Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya is the sleeper hit of the Riviera Maya all-inclusive scene, a resort that quietly outperforms expectations without the hype of the big-name brands. Set on a half-mile stretch of white-sand beach at Playa del Secreto with jungle behind it, this adults-only (18 and up) hacienda-style property has a peaceful, nature-integrated feel that travelers describe as 'coming home.' The crowd is relaxed and there to decompress rather than party. It's not flashy and it doesn't have a speakeasy or a FlowRider, but it delivers the fundamentals of a great vacation (food, beach, service, comfort) in a way that makes travelers feel they found a secret.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +One of the best values in the Riviera Maya, consistently delivering a premium experience without the big-brand price tag
- +Beautiful, well-kept hacienda-style grounds with lush tropical gardens, palapas and a serene jungle-meets-beach atmosphere
- +Adults-only (18 and up) with a relaxed, quiet vibe that draws couples who want peace without stuffiness
- +A half-mile beach with natural palm shade and plenty of beach beds, so there's no fight for chairs
- +Dinner without reservations: L'Alsace (French), L'Olivo (Mediterranean), La Hacienda (Mexican), Taman Sari (Asian), Ginger (Japanese), Mar & Lobster Pot and the Tierra grill are walk-in, and only the Ginger teppanyaki show needs booking
- +Every room has an indoor jetted tub, and the Golden and Emerald lines have been remodeled; the top-tier Diamond Suites (1,615 sq ft) add a second hydro tub on the terrace and an in-room EliteBAR with premium beer and wine
- +No wristbands required, just your room key card, which gives a more dignified, upscale feel
- +Staff are exceptionally friendly and personable, with many reviews highlighting specific employees by name
Cons
- −The resort is in a remote spot with nothing within walking distance, and airport transfers are a paid private service unless your package or booking offer includes them
- −Pool hours run only 7am to 8pm across three pools, there is no waterpark or showpiece pool complex, and the main pool can feel crowded during peak weeks, though the beach compensates
- −Entertainment is pleasant rather than spectacular: live bands and a DJ at Plaza Espana and nightly shows at the Palenque theater, but don't expect Broadway-quality production
- −The showpiece Diamond and Prive suites sit at the top of the rate card, so budget accordingly if the newest finishes matter to you
- −Strict evening dress codes at the fine-dining rooms (long pants and collared shirts for men, no sportswear or beach sandals) catch some guests unprepared
- −Mosquitoes can be an issue in the jungle areas, especially around sunset
The food genuinely surprises people, and the dining setup is refreshingly easy: the evening a la carte restaurants, including L'Alsace for French, L'Olivo for Mediterranean, La Hacienda for Mexican, Taman Sari for Asian, Ginger for Japanese, Mar & Lobster Pot for seafood and Tierra for American and Argentine grill, take no reservations, with only the Ginger teppanyaki show needing a booking. Le Marche handles breakfast and lunch buffets, Cafe Sisal does coffee and pastries, and a private romantic dinner is listed at US$289 per couple. Every room has an indoor jetted tub and the in-room minibar is restocked daily. The Golden and Emerald lines have been remodeled, and the top tier is the 1,615 sq ft Diamond Suites with a terrace hydro tub and an EliteBAR, plus the resort's newest category, the Dunas Private Pool Suites: 36 oceanfront suites, each with its own pool. Three pools (a quiet one, an entertainment pool and swim-up areas with the Earth, Heaven and Sun bars), free Wi-Fi in rooms and public areas, and a no-wristband policy round it out.
Valentin Imperial is ideal for couples who care more about relaxation, food and genuine hospitality than trendy aesthetics or party vibes, and it's the resort experienced all-inclusive travelers recommend to friends who are skeptical about the format. Compared to Secrets Akumal, it's less polished but usually more affordable with a comparable beach. Compared to Excellence Riviera Cancun, it's more nature-focused and less manicured. Day trips to cenotes, Tulum, Coba and the Xcaret parks are all within reach, and Playa del Carmen is the nearest town for a night out.
Common Questions
How does Valentin Imperial compare to Secrets or Excellence resorts?
Is the remote location a problem?
What room categories are there?
Do I need to make dinner reservations?
Is this good for a honeymoon?
How is the beach compared to other Riviera Maya resorts?
Restaurants (8)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | Le Marché |
| Mexican | La Hacienda |
| Italian | L'Olivo |
| Teppanyaki / hibachi | Ginger |
| Asian | Taman Sari |
| Steakhouse | Tierra |
| Seafood | MAR |
| French | L'Alsace |
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
35 min drive · 21 mi
30 min drive · 16 mi
Playa Mamitas30 min drive · 15 mi
30 min drive · 20 mi
20 min drive · 9.0 mi
Xcalacoco Beach25 min drive · 13 mi
More things to do (21)
- Xenses · adventure park35 min drive · 20 mi
- Xoxi Cancún · adventure park30 min drive · 18 mi
- Croco Cun Zoo · wildlife15 min drive · 9.3 mi
- Playa 88 · beach25 min drive · 14 mi
- Punta Esmeralda Beach · beach30 min drive · 14 mi
- Iberostar Playa Paraíso Golf Club · golf20 min drive · 4.5 mi
- Playa Maroma · beach20 min drive · 5.8 mi
- Puerto Morelos Botanical Garden · nature20 min drive · 7.3 mi
- Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín Botanical Garden · nature20 min drive · 7.3 mi
- Puerto Morelos Town Square and Malecón · town20 min drive · 8.9 mi
- Leaning Lighthouse of Puerto Morelos · historic site20 min drive · 9.0 mi
- El Camaleón Golf Course · golf20 min drive · 11 mi
- Museo del Chocolate · museum25 min drive · 15 mi
- Parque La Ceiba · nature25 min drive · 16 mi
- Frida Kahlo Museum Playa del Carmen · museum25 min drive · 16 mi
- Playa del Carmen Fifth Avenue · town25 min drive · 16 mi
- Voladores de Papantla (Parque Fundadores) · historic site30 min drive · 16 mi
- Moon Palace Golf Club · golf30 min drive · 19 mi
- Xplor · adventure park35 min drive · 20 mi
- Cenote Chaak Tun · cenote35 min drive · 18 mi
- Delphinus Riviera Maya · adventure park35 min drive · 21 mi
Amenities
Show 9 more amenitiesShow fewer
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★ 4.8 · 5,687 reviews
“This place was awesome! This was my first time in Mexico, and I didn’t want to leave! All of the workers/employees were so nice and welcoming; they really made my time here feel special. I know some Spanish and many of the employees encouraged me to...”
“I loved my experience here. The weather was great for this time of year. The beach was amazing and you can swim right from the resort. All the restaurants had amazing food and great service. You do not walk far without someone asking if you need a dr...”
“We got back from our honeymoon here a few days ago and WOW. Probably the best experience me and my husband have ever had! A hidden gem in my opinion. A lot of resorts we looked at seemed too modernized, and we really wanted something with the traditi...”
How It Compares
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya vs Excellence Riviera Cancun
Pools, walk-in dinners and a 20-minute transfer vs the better beach and jungle grounds.
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya vs Excellence Playa Mujeres
Better beach and walk-in dinners at Excellence, or a livelier pool scene and jungle grounds at Valentin.
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya vs Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
Valentin's jungle grounds and lower rate against Akumal's sea turtles, walk-in dinners and walkable village.
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya vs Haven Riviera Cancún
Valentin's beach, food and evening shows against Haven's 15-minute airport run and small, quiet feel.
