Adults-only effortless luxury: la casa de la playa

Forget everything you think you know about "all-inclusive" resorts. Seriously. La Casa de La Playa will absolutely ruin you on the concept forever.

Be prepared to scoff at ordinary a la cartes, roll your eyes at those "premium beverage" and "motorized watersports" upcharges, and wonder why other properties restrict butler service to only their highest room categories. Here, the term "all-inclusive" is completely reimagined as "All-Fun Inclusive" – an experience where Michelin-starred dining, premium spirits, and personalized butler service aren't upcharges but standard inclusions.

Y'all, I know it's cliche, but this place absolutely took my breath away. Take a look at the lobby.

all the superlatives

La Casa de La Playa has been racking up some serious accolades lately: Best Resort Hotel in Mexico and the Second Best Hotel in the World by Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards 2024, plus AAA Five Diamonds and Forbes Travel Guide Five Stars in 2024. It's also part of The Leading Hotels of the World, like client and personal faves The Hay Adams, Hotel Hassler and Royal Mansour Marrakech.

We arrived at La Casa de La Playa after transferring from our stay at Rosewood Mayakoba and were instantly wowed. Worth noting: if you're flying directly into Cancun, private airport transfers are included. With just 63 suites, this place hits that sweet spot between homey comfort and boutique hotel exclusivity.

The resort's design is absolutely stunning. Walkways wind through lush tropical plants, leading to hidden corners and jaw-dropping viewpoints. Every turn reveals another perfectly framed view of the Caribbean or a thoughtful artistic touch celebrating Mexico's culture. The sense of discovery is constant; I kept finding myself pulling out my phone to snap "just one more" photo!

Sweet, sweet suites... with jellies!

Let's talk about the true star of this resort... the suites. Every single one comes with a private pool and amazing views of the sea.

Our suite felt like a true sanctuary. The second we stepped inside, we were drawn straight to the spacious terrace with that inviting private plunge pool overlooking the ocean. Inside, the design perfectly blended contemporary luxury with authentic Mexican artistry - handcrafted textiles, locally sourced art, and thoughtful architectural details. Oh, and there's a jellyfish habitat in each room. Seriously!

We didn't want to leave, and frankly, we didn't, much. You don't need to. There's a "magic box" you can use for any room service or drink orders... no need to see a soul for days, if you want. Matt got a head start on the naps, as you can see.

Culinary Excellence That Celebrates Mexico

The property brings together world-renowned chefs who create unique culinary experiences. You also get access to over 20 restaurants at the neighboring Hotel Xcaret México and Hotel Xcaret Arte properties!

We had an amazing meal at Tuch de Luna, where Chef Martha Ortiz and her all-female team celebrate Mexican cuisine in a restaurant that was awarded Best Sustainable Restaurant by the Food and Travel Reader Awards 2023. Each dish was a work of art that told a story of Mexico's culinary heritage through vibrant flavors and stunning presentation. A simple chicken with some kind of bright sauce... one of the best bites I've ever experienced. Also, no one told me my cinnamon stick was on fire (not that it should have been obvious from the smoke... I was relaxing, okay?!)!

The absolute highlight of our culinary journey was our evening at HA', Xcaret's first Michelin-starred restaurant. Led by Chef Carlos Gaytán (the first Mexican chef to earn a Michelin star), HA' offers an exquisite nine-course tasting menu that takes you on a journey through contemporary Mexican cuisine. The restaurant's elegant design honors water—"ha'" is the Mayan word for water—with beautiful fountains creating a serene backdrop for what was truly one of the best dining experiences of my life.

What made this experience even more extraordinary was that it was fully included in our stay at La Casa de La Playa. Bill? $0 + a generous tip, because the staff were attentive, knowledgeable, discreet and warm.

Beyond the restaurants, La Casa de La Playa offers incredible sensorial spaces that take the culinary experience to another level. The Chocolatería, crafted by master chocolatier Mao Montiel, is available 24 hours a day and offers exquisite chocolate creations that you can enjoy anytime you want - from handcrafted truffles to paletas and ice cream and unique chocolate drinks. This may or may not have been the entire reason I booked this resort.

Wine enthusiasts will fall in love with La Cava, a stunning wine cellar curated by sommelier Sandra Fernández that features an impressive selection of Mexican and international wines, including La Casa de La Playa's own label. Guests can visit this elegant space at any hour and select any bottle they wish to enjoy in their room or anywhere on the property - all included in your stay! The space also serves as a beautiful venue for private events and tastings.

La Bodega offers a 24-hour mezcal and tequila atmospheric space where you can sample an exclusive collection of premium mezcals and tequilas from various regions of Mexico. Message your butler if you'd like someone else to pour. I am not responsible if you end up on that saddle!

You can enjoy a private dinner in a cenote, an experience exclusive to guests of La Casa de La Playa and included in your stay. We didn't have time to do this, but definitely will next time.

Beyond the Extraordinary: All-Fun Inclusive

What really sets La Casa de La Playa apart from other luxury resorts is their unique All-Fun Inclusive concept. This includes unlimited VIP access to all the Xcaret parks, such as Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor, and Xenses, with private transportation provided between the resort and parks.

The exclusive activities available for La Casa de La Playa guests include special experiences like a backstage tour of the iconic México Espectacular show, which culminates in a tasting menu with wine pairings while enjoying the performance. Want to drive an ATV through natural caves or swim through a river cave or try a really cool zip line or ropes course? Call your butler, they pick you up in your luxury sedan, you head to the front of the line, do your experience, and on to the next one. No waits, no long walks, just exclusive access to all the wonders of this remarkable place.

A Sanctuary for Body and Soul

The Muluk Spa at La Casa de La Playa, recently awarded Five Stars by Forbes Travel Guide 2024, is a true haven of tranquility where Mayan mysticism and contemporary treatments blend for the ultimate in soothing both mind and body. During our stay, we had the opportunity to visit this gorgeous spa facility, which features an impressive ocean-view hydrotherapy circuit, salt and mud rooms, and beautiful treatment cabins. Next time, we'll spend more time here!

is La Casa de La Playa Right For You?

La Casa de La Playa is the perfect blend of authentic Mexican culture, world-class dining, exclusive experiences and exquisite service. This is honeymoon heaven, right here, especially for low-key travelers who need to decompress.

What I loved most about this property is how it balances relaxation and adventure. You can spend the day lounging by that gorgeous oceanfront infinity pool or head out to explore ancient Mayan ruins and swim in crystal-clear cenotes – all with the amazing La Casa de La Playa team taking care of every detail.

Things I love about this resort:

Remarkable views, beautiful private pool suites, world-class dining, genuine cultural immersion, attentive management.

Things I'd change:

The swimmable area of the beach isn't that long stretch into the horizon you'll see on Instagram sometimes. It's amazingly secluded, soft, and white, but not really large. But we only ever saw one other couple! Some people want a big beach, though. This was more than enough for us.

Pro tips:

Go with a room type that isn't on the first floor. The walkout to the beach is nice but you lose the views to the mangroves. Eat at HA and make advanced reservations. Also, book with a Leading Hotels of the World preferred agent, like me, so I can add perks!

Best time to go:

Like most of the Riviera Maya, weather is best November through May. High season is December through April, with peak pricing around holidays. May and June can offer good value before the summer heat and hurricane season arrive. September and October typically have the lowest rates, though there's higher chance of rain. Check with me for exclusive Leaders' Club rates.