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A review of Heaven at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, an all-inclusive, adults-only, resort-within-a-resort experience offering an elevated luxury getaway in Puerto Aventuras near Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
This summer, my photographer-husband Javier and I stayed at the Heaven section at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.
During our 4-day stay we were able to experience its each of its special restaurants and bars, in-room dining, entertainment, Eden beach and Eden pool zones as well as its wellness-themed gathering spaces.
This review of Heaven at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is packed with insider tips, details on dining and lots of original photos so you can see what it’s really like to stay here.
If you’re planning an all-inclusive luxury vacation in Mexico, read on to discover why it should be on your radar!
Location
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is located in Puerto Aventuras, south of Playa del Carmen and north of Tulum (30 minute drive to each).
This sprawling resort is ideally located facing the Caribbean Sea sharing the coast with the beautiful beaches of Xpu-Ha, Paamul and Akumal.
It’s also close to top attractions such as Xcaret Park and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
Quick Overview
Advantages
- Prime location near attractions on Riviera Maya midway between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
- Resort-within-a-resort concept offers the feel of a boutique hotel but access to a wealth of amenities in the family-friendly Hacienda sections of the 85-acre resort.
- Adults-only section is private and not shared with family section.
- Above average gastronomy.
- All-inclusive list includes snacks, casual and à la carte dining as well as 24/7 room service.
- Well established record of superior service.
- Superior day and night activities and entertainment.
- Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and mini-bar.
- Private beaches in protected cove have no sargassum seaweed problem.
- Pool and beachside service.
Good to Know
- Traditional room decor.
- Some of the main evening entertainment is accessible to all-ages.
- It’s a long walk from the Heaven section to the restaurants in the Hacienda Roja section. But golf cart shuttles are available upon request.
Check rates and Availability at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya (Heaven Section) on Booking.com.
Is This Resort for You?
While writing for leading magazines and guidebooks such as Lonely Planet, Fodor’s, and A Taste for Travel, I’ve been lucky enough to stay at dozens of luxury resorts in Mexico.
This was our first stay at a Hard Rock Hotel. To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with its rock music theme.
I’m more of a “lounge by the pool with a book” than “party rock is in the house” personality type.
But the elevated cuisine, mix of wellness and stellar entertainment, spectacular views and luxe amentities quickly vaulted this resort onto my list of the best all-inclusive resorts in the Cancun Riviera Maya area.
By the time I swam with a school of tropical fish in turquoise waters, dined on Yucatan food by candelight (and sang a duet with Elvis), I was a committed Hard Rock fan!
This resort will appeal to couples looking for a lively vacation with lots to do.
But it also works for travellers such as groups of friends and solo travellers looking to have fun, stay active or get a wellness boost.
While the age group of the majority of the guests appeared to be 30 to 40-ish, younger and older guests won’t feel out of place.
During our stay we met several guests on girls (and guys) getaways, couples and multigenerational groups.
There’s enough nightlife happening that you won’t be bored!
🌟 Looking for more girls’ getaway ideas? Check out this wine-themed river cruise in Germany and these Top Girls Getaways in the Caribbean.
Hotel Layout
You’ll arrive at the Hacienda Azul lobby where you’ll be greeted by with a welcome cocktail. Then you’ll enter the exclusive Heaven lobby for private check-in.
Be sure to pick up a map of the resort when you arrive. This 82 acre property is expansive, so having a map in hand will help you orient yourself.
From there, you’ll be transferred to your suite in the Heaven section tucked at the northern edge of the property.
We stayed in the Saxaphone building (Building 1). I’d recommend it as it’s close to FARO restaurant, the Eden swimming pool, Eden beach and waterfront promenade.
The two sections within Heaven face the large, adults-only Eden swimming pool with swim-up bar.
Here, guests can lounge in the sun, snorkel and swim in the Caribbean Sea in calm waters protected by a natural breakwater.
The themed artwork within Hard Rock’s lobby and public areas features icons of the rock, reggae and pop music world with references to Mexico’s heritage.
Some of the most striking pieces are the larger than life exhibits of famous clothing worn by rock icons. I was fascinated with the displays of collectible items like Johnny Cash’s black suit (and guitar), Madonna’s patent leather bra and witchy boho dress worn by Stevie Nicks.
Hard Rock is famous for its music-related merchandise. So you can shop ’til you drop at the Rock Shop and luxury stores located within both the Hacienda Azul and Roja sections.
Room Amenities
There are so many room types available at Hard Rock Riviera Maya, they’re too numerous to list in one post.
There are 10 room categories within the Heaven Adults-only section alone!
You can browse the entire selection at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.
Choose from popular options such as Deluxe Swim-Up (482 SF), Deluxe Diamond King (482 SF), Deluxe Diamond Terrace (964 SF) and more.
If you really want to splash out, you can even splurge on an Ocean Front Rock Star Suite (Two Bedroom) with extra perks (and personal assistant) to make you feel like even more of a celebrity.
We accessed our room, a Deluxe Diamond Terrace, immediately.
This beauty featured views of both the pool and ocean. The balcony was decked out with a table and chairs as well as a hammock.
The room featured king size bed, bathrobes and slippers, bathroom with extra-wide vanity, separate shower and toilet, a console with coffee maker and mini-bar stocked with soda, bottled water, juice and domestic beer.
Tech included a Smart Led TV with satellite, free wifi in the room and throughout the resort, direct-dial telephone.
Twice-daily housekeeping includes turn-down service.
🌟 Pro Tip: Music fans will love the unique amenities including a selection of Fender Guitars and Crosley turntables available upon request (and subject to availability). You can also order a curated music playlist just for you
The Deluxe Sky Terrace suite also had a 2nd floor patio with hydro tub and lounge chairs.
It offered spectacular views and quite a bit of privacy.
If our stay had been longer I would definitely have spent time lounging there at sunset or in the evening.
🌟 Stairs to 2nd floor terrace are steep so if you have mobility issues you might want to op for a swim-out.
Dining and Restaurants
Another appealing aspect of Heaven at Hard Rock Riviera Maya is its range of all-inclusive restaurants, bars and in-room dining experiences.
The three Heaven restaurants offer a gastronomic journey through regional Yucatan, Thai-inspired and international cuisine, ingredients and techniques.
FARO Gastro Market
At FARO, Heaven’s Gastro Market restaurant, you can enjoy a range of elevated dishes while gazing at the sparkling Caribbean on the terrace.
Or, if you want some AC opt for dining within the contemporary interior.
I really liked how the food was presented at FARO. It was a mix of self-serve and made-to-order service, so everything was fresh and hygenic.
One of my pet peeves at many other all-inclusive resorts is sharing serving utensils with guests who consider the buffet their personal grazing board, dining off their plates while serving themselves.
You won’t find that at Hard Rock Riviera Maya’s Heaven section.
Here many dishes are pre-portioned or “assisted buffet” at the food stations which means the food is served by staff.
The food market hall concept also provides for customization of the dishes.
Whether you’re ordering an omelette at breakfast or a grilled steak with shrimp at lunch, you can get your dish prepared the way you like it.
There’s also tableside drink service.
The attentive serving staff take orders for beverages including beer, wine and specialty coffee at your table.
Open for breakfast and lunch, FARO has relaxed, quiet vibe.
Menu at FARO Gastro Market
The menu at FARO is based on themes at its 9 food and drink stations. Those include:
- Grill Rock (steak, chicken, meats and burgers)
- Mexico Lindo (traditional Mexican dishes). Everything from chilaquiles made to order at breakfast to fresh made tortillas on a comal.
- Water & Earth (seafood including ceviches and paella).
- Fresh & Delicious (salads, chilled bites, sushi, vegetarian and vegan).
- World Kitchen (cuisines of the world) Dishes from Spain, Italy and Asia.
- Sip (drinks of all types)
- Sweet (desserts)
- Specialty Coffees
Wai – Thai and Pan Asian Cuisine
For dinner, there are two options within Heaven. Both restaurants are set amid lush gardens wrapped around reflecting pools with atmospheric lighting so they’re quite romantic at night.
Inspired by the cuisine of Thailand, glamorous Wai Restaurant is the perfect date night venue.
The menu shines with classic dishes such as Pad Thai, stir-fried rice noodles tossed with shrimp or chicken, eggs, tofu and bean sprouts bathed in a tangy tamarind sauce.
And there’s also spicy Tom Yum soup and aromatic Massaman curry of tender chunks of chicken simmered in creamy coconut milk sauce and blend of warm spices.
While Wai is popular for romantic dining, it’s also a winning option for groups. The menu specializes in shareable plates such as grilled chicken satay with rich peanut sauce, crispy crab rangoon wontons and crunchy spring rolls.
Click here to see the menu at Wai Restaurant at Heaven. Reserve in advance.
Uma – Maya Barbacoa and Yucatan Cuisine
This upscale Mexican restaurant blends tradition with modern elegance.
Highlights of the menu includes Yucatan specialties such as cochinita pibil (marinated pork) and tacos de barbacoa, tender beef slow-cooked in a pib (Mayan underground oven) topped with a creamy avocado emulsion for a perfect balance of smoky and rich flavours.
A seafood standout, pescado zarandeado, features the catch of the day, first marinated in achiote, garlic, and citrus juices then grilled. It captures the essence of coastal Mexican cuisine in freshness and flavour.
The modern Mexican cuisine, paired with wines sourced from the Valle de Guadaloupe makes, for a memorable dining experience.
Click here to see the menu at UMO Mexican Restaurant. Reserve in advance.
Toro Steakhouse and Other Hard Rock Restaurants
Guests within Heaven also have access to the a la carte and buffet restaurants within the Hacienda section of the resort.
One of our favourites in Hacienda was Toro Steakhouse. It’s widely considered one of the best restaurants at Hard Rock Riviera Maya.
At Toro Steakhouse, highlights of the menu included grilled salmon with bourbon sauce, a vegetarian eggplant and beef grilled to perfection over mesquite wood.
Certain cuts such as Ribeye and New York are part of the all-inclusive dining plan. You can upgrade to a Big Boy Tomahawk steak for two (38 oz), a strip loin Wagyu (10 oz) and Alaska King Crab at extra cost.
If you’re a lover of sides like me, you’ll be in your happy place at Toro.
There’s a wide selection of appetizers, salads and sides including a velvety roasted tomato cream soup, creamed spinach, baked or garlic mashed potatoes, truffled fries, mac & cheese and more.
Click here to check out the full menu for Toro Steakhouse.
🌟 Pro Tip: While TORO is family-friendly and can get busy, opt to dine outdoors on the terrace. There are several quiet tables for two overlooking the gardens and Caribbean Sea.
If you’re looking for adults-only dining, we also heard good things about Zen (Asian), Ciao (Italian) and Le Petit Cochon (French).
In-Room Dining
When it comes to room service, the Heaven Section at Hard Rock Riviera Maya does a stellar job.
To begin, it was really easy to place an order using the in-room phone. The dishes arrived in under 30 minutes and were exactly as ordered.
You could easily brunch and munch from the room service menu all day and not be bored.
The breakfast menu alone featured items such as banana pancakes (with salted caramel sauce), a biscuit with sausage, bacon and egg, waffle with yogurt mousse and orange essence along with classics such as Continental and full American breakfasts.
The mini-bar (soft drinks, beer and juices) was replenished daily and bottled water was delivered upon request.
This is one of the best in-room dining menus and experiences I’ve found in Cancun and Riviera Maya.
Bars and Nightlife
In addition to the swim-up pool bar, there’s the Arribo Bar (beside Wai and UMO restaurants), the Heaven lounge and Club Heaven, a nightclub with DJs, karaoke and other events.
Evening entertainment and live music shows took place in the Hacienda sections.
For a boutique-sized property we were really impressed by the nightlife and things to do.
Summer Like Heaven and Other Special Experiences
Beyond the nightlife and dining venues, there are a wealth of curated culinary and entertainment experiences available during special events.
Mixology lessons, tequila tastings, pool parties and other exclusive experiences keep guests connected to what’s hip, local and inspired.
Our visit coincided with the 7-week Summer Like Heaven event.
So we enjoyed access to exclusive pop-up activations such as a brunch with live music, a pool party with a DJ at the Eden Pool and a fun class featuring mezcal with guest Mixologist Gabriel Molina of Tulum @liiquid.therapy.
A neon-themed party at Heaven Nightclub, morning Agua Yoga and a special live fire dancer show rounded out the range of fun daily offerings throughout the week.
Property Amenities
Eden Swimming Pool
The sparkling new Eden Pool is the heart of the adults-only section at Hard Rock Riviera Maya.(Credit: Francisco Sanchez)
It features a swim-up bar topped with a DJ stand and is circled by lounge chairs, beach umbrellas, Bali beds and Grand Cabanas (available at extra cost).
Beach at Hard Rock Riviera Maya (Heaven Section)
The adults-only Eden Beach zone features loungers, Bali beds (extra cost), a beach bar with beachside service and an oceanfront hot tub that’s the largest I’ve seen among resorts in the Cancun Riviera Maya area.
Within the small but private beach area, guests can channel their adventurous sides with snorkeling and non-motorized watersports such as SUP and kayaking.
This sparkling beach features turquoise water and powdery white sand. A unique feature of the beach at Hard Rock Riviera Maya is that a breakwater of limestone rock protects the cove from big waves and sargassum seaweed.
Yet the breakwater features a channel open to the Caribbean Sea that circulates the water and allows for the entry of small tropical fish.
We spotted schools of sergeant majors and enjoyed watching grey heron dive for fish in the waters beyond the cove.
With its string of similar coves along the waterfront all the way to the family-friendly Hacienda section, Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is a great option if you’re travelling during seaweed season of May to October.
Bar service at the beach begins at 11:00 am and food service at noon.
Rock Spa and Hydrotherapy Circuit
To unwind even further, the Rock Spa offers a peaceful sanctuary complete with hydrotherapy circuit, including a temazcal (Mayan steam bath) and 50 treatment rooms.
We didn’t have time to visit the spa during our visit but the treatments (extra cost) sounded very appealing and upscale.
Watch for promos such as Summer Like Heaven for special pricing.
🌟 Insider Tip: For a wellness boost, don’t miss yoga and pilates sessions at the Eden Beach Club.
Summary of this Review of Heaven at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
You’ll feel like rock star royalty at Heaven, the new, adult-only section at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.
Whether you’re chasing tropical fish in a private cove or dining at one of the upscale restaurants, you’ll enjoy the mix of world class luxury, attentive service and fun in the sun.
Heaven perfectly combines the intimate feel of a boutique-sized property with the crowd pleasing excitement and amenities of the Hard Rock Hotel brand.
Planning
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya Official Website: https://hotel.hardrock.com/riviera-maya/
Check rates and Availability at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya (Heaven Section) on Booking.com.
Address: Carratera Cancun-Chetumal, KM72, Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico
FAQs
The Heaven Section at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is reserved for adults-only. Located in Puerto Aventuras between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, it features the Eden Beach and sparkling Eden Pool as well as three restaurants, two bars (including swim-up) and two buildings exclusively for adults aged 18 and over. Guests in the Heaven section also enjoy access to the amenities within the sprawling family-friendly Hacienda section.
Protected by a stone breakwater, the beaches at Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya are calm and seaweed-free depending on weather conditions. Any sargassum is cleared away by resort staff. Unlike some beaches along this coast where there are powerful waves and strong currents, the water at Hard Rock is clear and calm. The ocean current travels in through openings in the rocks that supply fresh seawater and allow marine life such as tropical fish. So bring your snorkel gear!
The Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is located 1 hour and 15 minutes from Cancun International Airport (CUN) by private transfer. It’s also 1 hour and 15 minutes from Tulum Airport (Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport TQO) by private transfer.
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Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.
Read more about Michele Peterson.