The Hilton Playa del Carmen is an adults only all inclusive on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Nestled in the heart of Playa del Carmen, the resort is a short walk from the famed 5th Avenue, known for its shops, restaurants, and nightlife. The resort also offers beachfront access to the Caribbean’s turquoise waters. Renowned for its central location, upscale amenities, and vibrant atmosphere, it has a AAA four diamond rating and is a favorite for couples, honeymooners, and travelers seeking a high-end, worry-free getaway. Last year we stayed at the nearby Hilton Cancun, and had a great experience, so we were excited to spend 4 days at the Hilton Playa del Carmen. Check out our our Hilton Playa del Carmen review to see if it’s worth booking for your next vacation!
How to Get to the Hilton Playa del Carmen All Inclusive Resort
While the Hilton Playa del Carmen offers a paid shuttle service between the resort and Cancun’s airport, I would recommend booking a shuttle with a company like USA Transfers or Happy Shuttle since it is often much cheaper, and the service is just as good. When I arrived at the airport and cleared immigration, I met the USA Transfers team who checked me in and called my shuttle driver who arrived in less than ten minutes. It was a seamless experience and I would recommend them to anyone needing airport transportation from Cancun’s airport. It’s about an hour drive from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen so bring a book or good playlist!
Welcome Experience
When I arrived at the resort, I was greeted with a refreshing beverage and a chilled towel which felt great in the heat and humidity! Since we are Diamond members, we had a separate check in area that had comfortable seating, snacks, and drinks. We had arrived a bit early and the resort was completely booked, so unfortunately our room wasn’t ready yet. However, we were still able to explore the resort and grab a bite to eat while we waited, and they stored our luggage for us.
Hilton Playa del Carmen Room Review
We booked a Junior Suite with a resort view but the property also offers pool view suites, ocean view suites, and swim up suites. All suites come with a double jetted tub, mini bar that is restocked daily, robes, private balconies, etc. They also decorate the doors of suites if guests are celebrating a special occasion or if they are Hilton Honors members, which is a nice touch.
Our Junior Suite definitely didn’t feel junior, spanning 650 square feet with plenty of natural light. The king bed had modern accents and the mattress was very comfortable. The large flatscreen TV had a range of channels and programming in multiple languages.
The star of the suite is the double jetted hot tub. It is massive and you could have a party in it!
The bathroom was large and featured double vanities, a pull out vanity mirror perfect for applying makeup, a hair dryer, and plush towels.
The shower and toilet were in a separate water closet, and the shower featured both a rainfall showerhead as well as a handheld shower.
There are plenty of features made for relaxation in the suites including an upholstered chaise lounge, a balcony with two chairs and a hammock for lounging.
The room also features plush robes and slippers for lounging and relaxing in, so we definitely made sure to take advantage of the small luxuries each day after spending time out in the sun and heat!
Hilton Playa del Carmen Restaurants Review
The Hilton Playa del Carmen has 8 restaurants, Spice (buffet), Kalamata (Mediterranean), Asiana (Asian Fusion), Rincon (Mexican), Maria Petrona (Mexican), Pelicanos (Caribbean Fusion), Barefoot (Healthy), and Chef’s Plate (Fine Dining Experience). There’s also 7 bars and lounges.
Restaurants and Buffets
Our first day we went to Spice for a late breakfast while we were waiting for our room to be ready. This is their global buffet restaurant. Most all inclusive buffets are pretty average, and we found Spice to be the same, with the food being a bit lackluster.
For lunch we went to Kalamata, the resort’s Mediterranean restaurant. I ordered the black pepper ceviche as an appetizer and the fish and chips for my main course. The black pepper ceviche was very fresh and flavorful but the fish and chips was a bit bland. I also ordered a cocktail and found it was a bit watered down.
For dinner we made reservations at Maria Petrona, the resort’s upscale Mexican restaurant. We were given chips and dip to snack on while we looked at the menu. For my appetizer, I went with the seafood tostada and for my main I ordered the chicken enchiladas. The surf and turf tostada was loaded with shrimp, octopus, and beef and was super flavorful. The enchiladas were fine but nothing to write home about.
My boyfriend ordered the pork which was very tender and had good flavor. It’s also massive so it’s definitely a dish to be shared among two people! For dessert we split the Tres Leches cake, but found it to be a bit dry. We also ordered cocktails with our dinner but found them to be quite average.
Unfortunately El Rincon (Mexican) and Pelicanos (Caribbean Fusion) were closed for renovations during our stay, so we didn’t get to try them out.
Other Food Options
We also stopped by the resort’s bakery and coffee shop, Aroma. They have a variety of pastries, ice cream, and coffee options.
Specialty Drinks and Bars
Later that evening we grabbed a drink at La Mejorada, a vibrant bar with specialty cocktails. I ordered the hibiscus special, and my boyfriend ordered the smoked old fashioned. The presentation of the old fashioned was fantastic, as we watched the bartender fill a glass container with smoke to infuse into the cocktail. The drinks at La Mejorada were probably the best we had at the resort, and not watered down, so we went back a few times.
The resort also has a Taquileria, pool bar, and 24 hour lounge with tv’s, games, and snacks. Overall I thought most of the food at the resort was just average, and the drinks as well (outside of La Mejorada) since they were often watered down and overly sweet.
Hilton Playa del Carmen Resort Amenities Review
Hilton Playa del Carmen Spa
Guests can relax at the property’s Innan Spa, and we decided to book their Day of the Dead special. It included a massage, body scrub, purifying body treatment, and access to the hydrotherapy circuit.
You are given a soft robe and locker to put your clothes and belongings in before starting at the hydrotherapy circuit which includes a dry sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool, hydro-tub, and snack bar. I was also given a face mask and cool towel while I relaxed in the hot tub. After the hydrotherapy circuit it’s time for massages and body treatments. The masseuse will ask if you’d like to add any upgrades to your package such as additional essential oils, but feel free to decline. My massage was very relaxing and left me feeling rejuvenated!
Resort Gym
The resort has a well equipped gym with cardio equipment, machines, free weights, and more. There’s also separate rooms with spin bikes, yoga mats, and other small workout equipment. After finishing your workout, you can enjoy a refreshing glass of cucumber infused water and an assortment of snacks. They also have fitness classes like zumba, spin, and yoga available.
Hilton Playa del Carmen Beach and Pool Amenities + Entertainment
Beach Access
The resort has direct beach access, but unfortunately, Playa del Carmen has been experiencing severe coastal erosion. This has left the beach at the Hilton Playa del Carmen quite small and limited. There’s a separate beach area for Diamond members with free cabanas, but the water reaches just a few feet from the cabanas due to the erosion. We didn’t notice any issues with seaweed though.
Pools
There are two main pools, one Olympic sized pool by the beach with two bars, and one on the other side of the resort that is much smaller and quieter. There are many sun loungers but it can get crowded during the day so you may want to get there early to secure a spot. They also have cabanas available for booking.
Entertainment
Since the resort is adults only, there’s definitely a great offering of entertainment options. At the pool, it was a nonstop party! The staff held a foam/bubble party with a DJ playing the latest hits. They also led dance lessons, conga lines, athletic challenges, competitions, and more! The party doesn’t stop at night, and there’s plenty of options for entertainment in the main lounge area. We saw guests participating in karaoke, playing giant Jenga and cornhole, and watching performances from traditional Mexican dancers and singers.
The service at the resort was great and we always felt well taken care of. The staff was very friendly and always looking for ways to improve the guest experience!
Overall Hilton Playa del Carmen Review
The Hilton Playa del Carmen is a beautiful resort. The rooms are refreshed, spacious, and modern, and the service was great. The entertainment and activities were also fantastic and the adults-only nature of the resort lent a different vibe that was both more relaxing and more entertaining. The pool areas are great, but it can be tough to get a chair in the middle of the day if you’re in a group. Also, beach access is quite limited due to coastal erosion and the food was underwhelming compared to the Hilton Cancun.
- Rooms: 8/10
- Food & Drink: 6/10
- Entertainment: 9/10
- Amenities: 7/10
- Service: 8/10
Overall Rating : 7/10
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