THE REEF PLAYACAR BEACH RESORT & SPA, Playa del Carmen

The Reef Playacar Beach Resort & Spa is set within a natural jungle landscape with villas spread across tropical gardens and a cenote on site. The hotel's rooms come with private balconies and are housed in low-rise buildings surrounded by trees, where guests frequently see coatis, agoutis, and spider monkeys. Free ice cream is offered daily from 4 to 6 PM at the ice cream parlor near the main pool.

The resort offers a buffet serving American, Italian, and international cuisines with brunch, lunch, dinner, and high tea, plus breakfast with champagne, fresh pastries, and local specialities. Two à la carte restaurants-Mexican and Italian-require same-day reservations made at the lobby starting at 8 a.m., and both serve dinner. A late-night snack bar by the pools serves tacos, and the swim-up bar and poolside bar provide drinks throughout the day.

The on-site spa offers a Temazcal ceremony-a traditional Mexican sweat lodge ritual led by a shaman-along with body wraps, scrubs, couples massage, and a full menu of treatments including back, foot, head, and neck massage. Guests can use two outdoor pools (one with a pool bar and pool with view), a hot tub, sauna, steam rooms, and a fitness center. The hotel provides a full schedule of daily activities: aerobics, yoga classes, water aerobics, bingo, karaoke, live music, and themed evening shows like a Michael Jackson tribute.

The hotel's kids' club runs supervised activities and entertainment for children, and a separate kids' pool is available for young swimmers. Babysitting services can be arranged through the front desk, and family rooms with extra space are offered. The property is located within the gated Playacar community, and 5th Avenue shopping and dining is a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride away.

The resort sits directly on Playacar Beach, with the white-sand shore only a 4-minute walk from most rooms, and the hotel provides free shuttle service to its sister property, Reef Coco Beach. Playa del Carmen Maritime Terminal is 1.6 km away, ADO International Bus Station is 1.7 km, and Cozumel International Airport is 35 km from the hotel. The hotel offers airport shuttle services, car hire, and free parking, plus an ATM on site and a 24-hour front desk.

Jungle setting: Grounds built around a natural cenote with free-roaming coatis and monkeys

Dining: Buffet with champagne breakfast, Mexican & Italian à la carte, and late-night taco bar

Wellness: Temazcal sweat lodge ceremony with shaman, plus couples massage and sauna

Beach: Direct access to Playacar Beach within a gated community

Activities: Daily yoga, aerobics, karaoke, and Michael Jackson live show

Family: Kids' club with supervised activities and separate kids' pool