Avenida Del Palmar 1121, Playa Diamante, Acapulco, Mexico | (618) 248-8274
Sleek guest rooms include eye-catching artwork and bathrooms with long countertops
The Mayan Palace Playa building offers direct access to appealing Playa Diamante
Beautiful pools surrounded by gardens, as well as a picturesque lazy river, and aqua park with slides
Secluded location on a gated property
Multiple open-air restaurants overlooking the pools, gardens, and beach
Some suites offer two bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as kitchens and separate living areas
Lush golf course
Access to the restaurants, fitness center (surcharge), and spa of the Grand Mayan and Sea Garden hotels
Free shuttle service connects the two buildings of the Mayan Palace, as well as its sister properties
Guests at Mayan
Palace Golf need to take a shuttle to reach the beach
Members of Vida Vacations club receive booking preference,
which can limit the number of
guest rooms available for non-members
Surcharge
for Wi-Fi
Unusually
late check-in and early check-out times
Limited
shops, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance
The Mayan Palace Acapulco is a four-pearl hotel set in the Diamante district, on the southern outskirts of the city. Guest rooms are clean-lined and contemporary, with suites offering full kitchens and separate living areas. The property’s two buildings collectively feature two gigantic pools, a lazy river, an aqua park, an 18-hole golf course, and access to scenic Playa Diamante. Including facilities at the two sister hotels found on the same property, there are also more than 16 bars and restaurants; however, Wi-Fi surcharges and a late check-in time seem a bit stingy -- plus guests have no way of choosing between the hotel’s two very different buildings when booking. Add in the hotel’s complicated vacation club model, and it may not be worth the effort for some. The Mayan Palace is gorgeous, but so is the nearby Pierre Mundo Imperial, where rates are often significantly lower.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Sprawling, peaceful resort catering to well-heeled older couples and families
The Mayan Palace is part of Vida Vacations, a collection of timeshares located across Mexico. Although many guests are members of Vida Vacations, non-members are able to book rooms when extras are available. The hotel is marketed as a single property, but it’s actually two buildings with separate lobbies -- the Mayan Palace Playa and the Mayan Palace Golf. The two buildings are located in different areas of the colossal, gated grounds, which also contain the affiliated Grand Mayan and Sea Garden hotels. As their names suggest, only the Mayan Palace Playa offers direct access to the beach, while the Mayan Palace Golf is closer to the golf course. Guests aren’t able to choose which building their rooms will be in, which means those focused on the beach could end up over at the Golf property and vice versa. The Mayan Palace Golf’s impressive entrance features a long corridor lined with illuminated faux-Mayan statues and greenery. Inside, the lobby is decorated in warm tones with chic tribal-inspired artwork. Candle-style chandeliers hang from a palapa roof. The lobby opens up on one side, with seating spilling out onto a wooden terrace overlooking the hotel’s garden-filled grounds. The Mayan Palace Playa’s lobby is a little more understated, with potted plants, stylish floral cushions, and graceful chocolate-colored pillars. With vast grounds and equally mammoth-sized pools, the hotel rarely feels crowded and the vibe is relatively calm. There are over a dozen bars and restaurants found between the three hotels on the grounds, but guests seem more interested in relaxation than late-night partying.
Location
Set on a large gated property in Acapulco’s Diamante district
The Mayan Palace is located on a huge landscaped property which also includes its sister hotels, the Grand Mayan and Sea Garden. Dining and entertainment options within walking distance are minimal, with shops and hotels spread widely along the nearest main road, Boulevard de Las Naciones. La Isla Acapulco Shopping Village is just under a 10-minute drive away, and the Acapulco International Airport can be reached in 15 minutes.The Mayan Palace Playa backs onto a long stretch of lovely Playa Diamante and Playa Puerto Marques is about two miles away. The Chapel of Peace viewpoint can be reached in less than a 20-minute drive, while downtown Acapulco is 10 miles away.
Rooms
Large, modern guest rooms feature private balconies and flat-screen TVs.
Guest rooms at the Mayan Palace are bright and polished, with interesting artwork that ranges from abstract to impressionist-style paintings. Rooms at the Mayan Palace Playa feature a pretty powder blue and coral color scheme, while those at the Mayan Palace Golf are decorated in earthier olive greens, browns, and golden yellows. Low dressers hold flat-screen TVs, and each room includes a dressing table with a large mirror or a small table and pair of chairs. Narrow, unfurnished balconies overlook the pool or the hotel’s landscaped grounds.Bathrooms are a bit bland with neutral tiling and small, round sinks. Long countertops are stocked with bio2 bath products. All offer a separate W/C, with some including showers with frosted glass doors and others featuring shower/tub combos.Suites include separate living areas with sofas and second flat-screen TVs, along with kitchens each offering a dining table and cookware. Two-Bedroom Suites also feature two bathrooms.
Features
Multiple dazzling pools, buffet and a la carte restaurants, as well as access to many facilities of the neighboring Grand Mayan and Sea Garden hotels
The Mayan Palace Playa offers an enormous, multi-level pool surrounded by white lounge chairs and beach umbrellas. The austere concrete deck is softened by palm trees, colorful plants, and underwater rock features. The pool includes a few infinity ledges, as well as a swim-up bar. Some canopy-shaded day beds are found closer to the beach.Blue Fish restaurant is tucked alongside the pool, offering seafood with a focus on different kinds of ceviche. Surrounded by appealing gardens, this open-air restaurant features attractive tiled columns and a wooden deck.The pool area faces towards pretty Playa Diamante, which is dotted with palapa shelters and lounge chairs. Like Acapulco’s other beaches, Playa Diamante is not private which means vendors are free to solicit guests; however, the Mayan Palace beach is significantly less crowded than the beaches along Acapulco Bay and the sands are softer. Tiny Balche Snack Bar is set on the beach, offering light fare and drinks.Over at the Mayan Palace Golf, the pool is equally massive and surrounded by more wonderful gardens. A lazy river winds around the main pool, and there’s also a compact aqua park with fountains, slides, and bridges. The pool is bookended by Samba and Ola Mulata restaurants, both of which are small, simple, open-air venues. Samba features a buffet and a la carte options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while Ola Mulata serves casual international dishes throughout the afternoon.The Mayan Palace also offers an 18-hole, par-72 golf course, and staff regularly organizes optional activities ranging from aqua aerobics to line dancing. A free shuttle runs between the two Mayan Palace buildings, as well as to its sister properties which are located on the same grounds. Guests can book appointments at the Grand Mayan’s Brio Spa, as well as use its fitness center for an additional fee. Wi-Fi is available for a surcharge.
