If you’re planning a family trip to Mexico’s Riviera Maya and want a beachfront resort that blends modern design, kid-friendly amenities, and World of Hyatt redemption opportunities, the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort might catch your eye. This Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen review covers everything from its sleek architecture and fantastic location near Fifth Avenue to the infinity pools overlooking the Caribbean that make a strong first impression.
But does the resort deliver the five-star experience Hyatt promises, especially for families traveling over the holidays? We spent five nights here over Christmas with our kids and are sharing exactly what worked, what didn’t, and what to know before you book.
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How to book the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen on points
We booked our stay at the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen using Hyatt on points, which we transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. As a Category 6 World of Hyatt property, it costs 21,000 points per night off-peak, 25,000 points per night during standard dates, and 29,000 points per night at peak.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
You can earn a signup BONUS of 75,000 Ultimate Rewards Points when you sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card and spend $5,000 in the first three months of card membership. This bonus alone is worth at least $1,500 in travel rewards when transferred to travel partners such as Hyatt!
REWARDS RATE
1x-5x
BONUS VALUE
$1,500
SIGN-UP BONUS
75,000 points
ANNUAL FEE
$95
We redeemed 5 nights over Christmas using Hyatt points, and also used a Suite Upgrade Award to confirm a Grand Suite King, a fantastic use of perks when traveling with kids and needing extra room.
If you’re aiming to redeem a Hyatt Suite Upgrade Award or book this property on points during busy travel periods like winter break or spring, plan early to snag availability in advance.
How far is Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen from the airport?
The Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen is about 55 km (roughly 50 minutes) from Cancún International Airport (CUN). We arranged a private shuttle through the hotel, which made the process easy and smooth, especially after a long flight with kids.
If you’re arriving during peak hours, it’s worth budgeting a little extra time for traffic, but overall the ride was comfortable and straightforward. You can also book airport transfers independently or take the ADO bus into town and grab a quick taxi from there, but we appreciated the convenience of having everything set up in advance.
Check in and first impressions
We arrived on Christmas Day and were greeted with a festive lobby full of guests; the resort was clearly at full capacity. The design here is striking, with dramatic wooden walkways, open-air architecture, and a seamless indoor-outdoor vibe that sets the tone.
To our surprise and delight, we were upgraded to a Premium Suite at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen, the Plunge Pool Suite, which gave us a little extra space (and privacy) for our family of four
The Room: Plunge Pool Suite at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
The Plunge Pool Suite at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen offered a spacious layout with a king bed, a pull-out couch, and enough room for rollaway beds. We requested one at check-in around 4 pm, but ended up receiving the second one around 10:30 pm after some confusion with housekeeping.
The suite had a private terrace and plunge pool, which the kids loved. It felt like a true upgrade, especially for a points stay.
A welcome amenity was waiting in our room: a fun DIY margarita station complete with tequila, mixers, and a printed sign inviting us to “make your margarita.” A cute and festive touch, except it came without ice. We figured it was a simple fix, but getting ice turned into a two-day, four-call ordeal.
There are no guest-accessible ice machines at the resort, and when we asked at the front desk, we were told someone would bring it up. That didn’t happen. We followed up again the next day, twice, and still no ice. Finally, at the end of day two, two separate buckets showed up. It was a small thing, but it became an unnecessary hassle that could’ve been avoided with more consistent service.
Starting July 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. local time, Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen will leave the Hyatt portfolio and transition to a different hotel brand. The resort is expected to honor all existing paid reservations and will begin operating as an adults-only, all-inclusive property. However, kosher-friendly dining options will no longer be available.
Dining options at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
There are several restaurants at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmenon-site, including:
- La Cocina (breakfast and all-day dining)
- Sushi “n” Raw Seafood Bar
- The Grill Plata del Carmen
- Beach and poolside food service
Grand Club Lounge at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
As Globalists, we also had access to the Grand Club Lounge, which serves breakfast, light bites throughout the day, desserts, and an evening open bar (6–8 pm).
While we appreciated the option, the lounge was very crowded, and seating was limited. Breakfast was basic, and dinner offerings leaned mostly vegetarian, which didn’t work well for us and the kids. But the dessert and open bar? A win.
Amenities at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
Pools at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
The infinity pools at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen overlooking the ocean are the highlight here. There are multiple pools to choose from, including an adult-only pool, a lap pool, and family-friendly areas.
One major downside during our stay: the hotel was hosting a wedding. On one day, the main pool area was closed after 3 pm. The next day, part of the beach was roped off, and later a full DJ setup was installed for a private event that ran from 8:30 to 11 pm — and it was loud.
We weren’t notified in advance, and even with our windows and doors closed, the music carried straight into the room. Not ideal when you have young kids trying to sleep. When we called to ask about it, we were told the event was within the hotel’s quiet hours and that the guests had paid for it. We followed up with the manager afterward but never received a response.
Beach at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
The beach in front of the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen is beautiful, with soft white sand and turquoise water that makes you want to drop your bags and run straight in. But like many stretches along this coast, it’s a public beach, and during our stay, it was very busy, especially in the afternoons.
As for swimming, the water was warm and clear during our visit, though seaweed can be an issue depending on the season. The resort does clean it up regularly, but it’s something to be aware of, this part of the Riviera Maya often sees seasonal sargassum, and conditions change day by day.
Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen has a dedicated area at the beach with loungers and umbrellas for guests, but there’s a lot of foot traffic, and the vibe is definitely more active than peaceful.
A nice perk is that you can order food and drinks right from your beach chair, which we took full advantage of. It’s perfect when your kids don’t want to leave their sandcastle mid-construction and you still need to feed everyone. This kept us from having to go back and forth to the pool restaurant.
Spa
The spa at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen looked gorgeous, although we didn’t get to use it this time. There’s also a fitness center and an art gallery inside the hotel, which adds to the upscale vibe.
Kids Club at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
On our last morning, we tried the Camp Hyatt Tortuguita, the hotel’s complimentary kids club for ages 4–12. The younger one had a bit of fun with crafts and games, but our 10-year-old wasn’t impressed and said it was boring.
We appreciate that the kids club is free and easy to access, but it feels better suited to younger children, a nice break if parents need an hour or two alone.
Things to do in Playa del Carmen with kids
Walk Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida)
One of the biggest advantages of staying at the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen is its location. You’re just a couple of blocks from Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida), Playa’s main pedestrian street lined with restaurants, cafes, ice cream spots, shops, and street performers.
It’s lively, colorful, and fun to explore, especially in the evenings when everything lights up and comes alive.
Visit Cenote Azul, Riviera Maya, Mexico
If you’re looking for something beyond the beach and pool, there’s plenty to do in the area. We recommend visiting Cenote Azul, which is about a 25-minute drive from the resort, great for a quick day trip to swim in cool, clear freshwater and let the kids jump in from the rocks.
We highly recommend bringing your water shoes while visiting cenotes.
Have fun at 3D Museum of Wonders in Playa del Carmen
Another fun but indoor option is the 3D Museum of Wonders, just a short walk from the hotel. It’s interactive, quirky, and surprisingly entertaining for both kids and adults (plus, it’s air-conditioned!).
Between the beach, Fifth Avenue, and easy access to day trips, this location works really well for families who want the convenience of a resort stay but also the flexibility to explore.
Bottom line
The Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen has all the visual elements of a luxury beachfront resort, including dramatic architecture, oceanfront pools, and a stylish vibe. And while our room upgrade and location were major perks, the overall service felt spotty at times. The noise from the wedding event was a low point during what should have been quiet family evenings.
That said, if you’re booking on points and want a resort with great pool access, beach views, and walkability to downtown Playa, this property delivers in those categories. Hopefully, this Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen review helps set expectations, especially if you’re planning a family stay during a busy travel season.
