 8.6/10 stars | 📍 Location: Playa del Carmen | 🏩 Book today!
We loved the location of the resort and the grounds themselves were wonderful. This resort felt like a total oasis right next to a city center, so you could relax and still get off property to explore when you wanted! The restaurants and staff were phenomenal, our favorite was Fuego. The spa was lovely and the staff there were so wonderful and really helped us relax.
Incandela (read more reviews)
Náay Tulum Curamoria Collection
Contribution by Hannah of Hannah on Horizon
If you’re looking for total luxury that saves the environment, you’re going to love Náay Tulum. All of the rooms have an automation system that helps conserve air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and all other electronics.
Náay Tulum is a part of the Curamoria Collection, a small chain of luxury boutique hotels all over Mexico. The hotel’s main draw is the rooftop pool with thatched cabanas and Ki’Kil, the restaurant right next to the pool serving delicious (and healthy!) dishes and cocktails. Breakfast is served every morning for the guests, and Náay is known to have the best banana pancakes!
When booking your stay in Náay, you can choose to stay in a luxury room a suite, or a master suite. All rooms have a coffee machine, a rain shower, Wi-Fi, an ironing board, a minibar, a TV, and a safe.
You might be tempted to not leave the hotel, but Náay offers guided tours to all of Riviera Maya’s attractions, such as Chichen Itza, Coba, Tulum ruins, and various cenotes.
Because Náay is not a beachfront hotel, it is more affordable (Tulum has a reputation for being incredibly expensive). Instead, it is located in Aldea Zamá, a hip residential neighborhood wedged between the beach and Downtown Tulum.
⭐️ Rating: 8.5/10 stars | 📍 Location: Tulum | 🏩 Book today!
Everything was exceptional…from the esthetics of the hotel, to the friendliness/helpfulness of the staff, to the taste of the food in the restaurant! The ambiance was super sexy and I thoroughly enjoyed my stay there!
Denene (read more reviews)
HM Playa del Carmen
Contribution by Hannah of Hannah on Horizon
HM Playa del Carmen is a sleek, modern hotel with a Mayan-inspired twist. It’s right around the corner from 5th Avenue and is 10 minutes away from the beach. The rooms have small touches of mid-century modern decor and airy vibes.
You can choose between staying in a double room or a junior suite. Some of the rooms offer a balcony or city views for extra cost.
Nothing is more relaxing after a long day of sightseeing and shopping than relaxing at in HM Playa del Carmen’s pool, or catching rays on the pool beds (with the reef-safe sunscreen, of course). Better yet, you have the pool bar serving you snacks, nachos, ceviche, salad, and tacos alongside those margaritas!
Guests can also enjoy breakfast every morning from 7 am to 11 am featuring delicious fare such as omlettes, pancakes, juice, and smoothies.
If you need some movement or to get your ya-ya’s out without a night of partying, you’ll be happy to know that there is a gym fully equipped with dumbbells, cardio and weights machines.
⭐️ Rating: 8.4/10 stars | 📍 Location: Playa del Carmen | 🏩 Book today!
good location , beautiful pool and dining area, nice lobby, tour guide person always available, super friendly staff
Reba (read more reviews)
The Hotel Secreto
Contribution by Karen of KMFIS Writing
The Hotel Secreto, located on Isla Mujeres across from Cancun, ranks as one of the best boutique hotels in Riviera Maya. With only 12 suites, Hotel Secreto is the perfect hotel when looking for comfort, privacy, and personal customer service.
The Hotel Secreto offers concierge services, a spa, sauna, poolside day beds, poolside and beachside service, and complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas.
Suites at this intimate boutique hotel offer the most comfortable beds in the Riviera Maya. They also feature private balconies, patios overlooking the Caribbean, and/or a unique infinity lap pool.
This beautiful pool is especially stunning at night as different colored lights illuminate the water. Stairs lead you down to a passageway and door that opens up to The Hotel Secreto’s semi-private secluded cove.
While this beach is not swimmable, the rocky shoreline offers a solitary and peaceful place to watch the crashing waves. And The Hotel Secreto is just steps away from North Beach – Isla Mujeres’ most popular and livelier beach with breathtaking sunsets.
The Hotel Secreto is also within walking distance of many restaurants, shopping, and activities. The best restaurants near The Hotel Secreto include Javi’s Cantina Restaurant and Bar and North Garden Café Restaurant and Bar.
Isla Mujeres and The Hotel Secreto, one of the best boutique hotels in the Riviera Maya, are easily accessible by ferry. Check out this guide for transfer tips on how to get to Isla Mujeres from the Cancun International Airport.
⭐️ Rating: 9.2/10 stars | 📍 Location: Isla Mujeres | 🏩 Book today!
Beautiful property with a gorgeous pool and ocean view. Staff were so lovely and helpful. The room was super clean and large!
Shannon (read more reviews)
The Palm at Playa
Contribution by Ashlea of She Roams About
The Palm at Playa is a beautiful boutique hotel in Playa del Carmen, tucked away on Calle 8 Norte, just steps from the bustling 5th Avenue. This gorgeous, 69-room boutique is the perfect place to relax in the Riviera Maya.
Although it’s small, The Palm is bursting with amenities including a stunning courtyard, holistic spa, gym, and restaurant. But the jewel in the crown has to be the totally relaxing rooftop pool club.
The Riviera Maya is known for its beautiful beaches, but nothing beats the heat like a rooftop pool. The pool club offers friendly poolside service, sun loungers, an overwater hammock, ocean views, a bar, and a restaurant. There’s always something going on upstairs with local DJs spinning relaxing tropical music and livelier events on the weekends. Because this hotel is strictly 14+, the pool area is a haven in busy Playa del Carmen.
The hotel also offers bicycle rental to explore the town, but the location is prime for walking. A short two-minute walk will have you on the beach, and you may want to stop off at Madrez Café, a local favorite for breakfast on the way. If you prefer to eat at the hotel, consider upgrading to an all-inclusive rate.
At the end of a long day, the comfortable beachy rooms are the perfect place to relax. All the rooms are spacious and air-conditioned and include a rainfall shower and complimentary WiFi. The Palm at Playa is the best-kept secret in Playa del Carmen and one of the most unique boutique hotels in the Riviera Maya.
⭐️ Rating: 7.8/10 stars | 📍 Location: Playa del Carmen | 🏩 Book today!
Location – close to the Main Street with all the shops and restaurants. Great value considering how big rooms are – the shower is enormous! Bed was extremely comfortable and the staff were great! Steps from the beach and parking in secure underground area! Rooftop pool was very nice.
Michael (read more reviews)
Mi Amor Tulum
Contribution by Hannah and Adam of Getting Stamped
Mi Amor is a boutique hotel with warm and friendly staff and breathtaking views as it is nestled among the rock face overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The open space concept hotel is decorated with an art deco vibe and offers six different types of rooms decorated with vibrant bright colors, located just steps from the crashing waves of the Caribbean waters. The grounds of the hotel have lush gardens to enjoy, hammock chairs to swing in by the infinity pool, and views of the nearby Caribbean jungle.
Mi Amor has a variety of experiences for guests to enjoy, including couples spa treatments, an eight-course tasting experience at a chef’s table, spirit and wine tasting, Mayan clay massage, sunrise yoga, and tortilla and salsa class. Hotel staff can arrange for guests to get the authentic Mexican experience by experiencing a Mayan ceremony, tasting traditional dishes, swimming in nearby cenotes, and venturing into a Mayan realm. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails at Besame Mucho Bar and dine on the contemporary menu that features an intimate Mexican seafood dinner and daily brunch.
My husband and I stayed here a few years ago on a little Valentine’s Day getaway. It was the perfect couples’ getaway in the Riviera Maya.
Don’t forget to check out this Tulum Packing List before leaving for your trip to Mi Amor.
⭐️ Rating: 9.2/10 stars | 📍 Location: Tulum | 🏩 Book today!
The hotel was a hit! The rooms were cosy and the private whirlpool outside the room was a perfect spot to relax in. The restaurant was really good, with all the creations from the chef being really well designed.
Sfischereder (read more reviews)
Habitas Bacalar
Contribution by Annie of Your Friend the Nomad
Located on the edge of the breathtaking Bacalar lagoon of seven colors, Habitas Bacalar is a luxurious, yet down-to-earth boutique hotel.
Despite being only twenty minutes away from the charming pueblo magico (magical town) of Bacalar, Habitas feels remote. The service is incredible, and the hotel’s restaurants serve vibrant plant-forward dishes.
Each hotel “room” is located in a private A-frame cabin, and adorned with elevated luxe design. Some rooms face the lagoon, while others are tucked away in the jungle. Each has a private outdoor shower.
Although Habitas Bacalar is secluded, the hotel offers several events each day, from lagoon-side yoga to boat tours. In addition, visitors always have access to paddle boards and clear-bottom kayaks to explore the lagoon at their own leisure.
The town of Bacalar is certainly worth exploring. The hotel receptionist will order a taxi for you, or you can catch your own from the street to save a few pesos. Bacalar features cute boutique stores, vibrant nightlife (check out I Scream Bar), and diverse cuisines.
Truth be told, it’s difficult to want to do any activities when you have the opportunity to lounge, read, and relax at the peaceful lagoon-front deck. The sweet scent of copal, a local incense made from sap, fills the air, and servers happily bring you food and drinks.
⭐️ Rating: 9.4/10 stars | 📍 Location: Bacalar | 🏩 Book today!
One of the best hotels we’ve ever stayed at. Serene location on the lagoon, unique tented room with amazing outdoor shower, incredible service and unreal food and drink. It’s an awesome place.
Adambreedon (read more reviews)
Be Tulum
Contribution by Sara of Travel Mexico Guide
If you’re looking for a unique hotel when traveling to Mexico, Be Tulum will surprise you, as it’s one of the most luxurious and beautiful boutique hotels located in Riviera Maya.
Be Tulum is special because it has been crafted to reflect the charm and tranquility of nature. Located in Tulum’s Zona Hotelera between the lush tropical forest, pristine white sandy beach, and the crystal clear Caribbean Sea, Be Tulum offers unforgettable experiences.
The suites at Be Tulum are made with natural materials and feature spacious terraces, designer furniture, private pools, and breathtaking views. The design of each room has been carefully crafted to ensure you can enjoy the full beauty of nature from every angle.
If you want to spend some time on the beach, there is nothing better than relaxing in one of the Beach Club’s pools and beach beds that are exclusively for guests.
Be Tulum features a unique spa, offering traditional Mayan rituals and treatments as well as Temazcal ceremonies and daily yoga classes.
The hotel serves amazing food in two different restaurants. Maresias offers Yucatan Peninsula food and seafood, all made with freshly caught ingredients from the sea and organic vegetables grown by local farms. The guacamole and the Tuna Ceviche are a delight!!
Ocumare is known for its authentic Mexican cuisine and curated cocktails based on Mexican distilleries.
This boutique hotel is ideal for couples and travelers who want to enjoy the essence of Tulum. Its comfortable atmosphere mixed with the charm of nature will make you feel at home!
⭐️ Rating: 8.2/10 stars | 📍 Location: Tulum | 🏩 Book today!
Loved the private villa with outdoor soaking tub and private plunge pool. Food is excellent and restaurant staff is amazing and attentive.
Tammy (read more reviews)
Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets
Contribution by Adriana of Wanderlicious
Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets is everything you want from a boutique stay on the Riviera Maya in Mexico; it has cerulean blue waters, white sand beaches, hammocks, grand architecture, and of course, incredible views no matter which way you turn. It is, after all, on an island just off the coastline of Mexico.
The hotel has its own boat to pick you up and return you to shore which is only a 20-minute ride away. One of the best things about Impression is that is an adult-only 5-star accommodation, perfect for getaways with your best friend or your partner; whoever it is, you’ll find plenty of time to sunbathe, snorkel, eat plenty of food, make use of their spa and watch spectacular sunsets on the Mexican-Caribbean coast.
The suites are incredibly impressive too, the room is very spacious and the views you have are incredible; it’s unlike any views you can find in Cancun. In regards to the services, waiters and personal butlers are outstanding; they are exceptionally attentive, thoughtful, and prompt with any request we made. It’s also pet friendly, so you can bring your furry little friends with you. There are tons of beaches for you to explore, including El Cocal Beach, Norte Beach, and Isla Mujeres Beach, these are just a short walk away from the hotel. I recommend doing a local snorkel or diving tour, there’s a high likelihood of seeing turtles and if it’s the right time of year, you might be lucky enough to see the whale shark migrations!
⭐️ Rating: 10/10 stars | 📍 Location: Isla Mujeres | 🏩 Book today!
the roof top bar the barists are very good
Bernstain (read more reviews)
Hotel Bardo
Contribution by Daria of The Discovery Nut
Located in Tulum, Hotel Bardo is one of the best-kept secrets of Riviera Maya. This adults-only luxury hotel boasts small cabanas each with its individual pool and stunning garden views.
There’s a big gorgeous pool in the main area of the hotel and an on-site restaurant that serves a blend of Mexican and Italian cuisines with delicious meals like açaí bowls, burritos, tacos, and pasta made from locally sourced ingredients. Vegetarian and vegan options can be made upon request.
Daily breakfast is available, but they also serve lunch and dinner and can bring your meal to your room.
The hotel is located in a quiet area outside of downtown Tulum, so you can enjoy a peaceful atmosphere without traffic and noise. If you want to go out and explore the best restaurants in town or enjoy the sun along the gorgeous Tulum beach, you can use one of the free bicycles offered on the property.
Another option is to rent a scooter from one of the shops in Tulum, which is a quick and convenient way of getting around town if you are looking to get around fast.
Although the hotel doesn’t have a gym, you can go for some running in the morning, as the area is well connected to downtown Tulum. Unlike popular resorts in Tulum, Hotel Bardo offers a quiet atmosphere and makes for a perfect stay if you are looking to celebrate a special occasion or treat yourself to a relaxing stay.
All accommodations come with free Wi-Fi and parking. Spa services are available on the property for an additional fee.
⭐️ Rating: 9.5/10 stars | 📍 Location: Tulum | 🏩 Book today!
We loved BARDO!! If you are looking for a sweet escape look no more. From the beautiful space to the amazing employees, it was the most special time.
Ariana (read more reviews)
Finding the best boutique hotels in Riviera Maya
If you’re looking for your next beach getaway, why not consider Riviera Maya? With turquoise beaches, creamy sand, delicious food, and affordable prices, you can’t get any better than one of Mexico’s top destinations. If you want to live like a queen (or king) on a budget, prepare to get comfy in these luxurious boutique hotels in the Riviera Maya!
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Hannah is a travel writer, graphic designer, and the founder/editor of Hannah on Horizon. She is based in Sacramento, California, living with her husband and two adorable dogs. She shares tips on how to experience luxury travel on any budget, and how to maximize time at each trip or destination, no matter what your budget or amount of vacation time at work. She enjoys making you feel like you have visited each destination with her through her storytelling and informative writing style.