Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya — Hotel in Quintana Roo

Yup. This is a 5-star resort! A group of 14 friends and I decided to take a couples trip after many years of not traveling together, and we chose Secrets Akumal. VIP Vacations in Bethlehem, PA arranged everything for us!||Distance: It's quite a distance from the Cancun airport, and traffic heading south can be heavy at times. Expect the drive to take between 60 to 90 minutes. I highly recommend booking a private transfer to and from the airport and hotel. This way, you can avoid unnecessary delays caused by waiting for other passengers traveling to the same area.||Check In: The lobby is beautiful, and we were welcomed with cold towels and champagne. About half of our group’s rooms were ready upon arrival. For those whose rooms weren’t yet available, we headed to the buffet for lunch, and by the standard check-in time (3 PM), the rooms were ready. Each building has its own concierge desk. Your building's concierge will personally show you to your room and give you a quick overview. They’ll also ask you to download WhatsApp, which is used for easy communication during your stay.||Room: I stayed in the Junior Suite with a Tropical View. The room was modern and had everything I needed. There’s an iPad that you use to order room service, book spa treatments, and more, which was super convenient. One thing to note: the jacuzzi tub is right in the middle of the room between the bed and the bathroom area. There’s not much privacy when it comes to showering or using the toilet, so just keep that in mind depending on who you’re traveling with.||A lot of my friends upgraded to the Ocean View room, and honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it. The building they were in was the farthest from the beach, and with all the lush, tropical trees, the view of the ocean was barely there. If seeing the ocean is important to you, definitely go for the Oceanfront category instead.||Overall, the rooms are nice no matter what category you stay in. ||Staff: I can’t say enough good things about the staff, especially the entertainment team during the day. They were fantastic! Huge shoutout to Alan and Lizbeth (sp?). My group is pretty active so we took part in just about everything: morning stretching, aqua biking, pool and beach volleyball, the bartending competition, movie trivia, and ping pong. Some of the day staff was also night entertainment staff so they were excited when they recognized us. The concierge service was nice. I wanted to book my party for hibachi, and their assistance made it very easy. There was a small mix-up when we arrived at the hibachi restaurant and found another group already seated at our table. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but the hostess mentioned she had asked that group if they were part of my reservation, and they said "yes" which clearly wasn’t true, since my whole party was with me. Thankfully, the staff handled it quickly and professionally. They let the other group know they could still be accommodated in the restaurant, just not at the hibachi tables since they didn’t have the proper reservation. Thanks to my concierge, I had "the receipts" for my reservation in hand. Pool bartenders were always around and glad to help with drink and food orders. At one point, the males in our group were throwing a football, which was discouraged by staff, which totally made sense. To make up for it, they brought us some pool floaties, which I thought was a really nice gesture.||The Grounds: The lush, tropical foliage was definitely beautiful, but it also made getting around the resort a bit tricky. I found the signs confusing at times, and there just weren’t enough of them to easily find your way to certain spots. It was pretty easy to get lost or accidentally wander down paths meant only for staff. There is an APP that has a resort map, but found that to be pretty difficult to read as well. There are many animals around (ie, iguanas, raccoons, small capybara families, fish ponds) which are fun to see. As for the beach, it is just that time of year the sargassum happens. I'm sure when it isn't that time of year, the ocean is beautiful. A few of my friends did go on the sea turtle snorkel and saw 4 turtles just off the shore. There are several pools, with plenty of space for pool chairs. ||Food: Best buffet ever! There are so many food options at Market Cafe for breakfast and lunch. The best dinner was the Italian, and I tend not to find many resorts that do Italian well. The service was amazing here too. The least favorite was Oceana. It was just ok. Once again, the service was top notch. Two of my friends don’t eat seafood and, totally assuming, thought there would be at least a chicken or steak option. When they realized the menu was all seafood, the waiter kindly brought them both steaks! The Coco Café was perfect for satisfying my iced coffee addiction. One of my favorite things was the ice cream and fruit carts that came around the pool area. I pretty much ran when I saw the ice cream cart, then followed it up with mango on a stick. So good!||Spa: My partner and I usually like to try the hydrotherapy experiences when we're at a resort. For $175 for two people, we had an hour-long session. I’ve never been to a resort where the hydrotherapy pools and features were outside. A staff member guided a group of us through the different steps, which was also a first for me since I’ve never done hydrotherapy as part of a group before. While the setup was pretty and it was fun to try out all the different jets and bubble features, overall it was one of the less impressive hydrotherapy sessions I’ve experienced.||Here is a shorter list of pros and cons...||PROS: |- Staff is amazing!|- Food is overall very good. |- Rooms are clean and beautiful. |- Beautiful atmosphere. We kept saying that it made us feel like we were at the White Lotus Thailand! |- Fun activities both day and night. |- Lots of pools to pick from. ||CONS:|- The beach is affected by the sargassum (not a fault of the resort at all!). |- Grounds can be confusing due to a lack of directions or misleading signs. |- Far from the Cancun Airport. |- Sometimes the activities had limitations. For example, the “blackjack” activity only had one table with six seats, so if you didn’t grab a spot early, you were out of luck. Same with the water exercises. They only had five mats available, which made it...

This review will be unique because I will focus on my experience at the resort with my 22-year-old daughter who is handicapped after suffering 4 strokes. She wears a leg brace and gets around with a cane and scooter. I hope that my experience will be beneficial to others trying to decide if Secrets Akmal can accommodate their situation. We visited Secrets on May 7-13, 2025. This was our second trip in less than a year. Yes, it is that wonderful. The first time we went with another couple, but we were so welcomed and safe we decided to return for a mother/daughter vacation.||Prior to visiting the resort, I reached out via email to find out about their handicapped accommodations. Cesar Montoya, the Rooms Division Director responded immediately. He also checked in with us regularly while at the resort, and provided some fun surprises! They do offer handicapped rooms, but they are booked well in advance. I determined that a standard room would work because all rooms offer large walk-in showers with a bench. I did help her in the restroom and shower, but she was able to walk freely in the room once we picked up the rugs. She was also able to get onto the patio. There is a lip from the door that she needed to step over, but we were able to navigate that without much difficulty. We both loved eating our breakfast outside with a view of the pools and the ocean. The Akumal Crepes were our favorite! ||Cesar assured me that Emma would be able to navigate the property with her scooter and he was correct. She was able to drive her scooter along a wooden pathway that took us to the Balli beds which offer a front row seat to the ocean. We have never been able to get that close to the water so easily, even at beaches that bill themselves as handicap accessible. I knew before booking that the resort does not have a handicap pool lift or zero entry pool. This was one of my biggest concerns as Emma has difficulty walking up and down stairs due to the inversion of her left foot. Cesar was open to discussing the resort possibly getting a lift in the future...fingers crossed. Cesar alerted the staff to be on the lookout for us, and each day when we arrived at the pool, Osuna, David, the lifeguard, or another member of the staff would be there to help. Sometimes they would pick Emma up and carry her in and out, other times she would put her arm around their neck and they would assist getting up and down. They were very respectful and it was not awkward at all. And, it was a good way to make friends. The guests were also very willing to help. As for eating, Emma would drive her scooter directly into the restaurants. The servers were very accommodating.||On our first trip I had an amphibious beach wheelchair delivered to the resort. We parked it near elevator on the first floor of our building. Using the chair, we were able to get Emma out into the ocean. The lifeguard was standing by, but she was perfectly safe and had the time of her life. We have visited beaches in CA often since her injury, but she has never been able to get out into the ocean before. Honestly, the most challenging part of the trip was the transfers to/from the airport. We are still trying to find the best vehicle to make the trip more comfortable for Emma. The large steps to get into the shuttles prove difficult.||In summary, the resort is amazing. The staff (Karen, Cesar, everyone!) is phenomenal. If you ask directions, they will take you where you need to go, not just point the way. The food is wonderful. The shows were fun. I do recommend the Preferred Club. On our second visit, we were in the preferred lounge waiting for our room, and the bartender remembered not only us, but our drinks! Yes, it is more expensive, but the rooms are closer to the beach so the view will be better, it is a great place to grab a drink in the morning or before you go back to your room at night. There are always yummy snacks and cold towels, and the air-conditioning is the best at the resort. We will be going back, hopefully soon! I can’t wait to hear them say “welcome home”. A special thanks to Amanda Bordoy for recommending the...

Preliminary remark: For a review of my stay kindly watch my comprehensive video review on my YouTube Channel Truly Excellent Hotels & More (link can be found in my profile) & don't forget to subscribe for further reviews of Truly Excellent Hotels & More around the globe.

Nestled on the picturesque Yucatan Peninsula in Akumal, Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya is a secluded five-star retreat, just a 1-hour and 15-minute drive from Cancun International Airport. As part of the Hyatt Inclusive Collection, this adults-only resort offers an all-inclusive “Unlimited-Luxury” experience and received the AAA Five Diamond Award in 2023. The resort boasts 434 suites with views of lush tropical gardens or the Caribbean Sea. I stayed in a Junior Suite Ocean View King, featuring a king-size bed, flat-screen TV, sitting area, large desk, closet, and a furnished private terrace with an outdoor Jacuzzi tub. The bathroom included a hot tub for two, a separate rain shower, double vanities, and luxurious Le Labo toiletries. The view from our suite, while labeled as sea view, was dominated by the expansive tropical gardens and one of the main pools. Daily housekeeping and turndown service with complimentary chocolates and water, WiFi, a stocked minibar, and a Nespresso machine enhanced my stay. Breakfast at the Market Café offered an extensive buffet with freshly prepared Danish pastries, croissants, an assortment of breads, a variety of fruits and juices, cold cuts, cheeses, sashimi, smoked fish, vegetables, cereals, yogurts, and Mexican breakfast dishes. Hot breakfast dishes prepared at cooking stations included egg dishes, sausages, steaks, pancakes, and waffles with various toppings. The service was warm and attentive, with ample indoor and outdoor seating providing views of the tropical gardens. The resort features 12 pools, including an expansive infinity pool and several smaller, more intimate pools scattered throughout. The beach area, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, is perfect for a jog or a quiet morning stroll at sunrise and offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities. Preferred Club guests enjoy exclusive access to a dedicated beach area with enhanced sun loungers and cabanas available for rent. Dining options include nine restaurants and two bars. The Oceania Restaurant offers fresh seafood dishes like coconut-breaded shrimp with curry mango sauce and an exquisite seafood platter, with exceptionally friendly and attentive service. The Bordeaux Restaurant provides an elegant French dining experience with à la carte cuisine in a romantic, Moulin Rouge-inspired atmosphere. The Portofino Restaurant serves exquisite Italian cuisine in an elegant setting, complemented by live piano music and friendly service. The Seaside Grill, located adjacent to the main pool, offers à la carte grilled specialties but was somewhat mediocre compared to other offerings. The Himitsu Restaurant, while providing a Japanese dining experience, fell short in culinary execution and service. The Desires nightclub features a live DJ, an expansive dance floor, and an outdoor area with a cozy fire pit, offering a vibrant entertainment experience. The resort's nightlife is vibrant, with numerous evening events, guest activities, and corporate functions. However, those seeking tranquility may find the energetic atmosphere overwhelming. The Secrets Spa offers a luxurious retreat with rejuvenating body and facial treatments, hydrotherapy, relaxing massages, and pampering salons. The fitness center, tennis courts, and a compact office center enhance the resort's amenities. Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya is also a sought-after wedding destination, with its opulent atmosphere, breathtaking oceanfront setting, and extensive wedding packages. In summary, Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya combines Caribbean elegance with lively entertainment, featuring impeccably maintained tropical gardens, friendly service, and solid culinary offerings. It is ideal for guests looking for a dynamic...