The Foop Police guide to Riviera Maya Hotels / Unique 20 87 Riviera Maya, an all-inclusive adults-only experience that feels personalized and sophisticated.
In historical notes, the beaches of Akumal were the first tourist destination in the Riviera Maya.
By la Tía Polís / Photos courtesy of Único 20 87
Long before Cancun was even a plan, Akumal was already the favorite destination of the Mexican Exploration and Water Sports Club. Its president, Pablo Bush, had arrived on its shores in 1958 when the area was a large coconut plantation owned by a local.
This is the chosen landscape to build the Unique 20 87 Riviera Maya hotel, an all-inclusive that pays homage to contemporary and cosmopolitan Mexican culture.
It's true that the comfort of an all-inclusive can be overshadowed by an experience filled with careless dishes and very low-quality drinks. This doesn't happen at the Unique 20 87 Riviera Maya, an adults-only all-inclusive where the team strives to create an experience so the guest doesn't feel like just a number. The hotel is owned by RCD Hotels, led by Roberto Chapur, a member of the Yucatecan dynasty whose history is behind the foundation of the iconic Palace hotels.
What can the guest expect from the Unique Riviera Maya Hotel?
Three types of rooms (ocean view, partial view, or with a pool) are very spacious, decorated with fabrics and natural materials. These rooms are where the hotel showcases its range of amenities: personalized minibar, Nespresso coffee maker, pillow menu, and aromatherapy, with nightly housekeeping courtesy to ensure your bed is ready when you return from dinner. You can even have your bathtub prepared while a cocktail is made on your terrace. All rooms have a jacuzzi on the terrace or a pool if they are on the ground floor. From the terrace, you might hear gatherings happening on other terraces, but inside your room, you'll be safe from the noise.
The beach is small and narrow, so your sun lounger will be very close to the sea. It's quiet and not heavily trafficked because the exterior isn't easily accessible. The hotel takes care of cleaning the beach of seaweed every day. The pools are spacious, and you won't see them overcrowded; in the main pool in the evenings, you can have a cocktail or a glass of wine while listening to the beach-focused electronic music played by the DJ.
And the food?
Four specialty à la carte restaurants (Mexican, Asian, Mediterranean, and beachside), a deli-café, 1 room service, 5 bars, and a wine bar can generally cater to the hotel adequately, although delays may occur in the restaurants.
The food quality is much higher than what you'd expect in an all-inclusive, and the room service might become a habit. This all-inclusive could easily compete as the best in its category. They change their executive chef every two years; last year, Lula Martín del Campo was in charge, offering meticulous contemporary Mexican cuisine. What's most surprising is the pastry, exceptional in all dining places. In different seasons of the year, they invite chefs to participate in the Superbia festival with high-end menu takeovers, which are included at no extra cost to the guest. All restaurants, except the beach one, require a reservation, although there's a possibility to dine on-site if you wait until 10 PM.
What about the drinks?
"Jaguar," not your average lobby bar, is the social heart of the hotel. Every afternoon, guests gather at the bar or in the seats for a drink before dinner. On the menu, you'll find renowned distilled spirits that won't disappoint you from day one. The wines are decent but not exceptional. Occasionally, you might find I Heart Wines in some dining places (not all), an accessible and well-made wine brand. Perhaps the included wine is its weakest link, but you can purchase other bottles at an additional cost. The cocktails are innovative and contemporary, and each bar has a unique menu.
Location of Unique Riviera Maya Hotel
This hotel is located in Riviera Maya, not Cancun. It is situated in the town of Akumal, a midpoint between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. With light traffic, the travel time from Cancun airport to the hotel is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, heading south towards Tulum. To travel to and from the airport, we recommend arranging a transfer directly with the hotel.
- Address: Mexico 307 KM 260, Solidaridad, 77710, Quintana Roo, Mexico
- Atmosphere and Vibe: Contemporary adult
- Type of Guest: Young adults or groups of friends seeking relaxation or quiet party and good food
- Types of Cuisine: Mexican, contemporary Mexican, Asian, Mediterranean, deli
- Vegan Options: Yes, at all dining places
- Pet-Friendly: No
- Suitable for Children: Children are not accepted
- Spa: Yes
- Gym: Yes
- Accessibility: Most parts of the hotel are wheelchair accessible
- Parking: Yes / Included
- Wifi: Yes / Included
- Check-in Time: 3 PM
- Check-out Time: 12 PM
- Additional Costs: Tips (advisable if you're seeking fast service), wines and liquors outside of the menu, reservation of poolside Balinese beds, cooking classes, champagne brunch, tastings, among others.
- Rooms Starting From: $550 USD per night for double occupancy
- Website for Reservations: https://www.unicohotelrivieramaya.com
