Pros

  • Hip and upscale boutique hotel directly on La Quinta Avenida
  • Stylish, contemporary decor
  • Spacious, modern rooms with private balconies and large walk-in rainfall showers
  • Master Suites have separate living rooms and large terraces with whirlpool tubs
  • Chic rooftop terrace with an infinity pool and views over the coast
  • Several on-site dining options, plus cafe and poolside bar
  • Small on-site fitness room
  • Spa with sauna
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
See More Pros

Cons

  • Noise from busy Fifth Avenue is non-stop, year-round, and can be annoying
  • Not beachfront
  • Fitness room is small
See More Cons

Bottom Line

Opened in September of 2015, the upscale Live Aqua Boutique Resort is a hip, adult-only boutique hotel in downtown Playa del Carmen, situated right on the lively Fifth Avenue that's lined with dining, drinking, and shopping options. Its 60 rooms are spacious and feature minimalist modern decor, private balconies or terraces, and sleek bathrooms with large walk-in rainfall showers -- plus Master Suites have outdoor whirlpool tubs. The hotel has an expansive rooftop terrace with an infinity pool and panoramic views over the coast and city, as well as several on-site dining options. Other facilities include a small spa and fitness room. Those seeking something more family-friendly may want to consider an activity-heavy resort such as Azul Fives by Karisma, which offers plenty of features like five restaurants, a private beach, and a kids' club.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pool

Oyster Hotel Review

Live Aqua Boutique Resort Playa del Carmen

Scene

An adult-only upscale boutique with fresh, modern decor and panoramic views

One of the latest additions to Playa del Carmen's Fifth Avenue scene, the Live Aqua Boutique Resort is a hip boutique hotel with a minimalist, modern look. The focus here is on atmosphere, and Live Aqua delivers in spades. The ground level features a cute little pond with vegetation and wildlife, as well as canoes brought in from the state of Michoacán. The large wooden reception desk -- an uncut section of a giant tree -- sets the flavor for the type of decor you’ll see throughout: natural stones, woodwork, and plenty of travertine from Puebla. Just around the corner is the aptly named Mural Restaurant and breakfast nook, with a massive, hand-painted wall mural by Brazilian artist Eduardo Cobra. The spa and fitness room are tucked around the corner, but the bulk of the action takes place on the rooftop, which is home to a chic terrace and an infinity pool. 

Overall, this a hip place that caters toward couples. There’s not a lot of music or rowdiness going on; the pool was crowded during our visit and there were plenty of people on the terrace, but it was a low-key kind of group hanging out and having a good time. The surrounding music and nightlife of lively Fifth Avenue, on the other hand, can bleed through into the rooms during the height of high season, so light-sleepers should be warned. 

See More Scene

Location

In the heart of Playa del Carmen's Fifth Avenue

Set directly on La Quinta Avenida, Live Aqua is a five-minute walk to the beach, the ADO bus stop, and hordes of shops, restaurants, and bars lining this busy avenue. It’s about a five-minute drive to the highway, which will take you north to Cancun in about an hour, or south to Akumal and Tulum in 30 and 50 minutes, respectively. Cancun International Airport can be reached in about 45 minutes by car.

See More Location

Rooms

Contemporary and stylish rooms with modern amenities, private balconies or terraces, and sleek bathrooms

The hotel offers 60 rooms spread out across three different categories: Deluxe Rooms, Junior Suites, and Master Suites. Decor mirrors that of the property's common spaces, and the fresh, modern style pairs clean lines and cream tones with plenty of woodwork. Wood-like ceramic tile flooring provides the base, and continues into the bathrooms. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open onto private balconies and fill the spaces with plenty of natural light. All rooms have small glass-top tables flanked by stylish contemporary chairs in a pale lime green hue, while Junior Suites add large sofas. Master Suites have separate living rooms as well as chic, large terraces with outdoor furniture, potted plants, and outdoor whirlpool tubs.

Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, mini-fridges, electronic safes, and free Wi-Fi. Sleek bathrooms include hewn basins of black natural stone complemented by wooden soap containers, as well as large walk-in rainfall showers. Bathrobes and Somma bath products are included. 

See More Rooms

Features

Infinity pool and chic terrace, small fitness room, spa, and several dining options

The main highlight here is the hotel's rooftop infinity pool and stylish terrace space. Hanging chairs, rustic bar stools, wooden loungers with cushions, and covered beds provide a chic space for lounging.

The hotel offers several dining options, and all-inclusive rates are available. Mural offers a fusion of traditional and contemporary dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as themed dinners, while Dai serves Asian fare. There's also a rooftop restaurant serving sushi and tapas, as well as a poolside bar on the terrace and an intimate Chef's Kitchen restaurant. An on-site coffee bar serves various snacks, sweets, and hot drinks.

There’s a small fitness room on-site that offers a handful of modern machines, plus the hotel also has a small but lovely spa offering various treatments and a sauna. Other amenities include meeting and event space, bike rentals, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.

See More Features

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Things You Should Know About Live Aqua Boutique Resort Playa del Carmen

Also Known As

  • Hotel Cacao
  • Lat20 by Live Aqua

Address

5a Avenida Esquina Calle 32, Playa del Carmen 77710, Mexico

Website

Oyster Hotel Review

Live Aqua Boutique Resort Playa del Carmen

Scene

An adult-only upscale boutique with fresh, modern decor and panoramic views

One of the latest additions to Playa del Carmen's Fifth Avenue scene, the Live Aqua Boutique Resort is a hip boutique hotel with a minimalist, modern look. The focus here is on atmosphere, and Live Aqua delivers in spades. The ground level features a cute little pond with vegetation and wildlife, as well as canoes brought in from the state of Michoacán. The large wooden reception desk -- an uncut section of a giant tree -- sets the flavor for the type of decor you’ll see throughout: natural stones, woodwork, and plenty of travertine from Puebla. Just around the corner is the aptly named Mural Restaurant and breakfast nook, with a massive, hand-painted wall mural by Brazilian artist Eduardo Cobra. The spa and fitness room are tucked around the corner, but the bulk of the action takes place on the rooftop, which is home to a chic terrace and an infinity pool. 

Overall, this a hip place that caters toward couples. There’s not a lot of music or rowdiness going on; the pool was crowded during our visit and there were plenty of people on the terrace, but it was a low-key kind of group hanging out and having a good time. The surrounding music and nightlife of lively Fifth Avenue, on the other hand, can bleed through into the rooms during the height of high season, so light-sleepers should be warned. 

See More Scene

Location

In the heart of Playa del Carmen's Fifth Avenue

Set directly on La Quinta Avenida, Live Aqua is a five-minute walk to the beach, the ADO bus stop, and hordes of shops, restaurants, and bars lining this busy avenue. It’s about a five-minute drive to the highway, which will take you north to Cancun in about an hour, or south to Akumal and Tulum in 30 and 50 minutes, respectively. Cancun International Airport can be reached in about 45 minutes by car.

See More Location

Rooms

Contemporary and stylish rooms with modern amenities, private balconies or terraces, and sleek bathrooms

The hotel offers 60 rooms spread out across three different categories: Deluxe Rooms, Junior Suites, and Master Suites. Decor mirrors that of the property's common spaces, and the fresh, modern style pairs clean lines and cream tones with plenty of woodwork. Wood-like ceramic tile flooring provides the base, and continues into the bathrooms. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open onto private balconies and fill the spaces with plenty of natural light. All rooms have small glass-top tables flanked by stylish contemporary chairs in a pale lime green hue, while Junior Suites add large sofas. Master Suites have separate living rooms as well as chic, large terraces with outdoor furniture, potted plants, and outdoor whirlpool tubs.

Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, mini-fridges, electronic safes, and free Wi-Fi. Sleek bathrooms include hewn basins of black natural stone complemented by wooden soap containers, as well as large walk-in rainfall showers. Bathrobes and Somma bath products are included. 

See More Rooms

Features

Infinity pool and chic terrace, small fitness room, spa, and several dining options

The main highlight here is the hotel's rooftop infinity pool and stylish terrace space. Hanging chairs, rustic bar stools, wooden loungers with cushions, and covered beds provide a chic space for lounging.

The hotel offers several dining options, and all-inclusive rates are available. Mural offers a fusion of traditional and contemporary dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as themed dinners, while Dai serves Asian fare. There's also a rooftop restaurant serving sushi and tapas, as well as a poolside bar on the terrace and an intimate Chef's Kitchen restaurant. An on-site coffee bar serves various snacks, sweets, and hot drinks.

There’s a small fitness room on-site that offers a handful of modern machines, plus the hotel also has a small but lovely spa offering various treatments and a sauna. Other amenities include meeting and event space, bike rentals, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Business Center

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Mini Bar (with liquor)

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Swim-Up Bar

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.