The Royalton Riviera Cancun: An Honest Review from a Family of Five

• Accommodation options: suites
• Name of accommodation: Royalton Riviera Cancun
• Location: Cancun, Mexico
• Price: from $302 per room, per night

Pulling up to the resort through a winding road surrounded by mangroves, you’re greeted by a gleaming lobby overlooking the shimmering turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. While the lobby is expansive, it’s nothing compared to the 840-suite hotel itself that is split into three distinct sections—Hideaway (the adults-only hotel), Diamond Club (the more premium part of the resort) and the standard section. I’ll admit that I got lost quite a bit on my first day but once I figured out the layout (each section is a U-shape that connects together), it was easy enough to maneuver around the resort with even my first grader confidently leading the way from pool to pool. 

Speaking of pools, there are a dozen different ones to choose from, including a few swim-up bar options plus a kids’ zone that had a shallow enough wading area for my 1-year-old, and slides and splash features that kept my older kids enthralled. Note: The Hideaway and Diamond Club pools are reserved for those guests only. We stayed in the Diamond Club and ended up lounging there for most of the trip since there were cabanas available for shade, plus a jacuzzi where my kids would happily have shriveled up into prunes all day had we let them. This area was also a nice mix of families and other travelers, although truthfully thanks to its size no part of the resort felt like it was overrun with little kids even though it was winter break.

Other amenities include a gorgeous spa (if you stay at the Diamond Club then a hydromassage session is included which I can highly recommend) and a casino on site that I didn’t check out.

The beach is Instagram-worthy with beautiful soft sand—I had read a few reviews beforehand that complained about too much seaweed but this wasn’t a problem during our stay and the beach seems to get cleaned pretty regularly, at least while we were there in the mornings. Insider tip: Get to the pool or beach early (like 7 a.m.) to snag a chair.

There are a few different options to choose from, all of which are all-inclusive, including a Luxury Junior Suite (starting at $302 per night), Presidential One-Bedroom (starting at $532 per night), Presidential Two-Bedroom (starting at $911 per night) or the Chairman's Two-Bedroom Suite (starting at $1,326 per night), all of which come with a balcony or terrace and an in-suite Jacuzzi tub. The swim-up one-bedroom Diamond suite was plenty big for our family-of-five with the kids comfy on the sleeper sofa and the two bathrooms especially helpful for washing off the beach. (While it was very cool to have our own little pool outside for private use, we didn’t actually end up using it since it was a little chilly and too deep for my kids to enjoy.) For all rooms, you’ll be given a bracelet for your stay instead of a key (great for me because I can never find mine in my purse).

There are 10 restaurants and 11 bars to choose from with something for everyone. The Gourmet Marché buffet is a no brainer for families and might actually have been my son’s favorite part of the trip (who doesn’t like pancakes, pastries, watermelon and sausage for breakfast?). The Caribbean Grill was another family favorite (we ordered the triple chocolate dessert for the kids but then had to order two more portions for the grown-ups because it was so freakin’ good) while The Hunter steakhouse was only OK (my brisket was decent, my husband’s ribeye was a little tough). But the clear highlight was Agave, the Mesoamerican eatery that had the most delicious guacamole with plantain chips and super flavorful shrimp tacos, plus a really fun vibe—book a reservation here as soon as you arrive to ensure you get a table. There are also options for poolside eating (the ceviche was excellent) but lines can be long and a coffee/ice cream shop for your sweet fix. I appreciated that everytime we sat down to eat, we were asked about allergies and nearly every restaurant had the option to sit indoors or out.

Everyone at the resort was incredibly nice, friendly and attentive. The Kids’ Club is from age 4 and up (although younger kids can go with a parent) and my 6-year-old had a blast every day making crafts, playing in the ball pit and meeting the on-site mascot. There are also other activities available for families who are more ambitious than us, like kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving lessons and cooking classes. We did do an exercise class in the pool that was the right level of exertion and fun, with an enthusiastic instructor who even let my kids join in. Download the Royalton app and you’ll see a plethora of activities happening around the resort every day, including dance parties by the main pool and a night market that’s great if you want to bring back any souvenirs without leaving the resort or panic buying at the airport.

Our butlers (a perk included with all Diamond level rooms) were thoughtful and responsive, keeping in mind my kids’ ages for various activities. While the service was top notch, I will say that it’s worth doing the online pre-check in before you arrive because even having done this we ended up having to wait a bit to check in (the Diamond Lounge does have a bar and buffet though which is clutch for hungry travelers and the margaritas really hit the spot after the flight!).

If you’re looking for a family-friendly, all-inclusive resort in Cancun that is close to the airport and offers spacious rooms, beautiful beaches, wonderful service and excellent restaurants, Royalton Riviera Cancun is for you. If you want extra convenience—and the best margaritas—then the Diamond Club is worth the splurge. As a polar vortex descends on the northeast, my family of five are still dreaming about the experience.