Viva Wyndham Azteca - An All-Inclusive Resort

Though couples do visit the Viva Wyndham Azteca, the property mostly attracts families with younger children. The swimming pool is often crowded with kids, while the beach loungers are more peaceful spots where adults can relax.
Grounds at the resort are manicured, green, and tropical, planted with palm trees and set with paved pathways. Waterfalls and Aztec art are a nod to the Maya Riviera theme. One cool feature is the interior courtyard with a Spanish-style water fountain and open-air market where vendors sell handicrafts, jewelry, and souvenirs, minus the aggressive sales pitches usually found in Playa del Carmen. Indoors, the long and narrow lobby has a mustard-yellow ceiling and abstract art on the walls. Racks of brochures and tour desks dominate the space, but two clusters of wooden chairs and sofas topped with red cushions provide a spot to sit near the reception desk.

Viva Wyndham Azteca has a central location right on the beach in Riviera Maya, so it's a good base for those looking to stay on the sand and in the water; restaurant-lined 5th Avenue, however, is not within walking distance. Guests can walk to the sister resort, Viva Wyndham Maya, in about 10 minutes. It's about a 30-minute drive to the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza. Expect about an hour's drive to Cancun International Airport. Parking at the hotel is free.

There are 270 Standard Rooms and Honeymoon Suites at this property. The only differences among the Standard Rooms are the views: some look out onto the beach while others have garden or pool views, though past guests have complained that the pricier ocean views often come obstructed and the pool rooms can be noisy. Each air-conditioned room has a private balcony or terrace furnished with plastic chairs, a 32-inch flat-screen TV, and a minibar that may or may not get restocked during the visit. The hotel's website advertises in-room coffeemakers, but we didn't see any on our visit. Decor is a touch generic. Think: white walls, tile floors, and an orange or blue bed runner. In the bathrooms, long vanity counters hold single sinks and there are hairdryers mounted to the walls. Glass encased showers are directly next to the toilets.
Honeymoon Suites are larger than Standard Rooms and include in-room whirlpools and sitting areas. A glass wall between the bed and the hot tub (which is placed in the center of the room) in each opens up the space. This option also includes individual bottles of toiletries as opposed to the plastic dispensers mounted to the walls in the Standard Rooms. Past guests have complained about maintenance issues and cigarette smoke odors in both types of rooms. Expect to pay extra for unreliable Wi-Fi access and use of the safes.

The features at Viva Wyndham Azteca mostly cater to families and children, though couples might like the small spa and beauty salon for nail treatments and massages. There's also a nice fitness center with natural light, plenty of space, and LifeFitness cardio machines.
The geometric-shaped outdoor pool is shallow and often crowded with kids. One section has a metal gate (it looks like a bike rack in the water) designed to keep little ones in one area of the pool. Two volleyball nets are strung up over the water. Blue sun loungers and straw umbrellas line the patio, but there isn't any waiter service for drinks.
Staff organizes entertainment and activities for all ages both by the pool and at a small theater. A fun kids' club includes a colorful classroom and a cute outdoor pool next to playground equipment and a sand pit. Guests can play ping pong, tennis, and pool, or borrow bikes for a ride. There's an on-site gift shop with toiletries and souvenirs. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby, but it's slow and unreliable.

The all-inclusive package at Viva Wyndham Azteca is downright confusing and a little unfair. Technically, guests have access to nine different restaurants, but some are located at Azteca and others are at the sister resort, Viva Wyndham Maya, which is about a 10-minute walk away. Guests need the assistance of staff to figure out which restaurants are located where and open for which meals. Some restaurants require advance reservations and don't allow children. On top of that, guests are limited to how many times they can eat at the restaurants (with the exception of the buffet option and outdoor snack bar); the limit depends on the length of their stay. Cuisine ranges from traditional Mexican with Mayan ingredients, to Italian, to Mediterranean. Past guests report that the booze is low-quality and an upgrade costs extra.

The beach is the highlight of this property. Guests have private access to the public sand just a few hundred feet from the outdoor swimming pool. The sand is powdery white and the calm blue water is crystal clear. A lifeguard keeps an eye on swimmers. There's a nearby dive shop and a plethora of opportunities to rent motorized water equipment or sign up for parasailing. Blue cushioned loungers are lined up under a thicket of palm trees, and though the sun beds are close together, this area doesn't get as crowded as the pool. Access to a second section of VIP lounge chairs can be purchased. Guests relaxing there get drink service, but have to wear a wristband.