I call it the Mayan Riviera. Others call it the Riviera Maya. I think those that have visited, would all call it a great vacation destination. An hour from Cancun airport, you will reach the new Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. I had the good fortune of visiting this large and splendid resort during March break.
The all inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya caters to families, teens, couples and newlyweds – it has something for everyone. The resort is split into two sections which we loved:
- The Family Side: Hacienda is for families with children under 19 which hosts five restaurants and four bars, pools and a teen club.
- The Adult Side: For newlyweds, you get the best an all-inclusive has to offer without the kids. Heaven for adults only (19+) hosts four restaurants, four bars, pools and a top rated spa – Rock SpaTM.
The resort boasts beautiful guest rooms with either a balcony, terrace view or new, expansive sky terrace options with hydro tubs in each room, and a hammock. That’s right, each room has a hammock.
The pools are beautifully laid out with lots of lounge chairs – I was there during peak season and we did not have to get up at the break of dawn to reserve our spot in the sun with a towel and a book which is always a plus. You also don’t have to reserve to eat at one of their nine restaurants. You may wake up feeling like French cuisine but by dinner you may want local Mexican. No problem, just walk in.
All rooms come with a balcony or terrace, or the new sky terrace & hydro spa tub, flat screen TV’s, a loaded mini bar, liquor dispenser, hammocks, free calls to the US & Canada (we loved this feature), and free Wi-Fi.
Where to Eat
- Nine restaurants (no reservations required) based on both the family side (Hacienda) and adults only side (Heaven). It’s your choice.
- There are 3 bars
- 24-hour room service
Where to Play
- Rock SpaTM
- Snorkeling and kayaking in the resort’s private beach Oceanside beachscape
- Yoga temple
- Luxury stores & Rock Shop
- 2 pools
- Waterslide
- Tennis courts, bicycles and climbing wall
- Monkey experience (we saw two monkeys at the front of the property) – A guided tour of the property is part of the amenities (no charge).
The Nightlife: Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya – Club Heaven
When we visited they were just putting the finishing touches before the grand opening. It’s going to be a spectacular nightclub (adults only) situated just steps from the Heaven lobby with premium cocktails, live DJ, and an extravagant dance floor surrounding a clear blue indoor pool and it’s all part of your all inclusive package.
What’s Really Different
The Hard Rock All Inclusive Hotels offer you the true rock star treatment as they host A-List line-ups of live performances throughout the year. Do these names sound familiar? Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, Enrique Iglesias, singer-songwriters Justin Moore and Jerrod Niemann, Jon Bon Jovi — Hard Rock All-Inclusive’s music program brings nothing but crowd pleasers to each property. Some concerts are included as part of your amenities package, others are not. Check out the Hard Rock events calendar for more information.
Reasons to Stray from the Resort
Eco-Parks: The area’s two environmentally friendly water theme parks, Xcaret and Xel-Ha are wonderful treats. I’ve been to both and enjoyed equally. Each has an outdoor ‘interactive’ aquarium, so you can swim with the fishes (parrot fish and manta rays). Walk their tropical trails and enjoy the lazy rivers.
Mayan Sites: The Tulum Ruins (a must see) are among the world’s most famous and best maintained Mayan structures. They are situated on a bluff overlooking the Caribbean (not deep in the jungle), which makes the journey even more attractive.
Punta Venado Beach Club: Just 20 minutes form the hotel, the Punta Venado Beach Club offers additional activities like horseback riding, wave runner, ATV’s, and snorkeling. Book your tours through the hotel which will include transportation to and from.
Weddings and Honeymoon Packages
Hard Rock is happy to help make one of the most important days of your life spectacular. The Hard Rock All Inclusive Collection has great deals when you book a group from 5 rooms to 60 rooms.
Wedding Information
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is a wonderful destination to host your wedding or honeymoon. They have a beautiful beachfront Catholic Chapel on property, that is available for guests to utilize.
Hard Rock’s All Inclusive Collection of hotels and resorts has partnered with celebrity wedding designer Colin Cowie, one of the world’s most recognizable and sought after celebrity event planners, to provide rock star quality weddings.
Colin Cowie Weddings
For couples looking to tie the knot, Colin Cowie has customized nine exclusive wedding collections individually designed to be seen, heard and remembered for ages, much like the music that has inspired the brand for 40 years. With an international clientele that reads like a guest list at the Academy Awards, Colin’s client list includes Oprah Winfrey, Lil Wayne, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Michael Jordan, Nicole Kidman, Bruce Willis and Jennifer Anniston…just to name a few.
Hard Rock’s individual beachfront properties feature picturesque wedding venues including iconic waterfronts, gardens, terraces, ballrooms and charming gazebos. Colin Cowie wedding designs feature sleek, customizable options including Compliments of Hard Rock, Elegant Ivory, El Sol, Insignia, Metallic Dunes, Purple Shimmer, Rocker Chic, Seaglass and White Rosette.
Colin Cowie Honeymoons
“Harmony,” the exclusive honeymoon collection designed by Colin Cowie, gives lovebirds the chance to experience a special celebration designed by one of the world’s foremost authorities on wedding planning.
Honeymooners will indulge in a 50-minute couples massage at the famed Rock Spa, romantic dinner for two, breakfast in bed, chocolate covered strawberries, a rose petal filled hydro tub and many more plush amenities.
To book a honeymoon vacation experience at an All Inclusive Collection property visit www.hrhallinclusive.com, call 888-680-7625, or contact your preferred travel professional and for more details about Colin Cowie Weddings visit www.hrhweddings.com.
Whether you stay or stray, you will enjoy Hard Rock Hotel Riviera
Maya. It’s a very large property, beautiful grounds, lots of dining
choices, Well appointed rooms (we loved the bathrooms, very modern), and
a great private beachfront. We found so many little places to hide if
we wanted privacy or if you wanted company, the pools are full of
activity. Oh, and the staff is the best in the world. It is always
their pleasure to make you feel at home. So, if you want the rock star
treatment – say olé to Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.
