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Hotel Privilege Aluxes Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

4.6(3,639 reviews)

Adults Only

Privilege Aluxes earns its reputation as one of Mexico's best-kept secrets by combining three things that rarely align: a genuinely elite beach, an adults-only environment (14 and over), and staff who make returning guests feel like family. Playa Norte is not just the best beach on Isla Mujeres; it is regularly cited as one of Mexico's finest stretches of Caribbean sand, with shallow, bath-warm water as calm as a pool. Because it faces north and sits sheltered at the tip of the island, it also tends to catch far less sargassum in the summer season than the mainland Cancun and Riviera Maya beaches. Having the resort sit directly on it, with no young kids in the mix, is a real advantage over the big all-inclusive complexes on the mainland.

Traveler Insights

Pros

+Direct beachfront on Playa Norte, regularly named among the best beaches in Mexico: shallow, calm, turquoise water and powdery white sand steps from the pool deck
+Adults-only (14 and over) on an island that is already peaceful, so the combination with Isla Mujeres' laid-back pace makes for an unusually serene stay
+Staff loyalty and guest recognition are remarkable, with repeat visitors reporting staff who remember their names and preferences year after year
+Four venues with food well above the all-inclusive average: Sabor for Art Deco à la carte and the breakfast buffet, Satay for sushi and Thai, the hotel's own Playa Norte Beach Club, and the Pool Bar
+Standout suites: the Presidential, Grand Platinum and Wow Privilege categories each have a private rooftop or terrace pool, and the Premium Suite has a whirlpool bath on the balcony
+Two heated pools, three Jacuzzis and a wet bar in the main pool, plus free access to the Spa Mystique sauna, steam room and outdoor Jacuzzi
+Playa Norte faces north and is sheltered, so it tends to collect far less sargassum in the summer season than the mainland Cancun and Riviera Maya beaches

Cons

−The surcharge list is real: bottled wines and spirits, lobster, spa treatments, excursions, golf carts, snack platters and the Bali beds on the beach (860 pesos a day) are all extra
−Every bedroom has a single king bed and there are no twin rooms, which is awkward for friends traveling together; a single bed can be added only in a suite living room, at extra cost
−On-site entertainment is limited compared with the big Cancun or Riviera Maya resorts, so guests looking for nightly shows will find the pace slow
−A small hotel, so when it is full the pool area can feel crowded and the best loungers go early
−Noise from the nearby downtown can carry into some rooms, particularly on weekend nights
−Service is generally warm but not universally so, with slower service at the beach bar or restaurant noted at busy times
−Getting there means a van to Puerto Juárez and a ferry crossing; the hotel's transfer partner charges $103 per person round trip and must be booked at least five days ahead

The all-inclusive plan is more generous than most: food and premium drinks are included 24 hours, along with room service, Wi-Fi, the gym and the spa facilities, while bottled wine and spirits, lobster, spa treatments, golf carts and the Bali beds cost extra. Every rate includes breakfast even if you skip the all-inclusive. There are four venues: Sabor with its Art Deco room and breakfast buffet, Satay for sushi, Oriental and Thai dishes, the hotel's own Playa Norte Beach Club open 8am to 10pm for Mexican and American food, and the Pool Bar. The pool area has two heated pools, three Jacuzzis and a wet bar, and the top suites add private rooftop pools. Service is the most-praised quality, with repeat guests citing staff who remember their preferences. Note that every bedroom has one king bed and the property is entirely smoke-free, with no smoking areas anywhere.

This resort is tailor-made for couples who want a relaxing, intimate Caribbean stay without the sensory overload of a mega-resort. It is priced at a premium for a Mexico all-inclusive, but the location, intimacy and service are things the big-box Cancun properties cannot replicate. The island amplifies all of it: golf cart rentals, the sea turtle farm, Punta Sur, MUSA underwater museum snorkeling, seasonal whale shark swims and fresh seafood in the village are all within easy reach.

Common Questions

What does the all-inclusive plan cover, and what costs extra?

Food and premium drinks are included 24 hours, plus room service, Wi-Fi, the gym, spa facilities, the in-room safe and concierge. Bottled wines and spirits, lobster, spa treatments, excursions, golf carts, snack platters, laundry and the Bali beds on the beach cost extra. All rates include breakfast, so you can also book without the all-inclusive.

How do I get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun airport?

Allow about 45 to 60 minutes: a 20 to 25 minute drive to the Puerto Juárez ferry dock, then a roughly 20-minute crossing. The hotel's transfer partner covers the van, ferry tickets and the taxi from the dock for $103 per person round trip or $60 one way, booked at least five days ahead. Ferries run from Puerto Juárez between 5:30am and 11pm.

Is the Playa Norte Beach Club part of the hotel?

Yes. It is the hotel's own beach restaurant and is included in the all-inclusive plan, serving breakfast by reservation and then Mexican and American food until 10pm. Non-guests can pay 200 pesos for beach club access when occupancy allows, but that does not include the pools or food.

Can friends traveling together get separate beds?

Only in a suite. Every bedroom has one king bed and there are no twin rooms, but in a suite the hotel can add a single bed in the living room for an extra charge. Plan your room category around that before booking a girls' trip.

How is the snorkeling from the beach?

Playa Norte has calm, clear, shallow water but little coral directly in front of the hotel. The real snorkeling highlights, the MUSA underwater sculptures and Manchones reef, need a short boat trip, which the hotel can arrange along with diving trips and seasonal whale shark swims.

Is it a good choice for solo travelers?

Yes, though it skews heavily toward couples. Solo travelers report feeling welcome, the small size means you recognize faces by day two, and the walkable village makes solo exploring easy. Note the minimum age is 14, so you may see some older teens with parents.

Restaurants (3)

Type	Restaurants
Mexican	Playa Norte Beach Club
Asian	Satay Restaurant
International & fusion	Sabor Restaurant

From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.

Amenities

Heated Swimming Pool

Fishing

Diving

Swim-Up Bar

Snorkeling

Room Service

Free Wi-Fi

Nightly Entertainment

Show 4 more amenities

Buffet Dining

Spa

Gym

Beach

Style & Rooms

Atmosphere

City ViewBusiness

Room upgrades

Plunge Pool Rooms

Seaweed & sargassum

Isla Mujeres gets sargassum, typically worst May through August, and even then usually only light.See the month-by-month guide →

Every all-inclusive in Isla Mujeres →

Google Reviews★ 4.6 · 3,639 reviews

Susan H.

3 weeks ago

“We loved our stay at Privilege Aluxes. We were there over Christmas, and everyone was very helpful from the moment we arrived. We got there way before check in, so they kept our luggage safe and we put on our swimsuits and headed to the pool. The poo...”

Susan M.

a month ago

“We’ve stayed in all the well known resort areas in Mexico over the years and our favorite is Isla Mujeres. While on the island, we’ve stayed at a couple different properties, with the last five stays at Privilege Aluxes, and we have had nothing but w...”

Michael M.

a month ago

“An incredible stay! Everyone was so welcoming and ready to make our stay as positive as possible. The food was excellent at every place we ate (especially Satay, their sushi and meals were incredible) and the rooms were comfortable, spacious, and cle...”