In late 2023, Hyatt and Parks Hospitality Holdings announced a collaboration that will expand Hyatt’s footprint in Mexico, with the development of four new properties. There’s one that I find to be most interesting, and I’d like to take a look at the latest details, as there are some interesting update.
In this post:
Details of the new Park Hyatt in Cancun, Mexico
There are plans for the Park Hyatt Riviera Maya, located in Cancun, Mexico. The hotel was initially supposed to open in 2025, and Hyatt is officially claiming the hotel will open in 2026, though based on my understanding, that’s not realistic, and at this point an opening in 2027 is most likely.
Details about the property are very limited. When it was first announced, it was described as a “sophisticated resort” that will “offer beachfront access, immersive and rare culinary experiences, bars and lounges, and more than 3,000 square feet of meeting space including a 2,000-square-foot ballroom.”
Once open, this adds to a growing number of luxury points hotels in the Cancun area. Just recently we saw the opening of the St. Regis Kanai and Waldorf Astoria Cancun, so it’s nice to see Hyatt’s most luxurious brand also expand to the Cancun area. As a matter of fact, the Park Hyatt will be immediately next to the Waldorf Astoria.
The Park Hyatt brand is really growing in Mexico right now. We’ve seen the recent opening of the Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol, while the Park Hyatt Mexico City is expected to open in early 2027. Beyond that, we also saw the recent opening of the Alila Mayakoba, another good luxury option in the Cancun area.
The Park Hyatt Riviera Maya will be all-inclusive
Here’s an interesting revelation that wasn’t clear when the property was first announced. The Park Hyatt Riviera Maya is expected to be an all-inclusive property, making it the first Park Hyatt in the world where that’s the case.
Admittedly this is pretty normal for the Cancun area, but still, it’s noteworthy for a brand like Park Hyatt. Hyatt has been leaning heavily into the all-inclusive space in recent times, particularly through acquisitions. So while Hyatt has grown massively in terms of its number of all-inclusive brands, it’s surprising to see even a traditionally non all-inclusive brand get this kind of an experience.
I’m generally not a fan of all-inclusives, or at least historically haven’t chosen to vacation at them. However, after my recent Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise, there is something I really enjoyed about not being nickel-and-dimed for everything, given how expensive luxury hospitality has become in so many places.
Bottom line
In late 2023, plans were announced for the Park Hyatt Cancun, which has since been branded as the Park Hyatt Riviera Maya. The hotel is expected to be all-inclusive when it opens in 2027, making it the first Park Hyatt property where that’s the case.
It’s awesome to see Hyatt’s luxury expansion in Mexico, as this will be the third Park Hyatt to open in a fairly short period.
What do you make of plans for the Park Hyatt Riviera Maya?
Parks Hospitality Holdings opened the newish Waldorf Astoria Cancun AND Hilton Cancun All Inclusive, which are next to each other. I was eager to try out the Hilton after it opened since a) I am a HH Diamond b) travel to Cancun many times a year for All-Inclusive stays and c) needed to redeem my Aspire AMEX resort credit. Seeing that it was a brand-new build was also particularly attractive. Unfortunately, it fell well short...
Parks Hospitality Holdings opened the newish Waldorf Astoria Cancun AND Hilton Cancun All Inclusive, which are next to each other. I was eager to try out the Hilton after it opened since a) I am a HH Diamond b) travel to Cancun many times a year for All-Inclusive stays and c) needed to redeem my Aspire AMEX resort credit. Seeing that it was a brand-new build was also particularly attractive. Unfortunately, it fell well short of expectations with numerous service-related issues throughout the stay. So much so that I complained to get some compensation (e.g. points). Would never go back. Anyone who regularly stays at All-Inclusive resorts know that it isn't so much the brand name hanging outside on the door, but rather the management company that owns and/or operates the resort that makes it good or not. Another company runs Hilton's AI in Puerto Vallarta (also very disappointing and wouldn't return). Playa Resorts previously ran the Hilton property in Playa del Carmen, which was excellent, but is now Vivid. So, if they are going to treat it as a Park Hyatt, with PH standards, quality and prices, it better be better than their neighboring Hilton.
Interested to see how it stacks up in food/bev quality to the Excellence resorts, since those are my main point of comparison for all-inclusives. I've really enjoyed my stays at Excellence Playa Mujeres farther north, to the point they've become my go-to for Cancun trips.
Have you tried Grand Velas resorts? While they're not adults only like the Excellence resorts, their food and service standards are a notch above Excellence.
Appreciate the recc, I hadn't heard of them before. The resorts look gorgeous, but not sure I can stomach those rates for a base-level room when, for a similar stay length and season at Excellence I can get a rooftop suite with outdoor terrace and plunge pool and still come out at 2/3 the total.
I wish Hyatt would change how they charge families with kids when booking all inclusive hotels with points. The current system is so punitively high when you add kids, that it never makes sense to redeem points for more than 2 people in a room.
I'm sure everyone without kids love it though.
It is extremely punitive to anyone except 2 people to a room - if you are traveling solo, the cash price for an AI almost always goes down compared to double occupancy (usually $100-$200 per room per night) but the points price is exactly the same.
I wish they would have updated the charts to be 1 person is 25% less, 3 people is 25% more, 4 people 50% more.
My guess is it'll be the one and only AI PH for many years to come. (None of the Pipeline PH properties fit the bill to go AI).
I'll give it a shot, anyways. Also not generally a fan of AI (heh), but Ventana was plenty decent, and Miraval did good with it.
In the meantime anyways, Cabo stands as the best PH in the Americas.
Ugh. Did Hyatt really have to do this?
LOL. Buddy, they weren't forced... they CHOSE to do this...
Looking at the location (Just south of the Waldorf Astoria), the big question will be how good the beach is - that stretch is not known for great beach, and sargassum can get pretty bad there in Spring/Summer.
I can't imagine what rates will be here, although glad to see them leaning into the all-inclusive space, assuming the quality will be kept up. As much as some people despise all-inclusives, I despise non-AI luxury resorts...
Looking at the location (Just south of the Waldorf Astoria), the big question will be how good the beach is - that stretch is not known for great beach, and sargassum can get pretty bad there in Spring/Summer.
I can't imagine what rates will be here, although glad to see them leaning into the all-inclusive space, assuming the quality will be kept up. As much as some people despise all-inclusives, I despise non-AI luxury resorts because it is not just getting nickel-and-dimed, but the prices of standard normal food and drink is often outrageous - the Waldorf next door has prices that feel closer to Miami Beach vs Mexico with a pool bar menu from *3 years ago* showing cocktail prices at US$20-25, the small chips and guac for US$12, and tacos for US$30 - and you are a captive audience. The nearest convenience store is 4 miles / 6 km away, and good restaurants and such even further, so it's not like you can walk down the street to get a normal meal.
I have the money to stay at those places, but it always hits my vacation mood the hardest when I have to constantly think about how much I'm spending. I'd much rather just pay in advance and never think about anything financial except tips on my trip.
Opening an all inclusive property signals the pending death of the Park Hyatt brand. R.I.P. what is soon just another Ritz-Carlton equivalent.
Ben, you haven’t linked to any source stating that this is excepted to be an all inclusive?
@ Jai -- Sorry, I should have clarified. It's on the hotel's website, which is linked in the post. Here's the first sentence of the hotel's description:
"Set along Cancun’s coastline, the all-inclusive oceanfront resort Park Hyatt Riviera Maya pairs airy, contemporary design with Mexican artisan craft and curated art."
I wouldn't be shocked if that's a typo.