New Experiences at Playa’s Mexican Caribbean Resorts
Playa Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt Hotels Corporation continue to expand in Mexico and the Caribbean, and AGENTatHOME experienced two of its newest all-inclusive properties in the Cancun area – the adults-only Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya, which opened in December 2022, and the all-ages Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun, new in fall 2021.
HYATT ZILARA RIVIERA MAYA
The 291-suite resort is located in the former Secrets Capri on a lovely white-sand beach on the Caribbean Sea, about six miles from Playa del Carmen and 29 miles from Cancun International Airport.
The property features nine restaurants and lounges, including a buffet and some eateries on the beach. Other options include a sushi bar and teppanyaki, and Mexican, Latin American and Italian menus.
The Zilara pool features wooden loungers with umbrellas set around a zeroentry pool. There’s also a swim-up bar and hot tub.
The Zen Spa, which encompasses almost 14,000 square feet, offers 10 indoor treatment rooms, two indoor relaxation areas, sauna and steam rooms, a master suite with hydrotherapy tub, and a fitness center with group classes, a strength-training area and a cardio area.
Before opening the property, the Hyatt/Playa renovation added 46 Swim-Up Junior Suites and six Oceanfront Junior Suites with private plunge pools. The Resort-View Junior Suite Swim-Up King room measures 603 square feet and includes quick access to a semi-private pool.
Oceanfront Junior Suite King rooms measure a spacious 474 square feet. All suites at Playa Zilara Riviera Maya include Wi-Fi, a mini-bar restocked daily, a flat-screen TV, vanity mirror, bathroom amenities, in-room safe, coffee maker, hair dryer, rainfall showers, and robes and slippers.
A plus: There are no resort fees, and gratuities and Wi-Fi are included.
HYATT ZIVA RIVIERA CANCUN
The property welcomes all ages, unlike the adults-only Zilara. The 438-suite resort opened under the current branding in September 2021; formerly the property was known as Secrets Silversands. It’s located on the water about a half-hour from Cancun International Airport, between the Cancun Hotel Zone and Playa del Carmen. The resort offers a Kidz Club with organized activities as well as watersports, yoga, water aerobics and a 3,800-squarefoot fitness center.
There’s also a sprawling waterpark with water slides and a kids pool. Never fear, though, grown-ups who want some quiet relaxation can head to the adults pool (or the adults-only French bistro). Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun has nine pools throughout the property.
The two-story, 16,000-square-foot Zen Spa has 13 indoor and eight outdoor treatment rooms, as well as a hydrotherapy pool. Sunrise yoga, water aerobics and beach sports also are offered.
The resort has 10 restaurants; reservations are not required except for teppanyaki at Miyako, which also offers sushi, stir fry, curry, ramen and more. Other eateries include Habaneros for tacos and margaritas on the beach, Ki for modern Mexican food, La Parrilla for an al fresco meal, and Casa de Café, known for its coffee drinks and delicious house-made gelato. During the day, food carts serve Mexican eats poolside. There also are seven indoor and outdoor bars throughout the property.
The property has numerous suite categories, and the smallest is a massive 668 square feet in size. This category suite makes up the majority of accommodations here. All accommodations have spa-like bathrooms, large HDTVs, and refreshment centers with soft drinks and premium spirits. They include a private, furnished balcony overlooking the Caribbean Sea or lush gardens – or with walkup access to a pool.
This resort also has no resort fees and free Wi-Fi.
Visit www.playaresorts.com.