Playa del Carmen

This family-friendly resort—kids stay free—spans 45 acres of prime beachfront and is built around a series of canals blasted out of the limestone and fed with clear water from the underground rivers. — Star Service

Apt alternatives include Hotel Esencia, A Seaside Estate and Belmond Maroma, though the wow-factor here is tailored in private, freestanding huts that create unique worlds unto themselves. — Star Service

A luxurious all-suite property nestled in the verdant Riviera Maya. — Gayot

As one might expect from the ultra-luxurious Banyan Tree brand, the Banyan Tree Mayakoba is one of Playa del Carmen's most sought after resorts. — Oyster

At this "modern, beautifully designed beachfront all-inclusive," the light-blue and turquoise exterior reflects the waterfront setting, while the curved architecture mimics the waves. — Condé Nast Traveler

Midway between Punta Bete and Punta Maroma, this all-inclusive resort is on the south end of Maroma Beach. — Fodor's

This family-friendly beachside resort has 14 restaurants, 16 bars, and is perfect for active children. — The Telegraph

Art and antiques from around the world fill the lobby, and streams, waterfalls, and fountains fill the grounds of this 13-acre resort on a stretch of pristine beach. — Fodor's

A boho-chic, beachfront property, the upper-middle-range Mahekal Beach Resort has 122 rooms with garden or ocean views, many of which have thatched roof bungalows. — Oyster

Adults-only playground on the Riviera Maya. — Jetsetter

Tucked into the scenic shores of the Riviera Maya, the boutique Belmond Maroma Resort and Spa beckons with 33 suites, 33 guestrooms and a Maya-style spa offering the unusual temazcál ceremony. — Afar Magazine

Considered one of the area’s best hotels, with a private beach... modern gym, and several excellent restaurants, as well as gorgeous rooms, all with private balconies and a full kitchen. — Oyster

This beachfront all-inclusive for adults "lives up to its name, with a great beach, great style, and all the trimmings." — Condé Nast Traveler

Its hip town-center base has a buzzy rooftop hotspot, and its shoreside counterpart’s a laid-back boho beach house. You’ll find plenty of sun, Mexican-inspired food and flair, and views. — Mr & Mrs Smith

This small, all-inclusive resort on Playa del Carmen's 5th Avenue is a magnet for young travellers who seek comfort, convenience and a social atmosphere. — The Telegraph

Few hotels along Mexico’s Mayan Riviera are as private and intimate as Le Reve Hotel and Spa. — Travel + Leisure

All-inclusive Caribbean lair with swim-in/swim-out suites, just twenty minutes southwest of Puerto Morelos. — Jetsetter

Located next door to sibling El Dorado Maroma, 40 minutes south of Cancun Airport, 35 minutes south of downtown Cancun and 10 minutes north of Playa del Carmen. — Star Service

Here, guests find good food, attentive and friendly service, and the kind of laid-back, understated comfort that is luring guests farther south to Tulum and the places such as the quirky Azulik Villas. — Star Service