Marriott Is Opening a New Riviera Maya All-Inclusive — And It’s Adults-Only, Too

A mangrove preserve. An endless white-sand beach. An adults-only hideaway. Private plunge pools. On the road between Cancun and Playa del Carmen is the heart of the Riviera Maya, a place filled with large all-inclusive resorts of varying quality. But for years, this particular one has been the undisputed leader. And in a few weeks, the legendary Paraiso de la Bonita resort is relaunching as a luxury all-inclusive under Marriott’s Luxury Collection brand. 

It’s a significant step forward for a property that was, for years, a regular winner of the AAA Five Diamond award (one of the few of its kind that is a near-guarantor of outstanding quality). It’s also the second major Luxury Collection opening in the Mexican Caribbean in just a few months, following Marriott’s debut of Almare on Isla Mujeres.

As it was in its previous life, the new Paraiso de la Bonita is an adults-only resort, and that means a serene, rarified destination resort that’s all about seclusion, indulgent luxury and natural beauty. 

That’s what you get at this 100-suite property, which has a mix of oceanfront rooms and plunge-pool suites, all with stunning views of the western edge of the Caribbean Sea. 

Dining options including the Mayan-focused eatery K’Uhul, the Latin American-inpsired Hoya; a Mediterranean restaurant called Cote a Costa (think flavors of the South of France and the Italian Riviera) along with a Chinese eatery called Qin Qin. That’s along with a trio of bars and lounges. 

There’s also a cool menu of programming, with everything from dance lessons to wine tastings to art walks to nature “immersion.”

That’s a nod to the growing demands of the luxury all-inclusive travelers, and it’s a welcome one. 

But the centerpiece just might be the 22,000-square-foot wellness center with a gym and a Thalasso center, among other inclusions. 

What about prices?

You can book rooms starting Feb. 1, with rates at $763 per night for a king room with an ocean-view balcony. 

There is also a collection of suites that come with their own private plunge pools; given the price difference, it’s a no-brainer to go for one of these rooms: a king suite with a balcony and a plunge pool starts at about $843 per night by comparison. 

How do you get here? Flying to Cancun is still the best bet, with Cancun’s abundant flight network. You can find more cheap flights from your closest airport at Google Flights.