Sometimes the grown-ups need their own space – that's where adults-only resorts come in. For a cool, calm, no-kids-allowed vacation, Cancún is a great bet. With white sand beaches, sapphire-blue seas, nearby Mayan ruins, bustling nightlife and no shortage of flights from pretty much every major U.S. city, this Mexico destination is both convenient and full of activities for any kind of traveler.
To get the most bang for your buck in Cancún, opt for an all-inclusive resort, where your nightly fare typically covers food, drinks, accommodations, activities and standard amenities like Wi-Fi access. It's a great way to make sure you don't blow out your vacation budget; just be sure to read the fine print to see what activities and dining options may not be included. Here are some of the best resorts for an adults-only all-inclusive vacation in Cancún.
Courtesy of Le Blanc Spa Resorts
Nothing says fancy quite like a butler to take care of all your needs, from shoe shining to delivering pillows to your room – and this is just one of the offerings for guests at this lavish Le Blanc resort. While it's hard to pick a highlight from the many strengths of this property, guests rave about the dining options, which range from upscale French to sushi to a wood-fired bistro overlooking the beach. Past visitors have described the restaurants as elegant and the food as positively delicious, with on-point service.
Once you're ready to retire, the open-plan rooms make for a comfortable stay, with a double Jacuzzi, turndown service, top-shelf liquor in-suite and floor-to-ceiling windows. Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun also has quite a focus on wellness, so every room gets a daily spa credit to use on massages, manicures and beyond. Activities include paddleboard yoga to test your balance and aquatic spinning (think of a spin class in a pool).
Of course, luxury doesn't come cheap: Rates start around $900 per night for two.
This resort is located in a tranquil coastal spot a few miles south of Cancún – toward Playa del Carmen and well away from the uber-busy Hotel Zone. Set on 250 acres of landscaped grounds, Haven is certainly an accurate name for this resort. Fittingly, past visitors have praised the tranquil and relaxing ambiance at this resort, noting that it's great for a relaxing couples trip, and that you can find a touch more of a party vibe at one of the resort's four pools. The rooms feature a classy-yet-funky design, with natural textures and plenty of nods to the beach and jungle surroundings.
Those looking to splash out a bit more (literally and figuratively) can opt for the upscale Swim-Out Suites with a semiprivate pool right on your terrace. There are also unique wellness suites at Haven Riviera Cancún for travelers with allergies and other sensitivities. Out in the resort, it's easy to keep busy with activities ranging from macramé classes to cocktail tasting – as well as options like tennis, sailing and kayaking for more active folks. Dining and drinking options abound, from a sleek cocktail bar to nightclub, and a deluxe steakhouse down to no-fuss casual snack bars.
Rates officially start around $400 per night but tend to be pricier.
Courtesy of The Excellence Collection
For a seriously boutique resort experience, look to Beloved, located in Cancún's northern Playa Mujeres area, well away from the more crowded Hotel Zone. This resort isn't your cookie-cutter beachside destination: Its white geometrical architecture feels exquisitely modern, and even the simplest rooms are chic and contemporary, with the smallest spaces offering nearly 1,000 square feet of space for you to spread out into. Pay a little more, and options like the Swim-Up Suite are also an option.
Beloved Playa Mujeres is the kind of resort that pays attention to the small details. Extra touches like fresh fruit delivered to your room daily, in-room Bvlgari toiletries, premium liquor and a free hydrotherapy circuit for each guest make the experience feel extra special. The activities are especially diverse, too, with everything from cooking classes to bike tours to wellness workshops. You'll fuel it all with dining options that range from healthy to hearty, like French-Caribbean breakfasts or a juicy steakhouse dinner.
Take note: Beloved is not just adults-only; it's also a couples-only resort, so past guests suggest that you should expect more of a relaxed, romantic vibe than a party one. Rates start at about $600 per night.
Courtesy of The Excellence Collection
Also located away from the bustling Hotel Zone is this five-star destination from the same company as nearby Beloved Playa Mujeres – but without the couples-only restriction. There's a broad selection of places to spread out and swim or sunbake here, with seven outdoor pools, lazy rivers, private beach access and plenty of bars. (And with guests barred from bringing portable speakers to these areas, relaxation should come easy.) But it'll be tempting to lounge in the luxurious rooms here, too: Even at the cheapest level, you'll have king-size beds, in-room Jacuzzis and tiled terraces for sipping a tropical drink.
Guest reviews praise the spacious rooms and gorgeous views at Excellence Playa Mujeres, noting that they're meticulously clean. At the higher end are two-story suites with plunge pools and ocean views. Whatever accommodations you choose, you'll be treated to nice touches like flowers and sparkling wine on arrival, as well as 24-hour room service. The numerous restaurants here are worth visiting, too – they run the gamut from spicy Mexican fare to a casually refined Italian trattoria. Sporty vacationers are well-served here, with activities like dance classes and paddleboarding; options like deep-sea fishing can be booked for an extra fee.
Rates start around $700 per night.
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Those with an eye for design will love this resort, located in a quieter spot just north of Cancún proper. Atelier Playa Mujeres has a focus on Mexican art and design, and the end result is a stylish out-of-the-box vibe. Whether you're in the room or out in the resort, expect wood and marble fixtures, avant-garde furniture and plenty of local touches that make Atelier feel like a unique experience. Rooms come with either jungle, golf course or ocean views as well as spacious balconies at 100-plus square feet. You'll also be treated to high-quality wine and liquor in your minibar, in addition to toiletries from renowned British company Molton Brown.
Outside your suite, Atelier has an intriguing array of activities from fat bike tours and art workshops to kayaking and volleyball. Dining and drinking is another strength here: Past guests highly recommend the tequila tasting class, and they also rave about the menu options across the 13 restaurants on the property.
Take note: Atelier Playa Mujeres allows guests aged 16 and up (though you may encounter younger kids on the public beach). Rates start around $650 per couple, per night.
Courtesy of Hyatt
This Hyatt property boasts the widest beach in Cancún's happening Hotel Zone, with an infinity pool overlooking it to boot. While it's obviously a formidable place to lounge in the sun, you also won't get bored, with amenities such as live mariachi shows and an Olympic-sized lap pool. The sizable whitewashed rooms at Hyatt Zilara Cancun start at 650 square feet and are equipped with luxuries ranging from rain showerheads to pillow menus to regularly stocked minibars. Those who go for more upscale suites will also get swim-up pool access, a balcony hammock and even a guaranteed beach cabana right on the Caribbean Sea.
All-inclusive guests can choose between six restaurants and five bars serving seafood, pizza and more – and it wouldn't be a Cancún resort without a swim-up bar. Past visitors note that they enjoyed the upbeat party atmosphere by some of the pools and at certain events – from a beach barbecue to a foam party – but it's equally possible to find quiet spots for relaxation.
Rates start around $650 per night.
This grandiose adults-only option sits in the heart of the Hotel Zone. The rooms at Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancún come with king beds and flat-screen smart TVs, as well as some extra touches like adjustable lighting and even aromatherapy scents to set the mood perfectly. Certain rooms boast a private balcony or terrace as well.
Outside in the resort, choose between seven heated pools and a private beach for relaxation, then enjoy activities like yoga, snorkeling or even karaoke for more of a party option by night. Wellness-oriented travelers can also take advantage of substantial spa offerings, with treatments spanning coffee exfoliation to Swedish massages – plus a facility with Jacuzzis, saunas and hydrotherapy (though spa access is generally for an additional charge). No matter what you choose to do, you should be well looked-after: Past guests report top-notch, friendly service across the board, from restaurants to reception.
Rates at this property start around $500.
Courtesy of Hyatt
As one of the less common high-rise hotels in the Hotel Zone, Secrets The Vine Cancun has one trump card: great views over the ocean and Cancún's Nichupté Lagoon, which past guests regularly flag as a highlight. You'll be able to enjoy that view in comfort, too, with stylish rooms featuring teak furniture, Italian porcelain floors and a chic look that mixes in tasteful splashes of color among the classic seafoam-white rooms for a laid-back feel.
Rooms for three and four guests are also an option, if you're in a group. Drinking and dining options are broad, spanning a refined piano lounge to unfussy poolside bars, and a poolside grill to elegant Mediterranean cuisine with a view. To get your heart rate up, there's a well-equipped fitness center and activities like snorkeling and golf. Meanwhile, those looking to relax with a book and a margarita can get poolside service at the resort's infinity pool or on the beach.
Rates start around $500 per couple, per night.
For a romantic vacay, consider this resort at the southern end of Cancún's Hotel Zone. As a couples-only resort, there won't be a bachelor party or a spring breaker in sight. Plenty of past vacationers recommend Sun Palace as a great option for honeymoons or anniversaries, often highlighting the above-and-beyond friendly service from staff. The resort also offers honeymoon packages, featuring extras like a special romantic dinner and breakfast in bed.
Whether you're on a special trip or just regular vacation, all rooms here offer at least partial ocean views. They go well beyond the basics, with fluffy robes and slippers, premium liquor, and a double whirlpool tub, even in the most budget-friendly room. Pricier options like a honeymoon suite will also get you bonuses like a private lounge area on the beach, complete with waiter service.
Beyond romance and relaxation by the pool, beach or bar, you can sign on for activities like tours of Mayan ruins or ATV trips through the jungle (extra fees may apply). When you're starving after a big day touring, there are four upscale restaurants serving options like Thai or Mexican fare, as well as more casual cafe and snacky choices.
Rates start from $550 per night.
Why Trust U.S. News Travel
Timothy Forster has traveled across five continents and lived on three, so he has experience booking and staying in all kinds of accommodation from hostels and campsites to chic hotels and vacation rentals. Forster used his extensive traveling background along with research expertise to curate this article.
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