Please tell me your absolutely fave 4 star all inclusive on the Caribbean side of Mexico **that you’ve continued to go back year after year because you love it**. Preferably with westjet vacations. I’m on the hunt for a fave winter getaway place.
I’ve been to Esmerelda Blue bay but it had crazy mosquitos at night and my bites got swollen up pretty bad and I came home with a flu that took months to go away. Also been to a RIU but it’s not like it used to be. Holiday Inn in Cabo had suuuuch bad food.
So I’m nervous. I’d love to stay at a Hyatt Ziva or Zilara as I stayed at one once and it was to.die.for. But it’s above the budget as a 5 star.
Thanks everyone!

Ocean Coral and Turquesa
I’ve stayed at the blue bay, didn’t like it

I second Ocean Coral & Turquesa. My daughter and I did a girls trip and both enjoyed it.

Have you considered the pacific side? Guaranteed beautiful weather all winter long. If it’s a consideration, look into the Fiesta Americana in Puerto Vallarta. It’s rated very high. We loved it. And Puerto Vallarta is much safer than the Cancun side

Christin I’ve been to the pacific side but just love the sand and turquoise water on the Caribbean side. I also have the weather app for both PV and Cancun and cancun was the most consistent for weather for the past year but PV wasn’t far behind. I will definitely check out that hotel.

Christin ok good to know!
What did you like better about those two over blue bay?

Christin I agree! We have went to Cancun three times in January and every time the highest temp was 21! We stick to the other side now. Huatulco by far as the most consistent and hot weather

Me and my husband love Moon Palace we had our wedding there 2 years ago and it's a beautiful resort! They've got lots of different activities and the food is pretty good

Sandos caracol eco resort , grand Bahia principe coba

Lisa
Kim Sandos looked similar price and stars to Holiday Inn. How was the food?

Alternate opinion on the Coba, you have to take a trolley to the beach and I thought the food was very mediochre. I don't like the massive resorts either.
I went to the Caracol for my honeymoon 18 years ago, beautiful, beachfront, and much more intimate feeling.

Bahia Principe Coba or any of the Beach Palace’s in Cancun

The fives beach hotel

We loved the Grand Riviera Princess. We booked it through sunwing though, westjet is a lot more expensive for a lot of those properties sadly

Sandos Caracol Eco resort. Barcelo Maya & Grand serenis I would go back to

We love Now Jade resort. It is clean, great restaurants and the beach is fantastic. Have gone back for 5 years. It is also close to the airport about 30 min ride

Dana ok good to know. This is exactly what I was looking for- a place that’s been gone back to for years. Thank you.

Excellence Riveria Cancun!!

I’ve also stayed at the Now Jade and absolutely loved it!

Dana what is the beach and waves like? Swimmable?

Dreams Cancún is the absolute best resort we’ve stayed at. We’ve stayed at probably 12 different resorts. We’ve also more recently stayed at the ritz Carlton and found it to be affordable. If given the choice I’d go to dreams.
http://www.dreamsresorts.com/.../mexico/riviera-cancun.html
DREAMSRESORTS.COM
Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa | Riviera Maya Beach Resort

Christine Randell for sure. I’ve heard amazing things about dreams but I think it’s 5 star. I’ll definitely do a cost comparison because even if just a couple hundred more it would be worth it.

It’s not a huge resort which is a plus. They have all top shelf alcohol and their food is soooooooo good! Pools, rooms and ocean are all great too.

We just got back from Paradisus in Cabo and really liked it. Food was good and we liked it way better than the Hyatt Ziva that we stayed at last year.

The Azul is fabulous and the food excellent. Small resort excellent service. The elderado as well is excellent

Bahia Principle Coba. Mayan.

Really enjoyed Beach Palace in Cancun. Great food, rooms were amazing, roof top pool, great beach. I am not a big all-inclusive resort person but I would go back there for sure.

Stacey I second that.

Villa del Palmar is amazing

Grand Bahia Principe! Tuluum. Been there a few times and love it

I second this!

We loved this resort

Royalton resort

Iberostar lindo

Juan Enrique Pardo Arenas
We have been to Playa/Cancun region for many years. Of all the stops, my favorite has been to get off the resorts. Akumal as an example offers quiet vacationing on an amazing beach location where the snorkeling with turtles exists. The beach is great, you are very close to Tulum which offers the best beach in the peninsula. There are small cabins for rent. The catch is you are on your own to eat in or out.

Akumal Bay Beach Resort

We have been twice to Grand Bahia, twice to Grand Sirenis, returning for a third time this winter

Azul Ixtapa Grand... I absolutely loved this place!

Dreams tulum is lovely.

TRS Yucatan so amazing

Shannon best resort in Mexico I’ve ever stayed at.

The Fives. Gourmet food, on one of the best beaches in the area, amazing service, 45 mins from Cancun airport. Not a large mega resort. Beautiful!

Barcelo maya resorts have always treated us well. Great snorkeling right off the beaches, good food and the staff have always been amazing.

yes - Barcelo Maya - you have lush grounds, four resorts in one, a double decker bus, dolphinius, and of course crafters market, bowling alley. you never have to leave the resort.

Definitely Dreams Tulum. A variety of restaurants, top-notch service, both quiet and activity pools, beautiful beach. https://www.facebook.com/DreamsTulum/

I have a timeshare at Grand Solmar. It is hands down the nicest resort ive been to in Mexico. They usually have members looking to sell weeks. It’s not all inclusive and the meals are pricey so we shop and eat dinner in town.

Akumal bay beach and wellness resort. The best

Tamara Johnson love it, got married there 4 years ago!!

Just got back yesterday from Iberostar Lindo after two weeks there. It was fabulous!

Sandos Caracol, Now Emerald/sapphire or jade. Or Breathless for adults only

Hyatt ziva was outstanding last June. $1500 flights and accommodation

Nicole the Hyatt Ziva and zilara are to die for but was likely that price due to low season. It’s double to triple that in the winter. I’ll always keep watching their prices though!

Moon Palace

Xcaret had really nice food and gorgeous rooms!

Ocean Riviera Paradise - there was so much to do, we only left the resort one afternoon.

Grand Sirenis, just south of Playa Del Carmen.

Panama jack in playa del Carmen. 2 block walk to 5th ave, smaller resort, no big crowds or long distances to get to different places. Coco bongo nights with transportation from resort. It’s my fav place

Smiley Panama Jacks is good too but with the storms that rolled thru in the past couple yrs about 80% of the beach there got wiped out.

the beach is smaller but it is right by the pool. You are able to use the Hyatt’s beach next door as well. We thought this resort was great.

Check out catalonia royal tulum! Many many repeat guests over the years. Join the fan group on FB for info

Mishy...we are staying for the 1st time at The Catalonia Maya Riviera because of all the repeat travelers. It's our 1st time going to Mexico! 14 sleeps!

Mishy it’s an adult only resort

I love the Karisma chain. Eldorado royale etc

Shelley same!! But might be above budget

Cathy Hodak-Andersen

Just stayed at the Hilton in Playa del Carmen. Fabulous all-adult all inclusive Resort right on the beach and only a few blocks from 5th ave if you are looking for shopping and some nightlife.

Talk to a travel agent who’s been

Dreams Puerto aventuras

We had a great time in the Grand sunset princess Mayan Rivera- upgrading to Platinum Suite

Jason yes!! I second this!!

Any Barcelo but Tulum is best. Different levels of rooms etc. Worth a look.

Although we stay in Cancun in vacation homes now, my favourite all inclusive was Eldorado Seaside suites. Luxury, gourmet dining, adults only - it was a dream from the welcoming glass of champagne when we arrived to the smooth checkout when we left. https://www.eldoradosparesorts.com/seaside-suites
ELDORADOSPARESORTS.COM
www.eldoradosparesorts.com

Bahia Principe Tulum/Coba has the best bang for your buck on the Mayan Rivera.

Grand princess platinum was amazing...every time!

Occidental xcaret is great, just spent 3 weeks there!!!

Barcello best beach
Not an arm pit ally like most of the resorts down there
20 $ cab ride to playa del carmen

My all time Fav would be Hotel Xcaret. 2nd Hard Rock Mayan
We did Grand Sirenis last month and wouldn’t return again.

Shannon I got married at hotel Xcaret! Such an amazing place

Grand Princess Sunset !!

Hacienda Tres Rios!!

Colleen Robinson
We stay at Bahia principe coba. Love it.

You probably had dengue fever

Linda I just googled it and I think you could be right. I ended up having the flu for 4 months and at one point had a spinal tap as there seemed to be swelling in my head and face and I felt my brain function go weird so they thought it could be meningitis but nope. I bet you could have it right.

Hotel Xcaret

Love hotel xcaret ,loved the grand sunset princess,

Right next to the Hyatt is Panama Jack. Recently completely renovated, amazing beach, no bugs lol. Close walk to the strip for shopping etc. We also love Dreams Riviera Cancun. We got married there and it was amazing!

Get the catamaran over to Isla Mujeres and stay at Privilege Auxelles or the MIA Reef. Safe, beautiful Island just off Cancun.

We are beach people (as in beautiful calm beach with onsite snorkeling). We love the Mayan for this.
We’ve been to:
Grand Palladium- it was so - so. Huge resort, food was good (I’m picky), parts of the beach were rocky and at the non rocky sections, the waters were too rough (not typical ... just a bad week)
Grand Sirenis - beach and kids club were lacking, but over all resort was nice and I would return. Snorkeling was great, but beach was tiny.
Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal. Nice resort, decent food and if you stay at the luxury 5 star...you can access all 4 resorts (including the adults only). Night life was lacking at our resort, but at Coba (another resort attached to the complex, but not beach front) ... they had a very happening night life ... for young and old. Coba was more ‘fun’ ... Akumal was more ‘luxurious’. Downside is that the resort put in these huge whale barriers (they say it’s for safety, but I’ve never seen another resort do this). It’s fine, but you can’t really swim past your neck, so snorkeling was kind of boring.
Barcelo Grand Maya (been here 4 times and would definitely return). We’ve stayed at Caribe (twice), Colonial and The Palace (their 5 star section). Personally I wouldn’t pay a lot more to stay there, as the beach is best by the Caribe section ... and the extra cost doesn’t our way the extra perks in my opinion. The resort is beautiful, beach is by far my favourite (amazing snorkeling and amazing for relaxing/floating). Thousands of fish under the pier, great kids club, decent nightlife and food is so-so. This resort checks most of the boxes for us, some rooms are a bit dated.

Mellissa what an awesome listing- this was so helpful. It also shows there are different things that can make a place better. What made the food so-so at Caribe colonial?

Mellissa what is the full name of the Caribe one?

Dreams Tellum or Now Jade. loved them both!

Which was better? Trying to decide betwee these two.

TRS Yucatan

Try Puerto Vallarta I use to go to the Caribbean side come over to the real Mexican side it’s amazing!

Gail warmer water too we found !

valintin imperial maya, we vacation eveyyear, we have been to this one 4 times now. its a little older, but its perfect

Finest by excellence in Playa Mujeres

Following

The Royal Playa Del Carmen

I love RIU RESORTS

Just went to he Barcelo Maya in the spring and loved it. Its a combo of 3-5 resorts and you can visit them all

Dreams Tulum!!!

Heard good reports about Grand Sirenis

For everyone that recommended a Dreams- do you think they’re all similar?

Following