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SLS Playa Mujeres

Punta Sam, Mexico

4.3(1,099 reviews)

Family

SLS Playa Mujeres is the first all-inclusive in the SLS portfolio, and it brings the brand's sleek, nightlife-flavored style to a 498-room beach resort inside the double-gated Playa Mujeres community north of Cancún. It tries to serve families (Coati Kids Club, Teens Lounge, a kids' pool with slides) and adults who want something more stylish (the adults-only Twiggy Pool, a speakeasy, a nightclub and the 20,000 sq ft Ciel Spa) at the same time, which is harder than it sounds. The 400 meters of private beach is a real strength, and the area usually gets less seaweed than the Hotel Zone.

Traveler Insights

Pros

+The adults-only Twiggy Pool, with cabanas, cocktails and its own music, gives couples a genuinely calm escape from the family side of the resort
+Dining is a tier above typical all-inclusive food: 17 restaurants and bars including Fi'lia (Italian), Cleo (Mediterranean), Union (New York steakhouse), Caracol (Mexican) and the Smoke & Mirrors speakeasy, all included, with 24-hour room service at no extra charge
+The free Coati Kids Club and a separate Teens Lounge with their own programming, plus a kids' pool with slides and a splash zone, give parents real time off at the pool
+About 400 meters of private beach with complimentary cabanas and loungers, and Playa Mujeres generally sees less sargassum than the Cancún Hotel Zone (the resort runs a live beach cam you can check before you go)
+Pets are welcome, which is rare for an all-inclusive: dogs and other pets up to 18 kg, with a one-time USD 169 cleaning fee, though they are kept out of restaurants, pools and the beach
+A lively evening program of live shows, DJs, live music, an indoor cinema and a nightclub, plus marquee events such as Taste of SLS on October 30 and 31, 2026, headlined by The Chainsmokers and Bomba Estéreo and included with a stay
+Two SLS Sculpt gyms (one open 24 hours) with included fitness classes, plus paddleboards, kayaks and a sailing catamaran at no extra charge

Cons

−There is no lunch or dinner buffet: the only buffet is breakfast at The Market, and lunch is mostly poolside and outdoors, which is rough in peak summer heat for families with small kids
−Restaurant reservations are hard to get because venues rotate their opening nights; a July 2026 guest reported every a la carte restaurant fully booked for their whole stay, so book the moment you arrive
−Plenty costs extra on top of a premium rate: premium spirits and wines by the bottle, Ciel Spa treatments, motorized water sports, cabanas, childcare, golf and excursions, and guests report noticeable upsell pressure at the bars
−Children 4 to 12 carry a separate USD 80 per child per night charge, and guests describe the family pool and the shadeless kids' splash area as an afterthought next to the polished adults-only side
−Swim-out rooms sit along a winding river pool that several guests found too shallow to justify the upgrade
−Spring break weeks bring a high-energy crowd that families with young children may find more exhausting than fun

Food and drink is where SLS separates itself, when you can get a table. There are 17 venues, from Union's steakhouse and Fi'lia's Italian to Caracol's Mexican and the Smoke & Mirrors speakeasy, and 24-hour room service is included. The catch is reservations: restaurants rotate their opening nights, a July 2026 guest found every a la carte room booked for the whole stay, and the only buffet fallback is breakfast at The Market. Standard drinks are included, but premium spirits and bottles cost extra unless you book SLS Elite, which adds a butler, private check-in, its own pool and beach areas, premium spirits and priority dinner bookings. The pools are the kids' pool with slides, a family pool and Twiggy, open 9am to 6pm, and the swim-out rooms line a winding river pool. Budget for the extras: spa treatments, motorized water sports, cabanas, childcare through the concierge and a USD 80 nightly charge per child aged 4 to 12, plus a MXN 2,000 per day card hold for incidentals at check-in.

It sits between family mega-resorts like Moon Palace and strictly adults-only luxury like Le Blanc, and the adult experience is the stronger half; couples who want design, above-average food and variety, and who book dinners on arrival, get the most out of it. The airport is about 30 to 35 minutes away (roughly USD 50 by taxi), downtown Cancún about 25 minutes, and the Punta Sam ferry to Isla Mujeres and the El Meco ruins are minutes from the gate. Golfers can play the Greg Norman-designed Playa Mujeres Golf Club five minutes away, with tee times booked through the concierge at extra cost, and pet owners will find very few all-inclusive alternatives.

Common Questions

Is SLS Playa Mujeres good for families with young children?

It can be, with caveats. The Coati Kids Club is free, teens get their own lounge, there is a kids' pool with water slides, and babysitting is available through the concierge for an extra charge. But children 4 to 12 add USD 80 per night each, guests describe the family pool as an afterthought next to the adults-only Twiggy Pool, the kids' splash area has little shade, and there is no lunch or dinner buffet to fall back on. Families who travel in the cooler months and lock in dinners early tend to have the smoothest stays.

Is there a golf course at the resort?

Not on the property. Playa Mujeres Golf Club, an 18-hole, par-72 course designed by Greg Norman, is about five minutes away and serves the wider Playa Mujeres community. Golf is not part of the all-inclusive plan; the concierge can book tee times and rent Callaway or TaylorMade clubs, so budget green fees separately.

What is the beach like, and is seaweed a problem?

The resort has about 400 meters of private beach with complimentary cabanas and loungers for guests only. Sargassum can hit the Mexican Caribbean roughly March through October, but Playa Mujeres generally sees much less than the Cancún Hotel Zone, and the resort's live beach cam lets you check conditions before you travel. Paddleboards, kayaks and a sailing catamaran are included; jet skis and other motorized sports cost extra.

How far is the resort from Cancún airport?

About 30 to 35 minutes, roughly 17 miles. A standard taxi runs around USD 50, and the resort recommends arranging a private transfer ahead of time. Parking and valet are complimentary if you rent a car.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes. Pets up to 18 kg are welcome under the resort's pet policy, with a one-time USD 169 deep-cleaning fee and the owner responsible for any damage. Pets are not allowed in restaurants, pool areas or on the beach, so plan for time in the room or on walks around the grounds.

How does SLS Playa Mujeres compare to Excellence Playa Mujeres nearby?

They share the same stretch of the Playa Mujeres coast but serve different crowds. Excellence Playa Mujeres is adults-only with a much longer track record and more settled service. SLS takes families and pets and leans into a trendier, design-forward style with a nightclub, a cinema and headline events. Couples who want calm and consistency tend to choose Excellence; groups and families who want energy and variety lean SLS.

Restaurants (9)

Type	Restaurants
Buffet	The Market
Mexican	Caracol
Italian	Fi’lia
Japanese & sushi	Lotus
Steakhouse	Union
Mediterranean & Spanish	Cleo, Twiggy
American & grill	Bungalow
Pub	Hudson Tavern

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

Ferry to Isla Mujeres
11 min drive · 4.3 mi
Isla Contoy day trip
11 min drive · 4.3 mi
Playa Delfines
40 min drive · 18 mi
Playa Tortugas
25 min drive · 10 mi
El Meco Ruins
6 min drive · 2.1 mi
Museo Maya de Cancún
40 min drive · 17 mi

More things to do (24)

Catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres · excursion25 min drive · 10 mi
Downtown Cancún (Parque Las Palapas) · town14 min drive · 6.3 mi
Xoxi Cancún · adventure park40 min drive · 18 mi
Whale shark swim (June to September) · excursion11 min drive · 4.3 mi
Playa Las Perlas · beach20 min drive · 8.1 mi
Garrafón Park day trip (Isla Mujeres) · excursion25 min drive · 10 mi
Croco Cun Zoo · wildlife45 min drive · 26 mi
Playa Caracol · beach25 min drive · 12 mi
Riviera Cancún Golf · golf40 min drive · 18 mi
Puerto Cancún Golf Course · golf15 min drive · 6.0 mi
Playa Ballenas · beach35 min drive · 16 mi
Playa Coral · beach40 min drive · 18 mi
Iberostar Cancún Golf Club · golf40 min drive · 18 mi
Puerto Morelos reef snorkel trip · excursion55 min drive · 29 mi
Playa El Niño · beach8 min drive · 3.3 mi
Ka'Yok' Planetarium · museum20 min drive · 7.3 mi
Marina Puerto Cancún · marina20 min drive · 7.3 mi
Parque Kabah · nature20 min drive · 8.1 mi
Torre Escénica de Cancún · viewpoint25 min drive · 9.7 mi
Playa Langosta · beach25 min drive · 10 mi
Playa Gaviota Azul · beach30 min drive · 12 mi
Playa Chac Mool · beach30 min drive · 13 mi
Yamil Lu'um · ruins35 min drive · 14 mi
Playa San Miguelito · beach35 min drive · 15 mi

Amenities

Pets Allowed

Lazy River

Teen Club

Water Slides

Heated Swimming Pool

Adults-Only Pool

Arcade

Bicycle Rentals

Show 13 more amenities

Babysitting

Yoga Classes

Nightclub

Kids Club

Swim-Up Bar

Room Service

Water Sports Rentals

Free Wi-Fi

Nightly Entertainment

Buffet Dining

Spa

Gym

Beach

Style & Rooms

Atmosphere

BusinessRomantic

Room upgrades

2 Bedroom SuitesSwim-Up Rooms

Seaweed & sargassum

Cancun gets sargassum, typically worst May through August.See the month-by-month guide →

Every all-inclusive in Costa Mujeres & Playa Mujeres →

Google Reviews★ 4.3 · 1,099 reviews

ebo89

a week ago

“With the resort only being juts over a year old we were not exactly sure what to expect. The hotel itself is exquisitely designed throughout and tailors for both the families and adults at an exceptional level. The kids clubs, evening entertainment a...”

Diana T.

a week ago

“The SLS Playa Mujeres exceeded our expectations for a family friendly all inclusive resort. The resort grounds are luxury modern with beautiful landscaping all around. The staff here are phenomenal from the beach and pool service to the servers at th...”

Elizabeth D.

3 weeks ago

“This has been an incredible stay — hands down the best all-inclusive resort in Mexico. From the moment we arrived, everything has been absolutely top-tier. The service is unmatched, the food is amazing, the rooms are beautiful, and the grounds are b...”