The Lowdown

Modern minimalism abounds at this beachfront resort just north of Playa del Carmen. Each of the 72 suites and villas overlooks the ocean and features expansive living areas, elegantly appointed marble bathrooms and outdoor terraces with private plunge pools. Presidential villas come with their own private butler who arranges everything from tequila tastings to an aromatherapy treatment in one of the spa’s overwater bungalows to a moonlit dinner for two on the beach. Foodies will love the on-site market, where you can select fresh-caught fish and have it grilled right in front of you. You can laze by one of the two pools or gear up for world-class snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and sailing in the clear-blue Caribbean. There are four onsite restaurants, but we prefer the Mexican cuisine at Sabores, which has live opera music each week.

In the Area

On a quiet stretch of sand just 25 minutes north of Playa del Carmen, the resort is a great base for exploring Playa’s buzzing downtown and happening breach scenes. Don’t miss the shrimp tacos with the spicy verde sauce at La Floresta (between Constituentes and Juarez streets) on the southbound service road just underneath the Highway 307 bypass. For traditional Mexican, try Carboncitos (4 Norte, between 5th and 10th avenues), where the people-watching is as good as the flank steak burrito and $6 jumbo margaritas. Must-orders at the Italian-owned Piola (Calle 38 between 5th and 1st avenues) include the wood-oven pizzas and basil martinis, served in an intimate garden two blocks from the beach. A trip to the Riviera Maya is not complete without seeing the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, the seaside structures of Tulum and the jungle-fringed peaks of Coba. Need to escape from the sun? Book an afternoon with Protec Diving for a tour of Quintana Roo’s majestic cenotes, underwater cave systems that reach 100 to 200 feet in depth.