Editor’s note: Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya provided TPG with a complimentary two-night stay and spa experience to get an inside look at the hotel and its amenities. The opinions expressed below are entirely those of the author and weren’t subject to review by the hotel or any external entity.
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.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
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.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
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.
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.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
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.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
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.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
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.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
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.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
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.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
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.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
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.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
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.
GABRIELLE BERNARDINI/THE POINTS GUY
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..