El Dorado Royale

On the Riviera Maya coast, between Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos, El Dorado Royale sits on a stretch of beach shaded by palms and backed by tropical garden. The Caribbean Sea runs flat and turquoise off the sand, and several bars sit close enough to the shoreline that you can order a drink without leaving the water. It is an adults-only resort, built around pools, lazy rivers and swim-up suites rather than a single grand block. Rooms range from junior suites to two-bedroom villas with private plunge pools and terraces; several categories open directly onto the lazy river or a swim-up pool, and beachfront suites sit only steps from the sand. The Royal Retreat villa adds a private terrace, its own bar and a reserved beachfront area with butler service. A health club, spa, sauna and rooftop terrace round out the grounds. Cancún airport is roughly 26 minutes away by road. Playacar Golf Club sits nearby for guests who want a round between the beach and the pool bar.