Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya — Hotel in Quintana Roo

We arrived around 12n on the Saturday before July 4th. We prearranged a private SUV meet & greet thru the hotel’s concierge and our guy met us immediately after exiting the airport, easy to identify and whisked us off to the hotel, 15 minutes later we arrived. Our luggage handled and we were greeted and immediately checking in seated comfortably in the lobby and the employees came to us.

My husband is Lifetime Diamond status with HHonors but there was no mention of that at check in. They gave us a lovely room on the 6th (top) floor, oceanfront, and almost on a corner-meaning down a long hall farthest from the elevator so very quiet! The room is absolutely lovely! Huge, lots of closet storage, couch, comfy bed, a foyer with bar, huge bathroom with massive shower with rain head and wall mount spray, a sunken tub on the balcony and still room for chairs and table, plenty counter space, 2 “makeup” areas, laptop sized safe, a desk/dining table with chairs, the AC worked great, marble floors, 65”TV, nice lighting throughout, 2x a day housekeeping, and most importantly to us… very quiet- we never heard a peep the entire week.

Restaurants- Chaya, Ja’o, Marpeque, Lobby Bar/Peacock Alley all were EXCELLENT! (Lunch at the pool noted below) Every evening we had pre dinner cocktails at Peakcock Alley and the bartenders were top notch, they have a small appetizer menu and live music nightly. Tons of seating and just a great lobby bar. The 3 dinner restaurants were uniquely different and delicious. Breakfast at Chaya we had 4x and each time the experience was awesome. The service at these 4 options are excellent at every meal. The chefs are creative and zero complaints. Expect $200-$300 plus tip per couple for dinner not including wine but we did have margaritas each night. You can dine inside or outside at each restaurant.

The hotel itself- the grounds, pools, spa, lobby, are luxurious and since so new, just beautiful! We loved the lobby having so many separate areas to people watch, grab a drink, relax and read a book, meet up with friends…you can have privacy or mix and mingle.

Clientele- couples, families (actually more families than we expected), young, middle aged, older, so anyone will feel comfortable. We didn’t see any work type groups during our stay which was nice. I don’t think I’d go as a “girls getaway” as you might not have other similar to chitchat with.

Pools- 2 huge pools (plus spa pool) with shallow shelf seating for tanning, beautiful blue/green tiles, large steps into the 4’ area, lots of comfy loungers, lots of umbrellas, lux landscaping, the top pool is near a pool bar/lunch spot, the bottom pool is beachfront and they set up a 2nd bar to help service the beach and pool overflow.

SPA- relaxing, quiet, we both had manicures and pedicures which were excellent. They have a quiet area, a large pool, a variety of massages & facials.

The beach- yes the water is brown and lots of seaweed BUT the sand is combed multiple times a day, the loungers and umbrellas are on the top portion of sand which we think is nice because you get a great view & breeze yet don’t have to deal with passer-by people. The hotel recognizes this and does everything in their power to limit the seaweed. There is a huge blue barrier that catches some of the seaweed and slows the waves down so you can stand-up paddleboard or kayak safely.

Service in general- most of the staff is well trained and really go out of their way to make your vacation the best it can be. Anywhere inside the hotel walls we experienced exceptional service.

Occupancy- so again it was July 4th week, and before the holiday the hotel was at 40% occupancy and after the holiday it dropped allot. There were times we walked our hall to the elevator and saw no one. We NEVER in 1 week rode an elevator with anyone…can you believe that!

You have allot of choices when coming to Cancun. If you are looking for a NEW luxury hotel, excellent restaurants, the clientele of a non-all inclusive atmosphere, low key, relaxing getaway with great service…check out...

A Five-Star Stay at the Waldorf Astoria Cancun

Our stay at the Waldorf Astoria Cancun was nothing short of exceptional, from the moment we arrived to the moment we reluctantly departed. The resort’s commitment to luxury, personalized service, and attention to detail sets it apart, making it a true gem in the Waldorf Astoria portfolio.

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Check-In & Service:

The arrival experience was seamless and elevated from the start. From the warm welcome by the bellhop, concierge, and front desk staff to the unique lobby check-in from a plush couch rather than a traditional front desk, every touch felt intentional and luxurious. A personal concierge guided us through the property and to our room, making for an incredible first impression.

As Hilton Diamond members, we were truly impressed with the recognition and perks, including a room upgrade before arrival, complimentary breakfast for two, and late check-out. The resort goes above and beyond to honor its loyal guests, reinforcing why we continue to choose Waldorf Astoria properties around the world.

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Rooms & Accommodations:

Our spacious two-queen room with a private plunge pool was beautifully appointed with modern tropical-inspired decor, offering a perfect balance of elegance and relaxation. Thoughtful details, such as personalized welcome macaroons, advanced lighting and curtain controls, and an overall well-planned layout, made our stay even more enjoyable.

A minor recommendation would be to add a sun lounger by the plunge pool for additional comfort, but overall, the room was spectacular. The only slight inconvenience was occasional Wi-Fi disruptions, but they were brief and did not detract from our overall experience.

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Dining Experiences:

The culinary offerings at the Waldorf Astoria Cancun were diverse and enjoyable. • Room Service: While convenient, the presentation of some dishes, such as the nachos, could be improved for ease of eating. That said, portion sizes were generous, and our kids especially loved the mac and cheese. • Breakfast: The complimentary Diamond breakfast was a wonderful perk. The yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit were excellent, and while not on the Diamond menu, the crab cake eggs Benedict is an absolute must-try! • Ja’o: This restaurant provided a fun and lively experience, especially with the live mariachi band on Friday night. While the raw tuna dish needed more balance, the overall service was fantastic. • Chaya: A true highlight! The key lime pie was a showstopper in both presentation and taste. Special thanks to Angelo, who provided impeccable service during both breakfast and dinner—we would absolutely request him again on our next visit.

One important note: While we expected high food prices at a luxury resort, the mandatory VAT taxes add up quickly, making food and drinks more expensive than anticipated. Be prepared for a higher-than-usual bill when dining on-site.

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Pool & Beach:

The pool area is the crown jewel of the resort. With breathtaking Gulf views, luxurious loungers, and attentive poolside service, it was pure relaxation. The staff ensured that our deck chairs were set up, drinks were always refreshed, and that we never had to lift a finger.

The only small downside was that the jacuzzis were lukewarm, but this was a minor issue in an otherwise perfect setting.

The beach was beautifully maintained, which was impressive given the resort’s Gulf location. While seaweed was visible in the water, the beachfront itself was pristine and well-manicured.

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Final Thoughts:

The Waldorf Astoria Cancun delivers an unparalleled experience, blending world-class hospitality, luxury accommodations, and serene seclusion. Whether you’re a Hilton Diamond member or a first-time guest, the attentive staff, stunning design, and unforgettable poolside atmosphere make this a destination worth returning to.

While dining costs can be high due to taxes, the exceptional service, elegant ambiance, and top-tier amenities make it well worth the visit.

We can’t wait to return! Five stars...

Let’s start by saying we are world travelers who have stayed at the most prestigious hotels and resorts in the world - including Jumeirah Burj Al Arab (Dubai), St Regis (Cairo, Egypt), Conrad Resort Over-Water Villas (Bora Bora), Four Seasons and The Saxon Hotel (Johannesburg South Africa), Waldorf Astoria (Bangkok, Thailand) and Sandals Over-Water Bungalows (Montego Bay, Jamaica) as well as a recent cruise on the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (ILMA Yacht). So that’s just to give an idea of my “likes”… while in my 40’s. (My husband could care less … Lol) |||We travel to Cancun at least once a month ….and stay mostly at all-inclusive resorts. But we are soooo happy we decided to try The Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya. This place was absolutely SUPERB. The service, smiles, accommodations and just going ABOVE & BEYOND was more than I could ever expect. The wonderful staff members will never tell you “No”. They only say yes.. are you ok .. do you need anything else… can I do this for you. Everyone always knew our name (but how?? Lol). And let me say, this resort is FIRST CLASS in luxury and prestige!! It is beautiful. Impeccable. Unlike any other resort in Cancun from the moment you enter the property. ||However, I must say this resort is EXTREMELY quiet and secluded. It’s not a party and dance resort at all. There’s no pool entertainment or lively music at the pool whatsoever. So if you come to relax and not have others invading your “peace” with loud, obnoxious laughing and screaming - this IS the place for you. It’s not a party resort at all. There is “lite” entertainment (a guy who’s pretty good on keyboard and decent vocals too) - in a small room inside the hotel with about 15 people as an audience. I didn’t see any other type of entertainment while I was there from Aug 29-31. ||Our first night, We had reservations at the Malpeque and the grilled oysters were amazing! My husband had the pork chops and he said they were very tough.. and I had the fresh catch of the day and it was also just ok. (but we didn’t say anything to the waiter about it so that’s our fault lol). However the service was still excellent! We ate at Chia for breakfast and the French Toast was amazing. I must thank our waiter Servanto for making sure my iced tea was strong enough. lol. I really appreciated his concern!! I also want to REALLY say THANK YOU SO MUCH to JORGE at the pool bar for giving us our “Tequila” lesson. He was so patient and kind. I will come back again just to see him for Tequila Lesson #2!! Then there was the SPA!! Omg!! The SPA was one of the most amazing spa experiences I ever had (and I visit the spa every time I travel outside the U.S.A). I’ve been to very elite spas worldwide - however, ALEJANDRO was one of the BEST spa technicians I ever had. That’s why I went to THIS spa two days in a row!! When I arrived, I was very fatigued from traveling. But Alejandro’s healing technique was SUPERB- which tells me this Waldorf only hires the BEST of the BEST!!! I also want to thank the concierge who reached out to me at least 4-5 times BEFORE I arrived to the resort!! They were ready and eager to accommodate our every wish long before we arrived!! I want to thank MAYRA so much for everything you did for us (our flight changed which caused a domino effect and she handled it in no time!). Thanks Natalia, Nat and Theresa. ||So with all those wonderful things - there’s One thing I want to add … and this is just a SUGGESTION … Maybe some live music at the pool during the day would be nice .. even if for only 2-3 hours. A nice small band or a soloist playing “beach vibes”. And maybe a live band in the evening (with some traditional dancing for entertainment) would be nice and not too “much” for the calm ambiance. Again that’s just a suggestion. Either way I WILL BE BACK VERY SOON!! Thank you so much again for a SUPERB...