Grand Velas Riviera Maya

With towering, pristine white walls eclipsing its welcome gate, it’s definitely the showstopper as you drive through Playa del Carmen’s hotel zone. The sophisticated, spacious suites make a pretty tempting case to spend your days lounging inside on white goosedown comforters and pillows or soaking in your private plunge pool (which are included in all 90 suites of the Grand Class accommodations). But you must venture out, and most definitely to their award-winning spa. Built into an empty cenote, the $15 million Grand Velas Riviera Maya spa is the largest in Mexico and well worth the trip. But a hard day’s work of spa-ing should make you hungry, and once again, you’re in luck (or in luxury). With seven finedining restaurants each helmed by a master chef, it seems a bit sinful for such gourmet offerings to come from an all-inclusive resort (rivieramaya.grandvelas.com).