Royal Hideaway Playacar

The adults-only, all-inclusive Royal Hideaway Playacar wows at first sight. A red carpet placed along a wide, airy hallway dotted with colonial-style benches, candelabra, and plants guides guests to a stunning, two-story reception area where the concierge welcomes them with a flute of champagne and a cool towel.

The old-world-inspired lobby is probably one of the most striking public areas in the hotel, with long, narrow windows showing off a beautiful garden view and a grand staircase that descends to the lower level, where guests can read one of the books borrowed from the hotel’s library. The reception area features a dome with a skylight, as well as elegant decor, including a couple of European paintings, and two wooden desks where guests are checked in.

Several two- to three-story buildings house the hotel’s 201 rooms and suites, all featuring upscale Colonial-style decor, swish bathrooms, and balconies or terraces overlooking the manicured grounds. Winding paths are dotted by fountains, man-made ponds, and palm trees that run between the buildings, making this all-inclusive feel smaller and more intimate.

Only adults 18 and over are allowed at the resort, and daily activities and entertainment are kept to a minimum, so those looking to spend a quiet vacation will probably find this to be more relaxing than many other hotels in Riviera Maya. However, note that the main pool area can get a little loud during the day, plus past guests have complained of loungers being reserved as early as 7 a.m. Fortunately, there are other swimming pools and the beautiful beach for lounging.

The Royal Hideaway is located on the southern end of Playacar, a resort community just south of Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya of Mexico. There are several high-end properties surrounding the hotel, but little else can be found within walking distance. However, Playa’s Fifth Avenue -- home to fantastic shopping -- is just a short 15-minute drive away. The resort is located on one of the best beaches in the area, with fine white sand, and turquoise waters.

It used to be the home of the Mayans and after that a small fishing village, but now Playa del Carmen -- or "Playa" as the locals call it -- is full of exciting nightclubs, popular restaurants, cute boutiques, and resort hotels that sit on lovely white sandy beaches. The closest airport is Cancun International Airport, which is a roughly one-hour drive away.

• One-hour drive to Cancun International Airport
• 15-minute drive to Playa’s Fifth Avenue
• 10-minute drive to downtown Playa del Carmen
• 20-minute drive to Xcaret Eco Theme Park
• 40-minute drive to Xel-Ha Park
• 50-minute drive to Tulum
• One-hour drive to downtown Cancun
• Two-hour-50-minute drive to Chichen Itza

The Royal Hideaway Playacar’s 201 rooms are housed is several low, yellow buildings surrounded by lush greenery dotted with fountains and small ponds. They have an elegant Colonial-style design consisting of dark-wood furniture, beige marble floors, and linens in white, beige, and robin’s egg blue hues. The overall look is attractive but on the traditional side. Furnished balconies or terraces offer garden or ocean views, and upgraded suites add loungers and hammocks.

Entry-level Luxury Rooms measure 528 square feet, while Honeymoon Suite Rooms are 1,270 square feet across two levels. Bathrooms are swish across the board, equipped with jetted tubs, separate walk-in showers, free toiletries, hairdryers, bathrobes, and slippers. Other standard amenities include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, free minibars, electronic safes, free fresh fruit basket upon arrival, iPod docks, and coffeemakers.

The two-level, 1,625-square-foot Royal Casita has three bedrooms, a living and dining room, kitchen, and hot tub on the terrace.

Royal Hideaway Playacar is located right on a beautiful white-sand beach, considered to be one of the best stretches in the area. It features lots of loungers with shades and bar service. It is adjacent to other hotels' pools, but it is normally quiet, as most people stay by the infinity pool, which has music and bar service.

The hotel features six swimming pools, two of which feature ocean views. The main infinity-edge pool overlooking the beach is the most popular one, offering bar service and music during the day. It’s the loudest of the pool areas, and can get crowded from early in the morning. In fact, many past guests have complained of loungers getting snagged by 7 a.m. Also note that pools do not have swim-up bars.

Those who want to relax might want to head to the garden pools, which don’t offer bar service and are mostly empty. They’re quieter and more private, and feature lots of loungers and tropical plants.

The Royal Hideaway’s Retreat Spa, located adjacent to the fitness center, is small and relaxing, with elegant decor and several treatment rooms. Spa services include massages and wellness treatments using high-end products and salon services.

The fitness center is divided into two areas, both with natural light and modern equipment. The other room, full of treadmills, has pool views. Free non-motorized water sports such as kayaking are available, as are two floodlit tennis courts, basketball, and games such as ping-pong.

Daytime activities and evening entertainment shows at the on-site theater are offered.

There are several meeting and event spaces, and personalized wedding packages are available.

Royal Hideaway Playacar features six restaurants -- ranging from formal to casual -- known for serving some of the best food in the area. They can get pretty busy, and reservations are not only required, but encouraged to be made way in advance, even before the trip. It's also worth noting that there's no buffet restaurant. Room service is available 24/7.

• Ventanas serves creative cuisine for dinner only. Foodies might want to consider booking the Chef’s Table (for an extra fee), which is an experience that allows guests to have a prime table in the restaurant’s kitchen and interact with the chef.
• Spices is a casual Mexican restaurant serving local specialties in an elegant room with ocean views. It is the only restaurant open for all three meals and does not have a dress code.
• Palazzo is the hotel’s Italian restaurant. It features outdoor seating and ocean views, and is open for dinner only.
• Club Royale offers theater dinner weekly.
• Azia Avant Thai is the hotel’s most lauded restaurant, and it serves Thai cuisine for dinner in a stylish space.
• The Grill is an a la carte restaurant open for dinner only.
• The Deck serves snacks, sandwiches and Mexican small plates for lunch in a casual atmosphere. It does not require reservations and has no dress code.

There are three bars at Royal Hideaway Playacar, serving free premium-branded liquor and non-alcoholic beverages such as sodas, water, and coffee.

• Bar Allegria has a nice selection of drinks, and outdoor seating. It is the only bar in the resort open late.
• The Piano Bar is an elegant space with a great cocktails menu.
• Las Ventanas Lounge Bar is located adjacent to Las Ventanas restaurant and is a great spot to grab a drink while waiting for your table to be ready, or for a nightcap.
• The Deck Bar opens after breakfast and closes before dinner, and offers drinks, cocktails and fresh juices.

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks at any of the restaurants
• Premium-branded drinks and non-alcoholic beverages at any of the hotel’s bars
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
• 24-hour room service with a short menu of small bites
• Concierge services in each of the buildings housing guest rooms
• Bar service at the main pool and the beach
• Two floodlit tennis courts
• Access to the fitness center
• Non-motorized water sports
• Daytime activities and evening entertainment
• Champagne at check-in