Anyone familiar with Cancun/Beach holiday Mexico?

[BlackberryBeret]

I'd like to go to Cancun or similar area (not too long a flight). I'd be going alone.

I hate 'big' cheesey resort hotels. I'd prefer somewhere smaller (I don't mean 10 rooms but more a couple of hundred and not than 500+ with all inclusive cavernous restaurants) with a good pool - preferably one you can properly swim in rather than an amusingly shaped paddling pool.

I've done my google research but not really getting a feeling for where is good or would fit what I'm looking for.

In my head, I want to go on Carrie's "honeymoon" in Sex in the City first film - but I know that was filmed in Malibu!

Anyone been?

We rented a ground floor apartment in Puerto Aventuras. We also rented a car so we could get around easily. We were about 30 feet from a good pool and 60 feet from the beach. Went to cenotes, ruins, beaches, Akumal Bay, Tulum etc while we were there. It was lovely and felt safe especially in Aventuras itself.

@Flower777 I was going to recommend the Sandos Caracol as well but I haven’t been there for 12 years! Glad to hear it’s still good

@dreichhighlands

Thanks - anywhere you'd recommend area wise if you aren't keen on Playa del Carmen? What's your views on Tulum?

I'd like somewher that is easy access from Cancun airport and not too long transfer time - that has good beaches and a luxury hotel with a nice pool area. Relaxing time is what I want!

Okay I've looked up the hotels,
For a single person I would stay here if I had the spare cash
www.banyantree.com/en/mexico/mayakoba
It classes it self as Playa del Carmen but isn't part of the town which is the area I didn't love.
Tulum itself is more relaxed and smaller scale development than Cancun.
But I didn't live in that bit of Mexico and different things suit different people so don't take my word too seriously.

Thanks dreich

I looked at that hotel and it looks really ideal but

Banyan Tree Mayakoba will be undergoing enhancements from July 1, 2019. We are creating new over-the-water villas and beachfront suites, and renovating Sands Beach Club to include two expanded oceanfront pools, an all-day-dining indoor and outdoor restaurant, a Raw Bar, a new Kid’s Club with a pool and more

Oh, that's a shame it was smallish and adult focused when we passed through it, we were staying at the adjoining Fairmont which was more family focused, larger and a bit cheaper.
Maybe look at the Rosewood which is the third hotel in the complex?

It looks so nice - it's fully reopening in Winter 2020.

It's still open now but I wouldn't be inclined to go during a refurb.

Thanks for your suggestions - I'll have a look.

I wouldn't go during a major refurbished either!
Building works are relaxing.

I second Storm11. Great place not too big and excellent food!

We stayed at the El Dorado Casitas Royale in Riviera Maya.

It's a gorgeous adults only resort, with more sun beds than guests! The AI package includes premium brand drinks and all of the restaurants we ate at were amazing.

If you stay in the "casitas" part, each section of rooms has its own pool, pool bar and butler, and you also have access to the "Royale" section with its larger pool.
I believe you can also use the facilities at the "Generations" hotel next door which is a family resort (but obviously the kids from there cannot come into the El Dorado resort