Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya: An all-inclusive resort opting for quality over quantity

About 30 minutes from Cancun International Airport (CUN), trip-goers will find Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya, an adults-only, all-inclusive resort. If you want a quieter or more romantic getaway, this Mexican resort should be on your radar. The upscale property seemingly caters to couples and those seeking a more relaxing vacation instead of the party-type atmosphere that is typically found in neighboring cities Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

Guests can split their time between lounging by the resort pool and digging their toes into the white-sand beach as they overlook the turquoise Caribbean water.

I vacationed at Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya with my significant other, and while we typically shy away from all-inclusive resorts because of their oft-lackluster menus and overpriced services, the upscale amenities, delicious food options and experiences offered at this resort transcended our expectations. Seriously, we're already planning a trip back to Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya in 2025 — and revisiting the same hotel is not something we typically do.

As an adults-only resort, this hotel caters to an older crowd and couples seeking a little rest and relaxation. Therefore, it may not be the ideal location if you're looking for a wild, booze-filled bachelor/bachelorette weekend or an extensive buffet bar that gives you 100-plus options. Overall, with Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya, you'll find quality over quantity.

Here's my review of the Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya — and what you should know before booking your stay.

Related: Best all-inclusive resorts in Cancun

What is Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya?

Just 20 minutes north of Playa del Carmen, Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya is part of Hyatt's all-inclusive collection and boasts 291 rooms and suites with luxe amenities, including a high-end fitness center, spa, five on-site dining options, one large pool, tennis courts, kayaking, nightly entertainment and more.

With a minimalist style, guests staying at Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya will find neutral tones and natural decor elements throughout the property.

When guests walk into the resort, they're greeted with more than 15 large potted plants, which are a focal point at the center of the lobby area. With wood, marble and stone accents, I immediately felt a sense of tranquility as I walked into Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya, as if I were walking through a high-end spa.

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Since Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya is a smaller property compared to other Hyatt all-inclusive resorts, it feels more intimate and almost like a boutique hotel rather than a standard all-inclusive. This resort definitely caters to guests wanting a more luxurious all-inclusive experience, and those staying here will pay a bit more compared to neighboring Hyatt properties in the Quintana Roo area. However, I think it's worth the extra expense for the elevated privileges guests can indulge in at this hotel.

How to book Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya

During my two-night stay at Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya, I enjoyed an Ocean Front Private Pool King room. This 678-square-foot oceanfront room featured some notable amenities such as private pool access and personal butler service. I enjoyed beautiful views of the ocean from the personal pool and outdoor terrace.

While there are plenty of options beyond a private pool suite at this resort, this particular accommodation definitely created a more intimate and relaxing atmosphere for my partner and me. We loved soaking in the ocean views while lounging in our own pool, away from the crowds.

However, you don't have to book a luxury suite with a private pool to have a noteworthy stay at this resort. Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya offers 12 different room types, ranging from tropical-view rooms that feature lush mangrove scenery to ocean-view rooms and suites with semiprivate pools.

If you stay at a Hyatt resort, prices vary based on peak, off-peak and standard seasons. Therefore, if you're staying during spring break (i.e., March and April), expect to pay a bit more compared to a long weekend in August. For example, room rates for two guests in August 2024 range from $363 per night to $725 per night, depending on which room you choose. When searching dates for March 2025, rates range from $575 to $1,086 per night.

To get the best rate for your dates, sign up for a Hyatt membership; it's free, and you will pay less per night as a member. Who doesn't love saving a bit of money?

Plus, if you have Hyatt Globalist status and book a standard room, you'll be upgraded to a suite. Hello, ocean views.

What I love about booking Hyatt hotels is that I'm able to use points, and unlike Marriott and Hilton, Hyatt still operates using an award chart. Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya is classified as a Category C hotel, so a standard room will cost between 21,000 and 29,000 Hyatt points per night, depending on whether it's a standard, peak or off-peak award rate. For Premium Suites, you will spend between 42,000 and 58,000 points per night for a Category C hotel.

Since I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, which allows me to transfer my Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, I can easily opt to save money and pay for my all-inclusive vacation with points.

However, the ability to use points to book Premium Suites is up to the individual property, and it's common for properties to not open up award night rates on those rooms.

When booking the Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya, you'll want to use one of the credit cards that earn the most points for Hyatt stays, and if possible one that offers automatic World of Hyatt elite status for value-added benefits. These include:

• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts; automatic Discoverist status; and five elite night credits per year toward a higher tier.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Earn 4 points per dollar spent at Hyatt hotels and resorts; automatic Discoverist status; and five elite night credits for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year.

Ziva Los Cabos, an All-Inclusive Resort

Natural minimalist rooms feature dream-worthy views

Keeping with the hotel's theme of incorporating natural elements throughout the resort, such as stone features and plants, the rooms at Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya have a minimalist style. You'll find natural wood, beige and neutral tones and an organic feel.

Inside the 678-square-foot Ocean Front Private Pool King room, you'll find a 55-inch HDTV, blackout curtains, a Nespresso coffee/tea maker, a hair dryer, an iron and ironing board, bathrobes and slippers, a couch, a small table with two chairs, an in-room safe and a minibar stocked with Tecate, water and sodas. I was surprised to find limited snacks in the room — my room only had one bag of plantain chips.

This room featured a full-size rainfall shower and Lanvin Paris bathroom essentials (shampoo, conditioner and body wash). Other notable bathroom amenities include bug spray, mouthwash and C.O. Bigelow dental and shaving kits.

When you step outside onto the terrace, you'll see a personal pool and daybed, giving guests a great ocean view and a spot to relax. This is a notable perk, as the resort pool is set back and does not overlook the ocean. Additionally, unlike other rooms, there is beach access right outside your suite, which is great for those wanting to lounge at the beach without having to walk to the center of the resort.

Some suites, including this oceanview room, come with butler service. If you need help booking reservations, want an update on the activities for the day or decide it's time to order a drink, you can simply text your butler with your requests.

One thing to be mindful of, especially for those staying on the resort's ground floor, is that there are long-tailed, raccoon-like animals known as coatis that will open the back door of your room and rummage through your stuff, looking for food. There is a sign at the back door to always keep your doors locked, especially at night. Luckily, I did not have a run-in with any coatis in my room, but neighboring hotel guests did.

Resort amenities and activities

Though Hyatt Zilara is a relatively smaller property compared to some nearby Hyatt all-inclusives, such as the Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, I got the impression that this particular resort caters to adults looking to unwind and indulge in luxurious amenities during their getaway without being overwhelmed by people, activities and an oversized property.

Now, while party-seekers can surely stay and enjoy their time at Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya, during my stay, the bass-pumping music was kept to a minimum, and rambunctious poolside crowds were nonexistent. As someone on vacation with my significant other, I very much enjoyed this aspect of the resort.

Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya pool and beach

When staying at Hyatt Zilara, you'll find a large beach-entry pool that features a swim-up bar, a hot tub and two basketball nets for those who want to shoot some hoops.

Around the pool, you'll find lounge chairs with umbrellas and cabanas, which can be reserved for an extra fee. Depending on if you opt for a poolside or beachfront cabana, the prices range from $119 to $139 and include two coconuts and butler service.

Unfortunately, the pool does not overlook the Caribbean Sea. Additionally, if you're someone who likes having multiple pool options to choose from, this resort may not be for you. While I did spend some time in the resort pool, I preferred the beach. This hotel not only has beach lounge chairs and cabanas, but beanbag-style chairs as well.

There were plenty of seating options to choose from, and though the resort was crowded, I never felt as if I couldn't find a spot to sit — something I have experienced at other resorts.

Though some may not want to spend the extra money on a cabana, the price is reasonable, especially if you are with a group of people. I enjoyed the beachside cabana, which provided a nice break from the sun with the overhead covering, as well as two lounge chairs next to the cabana and a butler. The butler intermittently stopped by to ask if I wanted anything to drink or eat, and everything was delivered in a timely manner. Note that the beachside cabanas were a popular choice — in fact, they were all sold during my stay; therefore, if you want to book a cabana, you may want to reserve one during check-in.

If you are traveling to the Quintana Roo area between April and August, be aware of sargassum, the red seaweed that washes up onto the coast annually. At Hyatt Zilara, cleanup crews came around daily to scoop up the seaweed from the beach.

Related: Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa: High-energy and all-inclusive family fun

Daily entertainment activities

Overall, compared to other all-inclusives I've stayed at, there is not a laundry list of on-site activities each day and night. Therefore, if you want to constantly engage with hotel staff and be entertained, this may not be the property for you.

There were still plenty of activities and poolside drinks for guests to enjoy during my time at this resort, though. We could indulge in scheduled entertainment activities such as a kayak tour, beach volleyball, water aerobics, dance lessons or a cooking class.

At night, I decided to head to the hotel lobby before dinner to listen to a violin player who played chart-topping songs. One night, there was karaoke at the theater and an acrobatic stage performance.

Head to the Legends Sports Bar to grab a drink and play some bar games such as Jenga, darts, foosball and even retro video games.

Zen Spa at Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya

If you're staying at the Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya, you may want to check out the spa services. Though spa services are extra (and can be pricey), this resort created an entire experience beyond just a simple 50-minute deep tissue massage.

Zen Spa offers different types of facials, massages, body treatments and more. While staying at the resort, I had a 50-minute Mayan massage, which will cost guests $169. Since the spa is set in the jungle, closer to the entrance gate of the resort, you will take a golf cart ride to the spa. Similar to the hotel's aesthetic, the spa features natural stone accents and marble flooring with natural wood decor.

What separates this spa experience from others is that you actually arrive one hour prior to your appointment to indulge in hydrotherapy treatment. You are ushered into a locker room area to change into a robe to wear over top of your bathing suit and slides. Then my group of four other people and I were brought into a large indoor-outdoor spa that featured several plunge pools, a steam room, a sauna and showers. Overlooking the lush green Mexican jungle, it definitely was an elevated and memorable spa experience.

First, we went into the sauna for 10 minutes; then we were told to rinse off using the outdoor showers. Next, we went into the steam room for 10 minutes. After finishing up in the steam room, we were told to walk around in two knee-high pools, one cold and one warm. After finishing three laps, you submerged yourself in a cold plunge pool; then you warmed up in a lukewarm pool, which featured jets. Finally, we went into the hot plunge pool.

Spa hydrotherapy experiences are usually relaxing, but this was the first one I've had that was also memorable.

After hydrotherapy, the massage therapist took me to my spa room. During the 50-minute Mayan massage, she used different techniques to really help relieve back pain and tension, and she also used hot stones. I appreciated that she asked throughout the massage if the pressure level was good, as I hate having to speak up if I'm not happy with a massage service.

Since this spa service included much more than a typical 50-minute massage but instead created a whole experience, I definitely feel like the price of $169 was well worth it.

Delicious food options

Let's face it — dining options at all-inclusive resorts can be subpar. Luckily, the food at Hyatt Zilara was a highlight of my stay. It tasted fresh, and there were plenty of healthy options when I didn't want to dine on fried foods or a decadent dessert.

Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya has three a la carte restaurants, a buffet, a coffee bar (which also serves light snacks and sweets) and three bars, including a sports bar, a swim-up pool bar and the lobby bar.

During my stay, I was able to dine at most of the food options at this hotel.

Tempest

My favorite restaurant at this resort is Tempest, which features Asian cuisine and sushi. While you don't need a reservation for hibachi, you do have to book a reservation in advance if you want to eat at the sushi bar, since there is limited seating.

Though the sushi bar menu was small, it featured tuna, salmon and white fish sashimi, as well as several rolls — plenty to provide a sushi fix.

While I could see the chefs preparing the sushi platter in front of me, I was still a bit hesitant about if it would be good. But I'm happy to report that it was more than good; this sushi dinner was excellent. Not only did the presentation feel elevated, but the fish tasted superfresh, and the sushi rolls had an ideal mix of heat and salt.

In addition to the sushi, I also ate shrimp and vegetable lo mein and spring rolls with coconut sauce. For dessert, I had banana and chocolate spring rolls and a chocolate brownie with nuts and berry sauce. On my next visit, I'd skip the chocolate brownie, as it was dense and a bit dry.

Lola Beach

While I didn't have time to eat dinner at Lola Beach, I ate lunch at this poolside restaurant daily. As an a la carte lunch spot, Lola Beach definitely gets busy in the afternoon. While I didn't have to wait for a table, be prepared to wait for your food and drinks. The sit-in restaurant also has a beachside patio, which serves more quick-service fare. However, both operate using the same bar and food stations, so it seems like orders can get backed up quickly.

During our first-day visit to the sit-in restaurant, it was packed with hotel guests. Since they were so busy, my appetizers came out before my drink. If you are short on time or are looking to dine quickly, you may want to grab a pizza or food from the beachside bar.

Lola Beach's lunch menu features a mix of ceviche, salads, tacos and more. Some standout items included a fish tiradito, which was the "catch of the day," with creamy avocado, onions and sunflower seeds.

I also could not get enough of the crunchy quesabirria tacos and spicy mussels in garlic, chile, butter and lemon sauce.

Capri Grille

If you want a more romantic dinner experience, Capri Grille features Italian and Mediterranean cuisine and an extensive wine list.

While the pasta dishes seemed to be homemade, the noodles were a bit thick for my liking, specifically the pappardelle with mushrooms and truffle oil and the shrimp ravioli, which had the consistency of pierogi.

However, I liked that Capri Grille offers a mixed menu of not only different types of pasta dishes but also steak, fish, pork and even eight vegetarian options.

El Comedor

While some vacationers love a large resort buffet, I'm typically not a fan. Compared to a la carte restaurants, I usually find that the food is overcooked from sitting in a warmer for hours, has a bland taste and lacks quality overall.

When I walked into El Comedor, the resort's international buffet, I was surprised by the size of it. The buffet does offer plenty of breakfast, lunch and dinner options with multiple cuisine stations. But compared to other Hyatt resorts, this buffet display is on the smaller side, and I welcomed not having a laundry list of fried food or hot plate options.

For breakfast, there is a make-your-own omelet station and a hot food line to grab bacon, potatoes, pancakes and hash browns. But compared to other resorts, I felt Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya really put an emphasis on giving guests healthier options with tons of fresh fruit, smoked salmon and tuna, several different parfaits and a juice bar.

If you have a sweet tooth, the buffet also offers a variety of pastries, donuts (a whole donut board, to be exact) and Kellogg's cereal.

Though I didn't eat at the buffet for lunch, instead opting for Lola Beach restaurant, you can swing by the buffet for salads, lunch meat, cheese and hot plate items.

For dinner, the Hyatt Zilara buffet served notable items such as salmon and tuna sashimi, a make-your-own fried rice station — at which guests could choose between steak, chicken and shrimp as the protein — and six dessert options including mango mousse, chocolate cake and creme brulee. The creme brulee was one of the best desserts I had during my stay at the resort. If you've had creme brulee at different restaurants, you know that it can be a finicky dessert — sometimes it's not fully set, other times the custard is too thick. This buffet creme brulee was creamy without being overly sweet, and the caramelized sugar shell was crisp but not burnt.

Overall, I think the smaller buffet at this hotel lends itself to a higher standard of food and creates a better guest experience.

Other snack spots and bars

Though it changes daily, this resort offers a quick-service lunch option such as a panini station, taco bar or grilled seafood. My favorite pop-up lunch was the grilled seafood station, which featured large prawns and octopus. However, if you're looking for this quick lunch service, like I was each day, note that they do not always set it up in the same location. So you may have to venture around the pool area — once I had to ask the staff where to find it.

If you're enjoying a late night at Legends Bar, the sports bar also puts out hot apps and snack foods, such as popcorn, which guests can grab at their leisure.

Though you do have the option to brew coffee in your room or snag a cup at the buffet, if you want a craft coffee like an iced latte or cappuccino, you can grab one at the hotel coffee shop, Coffee Republic.

Aside from coffee and tea, you can also indulge your sweet tooth with a cup of gelato or a pastry.

As for drinks, I recommend ordering a craft cocktail from the mixologists at the lobby bar, Social.

If you want to enjoy a beachside drink, swing over to Lola Beach's cabana bar, located steps from the beach and behind the sit-in restaurant.

If you're enjoying the resort pool, order a drink from the swim-up bar, Olas. There are swing seats outside the pool as well as in-water stools.

Room service

Similar to other all-inclusive Hyatt resorts, this hotel offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night room service. Breakfast options include waffles, French toast, avocado toast, smoked salmon bagels, omelets, fresh juices and more. For lunch and dinner, you can choose between such items as fajitas, salads, soups, tacos and a smashburger. As for late-night snacks, satisfy your cravings with items like chicken wings, nachos, a Caesar salad, a quesadilla or dessert. Though I didn't order room service during my stay, I was impressed with the amount of options. So even if you don't feel like leaving your room all day or miss dinner and have a sudden craving for a burger at one o'clock in the morning, you can still order food and not miss a meal. Plus, no phone call is necessary; you can order your food through the Hyatt app.

Related: The best Hyatt all-inclusive resorts in the world

Accessibility

While this resort does offer accessible rooms, which feature a roll-in shower and lower beds, the number of accessible rooms seems to be rather limited. When searching for an accessible room across several dates online, I kept getting the following message: "No rooms available with the selected criteria."

When I contacted the resort via the online chat function, I was told that there are accessible rooms at this hotel but they must not be available for the dates I searched.

If you want an accessible room, I would consider calling the hotel to find out if your dates are already booked.

While this hotel does offer an elevator, it is a little bit out of the way of the main lobby and pool area. Additionally, there are no chair lifts in the pool area, though the pool is a beach-entry style, which makes it slightly more accessible.

Related: Does it make sense to redeem World of Hyatt points for all-inclusive resorts?

Why Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya may not be for you

• If you enjoy having a sprawling property with many options, such as multiple pools and tons of dining choices — or are simply looking for a highly energetic, party-focused crowd — this resort may not be for you.
• Though I'm not a smoker, when you check in to this resort you're told by staff that if you are caught smoking outside of the designated smoking areas, you will be charged $500. The designated areas are at two different corners of the hotel. One is on the beach, far away from the pool area, and the other is outside the hotel lobby, down a pathway. Overall, prepare to walk to get your nicotine fix.
• Tucked away in between Playa del Carmen and Cancun, this resort is between 20 to 30 minutes from each neighboring city. Therefore, if you want to hit the town, expect to pay at least $40 one-way for a taxi to Playa del Carmen (Cancun will cost you even more). While some may prefer to be away from all of the city-life action, others may want to venture off the resort each night and head to the bars and shops.

If you're looking for a similar adults-only experience in the heart of Cancun's Hotel Zone, check out Hyatt Zilara Cancun.

Bottom line

Tucked away from Cancun's busy Hotel Zone, this adults-only resort is a great place to unwind and experience a Mexican beach getaway. With delicious food options and upscale amenities, I was impressed by how much I really enjoyed my two-night stay at this property. Although I don't typically favor all-inclusive resorts, I found the Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya generated a paradise-like atmosphere with its luxury organic design style and beautiful beachside views, thus creating a serene environment for its hotel guests.

Related reading:

• Everything you need to know about World of Hyatt
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• World of Hyatt elite status: What it is and how to earn it
• Best hotel credit cards
• Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?