Categories: Beach TravelVacation Travel

Luxury Hotel Review: Viceroy Riviera Maya

The Viceroy Riviera Maya is a slice of luxurious, tranquil jungle paradise set right on the Caribbean Sea. Every step of the way — from the check-in process, to the endless pampering, to the most luxurious villa we have ever had the privilege to enjoy — the Viceroy is in a class of its own. After staying here, it’s no wonder it’s been ranked the second best resort in Mexico and top 100 in the world by Conde Nast.

The minute you pull up to the Viceroy, you can feel the resort is different already. There is no check-in desk, no traditional lobby, no other guests. We were welcomed into an open air hut by our personal butler. As they made sure the paperwork and our room keys were ready, we were treated to a cup of chilled lemongrass tea with coconut milk.

We were then whisked away to our private oasis among the winding pathways beneath tall trees and families of swinging spider monkeys. The foyer led to the extra large bedroom and out onto a patio with a table, chairs, lounge chair, hammock and plunge pool. Our villa was complete with a huge bathroom on the opposite side of the foyer (walk-in closet, WC closet, large soaking tub for two, dual vanities, indoor shower AND an outdoor shower). They also make sure the villas are stocked with wall plug-in mosquito repellant, a citronella candle, and heavy duty mosquito repellant cream. Before our butler left, we were treated to two shots of Mezcal, as well as two handmade soaps (one lemongrass, one oatmeal).

The pool and jacuzzi were beautifully sunken into the grounds surrounding the lounge areas. But the prize of this resort’s location is the immaculately kept beach. Once you have chosen a cabana with two chaise lounge chairs, you can move between that and the two chaises in front of it out in the sun to work on your tan. Cold towels, sweet treats and delicious drinks are all provided.

The food at the resort is exceptional and truly some of the best food we have ever experienced at a hotel. We enjoyed everything from the trio of quesadillas, to the exceptional Mexican pizza, and the salmon with champagne risotto. For breakfast, it was hard to go wrong between their chilaquiles with red sauce, huevos rancheros, huevos montulenos, and the dulce de leche French toast. We also enjoyed the tequila-tasting with ceviche trio and it was so worth the money and the time. You learn all about tequila, try several different brands, styles, etc. Highly recommend it!

All guests at the Viceroy Riviera Maya also have access to the spa facilities during normal hours, regardless of whether you have a treatment.

They have separate but identical men’s and women’s areas. Each side has showers, lockers, a whirlpool spa, lounge area and eucalyptus steam room. The dim lighting, subdued music, and giant candles offer up instant relaxation, making its atmosphere easily one of the best spas I’ve ever experienced.

My partner and I decided to do a couples massage with each of us choosing different treatments. He chose the Deep Blue massage (deep tissue) and I chose the Holistic massage (a combination of deep tissue and reflexology). Both were equally impressive and very relaxing. We left feeling even more refreshed than we expected. Their ‘medium’ pressure was a bit harder than expected, for me, but their ‘hard’ pressure was right on point for my partner.

All in all, I do believe a visit to the spa here will be a great cherry on top of an already colossal sundae that is your stay at the Viceroy Riviera Maya. Be sure to enjoy the facilities every day and take full advantage of a vacation here!

Because the Viceroy Riviera Maya is a Virtuoso member property, and Andavo Travel is a Virtuoso member travel agency, if you book through me (or any Andavo-affiliated travel advisor) you will receive the following complimentary Virtuoso amenities: