The Mexican Riviera Maya boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. To find out how to plan a luxurious getaway, with something for the entire family, we have partnered with Arizona-based Susan Lanier-Graham, who wanders around the world for her blog Wander With Wonder looking for places that make her say “wow.”
Mexico’s Riviera Maya is one of my favorite beach escapes. Those broad stretches of white sand and glistening turquoise waters always take my breath away. One of my favorites escapes in the area is the Barceló Maya Grand Resort, which consists of five distinct hotels: Barceló Maya Palace, Barceló Maya Caribe, Barceló Maya Colonial, Barceló Maya Beach and Barceló Maya Tropical.
Looking out over Barceló Resorts. Photo courtesy Barceló
Elevate Your Stay in the Riviera Maya with Premium Level
The Barceló Maya Palace is a AAA Four-Diamond Resort, but you can make your all-inclusive luxury resort experience even better by opting for the Club Premium Deluxe experience right from the start, which is what I did. This way, from the moment you arrive, everything is upgraded. You have an exclusive check-in and you have access to all five of the resorts. There are shuttles that run between the resorts, or you can walk along the sand and enjoy the wide stretches of pristine beach.
The rooms included with the Barceló Maya Palace Deluxe all offer ocean views and access to the private lounge with hors d’oeuvres and premium drinks along with WiFi, newspapers and concierge services.
Barceló Maya Palace Rooms have beautiful ocean views. Photo courtesy Barceló Maya Palace
I enjoyed the personal service at Barceló Maya Palace. The concierge knew my name, the tequila was always flowing, there was lovely turndown service and the use of the private lounge was a welcome respite. Even though the resort is all-inclusive, the premium liquors found in the lounge were a very welcome addition every evening.
Experience All-Inclusive Delights
The Barceló Maya Grand Resort hotels are all-inclusive, meaning you can put your wallet away the moment you arrive. Walk in the lobby and let the outside world disappear. The Barceló staff greets you with a welcome cocktail and whisks you to your home away from home on this gorgeous stretch of pristine beach. During the day, you can enjoy buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner at Barceló Maya Palace, Barceló Maya Beach, Barceló Maya Caribe, Barceló Maya Colonial and Barceló Tropical Hotels. There are also options for lunch and snacks on the beach, and you can find food and drinks available 24 hours a day or simply indulge in the minibar inside your room, which is restocked every day with bottled water, soft drinks and beer.
There are also several specialty restaurants at Barceló Maya Palace that I recommend. My favorite was Restaurante Caribe, which served up amazing fresh seafood dishes, specializing in flavors of the Caribbean. There is a formal dress code and reservations are required—but this is all-inclusive, so the price is included in your stay. Start with a salmon carpaccio and try the hake. It was amazing in its simplicity.
Restaurante Caribe at Barceló Maya Palace. Photo courtesy Barceló Maya Palace
The best part of staying at the Barceló Maya Grand Resort is that you can also visit the other four hotels. I would suggest that you make reservations and visit the restaurants at one of the other hotels. It is also fun to change it up and check out a buffet at one of the other resorts for lunch on a different day. I loved having so many options. And, what is especially appealing about this gorgeous Mexican Riviera Maya location, is that even the dining is right on the water, so you don’t have to leave those gorgeous views to nourish your body. How much better is a vacation when you can nourish your body and your soul at the same time?
Seaside dining at Barceló Maya Grand Resort. Photo courtesy Barceló
The all-inclusive package also includes most of your activities, from tennis and use of the gym to non-motorized water sports. You can also get free entry to the Jaguar Club or the sports bar, kids ages 4 to 12 can hang out at the Barcy Kid’s Club and teenagers can use the Teens Club. I personally thought the Barcy Kid’s Club looked like a lot of fun. Made me wish I could transport myself to about age 10 for a little while.
Barcy Kid’s Club. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
Experiencing the Outdoors on the Riviera Maya
Of course, being an adult while vacationing on the luxurious Mexican Riviera Maya has plenty of perks as well. At Barceló Maya Palace, there are a total of nine swimming pools with some dedicated just to children and others just for adults. There is a water park with slides that is fun for the entire family.
Looking Out Over Barceló Maya Palace. Photo courtesy Barceló Maya Palace
If the pools don’t keep you busy, you can head to the U-Spa, a 32,000 foot oasis where you can get a massage and enjoy saunas, steam rooms, immersion pools, or simply escape for a while. I think the wide sand beaches were my favorite part of relaxing on the Riviera Maya. It was such a peaceful spot and I could sit for hours and let the tropical breezes blow across my skin.
White sand beaches at Barceló Maya Palace. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
There are also plenty of other activities if there is ever a chance you might be looking for something to do. There are basketball and tennis courts, volleyball, snorkeling equipment (you can use it for an hour a day at no additional cost) and a fitness center. For an additional cost you can rent catamarans and jet skis. The list goes on and on. There is even the Maya Mall with shopping, bowling, a disco for teenagers, a coffee bar and more. I found a few pieces of lovely jewelry that happened to find their way home with me.
There are many other activities awaiting you on the Riviera Maya. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
The options that await you on your luxury getaway to the Mexican Riviera Maya are boundless. The Barceló Maya Palace Deluxe takes your vacation to the next level. With Mexico’s sandy beaches and those beautiful turquoise waters, this will be the getaway that helps you unwind and reconnect.
Whether it’s just the two of you or the entire family, you will undoubtedly discover a few wow moments along the way. Good food, great beaches, close proximity to the Cancún airport, and beautiful weather of the Yucatan Peninsula makes a luxury escape to the Riviera Maya my kind of paradise.
Latest posts by Susan Lanier-Graham (see all)
- A Magical Fall Weekend in Sedona, Arizona - September 17, 2018
- America’s Most Romantic Cities - January 17, 2018
- 9 Bucket List Retirement Trips You Must Book Now - January 15, 2018
Travelocity compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.
I have been there and i have been going to all inclusives since 1991.
The maya palace was the nicest place i have ever been to.
The food was incredible.
We feed sea turtles by hand everyday just 5’inti the water can’t wait to go back.
Should I tip? Do you notice any better service if you do so? I know it’s not expected but curious.
What Firefox Extension can I get to download streaming videos from sites?
Hi 🙂 I found your webpage via Yahoo Search Engine while searching for free settlement letters to creditors and your post regarding news looks very interesting to me. I have a few meega websites of my own and I must say that your site is really top notch. Keep up the great work on a really high class resource. Super! Links in http://www.Travel.M106.com Thanks!…