A gem on the Riviera Maya

Words Ben Haguewood | Photos Ashley Haguewood, Will Bowling & UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya

A trip to UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya can be whatever a traveler wants: a jumping off point to an unspoiled tropical paradise, a daytime party with luxurious evenings, a work-from-home playground, or a relaxed and quiet recharge at an elegant adults-only resort. A combination of these experiences should be considered to make the most of this eye-catching destination, and the staff stands by to provide the services required to achieve whatever type of stay a guest desires. 

The airy and open lobby is anchored by the bar and ringed with comfortable couches, old-school table games, and a pool table, and operates like a spacious community gathering place for those just checking in and evening hangs alike. The bar and lounge area is appointed with indigenous Mayan pottery, the area is historically known for and life-sized renderings of the elusive jaguar native to the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s a good idea to order a drink; bartenders can recommend a range of local specialties or whip up one of the best margaritas you’ve ever tasted. The concierge-driven check-in that helps guests explore the range of activities, services, and dining options, taking reservations and ensuring guests get the full high-touch UNICO experience. 

We sipped on a KIIMAKOOL (a balanced concoction of smoky Mezcal, pineapple juice, lime, albumin, passion fruit syrup, hibiscus bitters) and planned our dinners, sampling all of the evening restaurants: Mexican/Yucatan, Mediterranean, and Japanese. Each offers its own unique take and flavor palette on familiar styles, like sushi rolls with local seafood and flourishes of citrus or an Italian starter with tuna crudo “puttanesca style.” The variety of on-site dining is refreshing, though local Aztec and Mayan flavors shine. A dinner at Cueva Siete or a light lunch at the all-day 20°87° of achiote and spice-rubbed Tikin Xic fish steamed in parchment paper, cooling aguachile verde (a shrimp-based ceviche), and a simple lime soup, are regional specialties that you won’t find at any local Austin Tex-Mex spot. The menu helpfully denotes proud local dishes.

The grounds, meticulously kept and serene, back to a national seashore where waves crash up to a forested area studded with rock formations and laden with lounge chairs and where boardwalks carve a pathway to the clear Caribbean Sea. Poolgoers who don’t venture to the beach could be lulled into a sense of paradise, while frequently delighted and surprised by tropical visitors like the ring-tailed Coatis (a member of the raccoon family) and iguanas warming in the sun. Variety, again, provides options for whatever experience one desires with three separate pools, one for rowdy water-games, another with lounge-chairs and light music close to the snack bar, and a quiet pool separated by arbors and rooming with only a swim-up bar and a mix of shaded and sunny areas providing getaway nooks for the ultimate seclusion. (Paper backs welcome.) 

The spa offers a range of add-ons for those looking to splurge on pampering, though the free features are elevated enough to wow all guests. Separate men’s and women’s areas offer a sauna, hot tub, hydro circuit, mud bath, eucalyptus steam room, and cold plunge in the luxurious country-club level locker-room adjoining the gym.

Staying on-site is a satisfying and diverse experience, though off-site guests can explore sights of the Riviera. A side trip to the now-famed Tulum National Park requires some additional trekking, but the effort is decidedly worth it. Yes, there are crowds and would-be guides offering dubious advice and services, but follow the lines of visitors, foreign and domestic, and you’ll reach a true paradise: a pristine beach, cliffs plunging down to the blue waters with a few boats bobbing at anchor.

The quick direct flight and a pre-arranged ride with the hotel take the hassle out of visiting this jewel on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. From there, the level of exertion and adventure is up to you.