Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya
Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya opened on December 1, 2022 after a full renovation and rebrand of the former Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun, and it has found a devoted following among adults who want quality over quantity from an all-inclusive. With 291 suites on the coast about 20 minutes north of Playa del Carmen, it is not trying to dazzle you with a dozen pools or a theme-park activity schedule; it is aiming for calm, elevated and relaxing. The Zen Spa, inspired by Mayan healing traditions, is a legitimate reason to pick it over competitors, and for World of Hyatt members the points value can offset much of the premium price. Note that there is no Hyatt Ziva next door; the nearest Ziva is a separate resort further north.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Adults-only policy creates a noticeably calmer atmosphere than family-heavy Riviera Maya competitors - guests consistently describe it as peaceful, unhurried and genuinely restorative
- +Zen Spa draws on Mayan healing traditions and has 10 treatment rooms, a beauty salon and an open-air hydrotherapy circuit - guests call out the massages as a trip highlight
- +Spacious suites in 12 categories that feel more like a boutique hotel than an all-inclusive block, including swim-out junior suites and oceanfront Club Level suites with private pools
- +Warm, attentive service that stands out in a competitive market - recent 2026 reviews keep coming back to staff remembering names and rooms that are well kept
- +Real dining variety for a 291-suite resort: Capri Grille for Italian and grilled cuts, Tempest with a sushi bar and teppanyaki tables, El Comedor stations, Lola Beach for lunch and Coffee Republic, plus 24-hour in-suite dining
- +World of Hyatt points integration makes this a strong value play for loyalty members, who can take a big bite out of the cash rate with an award night
- +Wide white-sand beach with calm, swimmable water, and crews out every morning raking sargassum during the season
- +Fitness center, aqua gym, water volleyball, sunrise yoga, tennis courts and non-motorized water sports like kayaking are all on site
Cons
- −Sargassum seaweed is a seasonal reality on this stretch of coast - roughly April to August the beach can collect a lot of it despite the daily cleanup
- −One zero-entry main pool (split by a walking bridge) plus a hot tub, so there is nowhere quieter to escape to if the pool scene feels crowded
- −Service struggled to keep up in the early months after the December 2022 opening, with hour-long restaurant waits reported, and slow service at Lola Beach was still noted in 2024
- −Premium pricing that some guests feel is not fully justified when food at specific restaurants is merely average rather than exceptional
- −Sitting at the sushi bar or teppanyaki table at Tempest needs a reservation because seating is limited
- −The location about 20 minutes north of Playa del Carmen is not walkable to anything - taxis into town run at least $40 each way, and Tulum, Coba and the cenotes need a car or tour
- −Nightly entertainment is pleasant but modest - live music and shows rather than the elaborate productions some premium all-inclusives stage
The practical experience is strong in most areas. Dining runs to Capri Grille for Italian and grilled cuts, Tempest for sushi and teppanyaki, El Comedor's made-to-order stations, Lola Beach at lunch and Coffee Republic, with the Olas swim-up bar, the Social mixology lounge and Legends Sports Bar for drinks and 24-hour in-suite dining on top. The single zero-entry pool is large enough that most guests never find it crowded, the beach is wide and well tended, and the spa's hydrotherapy circuit is a favorite. The trade-offs are real: one pool, seasonal sargassum, and a service rhythm that was badly stretched in the first months after opening, though dated reviews from mid-2026 describe attentive staff and well-maintained rooms.
This resort makes the most sense for couples on anniversary or honeymoon trips, adults who have done the family-resort circuit and want something quieter, and Hyatt loyalists maximizing points. It sits in the same premium tier as Secrets and Breathless resorts. The airport is roughly 35 to 45 minutes away, and Playa del Carmen, Tulum, the Coba ruins and the area's cenotes are all easy day trips with a rental car, a taxi or an organized tour.
Common Questions
How bad is the seaweed at Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya?
Is there a Hyatt Ziva next door to share facilities with?
Can I earn and redeem World of Hyatt points here?
Do I need restaurant reservations?
What is the food quality actually like?
Restaurants (3)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | El Comedor |
| Italian | Capri Grille |
| Teppanyaki / hibachi | Tempest |
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.
What's nearby
30 min drive · 12 mi
25 min drive · 8.0 mi
Playa Mamitas20 min drive · 7.3 mi
25 min drive · 11 mi
Xcalacoco Beach20 min drive · 4.4 mi
35 min drive · 16 mi
More things to do (18)
- Xenses · adventure park25 min drive · 11 mi
- Playa 88 · beach20 min drive · 6.2 mi
- Punta Esmeralda Beach · beach25 min drive · 5.8 mi
- El Camaleón Golf Course · golf14 min drive · 2.4 mi
- Museo del Chocolate · museum20 min drive · 7.1 mi
- Parque La Ceiba · nature20 min drive · 7.5 mi
- Frida Kahlo Museum Playa del Carmen · museum20 min drive · 7.4 mi
- Playa del Carmen Fifth Avenue · town20 min drive · 7.4 mi
- Voladores de Papantla (Parque Fundadores) · historic site20 min drive · 7.7 mi
- Playa Maroma · beach25 min drive · 6.5 mi
- Iberostar Playa Paraíso Golf Club · golf25 min drive · 8.1 mi
- Xplor · adventure park25 min drive · 12 mi
- Cenote Chaak Tun · cenote30 min drive · 9.6 mi
- Puerto Morelos Botanical Garden · nature30 min drive · 15 mi
- Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín Botanical Garden · nature30 min drive · 15 mi
- Delphinus Riviera Maya · adventure park30 min drive · 13 mi
- Puerto Morelos Town Square and Malecón · town35 min drive · 16 mi
- Leaning Lighthouse of Puerto Morelos · historic site35 min drive · 16 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Seaweed & sargassum
Playa del Carmen gets sargassum, typically worst May through August.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.3 · 913 reviews
“Our stay at the Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya was great! The views, room, pool, beach, spa, and activities were wonderful, and the staff were the real highlight. Everyone was kind, gay-friendly, and helpful (special shout out to Norma and Miguel at Lola'...”
“Our stay at Hyatt Zilara was overall a very enjoyable and relaxing experience. The service truly stood out — the staff was consistently friendly, attentive, and made us feel welcomed from the moment we arrived. The resort never felt overcrowded, whic...”
“Staff are exceptional and the service is 5 star. Beach is beautiful and cleaned often. However, wifi is non-existent especially for android users. They also don't have an umbrella service and the stationary palapas go fast. These are two things that...”
