Photo courtesy Paraiso de la Bonita

 

Following the successful launch of Sanctuary Cap Cana in the Caribbean island paradise of the Dominican Republic, Marriott Bonvoy has upped the region’s all-inclusive offerings with two new sophisticated properties. Part of the luxury resort company’s ever-growing Caribbean collection, these hot new adults-only resorts in Riviera Maya are helping change the way travelers think about luxury all-inclusive experiences.

Both properties reflect Marriott’s strategy to capture luxury travelers seeking more than traditional all-inclusive offerings. According to company reports, their all-inclusive collection now features 40 properties spread across 23 destinations, with more on the way.

For Riviera Maya specifically, these additions complement the region’s evolution as a luxury destination, joining properties like Rosewood Mayakoba and Banyan Tree Mayakoba in offering experiences that go well beyond the beach-and-buffet model that once defined Caribbean all-inclusives.

Adults Only Resorts in Riviera Maya

Paraiso de la Bonita, Puerto Morelos

The newest addition to the portfolio, Paraiso de la Bonita opened its doors in January 2025 in Puerto Morelos, just 20 minutes south of Cancun International Airport. This adults-only property brings Mexican hacienda architecture into the modern era with 100 oceanfront suites, each featuring private balconies or terraces with direct views of the Caribbean Sea.

What sets Paraiso de la Bonita apart? Topping the list is its open-air Thalasso therapy center. One of just a handful in the Caribbean, its seawater-based treatments incorporate minerals and marine elements, a wellness approach that originated in Europe and is still relatively rare in Mexico.

Here for the food and drink experiences? The resort features six restaurants, from contemporary Mexican cuisine at Azul to Mediterranean fare at Oliva. There’s also a 24-hour in-suite dining service that includes full meals. Premium spirits encompass everything from Don Julio 1942 tequila to Hennessy Paradis cognac, while over at the Bonita Piano Bar you’ll find cocktails crafted by mixologists trained at Mexico City‘s Limantour, consistently ranked among Latin America’s top bars.

Chef-led experiences are also not to be missed. Highlights include hands-on classes in traditional mole preparation and ceviche techniques, while the resort’s sommelier conducts twice-weekly wine tastings featuring Mexican vintages from Valle de Guadalupe alongside international selections. The tequila program, overseen by a certified catador (tequila expert), explores the differences between highland and lowland agaves through guided tastings of small-batch producers.

Almare, Isla Mujeres

Eight miles off the coast from Cancun, Almare on Isla Mujeres brings 109 rooms to this small Caribbean island known for its laid-back atmosphere and pristine beaches. The property draws design inspiration from Ixchel, the Mayan goddess of fertility and medicine, who was particularly revered on this island.

The circular design of Alma Spa reflects this heritage, its seven treatment rooms arranged around a central meditation garden represent the Mayan belief in life cycles and renewal. Treatments incorporate indigenous ingredients like chocolate, honey, and copal resin, with therapists trained in traditional temazcal (sweat lodge) practices adapted for the spa environment.

Seasalt, the resort’s rooftop restaurant, occupies the entire top floor of the main building, offering 360-degree views that stretch from Cancun’s skyline to the open Caribbean. Executive Chef Marco Rodriguez, formerly of Pujol in Mexico City, focuses on seafood sourced from local fishing cooperatives on the island, with dishes like grilled octopus with recado negro (a traditional Yucatecan black spice paste) and whole snapper baked in banana leaves.

The rooftop infinity pool, exclusive to suite guests, sits 12 stories above sea level… high enough to catch cooling trade winds even on the hottest summer days. Water sports available from the beach include paddleboarding through the calm waters between Isla Mujeres and Cancun, snorkeling at nearby Garrafón Natural Reef Park, and sailing lessons on Hobie Cats.

 

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Bryan Dearsley is a luxury lifestyles writer, a prolific traveler, and the Founder of the Riley network of luxury lifestyle websites.