An all-inclusive resort in Mexico might just be one of the best uses of World of Hyatt points at the moment…
In this post:
Book Secrets Impression Moxché with Hyatt points
Hyatt recently spent billions of dollars acquiring Apple Leisure Group, including contracts for the brand’s 100+ properties. As part of this, Hyatt has added a bunch of all-inclusive properties to its portfolio, which is something that many are excited about.
While I’m not usually a fan of all-inclusives, there’s one property in Mexico that piques my interest. Specifically, the adults-only Secrets Impression Moxché opened in recent weeks, and is located in Playa del Carmen (near Cancun). At a minimum, it represents an amazing use of points.
The property is priced as a Category C property, meaning a free night redemption costs 21,000-29,000 points per night, depending on whether pricing is off-peak, standard, or peak.
That category seems really low, when you consider that this might just be the most expensive all-inclusive property in Hyatt’s portfolio. For example, I’m seeing the hotel bookable for 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night when the cash rate would be $1,916.
During off-peak periods, I’m seeing the property available for 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night, when the cash rate would be $1,022.
Personally I value World of Hyatt points at 1.5 cents each, so suffice it to say that this represents an incredible use of points. Also keep in mind that World of Hyatt is transfer partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards, so you can instantly transfer over points at a 1:1 ratio.
If you’re interested in booking a stay here at these points rates, I’d recommend doing so ASAP. Something tells me the points requirements for this property will be increasing in the near future — Hyatts often have low categories when they first open, and then the categories go up pretty quickly.
I have to imagine that’s going to be the case here, based on the points cost vs. the cash cost. Furthermore, currently the less premium part of the property charges the same number of points, which is… unusual.
Is Secrets Impression Moxché worth a visit?
I don’t think anyone would dispute that the redemption value here is amazing, in terms of comparing the points cost to the cash cost. You can potentially get well over five cents of value per World of Hyatt point, which is sensational.
That being said, just because something is a good value doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s worth taking advantage of. If you’re a fan of the all-inclusive concept and like vacationing in the Cancun area, then I think you should hurry up and book this.
What about the rest of us? While I love traveling to Mexico for the food, friendly people, and beautiful landscape, I have to say that the Cancun area isn’t my favorite (I far prefer Los Cabos for the landscape and climate), and also that I don’t love all-inclusives (part of the fun of being in Mexico is dining outside the hotel).
Yet oddly I’m kind of tempted by this property, as it looks like it could be pretty solid. At a minimum, vacationing in the Cancun is super easy, especially for a long weekend, given the number of nonstop flights from the United States to here. A few things to note:
- The 198-room Secrets Impression Moxché is essentially a premium hotel within a hotel, as it’s located within the Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen complex, which has a further 485 rooms
- Stays at Secrets Impression Moxché include unlimited dining, drinks (including top-shelf spirits), 24-hour room service, daily refreshed minibars, daily housekeeping, plenty of daytime activities, theme parties, and live nightly entertainment
- Secrets Impression Moxchén guests receive all kinds of upgraded amenities and services over those staying in the other part of the property, including a dedicated beach area, a rooftop pool and bar, and more
- The resort has 14 dining concepts, with cuisine from all over the world
- The standard room is the 947 square foot Signature Suite Tropical View, featuring a living area and an outdoor hot tub
- While you’ll want to check the cancelation policy for your exact dates, it appears that the hotel allows cancelations up to four days before arrival for a fee of $50 (that’s right, you can’t cancel for free, even in advance), and then within three days you’ll be charged a penalty of two nights
Hyatt’s website has fairly limited info about the property, though the resort’s direct website has a lot more details (though the pictures are mostly still just renderings).
Bottom line
Secrets Impression Moxché in Playa del Carmen opened a few months ago, and now belongs to World of Hyatt. While people have varying opinions on all-inclusives, there’s no denying that this is an amazing use of Hyatt points, at 21,000-29,000 points per night, when cash rates are consistently $1,000-2,000.
I can’t imagine the points pricing will stay this low for a long time, so if this interests anyone, I’d recommend booking ASAP.
Are any OMAAT readers planning to redeem points at Secrets Impression Moxché?
(Tip of the hat to Gk)
This one is now available again if someone is interested. Same pricing for this year, little higher for next year.
Either it got instantly booked out or they're back down again and hiding the points-bookable rooms
Yeah, not seeing anything anymore either.
Thankful I had ultimate rewards points from a Chase bonus just hit today and I was able to get 4 nights booked!
Been checking since yesterday and not seeing anything either. Guess I'll keep trying a few times each day.
Thank you! Just booked 5 days in September
Just so you know, Cancun Airport now has egates at passport control that can be used by American, Canadian and Mexican citizens. This should make the experience of visiting the Mayan peninsula more relaxing
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1608465754978136065
My wife and I stayed here December 18-21st for an anniversary trip (22 years). Property was top shelf. I would give it 5 stars. As someone mentioned earlier, the pool scene is amazing. Over a dozen different pools. You don't like one, go to the next one. The infinity pool on top of the Impressions building was outrageous. We could see Cozumel in the background.
Food was good to very good. Ember was the...
My wife and I stayed here December 18-21st for an anniversary trip (22 years). Property was top shelf. I would give it 5 stars. As someone mentioned earlier, the pool scene is amazing. Over a dozen different pools. You don't like one, go to the next one. The infinity pool on top of the Impressions building was outrageous. We could see Cozumel in the background.
Food was good to very good. Ember was the "fire" restaurant. I had a "solid 7.5 out of 10" new york strip. My wife had a really good salmon dish. The Japanese restaurants, Bamboo and Suki, were both VERY GOOD. I had a fantastic Grouper dish at Sea Side, the Latin Restaurant.
You are given a "Butler" that is on call for you (and a few other rooms) from 7am to 11pm. There are 2 and they each do an 8 hour shift. We had Julien and Gabriel. They started a group What's app chat with me and were responsive to all requests. More of a certain drink in the bar mini-fridge?? Showed up a couple hours later. More snacks in the room? 30 minutes later. They gave us a complimentary bottle of Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut Champagne to celebrate our anniversary with a cheese and chocolate plate in the room one night as a surprise. Very cool.
I thought the drinks were good to very good. Limited beer selection but decent Tequilas and Scotches. Woodford Reserve Bourbon and Gentleman Jack Whiskey. A daily "activities" list was texted to us each morning. We did a bike ride around the property and off property to a local beach. Group of about 10 with 2 guides from the resort.
On Tuesday nights, they do a "Roads through Mexico" event around the main level pools where they have the different states of Mexico representated with food, drinks, arts, crafts and some entertainment. Was a nice way to spend a couple of hours that evening.
For 21,000 points per night, it was a great use of points. I would definitely go back
Glad Hyatt points still work at some properties! The HR Aruba has zero vacancy for points. Literally. Perhaps, Hyatt is trying to get globalists to go for secrets instead of Regencies? I don’t know. But I think an article about issues using points at specific properties and the games they play (such as changing the names of room categories) would be useful.
They added award nights back on the calendar and didn't raise the points level. I just booked 5 nights in June.
All award availability for this property was just wiped out. Many dates that showed yesterday are gone. Shame.
Yup, just noticed the same. Kudos to all who booked at the lower values, I’m sure it will be updated then made available for new bookings once the new values are updated.
The more you and other bloggers write about your exploitations of "sweetspot" redemptions, the more likely they are to go away. Sometimes it's better to just keep things to yourself and let others discover them on their own.
I agree.. Please consider this Ben
We just left Moche and it was amazing. Booked two nights with points and paid for five. Food was good and drinks at the impressions bars were top shelf. Love the property and looking forward to going back next year.
I just got back last night. Great stay. I shared quite a bit on social (@TravelZork). I actually wrote about this on GSTP in October. Impression really does deliver!
"Awesome Luxury All-Inclusive Points Redemption You Never Heard Of"
https://www.godsavethepoints.com/luxury-all-inclusive-points-redemption-hyatt-secrets-impression-moxche/
Excellent stay. Did not disappoint. A few caveats. Trying to share a few more thoughts in the next few days.
Happy to answer any questions. Our average points per night were around 25k per...
I just got back last night. Great stay. I shared quite a bit on social (@TravelZork). I actually wrote about this on GSTP in October. Impression really does deliver!
"Awesome Luxury All-Inclusive Points Redemption You Never Heard Of"
https://www.godsavethepoints.com/luxury-all-inclusive-points-redemption-hyatt-secrets-impression-moxche/
Excellent stay. Did not disappoint. A few caveats. Trying to share a few more thoughts in the next few days.
Happy to answer any questions. Our average points per night were around 25k per night. We spent six nights.
there are some good values to be had for skiing in Europe. Just booked Cordee de alps in Verbier for 21,000 Hyatt ($500 a night) and 25,000 for Crans Ambassador ($700 a night)
Seems like Ben needs to write a trip report visiting as many Cancun-area Hyatt all-inclusives as possible. At least a handful must be worth visiting.
The picture makes it clear that this property is not "in" Playa del Carmen. Playa has a lot of "there" there. It's a busy town where you can stay right in the centre, eat from a different kitchen for every meal, enjoy variety of nightlife and never, ever, get in a motorized vehicle. Playa is the anti-Cancun. Ceviche at Tarraya, tacos at El Fogon, breakfast at la Cueva del Chango, all on foot. The main...
The picture makes it clear that this property is not "in" Playa del Carmen. Playa has a lot of "there" there. It's a busy town where you can stay right in the centre, eat from a different kitchen for every meal, enjoy variety of nightlife and never, ever, get in a motorized vehicle. Playa is the anti-Cancun. Ceviche at Tarraya, tacos at El Fogon, breakfast at la Cueva del Chango, all on foot. The main street where all the shops are is pedestrian-only, and it's one block from the parallel beach. For Playa lovers, all the all-inclusives along the 150-mile Caribbean shore are prisons of varying luxury. If you don't like Cancun or all-inclusives but you're not sure why, stay in Playa del Carmen. In, as in in.
LOL, Playa is trashy and low class. Tulum is where it's at.
I’m mostly interested in the first picture where you have a “promotional award night” when redeeming points.
Hyatt create a new chart to avoid letting members use existing free nights on all inclusive, so what’s exactly that?
When did daily housekeeping become a benefit to be specifically listed for a premium hotel???
Even select service brands never stopped offering daily housekeeping in my home country. I guess Americans are just too happy with the crappy service you generally get in the US.....
Stayed at this property twice as a Hyatt Globalist. September 2022--Secrets Moxche (upgraded to preferred club suite in the main building); December 2022--Secrets Moxche Impression (upgraded to ocean view). Enjoyed my stay for 21k points/ night. Ticked off another property for the "brand explorer." Nice property. Very pool versatile. Beach is crappy. The food is decent. Great value, but would never consider paying the room rate. Overall, would recommend.
Lucky, I’m guessing you don’t line going in the ocean given your preferences.
While I’m not a Cancun fan (due to the scene, not the scenery), I love Cozumel. In the ocean everyday. I have a pool at home so it’s the rare pool that gets me excited.
Can you even go in the ocean in Los Cabos?
Still unbookable with points for the entire year.... Kinda lame they still show you the "Points Calendar” tho.
My wife and I just returned last week from a 4-night stay at Impression. Admittedly, this was our first ai stay, but I was blown away! With few exceptions, both the hard and soft products were excellent. Those exceptions? All of the staff that we encoutered seemed genuinely happy to be in their role, but you can tell that many of them are still learning their roles. The rooms in the Impression building are large...
My wife and I just returned last week from a 4-night stay at Impression. Admittedly, this was our first ai stay, but I was blown away! With few exceptions, both the hard and soft products were excellent. Those exceptions? All of the staff that we encoutered seemed genuinely happy to be in their role, but you can tell that many of them are still learning their roles. The rooms in the Impression building are large and feature beautiful finishes, but there are little details here and there that were missed. For example, one of the end trim pieces in our bathroom was left un-stained and the TV remote didn't work from the bed. The food was good to very good, and in the case of the french restaurant Bisou, excellent. The grounds are lush and tropical with mature full landscaping; hard to believe that the resort just opened this spring. The pools were some of the best I've experienced. Everything from a zero entry lagoon pool, to a relatively lively activities pool, to quiet cenote type pools, enough options that you never seemed crowded. We'd never seriously considered an ai before this last minute trip, and now I'm afraid the bar has been set too high for most other resorts. Maybe I should go book another trip before the redemption cost inevitably goes up!
I have stayed here, and it's fairly stunning to look at in the public areas at least. The rooms are just ok, but nothing special...cheap luxury. Yes, its an incredible use of Hyatt points on the surface, but would never pay the pricing they advertise.
The property entrance into an open air lobby is amazing. The map is useless, and you get a bit lost. I would NOT say this is a luxury property...
I have stayed here, and it's fairly stunning to look at in the public areas at least. The rooms are just ok, but nothing special...cheap luxury. Yes, its an incredible use of Hyatt points on the surface, but would never pay the pricing they advertise.
The property entrance into an open air lobby is amazing. The map is useless, and you get a bit lost. I would NOT say this is a luxury property on the scale of a Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton, but its ok. Just, ok and perhaps a bit more. Think more very nice Hilton....close to Conrad, but not a Conrad.
The staff are hit or miss, and the guests (for this reason alone I would avoid) Think frat boys and prom queens, grown up with a lot of money...prancing about. Now for those who fit this mold, you will have a blast.
I walked past one of the main grotto pools, and it was like a bro fest jock reunion...just foul. Perhaps this is normal in Mexico, I don't know. Full of VP's and frats from the midwest, all bro'ing each other, if you know what I mean.
With that said, people seemed to love it, and it was fairly busy. It's not for everyone, even with the modest Hyatt redemption.
The food was juuuust ok, nothing special, although I heard the Japanese restuarant was amazing, but it was closed while I was there. The all night cafe had some miserable staff members working there, but it was good for a late snack after a walk to the beach.
Did not see any gay couples at all (probably a selling point for some I'm sure) but it was frat and prom queen hetero heaven. You've been warned. Honestly, even at $250 a night I would avoid. Sorry.
This is probably the best review of a place I've ever read! You painted a very clear picture Henry!
Got 3 nights booked for next December during off-peak rates, thanks Lucky
Went in October when it was off-peak rates. Definitely in another class of its own when it comes to all-inclusives.
I just toured an Impressions building at a different AMR resort just north of this one, and guests staying at the Impressions side of the resort had access to essentially a private chef. I’m not sure if that is universal at all Impressions properties, but that alone would make this a screaming deal.
This is incorrect.
Maybe it's just me, but I can't find any availability at all - checked a few dozen dates all over the calendar from near to 13 months out.
If you search for this specific property sometimes it shows no availability. That got me once I thought they took out inventory. But if you search for Cancun in general and scroll to this property it will show up.
Ah ok - thanks. It must have defaulted to the specific property every time I chose a new date as I started my search with Cancun in general.
Were you still able to book on points when it shows up on the general area search, but not for the specific property? Once I click "view rates" on the area search, it ends up taking me to the property where it shows no availability
I've only stayed at a couple of all-inclusive a, including a few that were very nice. My big issue with all-inclusive, no matter how luxurious the resort, is that the food and drinks are always mediocre (at best). Even when "top shelf" is included, they barely give you any alcohol in the drinks. That's just the nature of providing people endless indulgences. While it makes a trip incredibly convenient if traveling with a large group,...
I've only stayed at a couple of all-inclusive a, including a few that were very nice. My big issue with all-inclusive, no matter how luxurious the resort, is that the food and drinks are always mediocre (at best). Even when "top shelf" is included, they barely give you any alcohol in the drinks. That's just the nature of providing people endless indulgences. While it makes a trip incredibly convenient if traveling with a large group, I'd still much rather go to a standard resort than all-inclusive.
Interesting - my impression of the drinks was the complete opposite. They were pushing heavy pour drinks on me like you wouldn’t believe. I was a bit shocked.
The food at the $600/night all inclusive was, as you said, ok. Good but not amazing. I’m assuming an all inclusive at the $1800/price point has a much bigger food budget to work with.
Rates for June are $600 a night with taxes and fees or 25K WOH points. OK value
That’s for the regular Moxche, not Impression.
2.4 CPP I would consider quite good for Hyatt, given that the assumed valuation for a breakeven is probably 2/3 of that
Any all-in-one inclusive bookable with points (not at an elevated level) for 3 guests?
I’ll be there in a week. Was sort of hoping you’d miss this one...
Haha had the same thought when I found out this property a couple weeks ago. Going there in February.
I was waiting for you to publish this article at some point ;) Property looks like it just opened Dec 1 and according to early TripAdvisor reviews is a home run. Booked a stay on points here in late January 2023 and was shocked at the value, because I was also considering the Andaz Mayakoba right around the corner at the same points rate, minus the huge suite, included food and top-shelf booze. I’m with...
I was waiting for you to publish this article at some point ;) Property looks like it just opened Dec 1 and according to early TripAdvisor reviews is a home run. Booked a stay on points here in late January 2023 and was shocked at the value, because I was also considering the Andaz Mayakoba right around the corner at the same points rate, minus the huge suite, included food and top-shelf booze. I’m with you Lucky; all-inclusives usually aren’t appealing to me but this was hard to look away from, plus it looks gorgeous!
Added bonus: I was able to apply one of my Globalist suite upgrade awards and score an ocean-front suite!
Cash rate seems to be more commonly $800-1000 a night and Junior suite is the only thing available most dates.