Top 10 Resorts in Riviera Maya
Direct Answer
The best resorts in the Riviera Maya for 2027 line the Caribbean coast south of Cancún, from Playa del Carmen down to Tulum, anchored by the 620-acre Mayakoba enclave and a cluster of ultra-luxury all-inclusives. Our top pick is Grand Velas Riviera Maya, the only all-inclusive on earth where a single restaurant holds both a Michelin star and AAA Five Diamond status, with butler service for every guest and rates from roughly $724/night.
For the best blend of price and quality, Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya delivers an adults-only, near-perfectly-rated stay well below ultra-luxury pricing, our best value choice.
The list spans non-all-inclusive luxury (Rosewood, Banyan Tree, Andaz, Fairmont at Mayakoba), ultra-luxury all-inclusive (Grand Velas, Hotel Xcaret Arte, Secrets Maroma), and adults-only value (Valentin Imperial, Palmaïa). Every property is currently operating and web-verified against Tripadvisor, Travel + Leisure, U.S.
News, and Condé Nast data for 2027.
How We Ranked These
We scored each resort on dining and amenity depth, guest ratings (Tripadvisor, Travel + Leisure, U.S. News), beachfront and setting, value within its tier, and renovation recency. The Riviera Maya rewards travelers who decide first between the Mayakoba non-inclusive luxury cluster and the all-inclusive coastal flagships, so we mixed both.
Prices are indicative 2027 nightly rates and move with season, suite category, and booking lead time.
1. Grand Velas Riviera Maya 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the most decorated all-inclusive on this coast and the clear overall winner. It is the only all-inclusive resort in the world where one restaurant, Cocina de Autor, has simultaneously earned a Michelin star and AAA Five Diamond recognition.
Every guest receives butler service, and the property's three distinct ambiances, Zen Grand, Ambassador, and Grand Class, let families, couples, and adults-only travelers each find their zone.
The cenote-inspired SE Spa holds Forbes Five-Star status and is among the finest in Mexico, with a water-circuit ritual that draws spa travelers specifically. Eight restaurants, a 90,000-square-foot spa, and a jungle-and-beach setting make this a resort you genuinely never need to leave.
Nightly all-inclusive rates start around $724 and climb past $1,400 in peak winter weeks. It is the priciest entry here, but for Michelin-level dining inside an all-inclusive, nothing on the coast matches it.
2. Rosewood Mayakoba
Rosewood Mayakoba has been honored as one of the finest luxury resorts in the world since its 2008 debut, and it remains the crown jewel of the Mayakoba enclave. Accommodations are stand-alone suites and lagoon villas threaded along mangrove canals, many with private plunge pools reached by boat or bicycle.
This is non-all-inclusive luxury at its peak: a destination spa on its own island, a beach club, and dining that ranges from Yucatecan to contemporary. Guests can also use the facilities at the three sibling Mayakoba hotels.
Rates start high, around $1,200 and often $1,500–$3,000/night for the larger villas. For travelers who want privacy, architecture, and world-class service over an all-inclusive wristband, Rosewood is the benchmark.
3. Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Banyan Tree Mayakoba holds Two Michelin Keys, AAA Five Diamond, and Forbes Four-Star status, plus a Tripadvisor Best of the Best award. Set within the same Mayakoba grounds, it is built around private pool villas with Asian-influenced design and a serene, spa-forward atmosphere.
The resort leans into wellness and tranquility, with a celebrated spa and quiet, adult-leaning ambiance, though it remains family-permitting. Its golf access (the El Camaleón course runs through Mayakoba) is a draw for golfers.
Nightly rates start around $1,200 before meals. For a villa-only, spa-centric luxury stay with Michelin Key recognition, Banyan Tree is a top-three pick.
4. Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya earned Tripadvisor's number-one hotel in the world title in 2025, backed by over 1,300 reviews averaging 9.5 out of 10. It is an adults-only, all-inclusive set on the calm, swimmable Akumal bay, famous for sea-turtle sightings just offshore.
The resort pairs a strong all-inclusive food-and-beverage program with swim-out suites and a relaxed, romantic atmosphere. At its price point, the guest-satisfaction scores are remarkable, which is why it tops global rankings.
Nightly all-inclusive rates run around $378 per night, far below the ultra-luxury tier while delivering chart-topping ratings. For adults-only all-inclusive with the best reviews on the coast, this is the pick.
5. Hotel Xcaret Arte
Hotel Xcaret Arte is the adults-only sibling within the Hotel Xcaret complex, and its all-inclusive plan is unusually generous: it includes admission to the Xcaret eco-parks (Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor, and more), turning a resort stay into a multi-park vacation. The property celebrates Mexican art and craft, with workshops and design-forward rooms.
This is a strong choice for travelers who want all-inclusive value plus activities rather than just a beach. The parks alone justify the rate for first-time Riviera Maya visitors.
Nightly all-inclusive rates start around $559 per night. For adults-only all-inclusive with eco-park access baked in, Xcaret Arte is unique on this list.
6. Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya
Andaz Mayakoba is the most accessibly priced of the four Mayakoba hotels while still delivering Hyatt-brand polish and full access to the shared 620-acre enclave. Its design is slightly more contemporary and lively than its sisters, with rooms set among the mangroves and a relaxed beach club.
Guests get the same canal-and-golf setting as Rosewood and Banyan Tree at a fraction of the rate, plus the option of an all-inclusive upgrade. It suits travelers who want Mayakoba's setting without Rosewood's price.
Nightly rates start around $659, or about $1,069 with the all-inclusive plan. For value within luxury Mayakoba, Andaz is the smart entry point.
7. Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya 💎 BEST VALUE
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya is our best value pick: an adults-only all-inclusive that consistently pulls near-perfect traveler ratings at a price point well below the ultra-luxury flagships. The Spanish-colonial-styled resort sits on a long beach near Puerto Morelos with multiple à-la-carte restaurants and a calm, romantic atmosphere.
It punches far above its price on service and food quality, which is why it repeatedly ranks among the coast's top adults-only resorts despite modest rates. Couples seeking a quiet, inclusive escape rate it highly.
Nightly all-inclusive rates typically run $300–$450 per night for two, a standout value against $700+ flagships. For adults-only all-inclusive that overdelivers, Valentin Imperial wins on price-to-quality.
8. Fairmont Mayakoba
Fairmont Mayakoba is the fourth and most family-friendly of the Mayakoba quartet, ranked highly in Condé Nast's reader awards. It offers the same lush canal setting, an excellent kids' program, multiple restaurants, and an optional all-inclusive plan, giving families flexibility the other three lack.
Set across 45 acres of mangrove and jungle, it balances family amenities with Fairmont service, and guests share the full Mayakoba facilities. Its beach and pools are among the more relaxed in the enclave.
Nightly rates start around $400–$600, with all-inclusive available on top. For families who want Mayakoba's setting, Fairmont is the natural choice.
9. Palmaïa, The House of AïA
Palmaïa, The House of AïA is a design-forward 5-star wellness retreat on a private corner of Playacar Beach in Playa del Carmen. Since opening, it has built a strong following by merging plant-based, eco-conscious cuisine with all-inclusive amenities and a genuine wellness program of yoga, sound baths, and breathwork.
It appeals to a younger, wellness-minded traveler who wants ritual and intention alongside the beach. The food, unusually for an all-inclusive, leans heavily vegan and farm-to-table.
Nightly all-inclusive rates run roughly $500–$700 per night. For a wellness-and-vegan all-inclusive that breaks the mold, Palmaïa stands alone.
10. Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun
Closing the list, Secrets Maroma Beach sits on Playa Maroma, frequently rated one of the best beaches in the world for its impossibly soft sand and calm water. It is an adults-only, all-inclusive with refined dining, swim-out suites, and a setting that justifies the rate on beachfront alone.
The resort blends romance and luxury, making it a favorite for honeymoons and anniversaries. Its food-and-beverage program is among the stronger Secrets offerings on the coast.
Nightly all-inclusive rates start around $559 per night. For the best beach on an adults-only all-inclusive, Secrets Maroma is the closer.
FAQ
Which Riviera Maya resort is best overall in 2027? Grand Velas Riviera Maya takes the top spot as the only all-inclusive worldwide with a Michelin-starred, AAA Five Diamond restaurant, plus butler service for every guest and a Forbes Five-Star spa.
What is the best-value resort in the Riviera Maya? Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya, an adults-only all-inclusive, delivers near-perfect ratings at roughly $300–$450/night, well below the ultra-luxury flagships.
Should I stay all-inclusive or at Mayakoba? Mayakoba (Rosewood, Banyan Tree, Andaz, Fairmont) offers non-all-inclusive luxury in a shared canal-and-golf enclave. The coastal flagships (Grand Velas, Secrets, Xcaret) are all-inclusive. Choose Mayakoba for privacy and à-la-carte dining; choose all-inclusive for simplicity.
Which resort has the best beach? Secrets Maroma Beach sits on Playa Maroma, repeatedly ranked among the world's best beaches. Secrets Akumal's calm bay is best for swimming and sea turtles.
Are these resorts adults-only or family-friendly? Secrets Akumal, Hotel Xcaret Arte, Valentin Imperial, Palmaïa, and Secrets Maroma are adults-only. Fairmont Mayakoba and Grand Velas (via its Zen Grand section) welcome families.
How much should I budget per night? Plan on $300–$450 for value adults-only resorts, $500–$700 for premium all-inclusives, and $700–$3,000+ for Grand Velas and the Mayakoba luxury villas. Booking 3–6 months ahead lowers rates.
Bottom Line
The Riviera Maya in 2027 splits cleanly into the Mayakoba luxury enclave and the all-inclusive coast. For the single best stay, Grand Velas combines Michelin dining with butler-serviced all-inclusive ease. Valentin Imperial is the value champion, Rosewood and Banyan Tree define non-inclusive luxury, Secrets Akumal carries the best reviews, and Hotel Xcaret Arte bundles eco-park access.
Decide between Mayakoba and all-inclusive first, then match the property to your travelers, and this stretch of the Caribbean delivers some of the finest resorts in Mexico.
Sources
- Travel + Leisure / U.S. News — Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Riviera Maya
- Tripadvisor — 10 Best Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resorts
- Tripadvisor — Rosewood Mayakoba
- Grand Velas Riviera Maya — Official Site
- Banyan Tree Mayakoba — Official Site
- Rosewood Mayakoba — Official Site
- All-Inclusive Guide — 16 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Riviera Maya 2026
- Andaz Mayakoba — Costco Travel Listing
*Searching for the best resorts in the Riviera Maya — Riviera Maya resort reviews, ratings, and the top all-inclusive Riviera Maya resort rankings for 2027, including Grand Velas, Rosewood Mayakoba, Banyan Tree, Secrets Akumal, and Hotel Xcaret Arte.*
