Mexico hotel recommendations

[MiniCooperLover]

Hoping to go to Mexico late July 2021 with DH and DS (age 10, just). Want to stay in Caribbean side, any hotel recommendations? Also any news on recent stays about the stinky seaweed issues?

@MiniCooperLover
We’ve been twice, near Akumal, stayed at Grand Palladium in 2015 and Bahia Principe in 2018. Both resorts are big AIs with multiple pools etc. We preferred GP as it was more spacious and better cultured gardens and scenery.
There are literally hundreds of hotels of all standard, some AI, others not, boutique hotels, villas etc so it depends what you’re wanting.
We had young teens so a big Ai suited us at the time although now we prefer our own villa.
Lots to do and see in Mexico, swimming in underground rivers, zip lining, monkey sanctuaries, diving and snorkelling, very much an outdoor adventure place. We thoroughly enjoyed both our holidays there.
Both years had stinky seaweed although hotels make an effort to clear it. If you spend a lot of your time in the water, then maybe look at one of the Caribbean islands as some do not have this problem.

We had part of our honeymoon here after time in Mexico City (as a disclaimer, this was 15 years ago) - www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g150809-d259238-Reviews-Occidental_Cozumel-Cozumel_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

It’s on the island of Cozumel which is a short journey with very regular ferries off Playa del Carmen. We liked Cozumel as it as it was less built up than the mainland, jeep hire is easy and there’s a very large Mayan ruined temple complex in the centre of the island. If you like diving or snorkelling, the reef at the south of the island is great and this hotel is very close to it. It’s a very attractive hotel, huge rooms and a good range of food options. We did spot quite a lot of wildlife in the grounds too. It’s easy to get off the island to the likes of Tulum etc.

I am going in a week's time ( I don't live in the UK) I'm staying at the Ocean Maya Royale in Playa del Carmen. It's got a real mix bag of reviews, so a bit unsure if I've pick the right hotel . Can give you an update when I get back . Obviously with Covid the hotels are only 30% capacity and several restaurants are closed but that can be a bonus as less crowded.