Gourmet dining by celebrity chefs, private access to attractions
Carretera Chetumal-Puerto Juárez Km. 282 L23-2 Colonia Rancho Xcaret 77710, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico Get directions
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"An ultra-exclusive, 63-suite beachfront hideaway where every suite includes an outdoor pool and an in-room jellyfish aquarium, paired with gourmet dining by celebrity chefs and private access to nearby natural attractions. Its boutique size means booking well in advance; gratuities and Wi‑Fi are included, no restaurant reservations are required, it’s about 45 minutes from the airport, and starting rates run around $1,000/night." - Meagan Drillinger Meagan Drillinger Meagan Drillinger left New York City for a life on the road. She has spent the majority of her career traveling and living in Mexico, and is passionate about seeing destinations in a slow-paced, immersive manner. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Staying here felt like having our own private beach house — a 63‑suite beachfront boutique where we lounged in a hammock over our private heated plunge pool, swam out along an Olympic‑lane‑length infinity arm that floats over the sea, and raided a private wine cellar on a whim. La Casa de la Playa delivers classic luxury touchpoints — eye‑catching natural‑material design, volcanic‑stone hydrotherapy tubs, lighted in‑wall jellyfish habitats, 24‑hour butler service, and celebrity chef‑led restaurants — but what redefined luxury for us was the unfettered access: unlimited all‑inclusive entry to all Xcaret parks and sister hotels, private transfers and ferries, and the “Exclusively Your Way” experiences (a private guided tour of a newly discovered underwater cave, a romantic cenote dinner with live jazz, or an after‑hours Mayan purification ritual). The food program impressed: Estero’s Peruvian‑inspired multi‑course seafood tasting, Lumbre’s meats (especially the barbacoa arrachera), Centli’s corn‑forward menu, and Tuch de Luna’s breakfasts and must‑try pink mole — with adventurous options like escamoles, lengua, and huitlacoche available — plus access to 21 restaurants across Hotel Xcaret Mexico and Hotel Xcaret Arte. Suites are spacious and richly detailed with local artisan decor, private terraces with hammocks and volcanic tubs, thoughtful tech and amenities, and larger Master and Presidential Suites that include multiple outdoor spaces and private pools; wellness highlights include the Muluk Spa with hydrotherapy rituals, a salt room, and custom apothecary scents. Sustainability and privacy are central — a gated beachfront set against jungle and ocean, guided by Grupo Xcaret’s Xustainability model and EarthCheck evaluation — and concierge support, private transfers, and loyalty perks (I Prefer, Amex Fine Hotels) make it straightforward to plan and maximize the stay. By the time Travel + Leisure readers named it Best Luxury Hotel Resort in Mexico and the second‑best hotel in the world in 2024, we already felt the property’s mix of comfort, exclusivity, and once‑in‑a‑lifetime experiences had shifted our definition of luxury." - Katherine Alex Beaven Katherine Alex Beaven Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"If it had a report card it would read “Exceeds Expectations”: this intimate, all-inclusive luxury resort provides white‑glove touches like a private transfer from Cancun included in the rate and only 63 luxurious suites divided among three buildings (Natural, Fiesta, and Wellness), with each suite including private en‑suite pools. As part of the Xcaret family, guests get premium dining (including a restaurant helmed by Martha Ortiz), exclusive activities in Grupo Xcaret parks, sailing excursions aboard Xcaret Xailing, a dramatic 40‑meter infinity pool that extends over the sea, and tailor-made experiences such as private dinners in a cenote and customized massages in the Muluk Spa." - Meagan Drillinger Meagan Drillinger Meagan Drillinger left New York City for a life on the road. She has spent the majority of her career traveling and living in Mexico, and is passionate about seeing destinations in a slow-paced, immersive manner. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"As the newest, most exclusive addition to Grupo Xcaret, this intimate resort of 63 ocean-view suites (each more than 1,000 square feet with a private pool) emphasizes bespoke, high-end inclusions: tailor-made experiences such as private dinners in cenotes, morning purification rituals, and private adventure tours through caverns; culinary concepts have been developed by iconic chefs like Martha Ortiz, Virgilio Martínez, and the Rivera-Rio brothers, and the Muluk Spa includes two salt rooms and two mud rooms with ocean views." - Meagan Drillinger Meagan Drillinger Meagan Drillinger left New York City for a life on the road. She has spent the majority of her career traveling and living in Mexico, and is passionate about seeing destinations in a slow-paced, immersive manner. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Located in Playa del Carmen, 4.8 miles from Playa del Carmen Maritime Terminal, La Casa de la Playa by Xcaret- All Inclusive Adults Only provides accommodations with free bikes, free private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center. Among the various facilities are a garden, a shared lounge, as well as a terrace. The property has room service, a 24-hour front desk and currency exchange for guests. All guest rooms feature a safety deposit box. Breakfast is available, and includes continental, Full English/Irish and American options. At the hotel you'll find a restaurant serving Mexican, Peruvian and Steakhouse cuisine. Vegetarian, dairy-free and vegan options can also be requested. Activities such as snorkeling, canoeing, cycling can be enjoyed in the surrounding areas, and guests can relax along the beachfront. La Casa de la Playa by Xcaret- All Inclusive Adults Only features amenities such as an on-site business center, sauna and hot tub. ADO International Bus Station is 4.9 miles from the accommodation, while Church of Guadalupe is 6.5 miles away. Cozumel International Airport is 17 miles from the property." - My Boutique Hotel (en)