Daniela Puyos 
If you are looking for the best beachfront hotels in Playa del Carmen, you came to the right place! I have scoured the web for hours and gathered 14 of the best Playa del Carmen hotels on the beach. You can relax and feel like a celebrity on your trip to the beautiful Caribbean.
All the hotels in this article have great ratings and are 5-star properties, so I ordered them from the most expensive to the least expensive for convenience. Get ready to savor fresh seafood with ocean breezes and unwind with evening beach bonfires!
NOTE: Playa del Carmen is super popular all year round, so if you want to get the rooms of your dreams and good deals, you have to book in advance.
Are you prepared to sip cocktails at seaside lounges? 🍹
Contents
- If you are in a hurry
- 1. La Casa de la Playa – rustic and luxurious
- 2. Palafitos Overwater Bungalows – with an adults-only policy
- 3. Grand Velas Riviera Maya – a family-friendly hotel
- 4. Hotel Xcaret Arte – a top hotel with stunning views
- 5. Impression Moxché – dine with your feet in the sand
- 6. Rosewood Mayakoba – with a natural charm
- 7. Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun – fun guaranteed
- 8. Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen – elegant by the beach
- 9. Palmaïa – for a wholesome stay in Playa del Carmen
- 10. Banyan Tree Mayakoba – feel like a royal in Playa del Carmen
- 11. The St. Regis Kanai Resort – a unique setting
- 12. Viceroy Riviera Maya – luxurious and elegant
- 13. Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique – for private relaxation
- 14. Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya – for a relaxing stay
- FAQs about Playa del Carmen hotels on the beach
If you are in a hurry
If you need to book your hotel room fast but don’t have a lot of time to read the whole article, here you have the best 3 Playa del Carmen hotels on the beach:
- Best 5-star luxury hotel – La Casa de la Playa
- Top hotel with a view – Grand Velas Riviera Maya
- Best hotel for a honeymoon – Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
To understand the areas of Playa del Carmen where some of this hotels are located, I recommend checking out our article!
1. La Casa de la Playa – rustic and luxurious
Located in Los Dos Compadres, this all-inclusive hotel by the beachfront offers guests an immersive experience to relax and take in all of Playa del Carmen’s natural beauty. You can wake up to the sound of waves in a beachfront room and participate in water sports and activities offered by the beach hotel. Relax in style and engage in beachfront yoga sessions courtesy of the full-service spa.
The hotel comes with a stunning swimming pool that overlooks the Caribbean Sea, the perfect place to relax with a fruity drink. All the rooms have a top-notch style, where natural elements mix with industrial decor. The biggest room can host 3 guests, and all of them have either private pools or hot tubs.
2. Palafitos Overwater Bungalows – with an adults-only policy
This stunning hotel is located only a 12-minute drive away from downtown Playa del Carmen and the city center’s main attractions and excellent restaurants. The hotel is just steps away from the white sand beach, so you can step out directly onto powdery white sands. The hotel comes with a luxurious spa where you can indulge in beachfront spa treatments.
Enjoy beachside dining at the hotel’s ocean-view restaurant and embrace relaxation with beach hammocks. You can listen to the waves from the sea-facing balconies of your overwater bungalow and enjoy sunrise ocean views from your room. Most bungalows come with private balconies with private plunge pools and bathrooms with jetted tubs.
3. Grand Velas Riviera Maya – a family-friendly hotel
Wow, this hotel is only a 20-minute car drive from Playa del Carmen beach, but there is no need to travel far for white sand beaches. The hotel is located by the beachfront and comes with a private beach area. All the rooms at this hotel have amazing views, and the biggest room can host families of 6.
There are high-end amenities for the entire family: 3 great pools (one with a swim-up bar), a wonderful spa, and a never-ending list of on-site activities, including bicycle rentals and water sports. Best feature? Connecting with nature during turtle release programs.
4. Hotel Xcaret Arte – a top hotel with stunning views
This amazing resort has Xcaret Park just within walking distance, and Playa del Carmen is only a 15-minute drive away from the property. The resort is located by the beachfront and has a private beach area. You can dive into turquoise waters steps away from your door and join beach volleyball or beach soccer matches as you wish.
Watch stunning sunsets from the comfort of your beach-facing private terraces, and enjoy the accommodating room service! All the rooms at this hotel are spacious, come with floor-to-ceiling windows, and offer stunning views. To enhance your vacation, I recommend the King Suite with a spa bath. All hotel guests get a complimentary breakfast every morning.
5. Impression Moxché – dine with your feet in the sand
I am in total awe of this fantastic beachfront hotel! It is located in Marlyn Azul, and it is in close proximity to downtown Playa del Carmen. There is a big private beach area for hotel guests, where you can unwind with evening beach bonfires and revel in moonlit beach dinners at the on-site restaurants.
Relax and let go of your worries while you lounge by the pool with direct access to the sandy beach. All the hotel rooms can host up to 2 guests, but I highly recommend their 2 Story Penthouse Suite Oceanfront, which comes with out-of-this-world views you can appreciate through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
6. Rosewood Mayakoba – with a natural charm
I am obsessed with this outstanding hotel with an incredible style located near the San Miguelito area. The hotel is modern and luxurious, with many natural elements and dark wood furniture decorating the property, making it look rustic and charming. You can experience 6 pools on-site at the hotel, even beachfront infinity pools. Relax at the full-service spa and indulge in a body treatment!
The suites and villas look out of this world! They offer the perfect setting to relax while admiring all the beauty of the Caribbean. The biggest villa can host up to 10 guests and comes with 4 bedrooms, a spacious and luminous living room, and a terrace with a refreshing pool.
7. Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun – fun guaranteed
Stay in this beachfront hotel in Punta Maroma, where the hotel and the beach converge, making your stay feel like a fairytale! The outdoor swimming pools feature the most stunning views of the ocean, where you can delight in private beach cabana services. There are 8 on-site restaurants on the property serving from Mexican food to international cuisines, such as Italian and Asian.
Make use of the amazing activities the hotel offers and go on bike tours to discover the area, join a movie night and relax with other travelers, or watch an evening entertainment show! All the suites in the hotel come with upscale furniture, private balconies, and spa baths to make the stay even more memorable.
8. Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen – elegant by the beach
My god! This resort is huge! It has a modern vibe that exudes elegance and luxury! It is located outside Playa del Carmen city center, so the main attractions and restaurants are not far. But honestly, you won’t need to leave the hotel grounds since it offers 11 on-site restaurants to amazing activities such as tennis (there are tennis courts and free equipment) and water sports for a fee, these include diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing.
While here, you can discover beach clubs and vibrant nightlife at the hotel’s DJ nights! All the guest rooms can host up to 2 guests, and all of them are truly beautiful. If you want to stay in the most luxurious room, the stellar Presidential Penthouse will make you feel like a star.
9. Palmaïa – for a wholesome stay in Playa del Carmen
Located in Playacar, this hotel is the perfect landscape to relax and let go of all your worries. The main goal is to give its guests wholesome activities and spa treatments to renew their energy! So if you really want to disconnect and indulge in any of the 7 plant-based restaurants, relax by the pool while admiring the views and vibing to the live music playing, this is your hotel!
The property has more than 20 different types of hotels, some for couples and others for families. The family suites come with bunk beds hosting 2 adults and 2 kids and amazing views. For couples, I recommend the swim-up suites.
10. Banyan Tree Mayakoba – feel like a royal in Playa del Carmen
This beautiful hotel has an elegant style that mixes natural elements with luxurious decorations, a perfect combination! One of the best things about this hotel is the amazing treatment from the friendly staff. They will go above and beyond to make you feel pampered! The hotel is by the beach with a private beach area, perfect for playing beach volleyball or relaxing on the soft white sand.
If you like water sports, you can practice them on-site for no extra fees, which is an amazing plus! To explore the area, use the hotel’s complimentary bikes. All the villas have lovely views of the jungle, the beach, or the mangrove.
11. The St. Regis Kanai Resort – a unique setting
Wow! This hotel looks so futuristic, the architecture is fantastic, it has a half-moon shape, and it is surrounded by a lush jungle in front of the beach, so from your room, you have the view of the green jungle and the blue ocean, simply gorgeous! All the rooms have a view, and some have a plunge pool or an outdoor hot tub.
The hotel has a private beach area with many beach clubs, so you can relax while tasting upscale local cuisine and drinks! At the on-site spa, you can reserve from body and facial treatments to beauty services, including make-up and styling.
12. Viceroy Riviera Maya – luxurious and elegant
Wake up from a restful slumber and enjoy an American breakfast on the hotel grounds. Once your belly is full, head to the spa center and indulge in a body treatment or a mindful yoga class on the beach. If you are feeling adventurous, book a cooking class for a fee and learn how to make local traditional meals.
If you rather relax on the beach, you can find it in front of the hotel, which is simply amazing. I highly suggest staying in the beachfront villa, which comes with a spacious terrace overlooking the ocean. On the terrace, you have a private pool and a soaking tub so that you can relax like no other.
13. Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique – for private relaxation
This stunning all-inclusive boutique hotel presents the perfect landscape for a secluded and relaxing holiday, with all the vibrant nightlife of Playa del Carmen’s city center just a 20-minute drive away. This property comes with a golf course, which guests are welcome to use. If you want to try other sports activities, you can join an aerobic or yoga class at the health center.
After a busy day indulging in the hotel amenities and beach, stop by any of the 4 on-site restaurants (one on the beach) and fuel yourself! I highly recommend any of the rooms with a beach or the cenote’s lagoon view.
14. Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya – for a relaxing stay
Looking for a hotel with a beachfront spa? Imagine getting a body massage or treatment with the wind and Caribbean sun on your skin. To that, add the beautiful sound of the ocean waves. Relaxing, right? This beachfront hotel is perfect for those looking to let go of all their worries and sit on comfortable beach furniture while sunbathing.
Dive deep into culture and join a class or workshop about the local culture, or get one of the complimentary bikes and explore the stunning surroundings. The 1-bedroom Master Suite – Oceanfront comes with a private balcony with a hot tub, and the Oceanfront King Room comes with a private pool on the terrace.
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | La Casa de la Playa |
| 👩❤👨 Best honeymoon hotel: | Palafitos Overwater Bungalows |
| 🌊 Top hotel with a view | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
| 🏖️ Hotel with private beach | Hotel Xcaret Arte |
FAQs about Playa del Carmen hotels on the beach
🏖️ Can you swim on Playa del Carmen beaches?
Of course, you can, and you should! If you travel all the way to Playa del Carmen, you cannot miss the experience of swimming in the pristine waters of the Caribbean.
🤔 Which is better: Playa del Carmen or Cancun?
Both are great, so it depends on your preferences. For a more relaxed and laid-back vibe, Playa del Carmen is Ideal. On the other hand, Cancun is great for those looking for a vibrant city life.
💆 Which Playa del Carmen hotel is all-inclusive?
Most hotels offer all-inclusive packages to guests, and in this article, my top options are La Casa de la Playa and Palmaïa.
🌴 Which beachfront Playa del Carmen hotel has a private beach?
So many of the hotels mentioned in the article have a private beach, but 2 of the best ones are Impression Moxché and Secrets Maroma.
Conclusion
That is a wrap for today, my adventurous travelers! Those were the top 14 Playa del Carmen hotels on the beach, so you don’t have to go far to lay down on white sandy beaches and refresh in the paradisiac blue Caribbean Sea! 🐢 All the options are luxurious and have great amenities, so I am sure you found the right hotel for you in this article!
Honestly, staying in any of these beach hotels in Playa del Carmen would be a dream, but if I had to choose my favorite 2, I would go with:
- Palmaïa – I love that it is centered on wellness and has a plant-based menu in all restaurants and free breakfast.
- Grand Velas Riviera Maya – I would love to have the experience of seeing their turtle release program. It seems like such a blissful event.
Which of these beachfront hotels in Playa del Carmen is your favorite? Let me know in the comments, and right after, go and book the hotel room of your dreams!
It is vital to book in advance since the best beach hotels get booked fast!
Until the next trip,
Daniela
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