SLS Playa Mujeres Cancun All-inclusive Hotel Review

When I heard Mexico was experiencing a luxury renaissance, I didn’t expect it to extend to Cancún. For me, the city evokes images of its bustling nightlife, the guests who embrace it, and the hotels offering a haven for fun. And when it comes to its all-inclusive resorts, something Cancún is known for, I hadn’t been to one where I had received the full 360 experience—exceptional food, great entertainment, and time to relax. Until now.

Just 30 minutes from the famous Cancun strip, the SLS brand that bills itself as “creating wonderlands that surprise and delight” made its grand entrance on the palm-fringed, sugar-soft sands of Costa Mujeres in a gated community that invites guests to bid farewell to the ordinary. 

So I decided to visit to see if all of these things could be true at once. Below, my full review of SLS Playa Mujeres.

The Rooms

The resort has 498 rooms across three categories: Delight, Captivate, and Euphoria. Delight is the smallest, Captivate offers pool-side vibes, and Euphoria is all about the larger suite experience.

I stayed in a Captivate Swim Out room that was steps away from a river pool. My bathroom was stocked with luxe Ortigia amenities and had a rainfall showerhead. And though the Captivate guest rooms are close to each other, there was plenty of privacy thanks to curated design elements, like lush plants bordering each terrace.

For the ultimate indulgence, SLS Playa Mujeres also offers a collection of one to three-bedroom suites with opulent living and dining spaces and an expansive outdoor terrace with ocean views. I had a chance to tour more guest rooms as part of SLS’ new offering, SLS Elite, which includes two-level rooms, each topped with a private roof deck jacuzzi, lounge, and panoramic views.

SLS Elite guests can expect a personalized check-in, butler service, a premium spirits package, private lounge access, preferred dining reservations, and entry to an exclusive beach, among a plethora of other perks that make an all-inclusive resort feel worth every penny. But the great thing is that at this resort, you don’t need the upgrade to feel luxurious—a stay here provides that experience all around.

Food and Drink

Mexico is one of my favorite food destinations in the world, and luckily, my experience at this all-inclusive resort did not disappoint. SLS Playa Mujeres offers over 15 dining options, and I’m sad that I did not get to make my rounds to all of them. However, I did visit several restaurants with mindful portion sizes and delicious meals.

Caracol is a tangible celebration of Mexico’s coastline, grilling fresh-off-the-boat seafood over an open flame. I had the fish tacos and Mayan-style octopus tacos that were flavorful and the spices weren’t overpowering.

My breakfast at The Market Buffet, which serves an abundance of fresh options, was also very good. I had chilaquiles and later sat poolside with a mouth-watering smoothie from Verde and Mediterranean-inspired meals from Twiggy.

Union, the resort’s New York steakhouse, has top-notch menu options and features surprise performances from local dancers. As a New Yorker, my standard for steak is high, and I can say I thoroughly enjoyed dining there.

There were many more restaurants to choose from—some with Italian, French, Japanese, and Greek-inspired cuisines and other venues that were perfect if you wanted to mix up your atmosphere with a cocktail experience like The Monkey Bar.

There are several bars to choose from for those who want a slice of nightlife as well. I had a great time at the sports bar, Hudson Tavern. The two-floor space had upbeat music, and people could dance or lounge at their own pace.

Activities and Experiences

Entertainment for all ages is a hallmark of all-inclusive resorts, and SLS Playa Mujeres delivers on that front with four swimming pools that offer live entertainment featuring guest DJs, along with a teen lounge and a kids’ club with organized activities for families. There is also an outdoor adventure course, a splash zone, and non-motorized water sports at the secluded beachfront.

As a cinephile, I enjoyed the indoor and outdoor movie theater with snacks and plush seating. The space offers programming for all ages, but you could pop in for the vibes alone.

For golf enthusiasts, there is also a golf course designed by Greg Norman that I did not get to experience, but the grounds were impressive. The resort’s wellness offerings include tailored classes available daily for all ages by Nike-sponsored trainer Julio Bustelo.

The Spa

The hotel’s Ciel Spa boasts over 20,000 square feet of wellness spaces, making it easy to carve some time for yourself. I had an aromatherapy massage inspired by ancient Greece and spent some time in the spa’s thermal bath.

The spa features 20 treatment rooms, state-of-the-art movement and fitness facilities, CBD-infused therapies, and beauty services.

Family-friendly offerings

While I didn’t travel with kids, I noticed how intentional SLS was to make sure that families have the same opportunity to enjoy the resort as any other guests with tailored food offerings for kids, curated activities for the teen lounge and kids’ club, the pool areas, and the design of the guest rooms.

For example, kids have their own separate play area, and the wide, open-air layout of the resort doesn’t place guests on top of each other while they navigate various locations within it.

Location

SLS Playa Mujeres is located 30 minutes from Cancún International Airport and about 15 minutes from the city, which is perfect for guests who prefer to avoid Cancún’s bustling nightlife but definitely want access to it when in the mood for a good time.

The private marina allows for easy access to Isla Mujeres and the world-renowned Great Mayan Reef. Those looking to venture off-property can also learn more about the rich history and culture of the Mayan civilization with day trips to ancient Mayan sites of Chichén Itzá, Tulum, or Coba. 

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

For travelers who want access to SLS properties around the world year-round, you can join their “dis-loyalty” program for $18/month or $216/year. It includes 50 percent off every newly opened hotel, 10 percent off food and drink at any of their 175 venues, 20 percent off first-time stays, and more.

Nightly rates at SLS Playa Mujeres start at $699.