Riviera Maya - Mexico

[juneau]

I've never been to this area before, DH went to Cancun but it was years ago, and we're thinking of taking a week's holiday there next year. What we're looking for:

• 4* hotel with water sports, kids club, good dining, spacious rooms, spa;
• not too far from either Tulum or Chichen Itza, and some nice rainforest for days out of the hotel complex;
• short (i.e. 1 hour-ish) transfer from airport;
• not in tacky large resort like Cancun and not the kind of hotel where there is music blaring by the pool all day, water aerobics, a kids disco, and dodgy musical entertainment every evening!

DH is not one for lying by the pool for a week - he likes diving, snorkelling and days out exploring. I'm happy to read a book in peace, but also like days out. We have two active little boys who will be 7 and 4.

If anyone can suggest an area or a hotel/resort that meets this fussy criteria, I'd be very grateful.

for luck!

P.S. Would also consider Belize or other Caribbean nation with direct flights from UK.

All the beachfront hotels in Riviera Maya probably meet your criteria. Fabulous beaches and good hotel facilities, all inclusive, gated properties with activities, transfer time from the airport under thirty minutes, but.... large American resort type hotels with predominantly American guests, which meant constant tipping which does become a pain. It doesn't feel like Mexico at all.

I stayed in the Now Sapphire, nice complex, fluffy towels and robes, three pools, lots of trips available- we did Chichen Itza (bit disappointing) and Tulum (stunning, incredible beach as well, little 'train' down to the site and small restaurants) and there is a range of activities around Cancun.

I personally wouldn't go back or recommend as a destination for children. (too many Mozzies and humidity when I was there in March and cost of trips if you want to leave the resort. Hire cars aren't recommended and you will see police checkpoints on the roads to Chichen Itza.) Taking the cost and travel into account there are much nicer resorts in the Caribbean, Cuba, Europe or even the mainland US if you want the American resort type hotel. We did have a fantastic holiday at a Hilton resort in Arizona quite a few years ago when the DCs were smaller. It had a water park with lazy river and we hired a car and went out to ranches, the Grand Canyon and Sedona.

Thanks eatmydust, that's interesting. DH is American and we've lived there, so that wouldn't be particularly alien to us, but if you wouldn't recommend it that's good to know. We usually do self-catering holidays in Europe and TBH that's much more our style than the all-inclusive type thing, but I'll look into other destinations. I know Cancun is very American, but if the whole coast is like that it does put me off. I'd been hoping it might be a bit Mexican! Will do some more homework I think.

We stayed at the Grand Bahia Principe in Riviera Maya for our honeymoon and it was stunning. It would meet all your criteria perfectly but I agree that the humidity and very strong sun aren't ideal for young children.

We stayed at Aventura Spa Palace in Riviera Maya and it was fantastic, loved every minute of it. But it was adults only.

However, have recently discovered that it has been taken over and refurbished as the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, and takes kids! So thanks OP, because I'm now going to see if we can go back with DD!

There was also a sister hotel that took kids and had a fabulous snorkle area, but I can't remember the name. Looking on Trip Advisor I think it might now be the Aventura Mexicana. Rooms were individual huts in the grounds rather than a tower block.

It was about 20 mins from Playa Del Carmen, an hour from Tulum, and I think about an hour from the Xel Ha water/eco park

That's a relief, LouisaJF, we are taking grandkids to Bahia Principe Tulum in August, so it is good to know you liked it.

Hi winklewoman. I like to think I'm quite picky and I honestly couldn't fault it. Everything is to a really high standard, the food is great, particularly the specialist restaurants and the wildlife is amazing. There are iguanas everywhere but we also saw raccoons, parrots and some strange little pig like things we couldn't identify. The fish along the shore line are pretty awesome too.

I am so jealous, I would live to go back!

Thanks, Louisa, I am very much looking forward to it. The kids will love the wildlife. We have stayed at various other hotels in the Bahia Principe chain, and agree with you that the standard is high.

Did you visit the Aztec ruins? If so did you go under your own steam or via an arranged trip?

We didn't visit the ruins but BIL did when he was there and loved it. I think the general advice is to go with the organised trips. We went swimming with the turtles which was an incredible experience, I can highly recommend it.

Organised trips probably sensible , Louisa, thanks. Aztecs figure in the GDs school work in the Autumn so we can't miss the ruins. I think the ones at Tulum are Mayan but they will have to do.

i've also stayed at the Aventura Spa Palace! loved it.

chichen itza was incredible. bear in mind you're no longer allowed to climbe the main pyramid these days (we went in the last year it was permitted).

*climb. no idea why i appear to have written that in Olde Englishe!