Review
Hotel Xcaret
Surrounded by breathtaking views, Hotel Xcaret in Riviera Maya, Mexico, offers guests an incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the region’s unbelievable natural beauty while experiencing the wonders of the Xcaret Park next door. This all-inclusive hotel is located on a secluded beach less than 1 hour from the Cancun International Airport and just 15 minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen.
A privately owned resort generated a remarkable design which combines a jungle eco-system, caves, and rivers full of fantastic colours and textures creating perfect harmony between people and nature. This 5-star property for is for couples who want a tropical, unique, and luxurious experience for their wedding week and their guests.
The resort boasts 10 restaurants, 8 bars, 11 pools and a spa that is unlike any other you will experience at any resort in Mexico. With 24-hour room service and endless activities, you will never want to leave this heavenly paradise in Mexico!
Weddings
The most romantic and mystical resort makes destination weddings a breeze! With only 3 wedding packages to choose from and endless extras for you to add-on to your wedding to make it more personalized, this resort will have you dreaming of your special day for years to come.
"Cave" Reception
If you have a large party this venue is for you! The Cuevas Restaurant is unlike any I have been to. The warmth of the cave, the sand in your toes, and the exquisite dining experience barely needs any decor - the atmosphere speaks for itself! You can host up to 350 guests this location which means you don't have to leave anyone off your guest list!
Chapel
If you’re looking for a chapel wedding venue, this location has an unbeatable panoramic ocean view almost 40 ft above the rest of the resort. This breathtaking backdrop really sets this resort apart from others. Imagine saying “I DO” with this view while the rest of your family and friends enjoy the spectacular moment!
Rooms
The resort has 900 rooms separated in different building “Casas” giving tribute to the universal elements (based on the Mayan culture): Spiral, Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. There are four major room types to consider when booking this resort: Suites, Junior Suites, Swim-Up and Master Suites.
Suites – standard
Overall, these rooms can be family friendly or adults only. Prices vary depending on the view (ex: Garden View, Rivier View, Ocean View etc…) and realistically are of 5* quality in appearance and amenities. Family friendly rooms usually allow 2 adults and 2 children (4 people maximum) and adults-only rooms only allow 3 adults maximum per room. The rooms are ll-inclusive and start at 575 sq. ft. in size.
Upgraded Room Options
There are three room categories in this section: Junior Suites, Swim-up and Master Suites. These rooms are larger and come with more amenities in the room so I strongly recommend experiencing the upgrade.
The Junior Suites start at 1356 sq. ft. with a large living space and include a large separate soaking tub from the shower. The adults-only Junior Suite is the first room category that allows access to an exclusive rooftop pool and only those who stay in that building and specific room category will be permitted to enter!
The Swim-Up room starts at 575 sq. ft. and is exactly what you would expect – easy access to the water! The rooms are just as stunning as the rest and they have both family-friendly and adults-only options for this room category!
The Master Suite is the highest room category you can get starting at 1356 sq. ft. and will have a garden or ocean view. There is even a Presidential Suite you can book for your family or adults-only. The rooms are perfect for a destination wedding couple as there is plenty of room to host family and friends for a few drinks or get ready before the big moment. These suites are worth every penny and I would not hesitate to book one for my special day!
Things to do
No need to pay extra for excursions as they are included! You will have full access to Xcaret parks, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xavage, Xoximilco, Xenses, and the Xenotes and Xichen tours. In addition to food and beverages, transportation between parks and airport shuttle is included. This resort is a perfect balance between a comfortable luxury resort and off-site adventures for the whole family to enjoy so no one will ever be bored! Some of the tours and parks do require reservations, so be sure to speak to concierge upon arrival to get your week planned out.
Eating and drinking
With 10 restaurants and 8 bars located across the property, you will never return home saying you went hungry. There are 3 buffets and 7 à la carte restaurants. There are no reservations required at the buffet restaurants and no limit to the number of à la carte visits you can have, which is a nice change from resorts that offer more restrictive dining schedule You will require reservations at the à la carte restaurants so planning for this upon your arrival is important as some have restrictions to the amount of people dining per night.
I really enjoyed the Xin-Gao restaurant as I adore Asian cuisine. I love the dynamic teppanyaki tables, the appetizers were fresh and incorporated unique flavours, and the sushi was a lovely extra as I am always in the mood for it.
The kids will eat great as the Chibali restaurant is buffet style for lunch and caters to any of those picky eaters in your family. The open air atmosphere was very inviting and is close to the kids family club so you can grab a quick bite before they go back to playing in the large splash pad any child would enjoy!
Finally you must make it to Cantina Los Faroles for breakfast, dinner or an late-night drink! The festive interior along with authentic Mexican flavours brings this eclectic restaurant to the top of my list! The breakfast and dinner is à la carte so make sure you get reservations! The bar upstairs is adults-only and has a “pub-vibe” with TVs for entertainment and the drinks poured long into the early mornings (4:00am)!!
Hotel Xcaret truly sets a new standard for all-inclusive 5* resorts. It is eco-friendly property that is perfect for a unique wedding or family vacation property. This resort is in a league of its own and I would not hesitate to return every year as the experience cannot be compared. Enjoy the adventure, culture, jungle, breathtaking views and beaches at Hotel Xcaret. It is a vacation I will never forget!
