Under-the-Radar Riviera Maya Hotels: Where to Stay for a True VIP Experience

1. Jashita Tulum – Secluded beachfront serenity
Jashita is the kind of place where you immediately feel like you’re in on a secret. Set on the quiet shores of Soliman Bay, this 30-suite retreat offers all the white-sand, turquoise-water magic of Tulum — minus the influencers doing yoga on the beach at sunrise. It’s intimate, it’s stylish and it’s the perfect spot to pretend you’re starring in your own private beach movie.

Perks:

• A totally uncrowded, stunning beach (no fighting for a lounge chair here).

• Private plunge pools, a rooftop adults-only terrace and personalized service that actually feels personal.

• The kind of Mediterranean-Mexican food that makes you rethink your life choices and consider moving to the Riviera Maya permanently (which is exactly what my friend, Season, did!)

2. Hotel Esencia – The quintessential Riviera Maya hideaway
Once the private beach estate of an Italian duchess (because of course it was), Hotel Esencia sits on a stretch of Xpu-Ha Beach so pristine, you’ll wonder why it isn’t in every travel magazine. With 45 suites and villas, it’s big enough to offer top-tier amenities but small enough to feel like you’re staying at a very rich friend’s vacation home.

And then there’s Beefbar, the ultra-chic, internationally acclaimed restaurant that’s somehow both elegant and casual. Think melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu, perfectly charred octopus and cocktails that taste like vacation in a glass. Even if you’re not staying here, it’s worth a visit.

Perks:

• Michelin-level dining (seriously, don’t skip Beefbar)

• A spa that somehow makes you feel like you’ve been reborn.

• Family-friendly but still wildly romantic — so yes, you can bring the kids, but it’s also perfect for a honeymoon.
  

3. La Casa de la Playa – Xcaret’s unexpected luxury gem
I know, I know — Xcaret isn’t exactly “under the radar.” But La Casa de la Playa is different. This 63-suite adults-only boutique hotel is proof that all-inclusive can be ultra-luxurious. Think butler service, a private wine cellar and access to Xcaret’s parks without the crowds.

Plus, if you’re the type who loves a good spa day, Muluk Spa here is next-level indulgence.

Perks:

• VIP, after-hours access to Xcaret parks (because waiting in lines is for other people).

• A stunning, oceanfront infinity pool where you’ll want to spend 99% of your time.

• The all-inclusive experience, but make it luxury (so yes, the food is actually amazing).

4. Etereo, Auberge Resorts Collection – A hidden gem in Kanai
If you want modern luxury with a side of Mayan mysticism, Etereo is your place. With just 75 suites, this beachfront retreat in the exclusive Kanai development feels like a design-lover’s dream — sleek, airy and impossibly chic. It’s the kind of place where you can spend your mornings at a beachfront yoga class and your evenings sipping mezcal in your private plunge pool.

Perks:

• Floor-to-ceiling ocean views in every suite.

• Private temazcal ceremonies and next-level wellness experiences.

• A location that feels remote but is just close enough to everything you want to explore.

Day trips

Beyond the hotels: Unique experiences that make Riviera Maya magic

Staying in one of these incredible hotels is just the beginning. A cenote tour is a MUST. And for something truly unforgettable, book a dinner inside a cenote — candlelight, natural cave acoustics and a chef-prepared tasting menu that makes every other dinner you’ve ever had seem basic. If adventure calls, charter a private yacht to Isla Contoy, a protected, untouched island where the only other creatures you’ll run into are exotic birds and the occasional sea turtle (only 200 people per day are allowed). And for history buffs (or just anyone who wants to avoid the crowds), an after-hours tour of Chichen Itza lets you experience the ruins without the selfie sticks.

Where to eat: The Riviera Maya’s best bites

Food in this region is an experience in itself. At Ha’ at Hotel Xcaret Arte, Michelin-starred chef Carlos Gaytán turns traditional Mexican flavors into an art form. If you prefer your dinner with a side of jungle views, Tseen Ja at Azulik serves up high-end sushi in a treehouse setting that feels straight out of a dream. And no trip to Tulum is complete without a stop at Hartwood, where everything is cooked over an open flame and the ingredients are so fresh, they might as well have been picked that morning.