My Honest Review of Hotel Xcaret Arte

Wondering if Hotel Xcaret Arte is the right choice for your next Riviera Maya Mexico vacation? Look no further!

As a travel expert based in Playa del Carmen, visiting and reviewing the top hotels and resorts in Riviera Maya is part of my job.

This luxury resort is known for its unique art and design concept, luxurious pools and relaxation spots, and top-notch accommodations, and definitely stands out as one of Riviera Maya’s best adults-only luxury hotels.

In this honest review, I’ll give you the lowdown on Hotel Xcaret Arte, covering the good, the bad, and everything in between about its location, rooms, amenities, service, and overall value.

Ready to find out if this luxury Riviera Maya hotel is right for you? Let’s dive in!

Review Overview

Hotel Xcaret Arte offers a luxurious, adults-only escape in Riviera Maya with a unique art and design concept, setting it apart from other resorts.

Celebrating Mexican art through themed “Casas” and artist workshops, it feels like a vibrant art museum.

The 5-star resort features luxury accommodations, all-inclusive dining in 10 restaurants, a natural rock spa, pools, and adventure activities like paddleboarding and kayaking.

And the best part? Guests also enjoy FREE access to all Xcaret parks and tours, adding incredible value and endless entertainment.

In my opinion, all the value-adds definitely make Hotel Xcaret Arte worth it considering you get free access (and transportation) to the Xcaret parks, free airport transportation, and free Xcaret Xailing tickets.

The only thing I didn’t really like about the hotel is that beach is pretty rocky. But the cool thing is that they have created stunning lagoons with sand beaches all around the property to make up for it.

Overall, as long as you’re interested in visiting the Xcaret parks and don’t mind the beach setup, Hotel Xcaret Arte is an absolutely fantastic choice for your next Riviera Maya vacation.

It’s actually one of my favorite hotels in the area and I highly recommend it for couples or groups of friends looking for a luxurious, all-inclusive vacation experience with a unique twist.

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Pros & Cons

Here’s a look at the pros and cons that I’ll discuss further in this review:

Current Discounts

Take advantage of these current promotions to save money on your Hotel Xcaret Arte booking:

• Click here to get special advanced purchase rates. Must book by December 31, 2025.

🤑 Pro Tip: You can typically save the most money by booking the Advanced Purchase rate on the official Hotel Xcaret Arte website at least 6 months in advance.

Quick Facts on the Resort

Here are the quick resort details about the guest rooms, facilities, and amenities:

Casas at Hotel Xcaret Arte

Hotel Xcaret Arte features 900 luxury adults-only suites across 6 themed buildings, called “Casas”.

Each Casa offers unique artist workshops, open to all guests, except for Casa de los Artistas which is exclusive to its residents.

These are the different Casas at Hotel Xcaret Arte:

• Casa de los Artistas (House of the Artists): Painting workshop
• Casa del Diseño (House of Design): Textile workshop
• Casa de la Música (House of Music): Latin Dance workshop
• Casa de la Paz (House of Peace): Library
• Casa de la Pirámide (House of the Pyramid): Pottery workshop
• Casa del Patrón (Master House): Main building with restaurants

🏆 Casa de los Artistas is considered to be the best Casa at Hotel Xcaret Arte, as it is closest to the Caribbean Sea and offers the most premium accommodations and an exclusive rooftop pool.

My Review

Next, let’s dive into the all the details of the resort:

Location

Nestled in the Riviera Maya, the hotel has a prime location just 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen and a little over an hour from Cancun Airport.

Situated on the Caribbean Sea and part of the Xcaret destination, it provides easy access to Xcaret Park, Xplor, and Xenses, with free round-trip transportation to the airport and the other Xcaret theme parks.

Guests can enjoy the convenience of quick transportation options and the tranquility of a private beachfront property, making it ideal for exploring the Riviera Maya or just simply staying at the resort.

Rooms

Having opened in 2021, the hotel rooms still feel very new and have a modern yet authentic Mexican decor.

Guests can enjoy rooms equipped with balconies, traditional hammocks, premium bedding, Nespresso machines, and jacuzzi tubs.

The hotel features various suite categories including Garden, River, Ocean View, Ocean Front, Junior, Master, and Presidential Suites, with options for Standard, Spa, Adults, and Swim Up Suites.

Each suite provides unique views and amenities for a comfortable and luxurious stay.

Pro Tip: You can find more information and view interactive 360° views of each of the room types on the Hotel Xcaret Arte website.

Ocean View Suite Review

During my visit, I stayed in an Ocean View Suite, which was stunningly decorated in modern Mexican style with pops of purple and vibrant artistic touches.

It featured a private balcony with a hammock and lounge chairs, a king-sized bed facing amazing views, and a spacious living area with a complimentary minibar.

The large bathroom has an oversized jacuzzi tub, rainfall shower, double sinks, and luxurious amenities.

Thoughtful touches like beach bags, bubble bath, and a technology-equipped room with complimentary wifi and Apple TV definitely enhanced my experience.

The suite offered a perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and Mexican design, making my stay incredibly comfortable and memorable.

Food

Hotel Xcaret Arte features an impressive array of over 10 dining experiences, offering guests all-inclusive, elevated gastronomic delights.

From the 100% plant-based Apapachoa, beachfront Mexican comfort at Arenal, to the unique fusion at Chino Poblano and the upscale Encanta, there’s a wide variety of culinary options.

Specialities range across Mexican, Mediterranean-Mexican, Chinese-Mexican fusion, to Yucatan and Lebanese cuisines, managed by renowned chefs.

The standout Mercado de San Juan buffet and the option for an exclusive 7-course tasting menu at Xaak ensure endless dining variety.

With its superior food offerings, 24-hour room service, and accommodation of dietary needs, Hotel Xcaret Arte sets an extremely high standard for all-inclusive resort dining.

I was honestly so impressed by the delicious and diverse food options. Every meal was beautifully presented, and I loved trying different flavors and cuisines.

It definitely has the best food of all the luxury Riviera Maya resorts I’ve stayed at so far!

Pro Tip: Some restaurants require reservations so be sure to contact the Concierge once you arrive to guarantee a spot.

Drinks

It’s not hard to find a drink at the resort as there’s numerous bars scattered around the property, as well as a swim-up bar and rooftop bars.

Unlike many all-inclusive resorts known for watered-down drinks, Hotel Xcaret Arte did not disappoint with the quality of its alcoholic drinks.

Every drink I had was strong and tasty, and the attentive staff always made sure I had a full glass!

You could order a mimosa with breakfast, savor a margarita by the beach, or grab a drink at the rooftop bar at sunset.

Pools

Hotel Xcaret Arte features a main infinity pool with a swim-up bar, lounge chairs, and beds, offering food and drinks service and stunning ocean views.

Additionally, there are 4 rooftop pools, each with its own bar and lounge area, providing some of the best views.

I loved the Casa del Diseño rooftop pool, which is really cute and offers a really relaxing rooftop experience with hammocks, lounge beds, and food and drink service.

And what’s great is that there’s ample relaxation space for all guests, so the pools don’t feel overly crowded.

🎨 Guests of Casa de los Artistas can also enjoy an exclusive rooftop glass tunnel pool.

All-Fun Inclusive

Staying at Hotel Xcaret Arte offers guests an “all-fun inclusive” experience which includes:

• Free access to all Xcaret parks and tours including: Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xenses, Xavage, Xoximilco, Xenotes, and Xichen
• Free round-trip airport transportation
• Free tickets to the Xcaret Xailing ferry to Isla Mujeres

The “all-fun inclusive” concept is undeniably the best part of staying at the hotel and what provides the most value for guests.

All of the Xcaret parks are incredibly fun and offer a unique eco-adventure park experience from high speed water slides and zip lines to underground rivers and animal encounters.

If purchased on your own, park tickets can cost anywhere from $100-$200 USD per person, so having them included in your stay is a huge perk.

Plus, round-trip transportation is included to all the parks so they make it incredibly easy and convenient for guests to get to the parks.

Beach

The biggest downside of the hotel is the rocky beach, making it difficult to enter the ocean and swim.

There are beautiful relaxation areas and lounge beds in front of the ocean to enjoy the view but actually swimming can be a challenge due to the rocks and strong currents.

Despite this, the hotel makes up for it with man-made sandy beach areas around the emerald lagoons and waterways, which are really beautiful and provide tons of alternative spots for swimming and relaxation.

Plus, you can enjoy the numerous pools, including a main pool with a swim-up bar and 4 rooftop pools offering stunning Caribbean views.

So if you’re a die hard beach lover, you might be disappointed but I really think the manmade lagoons are just as enjoyable.

Service

During my stay, I was so impressed by the exceptional service across all areas, from the front desk to housekeeping and the pool staff.

Everyone made me feel so welcome and well-cared for, with thoughtful touches like a welcome team offering cold towels and Mexican popsicles upon arrival.

The hotel staff were always on hand to assist with any needs or questions, ensuring I never had to wait long for food or drinks by the pool, where they also provided fresh fruits, magazines, and sunscreen.

The personalized and attentive 5- star service, without being intrusive, definitely enhanced my experience.

They always addressed me by name, remembered by food allergies, and went above and beyond to make me feel special.

Art & Design Concept

Hotel Xcaret Arte offers a unique blend of art, design, and nature, paying tribute to Mexican culture and artists.

The resort features mini art galleries, sculptures, murals, and installations, showcasing authentic local art.

With 900 suites named after Mexican artists and designed with contemporary luxury, it caters to art enthusiasts but you don’t have to be an artist to appreciate it!

I was really impressed with the attention to detail in every aspect of the hotel, from the room decor to the public spaces.

It truly felt like I was staying in a living art gallery, and it adds another level of excitement to your stay.

Spa

The Muluk Spa on the property provides a unique relaxation experience in a cave-like setting with natural rock formations.

It features a range of treatments and facilities, including hydrotherapy, massage stalls in caves, a flotarium, and more.

Highlights include an Alchemist Room, a Temazcal, and an outdoor pool with river views.

Although not included in the stay, this luxury spa offers an unparalleled experience for those seeking pampering in a unique and exotic setting.

Resort Property

With over 900 guestrooms, it is a huge property and can be tough to get around—I got lost a few times!

The resort grounds are undeniably beautiful but features winding paths, steps, and suspension bridges, meaning there’s a lot of walking involved to move between areas.

For those with mobility issues, it might not be the best fit. Though there are elevators and ramps, choosing a Casa closer to pools and restaurants could be more convenient.

There’s also a helpful Xcaret app that you can download, offering interactive maps and navigation to assist in finding your way around.

Resort Activities

When it comes to resort activities, Hotel Xcaret Arte specializes in unique artistic workshops that take place in each of the different Casas.

These include textile and painting workshops, art classes, Latin Dance lessons, and more.

All of the resort activities are unique and fun, but just don’t expect to find your typical all-inclusive resort activities like tequila volleyball, BINGO, and karaoke nights.

Aside from the art activities, guests can also enjoy the endless activities at the Xcaret parks, as well as standup paddleboarding and kayaking around the resort.

Nightlife

At night, the resort is pretty quiet and has limited nightlife options.

While it does have a speakeasy-style lounge called Deseo, and occasional shows at the Forum Theater, it’s definitely more low-key.

If you’re looking for a more lively nightlife scene, I would recommend taking a taxi to downtown Playa del Carmen to enjoy the bars and nightclubs there.

Final Thoughts

I hope my honest review has helped you decide if it’s the right choice for your next trip to Mexico!

With its stunning lagoons, luxurious accommodations, and focus on art, Hotel Xcaret Arte offers a unique cultural experience in Riviera Maya.

The rooms, service, food, and attention to detail are all top-notch!

Really the only downside is the rocky beach, but the resort’s many pools, lagoons, and relaxation areas more than make up for it.

My stay was really incredible, and I highly recommend it as long as you have an interest in visiting any of the Xcaret parks, as that’s what makes it most worth it.

Ready to book your stay at Hotel Xcaret Arte? I don’t think you will regret it!

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