Why you should go on an adults-only all-inclusive holiday to Mexico this winter – with flights under £400
I TOP up the bubbles in the whirlpool bath on my balcony and lie back, margarita in hand, to watch the sunset over the Caribbean sea.
Welcome to UNICO 20°87° on Mexico’s Riviera Maya — an all-inclusive, adults-only paradise that promises an authentic taste of the Yucatan region.
Whether you’re enjoying sunrise yoga by the main pool, indulging in a pamper session in the spa or a tequila tasting in the bar, your only problem will be fitting in all the activities and still having time to relax in that fabulous balcony tub.
Despite having 448 rooms, UNICO has a boutique hotel feel with beautiful detailing at every turn.
From the vast main pool with its surrounding swim-up rooms and floating day beds to the lofty architecture of the lobby and fine dining restaurants, the lavish paradise has everything.
As well as the balcony tub, my room in particular features more laidback luxury chic — from the four-poster bed and walk-in rainfall shower to the personalised fully-stocked mini bar and local artwork.
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Fine dining
It’s easy to be tempted away though – there are three pools to lounge beside, the vast La Unica for socialising fun; DJ sets and a swim-up bar at the 20°87° pool and for chilled beats and vast comfy loungers, the relaxed La Escondida.
Follow the wooden walkway through the dunes and you will pop out on the soft white sands of the beach where you can relax on luxury loungers or take a dip in the warm waters.
The food and drink options are just as indulgent.
As well as 24-hour room service, there are upscale buffet options from breakfast to dinner at the 20.87 casual beachside restaurant.
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They cover various cuisines, including Mexican specialities at Cueva Siete, Japanese and Asian treats at Mura House and Italian fine dining with a coastal twist at Mi Carisa.
There’s also the chance to recreate some of Mexico’s favourite food and drinks in cooking and mixology classes.
I tried my hand at perfecting a traditional guacamole with a surprising twist — a garnish of dried crickets.
And we learnt Mayan secrets with a slow-cooked pork wrapped in banana leaves that is baked for 14 hours in an underground oven.
My cocktail skills were also put to the test, learning how to make margaritas as well as the Mexican slant on traditional cocktails including, my favourite, espresso martinis.
The hotel’s spa features a Moroccan-style garden as well as the chance to create your own lotions.
While UNICO offers the perfect all-inclusive stay for those looking to chill in serene surroundings, just ten minutes up the coast you can party at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.
The adults-only Heaven section of the hotel is separate from the family-friendly Hacienda but you’ve got the chance to enjoy the facilities at both.
The hotel’s 23-slide waterpark provides hours of thrills and the splashing fun continues after dark at the nightclub with a pool and hot tubs in the middle of the dance floor.
Relax like a rockstar
My room was also an aquatic paradise — one of the hotel’s new swim-up rooms with a private terrace, two loungers and steps down to my semi-private pool.
Inside, there’s a rock and roll vibe that only Hard Rock can achieve.
Everything from the art on the walls to the lamp shades and notepad, aptly branded “potential song lyrics”, on my bedside table is a nod to the hotel’s roots.
It has over 3,000 pieces of music memorabilia from the world’s biggest stars — including Elvis, Cher, Elton John and Madonna.
Unusually for the majority of hotels along the Riviera Maya, Hard Rock doesn’t have a long beach, but rather multiple private enclaves built into the rocky coastline adding an element of privacy.
If you’re keen to immerse yourself in the party vibes, the new Oasis pool is a must.
The swim-up bar includes a DJ and live performers throughout the day as well as a swanky pop-up Moët bar.
If you want to really celebrate like a rock star, I suggest you hire out one of the super cabanas with loungers, indoor sofas and TV, your own server and a bottle of premium spirits.
Or for a chilled sunrise or sunset, check out the raised whirlpool overlooking the coast at the edge of the Hacienda area.
There are nine restaurants and six bars to keep you fed and watered but if you fancy pushing out the boat, book an Awaken Your Senses dinner.
The seven-course meal combines storytelling and fine dining through music and interactive technology.
Both hotels also offer a great range of excursions to explore the local area.
We signed up to the full-day Cancun Adventures tour, which visits the nearby Mayan temple ruins of Tulum.
Tucked into the cliffside, wooden steps descend to a hidden beach.
The trip also included the chance to snorkel in a cenote — a natural sinkhole created from the collapse of limestone bedrock exposing clear pools of sparkling green water.
But the highlight was undoubtedly the chance to zipwire through the treetops of the Yucatan Peninsula.
You tackle seven thrilling wires with the option to sail above the treetops on your front, upside down or in a sitting position.
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My attempts were almost a combination of all three but the adrenaline rush from zipping from tree to tree was addictive.
I may have enjoyed the best of adult-only luxury in two Mexican resorts, but the kid in me could scream my heart out through the tropical forest!
GO: MEXICO
GETTING / STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 5H Unico 20°87° is from £1,858pp including British Airways flights from Gatwick in July or August 2023, including luggage and transfers.
Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 5H Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is from £1,713pp including BA flights from Gatwick on March 18, 2023 including luggage and transfers. See ba.com.
MORE INFO: See unicohotelrivieramaya.com and hrhrivieramaya.com.