Grand Hyatt Playa Del Carmen Resort

Most hotels in the Playa Del Carmen area fall into two broad buckets: smaller boutique and condo-style properties downtown, near restaurants and happening nightlife, and larger all-inclusive resorts outside of downtown, on big swaths of beach. The Grand Hyatt Playa Del Carmen is one of the few hybrid options: It's a big, posh, beachfront luxury hotel, but it's only a couple minutes on foot from bustling 5th Avenue. It appeals to travelers who like to get out and explore, as well as those who prefer to laze away by the pool, and the optional half-board and full-board meal plans allow the resort to cater to both groups. There aren't many other true luxury hotels downtown, but the closest competitors are the El Taj Oceanfront & Beachside Condos Hotel, which has big condo-style rooms and lower prices, and The Royal Playa del Carmen, a pricier all-inclusive option.

The Grand Hyatt stands out not only for its location, but its age -- it opened in 2015, making it one of the newest options in the area -- and its jaw-dropping design. The public spaces are wide open and airy, with lots of natural wood and stone, and the open-air lobby allows guests to experience the stunning views and ocean breeze right on arrival, setting a promising tone for the stay. A corridor called El Paseo bisects the common spaces, leading to the pools and stairs down to the beach. The chic oceanfront infinity pools impress -- though the beach, while lovely, isn't the high point, as there are much bigger stretches of sand outside of downtown. 

Unfortunately, because of the downtown location, the ambience at the resort isn't always as peaceful as some might hope. Jet skis at the beach and thumping club music from an independently operated club on the Hyatt property can disrupt the vibe. Others might not mind the energy and activity. Guests are a mix of couples and families, and the resort successfully accommodates both; adults will likely appreciate the adult-only infinity pool, while kids can head to the kids' club and partake in daily activities, such as water games at the pool. 

The Grand Hyatt Resort has a beachfront location in the heart of downtown Playa del Carmen, with Cozumel Island just off on the edge of the horizon to the southeast. Sunsets in the morning are one of the major bonuses of the location, not to mention proximity (fewer than five minutes on foot) to the 5th Avenue tourist strip with its dozens of shops, restaurants, and plazas. The ADO alternate bus station on the 20th and 12th is around 10 minutes away on foot for guests who want to explore the Riviera Maya beyond the hotel. Some guests choose to rent a car to get around, and others may partake in day-trip excursions, which the hotel can help arrange. 

All of the rooms here are spacious (starting at 409 square feet) and gorgeous, with design inspired by the beachfront location -- crisp white goose-feather duvets (and 300-thread-count linens), attractive, streamlined wood furniture and accents, jute rugs, and turquoise blue rope privacy screens between the bedroom and bathroom that mirror the color of the sea. Rooms have two queen-size beds or a single king-size bed; cribs are available upon request, as are rollaway beds for a fee. Amenities include robes and slippers, coffeemakers, two free bottles of water, minibars (fees apply), big 47-inch flat-screen TVs with media hubs, and free Wi-Fi. Mattresses are Hyatt-brand. Suites have separate living room areas. Bathrooms have rainfall showers with frosted glass doors, and are adorned with white tile and wood. Some suites have a bathtub and a heated plunge pool on the balcony. 

All rooms have balconies or terraces. The layout of the room buildings approximates the letter H, with two long wings stretching toward the beach, crossed by a bridge of rooms at the pool area. The balconies are angled, but the farther away from the beach you are, the worse the view, and the majority of rooms face the interior gardens and other room buildings, with a partial view of the ocean from the balcony. When booking in either a Partial Ocean View or Ocean View category the quality of the view is a bit of a crapshoot -- you could end up with a glimpse or a pretty nice view, depending on the placement of your room. The rooms categorized as Ocean Front are guaranteed to have terrific views, but also can get the most late-night noise from the independently operated club on the premises. The Ocean Front Rooms farther from the adult-only pool and club might be a bit quieter, but not as quiet as rooms farther from the beach with worse views. There are also Swim-Up Rooms at the back of the property with garden views; the swim-up pools are tiny. 

Guests who upgrade to the Grand Club get private check-in, and access to a lounge with free continental breakfast and evening appetizers.

The three tiered infinity pools are at the base of the resort, overlooking the beach and in between the two restaurants. There are quality cushioned loungers (some resting in shallow platforms in the pool itself), umbrellas, and reservable daybeds available; the pool off to the left in front of The Grill at 1-26 for adults only. The Grill at 1-26 features fresh seafood and steak selections for dinner, while La Cocina focuses on international options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; both have ocean views. The El Paseo walkway has a coffee bar, snack kiosk, and seafood bar.

The gym is available 24 hours a day and is fully equipped with free weights, cardio machines, weight machines, and water, juice, and towels. Note that the gym is for guests 16 years or older. 

There is more than 15,000 square feet of convention space available across 18 meeting rooms. The hotel has its own underground parking garage with 150 parking spaces available.

The Camp Hyatt Tortuguita (the little turtle) is for children ages 4 to 12. There are a small outdoor playground with picnic tables, a large Jenga set, and other outdoor games, including a piñata to show kids the local culture of Mexico. There are also a nap room and a movie room with a karaoke machine. Staff organizes activities such as story time.

The teenager area is called #Hangout and can be open later into the evening, depending on the occupancy of the hotel and the season. This area is for teenagers on their own schedule, and features a movie room, open arcade area with table games like air hockey and ping-pong, and a gaming room with Xboxes, Playstations, and PC rigs. There is a dining area for pizza and the like. 

The Cenote Spa is a signature aspect of the Grand Hyatt in Playa del Carmen, and the entire resort centers around the eponymous central feature. In the middle of El Paseo is a flat-topped domed structure covered in vines; it is the top of a skylight above the spa's man-made cenote pool (a coed whirlpool), housed in a massive volcano-like stone room surrounded by flickering candles and relaxing loungers. The cenote pool is tribute to the natural freshwater cenote pools that are an integral part of Mayan culture and the Riviera Maya jungle. The entire spa has stunning design, as well as a number of features -- a steam room, sauna, lap pool, and hot and cold whirlpools among them.