Hotel Xcaret Arte vs UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya
Couples who want serious food at an adults-only all-inclusive narrow it to these two, then stall on price. Hotel Xcaret Arte is the art-filled campus near Playa del Carmen that bundles its sister adventure parks into the rate (16 and up; guests report timeshare pressure). Unico 20°87° is the Akumal boutique that trades spectacle for design-forward rooms and five restaurants.
Hotel Xcaret Arte
UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya
At a Glance
| Hotel Xcaret Arte | UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya | |
|---|---|---|
| Google Rating | 4.5 ★ | 4.6 ★ |
| Google Reviews | 5,734 | 4,363 |
| Price Range | $$$$ | $$$ |
| Resort Type | Adults Only | Adults Only |
| Location | Playa del Carmen, Mexico | Akumal, Mexico |
| Rooms | 900 | 448 |
| Brand | Hoteles Xcaret | Legendary Vacation Club |
| Vibe | Ocean View, Business | Trendy, Business |
| Room Upgrades | Swim-Up Rooms | Swim-Up Rooms, 2 Bedroom Suites |
What Real Travelers Say
Distilled from real traveler discussions and reviews for each resort.
Hotel Xcaret Arte
What travelers love
- +Included access to all Xcaret parks (Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xenotes, etc.) with free bus transportation - more activities than you could ever do in a week
- +Best food among Mexican all-inclusives - now home to Le Chique (1 Michelin Star, Latin America's 50 Best) led by Chef Jonatan Gomez Luna, plus Chef Karime Lopez (first Mexican woman to earn a Michelin star) running Xaak
- +Stunningly beautiful grounds with local art, unique architecture, and a winding lagoon/river you can float through the entire resort
- +Amazing coffee at Cafeteca that travelers say rivals or beats Starbucks, plus an in-house bakery and pastry program now led by Antonio Bachour (two-time World's Best Pastry Chef)
- +Adults-only (16+) atmosphere that's quiet and laid back without being boring
Common complaints
- −Significantly more expensive than comparable resorts - many travelers note it costs roughly double what other good AIs charge
- −Restaurant reservation system is frustrating - popular spots book up weeks in advance, leaving you eating at the buffet more than expected
- −Room categories and 'casa' system is confusing, and some room types can't access the family resort side
- −The beach isn't great - it's the weakest feature compared to pool-focused competitors
- −Aggressive timeshare/membership sales presentations that can waste an entire day if you agree to attend
UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya
What travelers love
- +Boutique scale with 448 rooms creates an intimate all-inclusive atmosphere that feels genuinely different from the sprawling mega-resort model that dominates the Riviera Maya
- +All rooms include Nespresso machines, well-stocked minibars replenished daily, pillow menus with aromatherapy options, and flat-screen TVs — in-room amenity quality runs well above the all-inclusive category standard
- +Four restaurants covering Mediterranean, Yucatan, Asian, and international cuisines with a casual beachside buffet represent real culinary diversity with high-end execution
- +Located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, giving practical day-trip access to both destinations without being in the middle of either's tourist crowds
- +The all-inclusive package accommodates food allergies and special diets at a level of competence that guests with dietary restrictions specifically praise
Common complaints
- −Service inconsistency has been flagged in recent 2025 reviews — room not cleaned for 30+ hours after check-in and room service coffee arriving 70 minutes late represent operational gaps that undermine the luxury positioning
- −The location between Playa del Carmen and Tulum is quieter than either destination — guests wanting easy access to town dining and nightlife find it more remote than urban-adjacent alternatives
- −At the upper end of Riviera Maya all-inclusive pricing, the service inconsistencies make value-for-money comparisons unfavorable in recent periods
- −The boutique scale that creates intimacy also limits amenity breadth — fewer pool options, fewer restaurant choices, and less entertainment variety than larger resorts
- −Peak season capacity at 448 rooms can still feel crowded at pool and beach areas given the property's compact footprint
Amenity Differences
Only at Hotel Xcaret Arte
- Buffet Dining
- Hiking
- Pets Allowed
- Snorkeling
- Water Sports Rentals
- Yoga Classes
Only at UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya
- Babymoon
- Bachelorette Party
- Known for Great Food
The Verdict
Arte costs about twice Unico, and the premium buys park admission and transport to Xcaret, Xel-Ha and Xplor, a lagoon to float through, and a speakeasy open until 2 or 3 a.m. Its beach is the weak spot, its restaurants book out weeks ahead, and guests who've done both split on the food, some rating Arte's buffet above its own restaurants. Unico is half the size, with rooms (Nespresso, pillow menus) and five restaurants carrying the stay, and a location that needs a taxi to reach anything; 2025 guests also flag slow housekeeping and flat service. A week built around the parks goes Arte; a three- or four-night food-and-pool trip goes Unico.
Choose Hotel Xcaret Arte if…
You'll actually use the zip lines, cenotes and park buses most days, and a 2 a.m. taco stand matters more than the beach.
See Full Details & ReviewsChoose UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya if…
A short stay, a swim-up suite at half the price, and a kitchen that takes food allergies seriously beat a park pass you won't use.
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