Hotel Catalonia Playa Maroma
Family-friendly resort in Playa Maroma. Family, Mid-Range.
Atmosphere
Room Upgrades
Amenities
Traveler Insights(129 discussions)
Catalonia Playa Maroma's entire appeal can be stated simply: it's on Maroma Beach — one of the most beautiful stretches of sand on the Riviera Maya — and it costs a fraction of what Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun charges for the same shoreline. Travelers who've been to both describe the beach quality as identical (obviously — it's the same beach), with the resort experience being dramatically different in favor of Secrets. For travelers who care about budget more than resort amenities, Catalonia is the arbitrage play.
The resort itself is modest — food ranges from acceptable to forgettable, rooms are dated in the base category, and the property hasn't been dramatically renovated in recent years. Coatis on the jungle path to the lobby are one of the most charming small touches at any Riviera Maya resort — harmless wildlife that visitors consistently mention fondly. The path itself through tropical vegetation is beautiful.
Pro tip from travelers: book Preferred section only. The rooms are closer to the beach, the quality is meaningfully better, and avoiding the trek from base rooms to beach and back makes the whole experience more relaxing. For Maroma Beach access at budget prices, Catalonia Playa Maroma has essentially no competition — the next option is paying 3–4x more for Secrets.
Pros
- +Located on the same Maroma Beach stretch as Secrets Maroma Beach — one of the Riviera Maya's most beautiful beaches
- +Family-friendly on an extraordinary beach at a fraction of Secrets Maroma's price
- +Coatis (raccoon-like wildlife) on the jungle path to the lobby — a charming local ecosystem touch
- +Beautiful jungle-path walk through tropical vegetation between beach and main facilities
- +Preferred section rooms are close to the beach and worth booking
- +Solid budget-to-beach-quality ratio — Maroma Beach at an accessible price
- +Good snorkeling in Maroma Bay's natural reef
- +Quieter than larger Cancun and Playa del Carmen properties
Cons
- −Food is described as 'so-so' consistently — one of the weaker aspects
- −Not luxurious — rooms are functional but dated, not impressive
- −Sargassum affects this area seasonally — Maroma Beach has beautiful stretches interrupted by seaweed months
- −Base rooms significantly less impressive than Preferred section — avoid unless Preferred is budget-constrained
- −Not adult-only — families and couples share all spaces
- −Remote Maroma area means no walkable off-resort options
- −Entertainment and nightlife minimal — this is a relaxation resort
- −Bugs and natural insects are part of the jungle environment — expect this
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“Great hotel the only downside for us was entertainment. Events for kids are too late (starting 8:30 pm) and main event is 9:30. Our kids fall asleep after 15 mins of main event. For example at Riu we stayed last year, entertaining starts at 7 pm - mu...”
“We had a wonderful stay at Hotel Catalonia Playa Maroma and left with nothing but great memories. What we appreciated the most was the peaceful atmosphere of the resort. It’s a perfect place to truly relax. The swimming pool was very pleasant and ne...”
“I love the small resort I love the nature and all the different animals especially the monkeys. The food is amazing. The service is amazing. We have a beautiful room, private, secluded and nice. The guest services are nice. They came around helped us...”