Hard Rock Riviera Maya - An Honest Review

Located approximately 14 miles to the south of Playa del Carmen, this particular Hard Rock location has six swimming pools and rooms that come equipped with minibars, flat-screen TVs, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Enjoy luxury amenities like a private balcony, a hydro spa tub, and VIP treatment. To unwind, try the yoga temple, Rock Spa, or Body Rock Fitness Center.

If you are traveling with kids or teens, there are clubs with activities like singing and dancing that are tailored to their interests. On the other hand, if you prefer a more adult-focused experience, book a room in the Heaven section of the resort, where no children are allowed. Foodies will love the hotel’s 12 restaurants, which offer a wide variety of cuisine including wood-fired pizzas, savory snacks, upscale Mexican dishes, and French fare. If you want to party late into the night, visit Club Heaven for creative cocktails and modern music starting at 11 p.m.

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The all-inclusive package covers unlimited food and drinks from 6 restaurants and 2 bars, entry to 3 pools and a private beach, access to the Kids Club(s), and daily/nightly entertainment. However, using the spa services will require additional payment.

• View the hotel map of Playa del Carmen and watch live beach cameras. Also, explore Cenote Cristalino, Cenote Chaak Tun, Cenote Azul, and Cenote Jardin del Eden.

The Location

The Hard Rock resort is located in Riviera Maya, approximately an hour (or a maximum of 80 minutes) south of Cancun Airport Mexico. To reach it, you need to take the highway and look out for the resort on your left. Playa del Carmen still doesn’t currently have an international airport

The location of the resort in Playa del Carmen is great, as it’s set back from the highway and has a security gate at the entrance. Additionally, don’t forget to keep your eyes open for monkeys, as they can often be seen in the trees in front of the resort.

The Ambience

As you enter the hotel, the warm and cordial staff make you feel welcome. The hotel’s atmosphere is perfectly in tune with the Mexican paradise surrounding you. The modern infrastructure and everything within it are designed to provide you with the ultimate relaxation you seek.

The Rooms

The Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya has two sections: Heaven for adults only and Hacienda, which is suitable for families. The room categories are mostly the same, but Hacienda provides connecting rooms that offer additional space for families.

Deluxe Gold, Swim-Up, & Diamond: The rooms are available in two options – Deluxe Gold and Diamond. Both options offer king-sized beds and measure 482 square feet. The Deluxe Gold option has an additional two-double-bed option. Gold views overlook the gardens, Swim-Up rooms lead directly to the pool, and Diamond rooms offer the best view. All options have balconies with furniture and jet bathtubs next to the bed.

Deluxe and Rock Royalty Partial Ocean View: These rooms are similar in size and amenities to the ones mentioned earlier, but they also provide some ocean views from their balconies. If you choose the Rock Royalty option, you’ll receive additional benefits such as a 25-minute couples massage, a balcony featuring a hammock, a free beach bag, and priority for early check-in and late check-out.

Deluxe Sky Terrace: The high-floor rooms come with a spacious terrace that includes hammocks, lounge chairs, and a hot tub. On the Hacienda side, there is also a two-bedroom option available.

Rock Suites & Rock Star Suites: At this resort, the highest category of suites feature a personal assistant and offer plenty of space. You can choose between one or two-bedroom options, and all the suites come with amazing ocean views and spacious terraces to take in the scenery.

The Beach

The resort features a stunning sandy beach, ideal for swimming and relaxing. You need not fret about finding a spot since there are numerous sun loungers and umbrellas available. You may also engage in various water sports activities if you’re feeling adventurous, such as snorkeling or kayaking in the Caribbean Sea.

Restaurants and Dining

There are six places to eat and two bars to drink at in this location, so there’s a variety of options for everyone. If you like Mexican food, try the zesty guacamole at Frida. For delicious pasta and pizza, visit Pizzeto. To taste different specialty meats, go to Ipanema, which is a Brazilian steakhouse. Don’t forget to grab a chip and dip it into the guacamole at Frida!

Looking for something sweet to eat? Stop by Cafetto and choose from a variety of pastries and desserts. You can enjoy it with a cup of warm espresso. Additionally, there is a large thatched hut located in the central pool area that serves tasty snacks and specialty cocktails all day. For a more upscale environment, visit the Jigger + Shaker bar where they use local spices and homemade syrups to create delicious drinks.

Things to Do Hard Rock Riviera Maya

Don’t forget to wear your water shoes before heading out to the serene private beach. Just so you know, the beach is artificial and resembles a lagoon. However, it is ideal for kids and provides opportunities for snorkeling and kayaking.

You can choose between lounging on a comfortable beach chair or exploring one of our three pools. The central pool offers daily activities like water polo and pool volleyball and has a lively atmosphere. If you have children, you may want to consider the Rockaway Bay Water Park and Kids Club which has water slides, splash pads, and games to keep your kids entertained all day.

Take some time for yourself by visiting the spa for a calming massage or refreshing facial treatment. Afterwards, join the rest of your family for entertaining evening shows or live music on the beach.

Rockaway Bay Water Park

I wish we had visited this water park earlier! Rockaway Bay Water Park has activities suitable for all ages, and is open from 10 am to 6 pm. There are 9 slides designated for children and teenagers, 8 slides for younger kids, and 6 high-speed slides for teenagers and adults.

At the place you’re staying, there’s a snack bar that offers refreshing frozen drinks to help you beat the heat. The best part is that it’s already included in your stay!

Kid’s Club

All-inclusive resorts offer a kids club as a perk, where kids aged 4-12 can participate in various activities like magic shows, discos, games, face painting, and castle making. The Hard Rock Riviera Maya kids club allows parents to drop off their kids and offers a chance for kids to make new friends on vacation. The kids club is open every day from 8 am to 9 pm.

Things we loved:

• The resort is situated on a man-made beach that is exclusively owned, and it has white sand and suitable water for swimming. Additionally, there are some coves on the beach which can be used for snorkelling and kayaking.
• The rooms are both stylish and clean, featuring in-room jacuzzis and roomy balconies.
• The location is centrally located near many popular attractions such as Playa Del Carmen, the Tulum Ruins, and Xplor.
• There are six restaurants available for dining, serving Mexican, Italian, and Asian cuisine, as well as an international buffet.
• There are three pools available, out of which one is exclusively for adults and there is a separate water park area for kids.
• The property offers free WiFi that covers the entire area.
• The resort is enhanced with a fun vibe through rooms that have a rock-n-roll theme and walls adorned with memorabilia.

Things we didn’t love:

• For some people, the artificial beach may be a disadvantage.
• Although golf shuttles are provided, be prepared to walk a lot as the resort is quite large.
• The gym and spa are situated within the area of the complex that is intended for adults only.
• The rooms are on the smaller side when it comes to comparable resorts

Bottom Line: Hard Rock Playa del Carmen

This resort has a rock-n-roll theme and is located on the Puerto Aventuras coast. It is designed to help families make unforgettable memories. The resort has a large private beach that is great for swimming and snorkeling. There are also many activities and areas for kids, including water slides. The entertainment is lively and will impress the entire family. Additionally, exciting excursions to nearby historical attractions and ruins are only a short drive away.