Best Family Hotels in Playa del Carmen

For ample activities and facilities, consider staying at the Ocean Riviera Paradise. This resort in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, boasts a shopping center, a spa, a bowling alley, a nightclub, 10 restaurants and 13 meeting rooms, among other amenities. Parents were especially impressed with the variety of activities in the Daisy Club (for kids ages 4 to 12) and the Teen Club (for teens between 13 and 17). If you'd rather spend your vacation soaking up some sun, lounge by one of five outdoor pools or rent water sports equipment (for an extra fee) at the beach. When you're ready to retire for the evening, make your way to your spacious suite. Housed in four areas – Daisy (for families), Privilege (a VIP section), Edén (which is by the beach) and El Beso (an adults-only spot) – all accommodations feature seating areas with sleeper sofas, bathrooms with rain showers and whirlpool tubs, and balconies or terraces. What's more, suite rates are all-inclusive, covering conveniences like daily parking, Wi-Fi access, butler service and all meals and drinks. But despite the resort's positives, some previous visitors bemoaned the musty smells in their suites, as well as the beach's rocky surface.

Porto Playa Condo Hotel and Beach Club's downtown Playa del Carmen location combined with its spacious accommodations and ample on-site amenities is, for many Mexico vacationers, a recipe for a relaxing escape. Previous guests describe this condo-style property as ideal for group and family travelers: The hotel's 21 lofty accommodations feature one to four bedrooms, separate living spaces, flat-screen TVs and fully functioning kitchens. And those that splurge on penthouse digs will be rewarded with private rooftop terraces, outdoor kitchens and private Jacuzzis. When they're not sprawled along the sands at Porto Playa's Indigo Beach Club, visitors can lounge by one of the property's two heated swimming pools or indulge in a relaxing treatment at the on-site Maya Spa. Meanwhile, Porto Playa's in-house restaurant – as well as its deli and market – ensure that no guest leaves hungry.

Acanto Boutique Hotel & Condominiums caters to larger groups and families with its collection of one-, two- and three-bedroom villas that are equipped with full kitchens and dining rooms. But that's not to say that solo travelers and couples won't enjoy their stay here; Acanto also features standard guest rooms that, like the villas, come equipped with plasma TVs, terraces or balconies, marble bathrooms and complimentary Wi-Fi. For most travelers, the Acanto's main draw is its location in central Playa del Carmen. The hotel sits within a few steps of the coastal town's vibrant shopping and dining areas, as well as the area's pristine beaches. Although this small property doesn't offer all the amenities of the area's larger resorts – for example, eateries nearby replace an on-site restaurant and fitness facilities are located off-site – Acanto does feature a pool and the on-site Maria Bonita SPA & Beauty Salon, and visitors can arrange diving and snorkeling excursions and expeditions to nearby archaeological sites through the concierge. Acanto also earns praise for its bright decor and gracious staff.

From the patios and balconies of The Elements, Playa del Carmen's two-bedroom suites and penthouses, guests can admire superb Caribbean Sea views. And from the property's front door, guests are situated within walking distance of downtown Playa del Carmen's lively restaurant and nightlife scene. Recent visitors compliment the property's location and claim that the size of the suites makes The Elements a good choice for vacationing families. However, some guests caution that this property isn't like a standard hotel: Though The Elements features a pool, private beach, fitness center and personal concierge services, travelers say that staying here feels more like staying at a vacation rental. Each accommodation is privately owned, meaning that there is no cohesive decor. But on the plus side, the suites all feature spacious kitchens, meaning you can save on dining expenses. Should you want to avoid meal prep, you can always order room service or head to the nearby Canibal Royal beach club & restaurant.