Our First Mexican Adventure
Why Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal Exceeded Every Expectation
After several incredible holidays at Bahia Principe properties in the Dominican Republic, the brand had earned our complete trust. We knew we loved their signature blend of service and luxury, but we were ready for a change so when we decided to experience Mexico, we knew exactly who we wanted to stay with.
If you are wondering whether to visit one of the Bahia Principe hotels, or if you’re looking for the ultimate luxury family resort, here is our detailed review of Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal.
A Warm Mexican Welcome: Our Arrival Experience
From the moment our transfer pulled up to the hotel, we knew we were in for something special. The arrival process at Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal was seamless and immediately set a VIP tone for the holiday. As soon as we stepped into the stunning, high-ceilinged lobby, we were greeted with refreshing welcome cocktails, it was exactly what we needed after a long flight!
The check in process was efficient and the staff really went out of their way to make us feel welcome. As the resort, including the sister hotels is so big, they took the time to sit with us and go through a detailed map of the complex. They clearly explained, where to find the different amenities across the four hotels, how the unlimited a la carte restaurants worked and how to use the shuttle trains to get around and explore.
Once we were all checked in, we weren't just pointed in the direction of our room, we were personally taken on a golf buggy along with our luggage. Having a member of the team guide us through the tropical grounds, give us some tips and introduce us to our room's features, made the start of our holiday.
The Room: A Sanctuary of Luxury (and the Biggest Bed Ever!)
We have stayed in many hotels, but I can honestly say this was the best we’ve experienced. All of the rooms are large spacious junior suites and have the largest four-poster bed I have ever encountered. It felt like sleeping on a cloud! It added such a romantic, colonial luxury feel to the room, and there was more than enough space for all of us to feel comfortable even with the sofa bed out in the room.
The bathroom was equally impressive, featuring a large vanity with plenty of room for all our toiletries and a stunning whirlpool bath. There is nothing quite like soaking in the bubbles after a day of exploring the Mayan ruins.
One of our favourite spots was the spacious balcony. No matter the time of day, the views were beautiful, but the real highlight was the local wildlife. We spent ages watching the tropical birds and exotic animals roaming freely through the lush gardens below.
Some of the extra touches that we got when staying at the Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal resort were a free mini-bar in the room that was restocked daily with fresh water and soft drinks, a selection of beers and spirits, and some snacks and we also had a personal butler that we could call for anything that we may need, including room service, scented pillow menu choices, restaurant or spa reservations and much more.
The Heart of the Resort: Akumal’s All Inclusive Facilities
The Bahia Principe Resort in Riviera Maya is a sprawling destination comprising of 4 four different hotels. For the traveller who craves variety and loves to explore, the sheer scale of the complex is a dream.
However, we quickly discovered that staying at Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal is the ultimate travel hack. Akumal feels like a self-contained luxury sanctuary where the only thing you have to worry about is whether to have your next drink at the pool or on the sand. Staying here gives you access to not only the Luxury Akumal but also the facilities and restaurants at the other 3 properties.
Why Akumal stands out:
- The Premier Beachfront: You aren't just near the water, you’re on the best stretch of sand in the complex.
- Exclusive Status: As an Akumal guest, you enjoy a level of service and privacy that feels worlds away from the busier sections including unlimited a la carte visits and butler service.
- Seamless Luxury: Everything you need, from gourmet dining and incredible cocktails to pristine pools and a spa sanctuary is just a few steps from your room.
The Pools: Something for Every Mood
Akumal features four distinct pool areas, so you can choose your vibe for the day. We explored them all but our favourite spot was the main pool, which is close to the lobby, beach and the kids club. It has the perfect mix of relaxation and entertainment. There was quiet music throughout the day, sometimes live musicians and waiters bringing freshly made frozen cocktails.
In the afternoons there were activities such as music quizzes, water polo or a water balloon fight. A little tip, if you join in, be sure to secure any jewellery. One afternoon Mark’s wedding ring flew off during a game of water polo, all of the kids grabbed their goggles to look for it with no success but luckily, after hearing all the commotion a woman who was sunbathing realised that she’d seen it glisten as it rolled past and we found it in a flower bed.
The Main Pool: This is the heartbeat of the hotel and located close to the lobby. It’s a huge, winding pool with bridges, palm trees and whirlpools. It also features a swim-up bar, which we enjoyed as the staff were so fun and made incredible cocktails.
The Activity Pool: This pool is located by the snack bar and is perfect for ball games in the pool. It also has a separate shallow section separated by a fence which is perfect for the little ones.
The Infinity Pool: This pool is located in the adults only section of the Akumal hotel. It is perfect for those who want total peace, as it has a much quieter atmosphere and it also offers stunning views over the Caribbean Sea. We tried it once whilst Charlie was at the kids club but it just wasn’t for us. It was a little too quiet for our liking and we found that it was colder than the other pools, most likely because it’s also deeper.
The Whirlpool: Tucked away at the back of the resort is a trio of whirlpools with its own little bar, this spot is perfect for a quiet read or a nap under a palapa.
On top of that there is a kids waterpark located at the Coba resort. Since we were on a family holiday, we spent a few mornings here so that Charlie could enjoy the slides and sprinklers.
The Dining Experience: From Endless Buffets to Fine Dining
One thing is for sure, you won't go hungry here. Between the Akumal hotel itself and the wider complex, there was a staggering variety of food options. Staying in the Luxury Akumal section gave us access to a great variety of food options, including the buffet restaurant, snack bar and the 2 onsite a la carte restaurants but on top of this there was also room service and unlimited à la cartes not only at the Luxury Akumal but across the sister properties too. This meant we were able to book a different restaurant for dinner every single night of our 2 week holiday and we made sure to try them all out. Each a la carte restaurant offered something completely different in terms of cuisine and the atmosphere, it was amazing!
The Buffets
Riviera (Main Buffet): This was our go to for breakfast, most lunches and some relaxed evening meals. It’s huge and features different theme nights, so it never felt repetitive. My absolute favourite were the freshly made omelettes in the morning, just select your ingredients and the chef makes it to order, it tastes amazing. The seafood gala night was also incredible and is not to be missed. It was also great to be able to sample a range of dishes from Mexico and the rest of the world without committing to a full meal.
Los Corales: We loved this for a more relaxed, poolside lunch. It’s a bit smaller than the main buffet but has all the favorites without having to head back to the main building.
Snack Bars: Acuario snack bar located by the activity pool and the beach was perfect for grabbing a quick burger or some nachos without having to change out of our swimwear.
A La Carte Restaurants
Located at Luxury Akumal there are 2 a la carte restaurants to choose from, Arlequin, a gourmet restaurant and Frutos del Mar, a seafood restaurant, the coconut shrimp was outstanding! They have a children's menu in each a la carte restaurant but children are also welcome to order from the standard menu, Charlie thoroughly enjoyed having steak and chips whenever he wanted to.
Kids Club & Entertainment
The Bahia Scouts kids club is fantastic for keeping the kids entertained with nature-themed activities and mini-discos, there’s a dedicated club house space but they also arrange activities throughout the resort, such as visits to the waterpark, the dolphinarium and the beach. We were a little hesitant at first as it was Charlie’s first time at a kids club on holiday but the staff added us on WhatsApp in case of any emergencies and there was no need for us to worry as he loved spending time there and making friends.
We have always enjoyed the activities at Bahia Principe, but the entertainment team in Mexico took things to a whole new level. In the afternoons they arranged friendly competitions such as music quizzes around the pool, water polo, water balloon fight and football competitions.
A personal highlight was the pool music quiz! Mark, as always, took the competition quite seriously and ended up winning, earning himself some freebies and the nickname, Mr. Spotify, from the entertainment staff for the rest of the holiday. It’s those personal touches and the humour of the staff that make the service here feel so incredible.
A Beach Paradise: Swings, Sand Whales, and Snorkelling
The beach at Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal is nothing short of iconic. Imagine huge stretches of soft white sand and a beach bar where you can sit on swings while sipping a cocktail.
One of the unique features here is the use of sand whales (protective barriers) out at sea. They break the waves, creating a beautiful, calm and shallow lagoon which is perfect for the kids. The lagoon is also teeming with tropical fish, Charlie spent hours snorkelling right off the shore.
A Local Secret: Luna Azul & The Beached Bikini Bar
For those looking to wander from the hotel, a short walk down the beach from the neighbouring Bahia Principe Grand Tulum resort, a hidden gem awaits, Luna Azul. This is an independent massage hut which is perched directly on the sand beside the Caribbean sea, offering high quality treatments with the ocean as your soundtrack. Because it isn't an official hotel facility, the prices are significantly less than the resort’s spa. It is the ultimate spot for a deep-tissue session in the sea breeze.
While I had a relaxing massage , Mark and Charlie found the perfect waiting room at the nearby Beached Bikini Bar, a charming little beachfront spot just a few steps further down the beach. The staff here were so friendly and we stayed for a while before heading back to the hotel.
The Main Stage: After Dark at Akumal
Evening entertainment at Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal is centred around the grand amphitheatre, where the energy shifts as the sun goes down. The night kicks off at 7pm with the kids mini disco which is an absolute hit for families where the kids' club staff invite the little ones on stage for games and dancing.
Once the family fun wraps up, the main stage comes alive with high production performances that rotate nightly. We were impressed by the sheer variety, from interactive quizzes to professional circus acts and an energetic Michael Jackson tribute. While the theatre shows finish by 10pm, the evening continues with live music on the terrace until 11pm, perfect for a final drink under the stars.
The beauty of the Bahia Principe complex is that the entertainment isn't limited to just one stage. Each hotel follows its own schedule, and the Hacienda serves as a central hub for even more variety. We highly recommend catching the Mexican Evening or The Lion King show there. The Hacienda also houses a lively sports bar, a casino, and a nightclub, there’s something for everyone.
Luxury Perks: The "Added Extras" That Make the Difference
When they say Luxury, they really mean it. Choosing the Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal hotel comes with significant benefits that the other hotels on the resort don’t have.
Access to All: Because we stayed at the Luxury family resort, we had stay at one, play at four privileges and had access to the facilities and restaurants at sister hotels Tulum, Coba, and Sian Ka'an which gave us a staggering variety of choices.
Room Service & Butler: Our room butler was a game changer for organising our stay, and having 24-hour room service at no extra cost was perfect for those slow mornings or late-night pizza and snacks.
Unlimited A La Carte Dining: Unlike many resorts that limit you to 2 or 3 bookings per week, we had unlimited access to specialty restaurants. Of course we booked a different one for each night of our 2 week holiday (except for the seafood gala night in the buffet restaurant).
Top-Shelf Spirits: No house brands here, the bars are stocked with premium labels. The grey goose vodka slushes were incredible but we learnt pretty quickly that they were also quite lethal, i don’t think drinks measures exist in Mexico.
Exploring On and Off-Site
The resort complex is so vast that there is always something to see, from the different pool areas to the various shops and plazas. However, the location of the hotel makes it the perfect base camp for Mexican adventures beyond the hotel.
While we spent plenty of time enjoying the luxury of the resort, we also planned several adventures off-site to explore the local cenotes and Mayan ruins. The Riviera Maya has a magic to it that you just have to experience for yourself. Read more about our adventures and how to save money on excursions here.
The Bahia Principe: A New Level of Luxury
We’ve long been fans of the Bahia Principe brand thanks to their consistency in the Dominican Republic, but the Akumal property is on a different level. Even as a massive complex, it maintains an incredibly intimate feel. We were blown away to find the experience even better than we’d imagined, it takes the brand’s gold standard of service and adds a layer of high end Mexican elegance that we didn’t realise we were missing.
Final Thoughts: Was it Worth It?
If you are looking for a resort that balances luxury with a family friendly atmosphere, Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal is it. The combination of the stunning lagoon, the unlimited dining, and the exceptional staff made Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal our favourite Bahia stay to date.
Would we go back? In a heartbeat.
Written 5th August 2017 - Edited 8th November 2025
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