The Fives Oceanfront Riviera Maya - All Inclusive Optional
Family-friendly resort in Puerto Morelos. City View, Boutique.
Atmosphere
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Amenities
Traveler Insights(375 discussions)
The Fives Oceanfront occupies a genuinely appealing niche: boutique, suite-style luxury in Puerto Morelos, one of the most charming and underrated spots on the entire Riviera Maya. The rooms are the headline — you're in a full 1, 2, or 3-bedroom condo with a proper kitchen and living space, not a standard hotel room. For families, groups, or couples who want space to spread out, cook a simple breakfast, or just not feel like they're living in a hotel for a week, this setup is a revelation compared to the conventional all-inclusive model. The optional all-inclusive structure is genuinely useful: active days at the resort, evenings walking into Puerto Morelos for excellent local seafood.
The food and service are authentic strengths. Three restaurants serve well-executed cuisine with Caribbean views, staff are trained to be genuinely helpful rather than robotically courteous, and the beach club is clean and well-maintained. The biggest recurring frustration is the on-site timeshare operation, which guests describe as intrusive and aggressive from the moment of check-in. Staff approach guests claiming to be personal butlers, then the conversation becomes a high-pressure real estate pitch. Being prepared to firmly decline at check-in and decline any 'complimentary breakfast invitations' goes a long way toward protecting your vacation from disruption.
This resort is ideal for couples who want boutique luxury without full all-inclusive pricing, families who value space and a kitchen, and travelers who are drawn to the authentic fishing village character of Puerto Morelos rather than the Cancun hotel zone. It competes with properties like Secrets Silversands and Barcelo Puerto Morelos. Day trips are excellent from here: Puerto Morelos reef, the town's local market, and Cancun's Zona Hotelera are all within easy reach, as are cenote networks inland.
Pros
- +Spacious 1, 2, and 3-bedroom suite-style rooms with full kitchens, living rooms, and dining areas — feels more like a luxury condo rental than a hotel room
- +Puerto Morelos location is a genuine sweet spot: only 20 minutes from Cancun airport, but in a charming fishing village that's far removed from the Cancun hotel zone noise
- +The 'All Inclusive Optional' model lets guests choose between full all-inclusive or European plan — flexible for couples who want some meals out in town without overpaying
- +Food quality earns strong marks — the a la carte restaurants serve genuinely well-prepared cuisine with ocean views, and guests describe it as a step above typical all-inclusive fare
- +Private beach club with cleaned white sand, organized cabanas, and clear Caribbean water — no sargassum accumulation issues that plague northern Cancun beaches
- +Staff is consistently praised for genuine attentiveness — travelers describe team members as 'invested in making stays memorable' rather than going through service motions
- +Puerto Morelos town is a 5-minute walk away, with excellent local seafood restaurants, a small charming square, and a relaxed local market scene
- +Puerto Morelos reef (second largest coral reef in the world) is accessible right offshore — ideal snorkeling and diving without a boat transfer to a distant site
Cons
- −Aggressive timeshare sales operation on-site — staff approach guests at check-in claiming to be personal butlers, then pivot to real estate investment presentations with hard-sell tactics that multiple guests describe as ruining their check-in experience
- −Not enough sun loungers at the beach and pool for the number of guests — guests need to stake out chairs by 6:30am to guarantee a spot, a culture that rankles many visitors
- −Only two full-service restaurants on property with menus that don't change across the stay — by night five, guests run out of variety
- −All-inclusive pricing is considered poor value by many guests compared to buying individual meals — the flex model means you can fix this, but it requires research before booking
- −Room category mismatches at check-in have been reported — guests arriving with confirmed bookings have been placed in incorrect room types and needed to advocate to get the right accommodation
- −Pool hours end at 7pm, which is earlier than most comparable resorts and limits evening pool relaxation
- −Limited evening entertainment — the resort doesn't invest heavily in nightly shows or organized activities, which may bore guests who want consistent programming
- −The condo-ownership structure means some units have personalized furnishings that vary in quality from one room to the next — the 'identical luxury suite' experience isn't guaranteed
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Google Reviews
“We stayed at this resort for a week, and the experience was outstanding from start to finish. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by Diego, who truly made our stay seamless. He ensured that every single request we had was taken care of, and h...”
“So many highlights at this resort. Candido and Diego at concierge were outstanding. Anything you need, they’ve got you covered. So much amazing food and beautiful tasty drinks. At times service could be a bit slow by the pools but you can see they ar...”
“The hotel is beautiful, the restaurants serve delicious food, I especially loved the Ro Marley one. Coffee and pan and water readily available. The aesthetic is gorgeous, especially the pools and design….the ocean views on one side and city and tree...”