Pros

  • Located on Maroma Beach, one of Mexico's best beaches
  • Five restaurants and three bars, including 24-hour lobby bar
  • Welcome cocktail and self-service tequila bar
  • Lagoon-style outdoor pool with plenty of sunbeds and shady palapas
  • Tennis courts, soccer pitch, and a large fitness center
  • Spa with hot tub, sauna, indoor and outdoor treatment rooms
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Evening entertainment, including nightly disco
  • Well-marked nature trails through the mangroves for hikers
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Cons

  • Sprawling grounds: seven-minute walk from the beach to the lobby
  • No elevators and long walks between buildings
  • Pushy time-share pitch upon arrival
  • Some restaurants only included for Privileged guests
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Bottom Line

The 400-room, upper-middle-range Catalonia Playa Maroma is set on Punta Maroma Beach, one of the best white-sand beaches in Mexico. It is a slightly more personalized all-inclusive resort with an eco-friendly vibe, hacienda-inspired architecture, and plenty of space for families and couples alike to play, socialize, and relax. The resort offers plenty of sports, entertainment, water activities, and family fun, and the nearby offshore reefs and caves are nirvana for snorkelers and divers. Rooms are spacious and breezy, with well-maintained Mexican decor and private balconies. Guests can opt for Privileged status, which offers access to separate lounge and beach areas and includes à la carte restaurants, massage discounts, and other exclusive amenities. Be prepared for the time-share pitch upon check-in.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Catalonia Playa Maroma

Scene

Lively, family-friendly all-inclusive with hacienda-style architecture, right on the beach

Thanks to its acres of protected mangrove forests and five miles of white-sand beach, the Catalonia Playa Maroma doesn't feel like your average all-inclusive. The brightly-colored buildings are filled with rustic, Mexican-folk-art decor, and hammocks are scattered throughout the tropical grounds. The large and airy lobby continues the Mayan theme, with a vaulted wood-and-thatch ceiling, stone floors, and a pavilion area with cushioned banquettes and wrought-iron tables and chairs; its 24-hour bar attracts guests to lounge and mingle at all hours. The meandering, lagoon-style pool has a shallow kids' area and is home to activities like basic scuba lessons; the pool area can get lively and crowded during the day, with loungers filling up early. Fortunately, the beach is larger and there's less competition for space; Privileged guests even have their own, quieter area with waiter service. Hammocks are located around the grounds to accommodate afternoon naps.

Thanks to the five restaurant choices, the dining spaces rarely feel crowded, although the main buffet is included in the most packages, so it's most likely to be popular with families. The range of cultures represented in the restaurants' cuisine -- including Italian, Spanish, French, and, of course, Mexican -- is indicative of the hotel's popularity with European tourists.

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Location

Surrounded by mangrove forests and miles of pristine beach, 30 minutes south of Cancun

The Catalonia Playa Maroma is located on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, just 30 minutes south of the Cancun airport but worlds away from Cancun’s party scene. Its grounds are surrounded by mangrove forests -- popular for nature walks -- and spill out onto Playa de Punta Maroma, five miles of undeveloped white-sand beach suitable for long walks, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and sun worshipping. The offshore reefs offer world-class snorkeling and diving, and there are underwater caves nearby for enthusiasts. The popular tourist town of Playa del Carmen is around a 25-minute drive from the resort. Xcaret Park -- an eco-archeological park with Mayan ruins, a butterfly pavilion, riverboat rides, and swimming in a 1,590-foot cenote -- is a 30-minute drive away.

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Rooms

Spacious and clean, with Mexican-tiled bathrooms and private patios

Rooms at the Catalonia Playa Maroma are simple, spacious, and clean, with brightly colored, folky accents that evoke the area's history and culture. Floors are ceramic tile, and decor includes hand-painted mosaics, tile accents, and carved wood furniture. Bathrooms are generally up to date, if with a bit of water damage, and have hand-painted ceramic sinks and walk-in showers, but no tubs. The Honeymoon Room has a canopy bed and a more modern bathroom, with a stone-and-glass shower, two-person jetted tub on the patio, and lush gardens that come right up to the patio’s edge for extra privacy. All the standard amenities are provided, including flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, air-conditioning, and free bottled water. Buildings Five and Six are closest to the beach and pool, but farthest from the lobby and main restaurant. Building Four is the most private. It's worth noting that lower-category rooms are less recently renovated than higher-tier rooms, and some guests complain about the softness of the mattresses.

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Features

All the requisite all-inclusive offerings, including a beach and a pool, five restaurants, a full-service spa, 24-hour lobby bar, and kids' club

Despite its prime location, the Catalonia Playa Maroma resort offers everything on site. All-inclusive rate packages vary, but non-motorized water sports are always included; also included are snorkeling, kayaks, catamarans, beach volleyball, water polo, ping-pong, archery, soccer, and tennis (with lighted courts). The lagoon-style pool is surrounded by palm trees and sun beds and has a picturesque footbridge; the sprawling beach has plenty of umbrella-shaded loungers. Margaritas are available all day long, the MaLoo juice bar offers natural pick-me-ups, and the lobby bar is open 24-hours a day. There are five restaurants to choose from: the pleasantly not-generic El Pajarito, the main buffet, with garden views and outdoor seating; poolside grill and salad bar La Tortuga, set under a soaring thatched roof; Tio Pedro, the dinner-only, poolside Mexican restaurant; the rustic-inspired Toscana, with its Italian dinner menu; and the beachfront La Terraza seafood restaurant, not included in the basic rate. There's also a beachfront bar that serves crepes.

In a country of beautiful beaches, Playa de Punta Maroma beach is widely regarded as one of Mexico’s 10 best, with white sand so soft that swimmers don't even need water shoes, and two and a half miles of beach for wandering in each direction. The offshore reefs offer fabulous snorkeling and diving, and there are underwater caves nearby for enthusiasts. Privileged guests have access to a cluster of comfy beanbag chairs, and elegant double sunbeds with filmy curtains, with waiter service providing chairside snacks and drinks.

There's a large fitness center, as well as a spa with a sauna, whirlpool tub, and full menu of spa treatments, offered indoors or beachside. The entertainment staff leads activities for adults and kids throughout the day and evening, and there is a supervised kids' club, as well as a nightly disco for adults. The resort also has free Wi-Fi, a laundry room, and a game room.

See More Features
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Oyster Hotel Review

Catalonia Playa Maroma

Scene

Lively, family-friendly all-inclusive with hacienda-style architecture, right on the beach

Thanks to its acres of protected mangrove forests and five miles of white-sand beach, the Catalonia Playa Maroma doesn't feel like your average all-inclusive. The brightly-colored buildings are filled with rustic, Mexican-folk-art decor, and hammocks are scattered throughout the tropical grounds. The large and airy lobby continues the Mayan theme, with a vaulted wood-and-thatch ceiling, stone floors, and a pavilion area with cushioned banquettes and wrought-iron tables and chairs; its 24-hour bar attracts guests to lounge and mingle at all hours. The meandering, lagoon-style pool has a shallow kids' area and is home to activities like basic scuba lessons; the pool area can get lively and crowded during the day, with loungers filling up early. Fortunately, the beach is larger and there's less competition for space; Privileged guests even have their own, quieter area with waiter service. Hammocks are located around the grounds to accommodate afternoon naps.

Thanks to the five restaurant choices, the dining spaces rarely feel crowded, although the main buffet is included in the most packages, so it's most likely to be popular with families. The range of cultures represented in the restaurants' cuisine -- including Italian, Spanish, French, and, of course, Mexican -- is indicative of the hotel's popularity with European tourists.

See More Scene

Location

Surrounded by mangrove forests and miles of pristine beach, 30 minutes south of Cancun

The Catalonia Playa Maroma is located on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, just 30 minutes south of the Cancun airport but worlds away from Cancun’s party scene. Its grounds are surrounded by mangrove forests -- popular for nature walks -- and spill out onto Playa de Punta Maroma, five miles of undeveloped white-sand beach suitable for long walks, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and sun worshipping. The offshore reefs offer world-class snorkeling and diving, and there are underwater caves nearby for enthusiasts. The popular tourist town of Playa del Carmen is around a 25-minute drive from the resort. Xcaret Park -- an eco-archeological park with Mayan ruins, a butterfly pavilion, riverboat rides, and swimming in a 1,590-foot cenote -- is a 30-minute drive away.

See More Location

Rooms

Spacious and clean, with Mexican-tiled bathrooms and private patios

Rooms at the Catalonia Playa Maroma are simple, spacious, and clean, with brightly colored, folky accents that evoke the area's history and culture. Floors are ceramic tile, and decor includes hand-painted mosaics, tile accents, and carved wood furniture. Bathrooms are generally up to date, if with a bit of water damage, and have hand-painted ceramic sinks and walk-in showers, but no tubs. The Honeymoon Room has a canopy bed and a more modern bathroom, with a stone-and-glass shower, two-person jetted tub on the patio, and lush gardens that come right up to the patio’s edge for extra privacy. All the standard amenities are provided, including flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, air-conditioning, and free bottled water. Buildings Five and Six are closest to the beach and pool, but farthest from the lobby and main restaurant. Building Four is the most private. It's worth noting that lower-category rooms are less recently renovated than higher-tier rooms, and some guests complain about the softness of the mattresses.

See More Rooms

Features

All the requisite all-inclusive offerings, including a beach and a pool, five restaurants, a full-service spa, 24-hour lobby bar, and kids' club

Despite its prime location, the Catalonia Playa Maroma resort offers everything on site. All-inclusive rate packages vary, but non-motorized water sports are always included; also included are snorkeling, kayaks, catamarans, beach volleyball, water polo, ping-pong, archery, soccer, and tennis (with lighted courts). The lagoon-style pool is surrounded by palm trees and sun beds and has a picturesque footbridge; the sprawling beach has plenty of umbrella-shaded loungers. Margaritas are available all day long, the MaLoo juice bar offers natural pick-me-ups, and the lobby bar is open 24-hours a day. There are five restaurants to choose from: the pleasantly not-generic El Pajarito, the main buffet, with garden views and outdoor seating; poolside grill and salad bar La Tortuga, set under a soaring thatched roof; Tio Pedro, the dinner-only, poolside Mexican restaurant; the rustic-inspired Toscana, with its Italian dinner menu; and the beachfront La Terraza seafood restaurant, not included in the basic rate. There's also a beachfront bar that serves crepes.

In a country of beautiful beaches, Playa de Punta Maroma beach is widely regarded as one of Mexico’s 10 best, with white sand so soft that swimmers don't even need water shoes, and two and a half miles of beach for wandering in each direction. The offshore reefs offer fabulous snorkeling and diving, and there are underwater caves nearby for enthusiasts. Privileged guests have access to a cluster of comfy beanbag chairs, and elegant double sunbeds with filmy curtains, with waiter service providing chairside snacks and drinks.

There's a large fitness center, as well as a spa with a sauna, whirlpool tub, and full menu of spa treatments, offered indoors or beachside. The entertainment staff leads activities for adults and kids throughout the day and evening, and there is a supervised kids' club, as well as a nightly disco for adults. The resort also has free Wi-Fi, a laundry room, and a game room.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Fitness Center

  • Free Breakfast

  • Gameroom / Arcade

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Kids Allowed

  • Kids Club

  • Laundry

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.