Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya vs UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya
Couples set on adults-only between Playa del Carmen and Tulum who care what's on the plate end up weighing these two: Secrets Akumal, the Hyatt resort on the turtle bay with nine no-reservation restaurants, and Unico 20°87°, the boutique-styled all-inclusive nearby that guests book for the kitchen and the bar.
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya
At a Glance
| Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya | UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya | |
|---|---|---|
| Google Rating | 4.7 ★ | 4.6 ★ |
| Google Reviews | 4,757 | 4,363 |
| Price Range | $$$$ | $$$ |
| Resort Type | Adults Only | Adults Only |
| Location | Akumal, Mexico | Akumal, Mexico |
| Rooms | 434 | 448 |
| Brand | Hyatt | Legendary Vacation Club |
| Vibe | Modern, Romantic | 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.
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
What travelers love
- +Sea turtle snorkeling straight off the beach. Green sea turtles live in Akumal Bay year round, the resort hands out standard snorkel sets at no charge, and you wade out 50 to 75 yards to find them grazing on the sea grass. No boat, no tour, no extra fee, and it is the reason the repeat-guest rate here is so high.
- +Named the #1 hotel in the world in Tripadvisor's 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards, and it also holds AAA Five Diamond and Travelife Gold. Unusual company for a resort that is not priced like Le Blanc.
- +Nine restaurants and seven bars, all included, with no reservations, no wristbands and no cap on how many specialty dinners you book. Bordeaux (French) is the most formal and the one guests rate highest, Oceana has the best ocean views, El Patio does Mexican and Yucatan, and Portofino, Himitsu and the poolside Seaside Grill fill out the week.
- +Every room is a junior suite or larger, starting at 544 sq ft, and every one has a whirlpool tub for two, a rain shower, a daily restocked minibar at no charge, and 24-hour room service ordered on an in-room iPad that arrives through a privacy hatch in the door, so you never have to get dressed for it.
- +Three pools that each do a different job: the main infinity pool with the Manatee swim-up bar and afternoon DJ sets, an activity pool for water games and volleyball, and a genuinely quiet pool with enough loungers that you can read in peace. Two hot tubs as well.
Common complaints
- −One of the longest airport runs in the Riviera Maya, roughly 65 minutes and 57 miles from Cancun, and transfers are not in the rate. If your airline serves Tulum (TQO) it is only about 30 minutes away, which is worth checking before you book flights.
- −The beach is legally public, so non-guests and the occasional vendor walk through. It is not constant, but it does chip away at the private-resort feeling you are paying for.
- −Sargassum is the real risk and 2026 was the worst recorded season for the Mexican Caribbean. Quintana Roo hauled about 125,000 tonnes off its beaches between April and August, with out-of-season surges in January and March, easing through late September. Crews rake daily and the resort keeps the sand presentable, but a heavy landing beats them, and no month here is reliably clear.
- −The disco is the weakest part of the resort. Desires Music Lounge runs 10:30pm to 1am with a DJ and a dance floor, and the room is simply too small for 434 suites of people who want to dance after dinner. If nightlife matters, this is the wrong Secrets.
- −The fitness center is small and the equipment is dated, which is a jarring thing to find at a Five Diamond property. The included yoga and CrossFit classes are the better workout.
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 Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
- Archery
- Bicycle Rentals
- Buffet Dining
- Diving
- Fishing
- Snorkeling
- Tennis
- Walk-In Dining Available
- Water Sports Rentals
- Yoga Classes
Only at UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya
- Bachelorette Party
- Known for Great Food
The Verdict
Beach or kitchen. Secrets Akumal has a calm, clear cove with wild sea turtles reached with the free snorkel set, service owners praise most, and nine restaurants with no reservations. Unico is the food pick: guests say the food and cocktails would hold up on a night out at home, and rooms get Nespresso and pillow menus. But its beach isn't one you hang out on, the bathtub sits on the balcony in view of the pool, and service slipped in 2025; it usually costs less, and one guest who's done both still ranks Akumal first. Snorkelers book Secrets; eaters and drinkers who'll live at the pool book Unico.
Choose Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya if…
You want to swim over sea turtles from the sand, calm water, and nine restaurants you never have to book.
See Full Details & ReviewsChoose UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya if…
Dinner and cocktails are the whole point, a food allergy needs taking seriously, and you'd happily trade the beach for the pool.
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