Best family hotels in Mexico: child-friendly resorts in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum

On Cancun's south shore, Moon Palace Cancun is a larger than life resort home to an impressive array of amenities that are sure to keep kids busy and entertained, making it one of the best family hotels in Mexico. Described by Mumsnetters as "incredible" and "hard to fault", this sprawling all-inclusive hotel is home to no fewer than 20 restaurants, seven swimming pools and a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course.

On the family facilities front, there's a dedicated children's area with a cinema, an arcade and even an ice rink, and there are kids' clubs that run every day for children aged 17 and under. The kids' pool features colourful waterslides and there's a on-site surf simulator and watersports to try your hand at too.

It's an expensive hotel but Mumsnetters think that the all-inclusive package offers good value, especially because premium drinks are included and rates cover room service which you don't often see.

Set in lush grounds, Moon Palace is right on the beach and the hotel offers free bike hire to explore the local area. The hotel puts you within around 20 minutes of Cancun International Airport and just over half an hour from Cancun itself.

In sun-splashed Riviera Maya, the Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal is a contemporary resort with a prime beachfront location. It forms part of the huge Bahia Principe complex which is home to four resorts and guests can use facilities across all hotels. Mumsnetters particularly like the Akumal for its coastal setting and beach access (some report spotting turtles hatching on the sands). Given that you can tap into activities across all hotels (note that the Bahia Principe Luxury Sian Kaan is adults-only), there's a staggering array of options to take advantage of including 15 restaurants and 24 bars. There's even a golf buggy to transport you around the grounds (handy for little legs).

The Akumal itself has three pools and there's a waterpark for kids. Sport facilities include tennis courts, football pitches and watersports like kayaking and snorkelling.

Mumsnetters note that beaches in the Riviera Maya can get covered in sargassum (seaweed) at certain times of the year but that the hotel does a good job of clearing it from the sand on a regular basis.

A 10-minute drive from Playa del Carmen, the Occidental at Xcaret Destination is a lush retreat that sits right next door to Xcaret eco park, a natural theme park home to underground rivers and tropical wildlife. Set on a white sand beach and surrounded by jungle, Mumsnetters love the gorgeous grounds and coastal access at this luxury hotel.

Food is another highlight for families staying on an all-inclusive basis at the Occidental at Xcaret as there are 11 restaurants and 10 bars to choose from. Oh, and seven different swimming pools to hop between including a saltwater pool and a dedicated children's pool. A kids' club offers daily activities for children aged 4-12 and babysitting services are available for an extra fee. Older children will appreciate the hotel's games room which is kitted out with consoles.

The hotel offers an impressive selection of excursions to attractions near and far including the Mayan ruins of Tulum, Xel-Há and Chichen Itza.

Around an hour's drive from Cancun in the beach resort of Riviera Maya, the Grand Sirenis is a luxury all-inclusive hotel with an impressive selection of pools. If your kids tend to spend most of the holiday in and out of water then this lush resort is a great option, not least because it has a lazy river that cuts through the hotel, something that Mumsnetters love.

There are also sunken loungers for cooling off in the pools as well as swim-up rooms if you're looking to push the boat out and spend even more time in the water. On dry land, there are nine restaurants to choose from including a steakhouse and a Japanese restaurant.

The kids' club caters for children 4 to 12 and a fun evening entertainment programme features thinks like quizzes, bingo and mini discos. Sports amenities include volleyball, football, kayaking and pickle ball.

There's not a huge amount to do within walking distance of the hotel but there's so much to do on-site to keep families busy, and the hotel can arrange a variety of tours and excursions.

Keep teenagers happy while you kick back and relax at the Hard Rock Riviera Maya. Mumsnetters rate this five-star property for its impressive array of things to do, from the on-site water park to a dedicated parkour area.

As with all things Hard Rock, there's music memorabilia dotted around the resort and a guitar menu for in-room jam sessions.

Set right by the beach in Riviera Maya, this fun-packed resort features lagoon-style pools and a waterpark with tube slides and chutes. Guests can also learn to dive in the on-site scuba pool. There's a kids' club for daily activities and music-themed events as well as a gaming lounge complete with a VR station, making it one of the best family hotels in Mexico for teens.

There's an adults-only zone if want to seek a little privacy but there are plenty of opportunities to come together for some family time including a choice of restaurants and bars, and a Body Rock Fitness Centre equipped with Pelotons and free weights.

Rooms come with luxury touches like spa tubs and 24/7 room service. You're also well placed for exploring the Riviera Maya coastline and Mayan ruins.

Heading to Mexico with little ones? Mumsnetters rate the Paradisus Playa del Carmen as a great option for young kids. Set on the Riviera Maya's coastline, this five-star all-inclusive resort features a dedicated Family Concierge area with a kids' zone, a private pool and beach area, a milk and cookies turn down service, a child-friendly mini bar and kid-sized bathrobes and slippers.

Beyond the family area, the resort features huge lagoon pools, a luxurious spa and fun activities like tequila tasting and dance classes. The splashpark and water slides are popular, as are the kids' clubs and games room.

On the food front you can hop between 14 dining options including a pizzeria, a taco spot and an Asian-fusion restaurant. The open-air bar brings everyone together in the evenings.

The lush hotel is surrounded by mangrove forests and offers direct access to a white sand beach on the Riviera Maya.

For a quieter escape away from Mexico's busy beach resorts, consider a stay at the Occidental Cozumel on the island of Cozumel. You'll be surrounded by the Caribbean sea and coral reefs so it's an excellent spot for swimming and diving.

Surrounded by lush jungle, this colourful low-rise resort has more of a traditional look and feel than some of the sprawling resorts on the mainland and Mumsnetters appreciate its less-touristy location.

This all-inclusive resorts gives you access to seven restaurants including a beachfront spot and a Mexican dining room, and alongside unlimited food and drink, the rate also covers 24-hour room service.

Active types will enjoy the tennis courts, pickle ball courts and daily kayak tours and there are three outdoor pools to take a dip in. The kids' club offers supervised activities for children aged 4 to 12.

You could easily spend your entire stay on this gorgeous island but the hotel has a dedicated desk for help with booking excursions to see more of Mexico.

Mumsnetters love Tulum for its beautiful beaches and laid-back feel. If you're considering heading to this coastal town in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, it's well worth checking out Dreams Tulum.

One of the best things that Mumsnet users love about this beachfront resort is the array of activities on offer including watersports like kayaking, catamaran rides, snorkelling and scuba diving.

The kids' club offers a daily roster of activities like arts and crafts, rock climbing and films on the beach. Although little ones will probably want to spend most of their time at the waterpark which features waterslides and a splashpark.

There's a choice of eight restaurants where you can make the most of your all-inclusive dining package - the seafood grill and teppanyaki restaurant are highlights.

The hotel puts you within easy reach of Tulum's Mayan ruins and the area's beautiful white sand beaches.