Adrian Grade – 4.3 stars out of 5
Overview
Finest Playa Mujeres is an elegant all-inclusive resort with 450 rooms that is located in the Quintana Roo area of the Yucatan Peninsula. This high-end resort comes with all of the bells and whistles you’d expect from a higher-end 4-star resort with a level of service that has 5 stars written all over it. This review is based on two visits to the resort in recent years.
The Finest Playa Mujeres is a part of the excellence collection chain of resorts which include the Finest, Beloved, and Excellence brands. There are three separate hotels in the compound of resorts and each of them caters to a slightly different experience. Finest Playa Mujeres is genuinely a nice mix between a family/adult resort. It’s perfect for families and couples alike.
Built-in 2015, it still has that new feel to the resort and avoids the wear and tear issue that so many resorts succumb to. From the quality of the restaurants to the decor of the resort, the Finest Playa Mujeres packs a punch. Be sure to check out the resort’s opening and COVID precautions. Information can be found here.
Location
It’s conveniently located a very reasonable 25-minute drive to the center of Cancun, so you’re far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the nightlife to have a relaxing vacation while having the ability to hop in a taxi to dance the night away.
It’s also just a 35-minute drive to Cancun International airport, so there are no long treks needed once your plane has touched down. The resort is located right on a nice sandy beach which is perfect for both relaxing dips in the ocean and a multitude of water activities offered by the resort.
The area of Playa Mujeres is in our opinion the most competitive area for all-inclusive resorts in the Cancun area. The resorts located here just offer that little bit more in terms of quality and luxury compared to resorts in the main hotel zone. The beach is significantly nicer in Playa Mujeres and resorts here also tend to be on a lot bigger plots, so you get the feeling of exclusivity and more space.
Top Tips
Before we delve into the nitty-gritty of the review, I wanted to call out some of the top tips we learned from our previous stays a the resort.
- Although this is in no way a party resort we found that the rooms that were nearest the main pool were the loundest. These were rooms in building number 5. Although the oceanfront suites in this building have potentially the best sea views in the resort, they can be a little noisey with the main pool. If you looking for a quietier room then we suggest requesting a room in buidling 1 or 3
- In regards to room selection if you are looking for a room in the most convenient building for all amenities then choose building 4
- For couples, we suggest spending a little bit extra and doing the excellence club. As the private beach area pools, the Domma and Seaside restaurant are well worth the extra cost
- Make sure to book the Teppanyaki experience, it’s a great spectacle and the food was delicious too. This can be done at the Japanese restaurant entrance during the day
- One of our favoirte things to do each morning was to grab a fresh coconut from the Tropical juice bar. They usually start serving them around 11 am, but be sure to get there earlier as they usually run out pretty swiftly. The tropical juice bar is located at the back of the resort near the One spa
Check-in
From the moment you arrive, you are treated with a level of professionalism and care that we’ve only experienced in a handful of all-inclusive resorts.
When you pull up the long and winding driveaway and arrive at the front doors the experience is that little bit special. As you approach the front door the doors will automatically open and you will be presented with a stunning view of the golden bar on the lower level as well as a glass of prosecco on arrival.
Check-in starts at 2 pm, but if you arrive early the reception can store your bags while you grab a drink by the beach. If you want to maximise the most out of your vacation we recommend planning to arrive early on your first day and leaving late on your last, so you can make the most of the resort.
Amenities
The Finest Playa Mujeres features 10 pools throughout the resort and every time we have visited there has been ample room. Whether you’re looking for a secluded spot or some music by the main pool you will never struggle to find somewhere. Of those 10 pools, there are 5 of them that are heated in the winter, but with the temperatures year-round in Cancun, this is too much of an issue.
We would consider this a medium-sized resort, so 10 pools is a really impressive amount when you take into account the volume of guests. The volume of pools isn’t the only impressive part though. The sheer size of a lot of the pools is huge. Something that really put this in perspective is that the Finest Playa Mujeres has 35,000 sq ft of the pool area, which is a crazy high amount.
There is a wide range of activities for both adults and kids. Below we have a detailed overview of the kids club so let’s focus on the elements outside of that for the moment,
There are a number of water activities that are offered for free. These include kayaking, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. Jet ski and other water sport rentals are available for a fee.
There are also tennis courts on-site and these courts can be booked with the concierge. Outside near the main bar, there is also a pool, ping pong table, and a large chess table to keep you occupied.
The resort also schedules a wide range of classes throughout the week such as aerobics, cooking, dancing, language, pilates, water fitness, and yoga.
In the evenings there is entertainment that is put on in the main stage area. This entertainment can range from tribute bands to DJs to dance routines and is a nice way to spend the evening if you are into that sort of thing.
Gym
The fitness facilities are of a pretty high standard. The gym included a number of treadmills, elliptical machines, rowing machines, free weights, machine weights, and a studio area. All of the equipement is very new and you can get a solid worjout in here.
It’s spacious and includes all the equipment necessary to work off the drinks from the night before. There are also personal trainers on-site, so if you really need the motivation which you can book at an additional cost. There is a seperate studio room aswell where classes take place.
Golf
For the golf lovers out there, the Playa Mujeres golf course is located within the resort compound. It’s a par 72, Greg Norman-designed course that is perfect for the experienced and mid-tiered golfer.
A lot of the hotels in the area do offer complimentary rounds with your stay, but a word of warning you will still need to pay for the golf cart, club rentals, etc. So, if you’re planning to play some rounds we suggest you bring your own clubs.
Beach
This is a perfectly acceptable beach, you’re not going to get the piercing turquoise oceans of Turks and Caicos, but this beach is a great place to soak up the sun. Due to the Isla Mujeres island, this beach offers a level of protection compared to the somewhat choppy beaches in the Cancun tourist zone.
There are ample amounts of sun loungers and areas to chill out and the drinks service at the beach was always on point. What more does a person want. Sun, sea sand, and a long island iced tea.
If you choose to splurge on the excellence or finest clubs you will be treated to a reserved area on the beach. Although there is an ample amount of sun loungers and chairs, it is nice to chill out on the covered sunbeds which are a perfect spot for that mid-afternoon nap.
Spa
The one spa offers a wide range of treatments and therapies. Guests of the spa also have access to the hydrotherapy area to recharge even further. All treatments and therapies are at an additional cost. We highly recommend that you book before you travel as there are typically discounts offered if you book prior to traveling.
The Service
For me, this is one of the standouts. The service was top quality and it really was similar to a 5-star resort. From the morning coffee to the bar staff remembering our drinks orders. The experience was very personalized.
Everything was done with a smile and each staff member I encountered was consummately professional. The one slight drawback I had was that once our room was cleaned a little too late in the day, I’m really clutching at straws here. Overall, it was something to write home about.
Is it Family Friendly?
This is a rather unique resort because it definitely is family-friendly with the stellar kids club and kid-friendly offerings, but it manages to be a great option for couples as well.
Due to the size of the resort and the top-notch child care, it manages to cater to couples and families alike, so no matter what experience you looking for the Finest has you covered.
There are lots of options for kids at this resort. The “Imagine Kids club” offers all-day activities for all ages ranging from toddlers to teens. The kids club area offers a supervised pool, table tennis tables, computer games, etc, so there’s no worry that they won’t be kept busy.
This is one of the better kids clubs I’ve seen with activities on the hour every hour, by the time 8 pm/10 pm comes, the kids are ready to hit the hay. From ping-pong to face painting and fun activities in between, Finest pulls out the stops keeping the kids entertained and having as much an enjoyable holiday as you are.
The food selection is wide-ranging so no matter how picking your child maybe there will be something for everyone’s tastes. There is a conveniently located child care facility right next to all of the restaurants if you don’t sign your kids up for the kid’s clubs you can still organize some alone time.
The kids club is broken up into three different age groups and they have varying opening times as seen below.
- MINI CLUB
Opening Hours – 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Age Range – 0 – 2 years old: parents required 3 – 6 years old:
2. MAXI CLUB
Opening Hours – 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Age Range – 7 – 11 years old
3. TEENS CLUB
Opening Hours – 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Age Range – 12 – 15 years old All-day activities
Price Range + Packages
There is a wide range of rooms and package types available depending on the experience you want. Finest is definitely on the more premium pricing end, but in my opinion, it’s worth every penny.
Whether you are a family of 4 or a couple on their honeymoon this resort really does cater to everyone. The rooms are broken up into the below categories and most of the rooms come with the option of adding the excellence and the finest club to the room.
Junior Suite (Spa or pool view)
Junior Suite with Private Pool
Pool Junior Swim-Up Suite
Two-Story Suite with Plunge Pool
Family Suite
On the first occasion, we visited we stayed in a Junior Suite with a pool view and I really can’t fault it. The room was spacious and well designed and with the volume of pools in this resort you’re never going to run into issues getting a place by the pool, so swim-up suites aren’t necessary our my opinion.
What’s included in the all-inclusive package
The all-inclusive package at the Finest Playa Mujeres is a really strong offering. All food, drinks, activities, use of amenities taxes, and gratuities (See tipping section below) are included in the all-inclusive package. This includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as unlimited snacks and room service, so you definitely won’t go hungry.
Food and beverages, all buffets, à la carte meals, snacks, and beverages included 24-hour room service, In-room minibar (all beverages included) In-room liquor dispensers, Activities, and facilities/equipment.
There’s a wide range of drinks available from cocktails at the pool bars to high-end spirits at the main lobby bar. My one call out would be that there was a pretty limited selection of beer available. Dos Equis and Sol were the only options available when we stayed there.
Tips and taxes are included. Additional tips at guests’ discretion are accepted. Like every all-inclusive resort, we suggest tipping servers and bar staff when you order food or drink.
Food + Restaurant Options
With 11 restaurants 1 food truck and a cafe plus 2 additional restaurants that can only be accessed by excellence club visitors. Finest offers a wide range of choices that will cater to everybody’s culinary choices. The food quality overall was very good and with the range of choices available, you’ll be doing well to try all of the options.
Obviously, it’s all-inclusive, so you’re never going to get the fine dining that is always promised, but what was produced during our stay was very consistent. We managed to try all but 1 restaurant over the two visits we had. Below is my ranking of each of the restaurants.
1. Tinto & Tapas
This was definitely our favorite spot and it was the only restaurant that we returned to. The food here is top quality and the ambiance really does make you feel like you’re sipping on sangria on a street corner in Sevilla. The chicken and ham croquettes were to die for.
2. Shoji
All things Asian cuisine are offered in Shoji with a focus on Japanese cuisine, but even if you don’t like Sushi there will be something on the menu for you. This came in a close second to Tinto and Tapas as our favorite restaurant. The tuna sashimi was the standout for me. There is also a Teppanyaki experience that needs to be pre-booked the day of. There is limited availability for this though, so make sure you book ahead.
3. Lizo
No trip to the Finest Playa Mujeres is complete without a visit to Lizo. This Mexican offering gives guests a local taste of the beauty of Mexican cuisine. The food here was top notch and I’d highly recommend the Chicken with mole poblano and Mexican rice. I’m still dreaming of that now.
4. The Market Kitchen
This is a large-scale buffet-style restaurant that offers a very wide selection of food. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and overall the food quality here is good considering the style of offering. It’s a large style seating area, so there’s never an issue getting a table and the restaurant offers a lovely outdoor patio where you can sip on some Mimosa’s as you chow down for breakfast (The outdoor area does have fans, so you won’t overheat too much).
5. Le Petit Plaisir
This french style restaurant is one of the adult-only restaurants that whisks you off to Paris and back. The beef tartare was legitimately good and the atmosphere was ever so classy.
6. Dommo (Excellence Club Guest Only)
It offers a wide range of cuisines and is exclusively for guests staying in the excellence clubs. It’s open for breakfast and dinner and was never busy when we went. It really is a mix of a lot of the other restaurants, so it’s perfect for couples that can’t decide on one restaurant.
7. Insieme-trattoria
Is an Italian restaurant that serves all the traditional dishes that you’d expect from your local Italian. Pizza, pasta, and everything in between. Couple any dish off with a nice bottle of vino and you’re off to the races.
8. Dukes Lobster & Seafood
For me, this restaurant was the nicest location. Situated next to the main pool, this second-floor location gives you beautiful views over the ocean and the surrounding complex. It serves a cross between Mexican and American foods. If you like seafood this is your place. We highly recommend the Lobster Bisque.
9. Brass Steakhouse
It does exactly what it says on the tin. Steak. This was one of the restaurants I was least impressed with. The quality of the meat was pretty average and the service that night wasn’t great, so our experience was probably a bit tainted.
10. Legends Bar + Grill
The perfect place to pull up a barstool and watch the sports while you chow down on some nachos and beers. Although the offerings are the same as you’d get in most bars, the standard of the food was good. It’s the perfect place to go for a casual dinner and drink.
11. Surf & Turf
I was a little disappointed with the restaurant and it probably leads back to the quality of the steaks that we also experienced in the Brass steakhouse. The lobster and beef main course were ok, but it just lacked the finesse that you’d usually expect from a seafood and steak restaurant.
12. Las Dunas Bar + Grill
When you talk about location the beachside grill has it all, sadly when it came to the food offering it did not match the stunning surroundings. My expectations were probably a little too high for a beachside grill, but after spending a few days sampling the other high-quality restaurants I was a little disappointed with what we got. If you just looking for a slice of pizza or salad then this might do the job, but I’d recommend prying yourself from the beach to go to the market kitchen or Dukes for lunch.
La Cocinitia Food Truck
Perfect for lunch or a late-night snack it offers burgers, tacos, and sandwiches and is conveniently located next to the main performance area. It’s fast and tasty and is the perfect place to grab a snack on the go.
Seaside Restaurant
This was the one restaurant we didn’t try as we were not the finest club guest on either occasion we visited. It offers a range of international cuisine with buffet-style offerings as well as an ala carte menu. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is conveniently located near the main pool area.
The Sweet Corner
Perfect for kids and adults alike the sweet corner offers a range of coffees, pastries, and ice creams that will keep that sweet tooth at bay. Perfect for those morning coffee pick me up and those after-dinner ice cream cones.
Bars and Drinks Offering
With 15 bars and lounges, there is always somewhere close to getting a refreshing drink. Whether that be an alcoholic one or smoothies and mocktails for the kids. Every refreshing desire is satisfied here.
The golden bar in the main lobby looks like it belongs in the architectural digest. While the Sky bar is the perfect spot to watch the moon reflect off the ocean with a Pina Colada in hand. All bars carry premium spirits that will satisfy the pickiest of drinkers.
Things to do Locally
Cancun is obviously infamous for its nightlife and if you are keen on experiencing that the Finest is very accessible via Taxi to the main nightlife area of Cancun. It is about a 15-minute taxi drive from the resort. But if nightlife isn’t your thing, this part of Mexico has a number of culturally significant places to see and visit. Top of the list is the Chichen Itza which is located around a 2 and half hour drive from Cancun. Listed as one of the 7 wonders of the world. This ancient Mayan city is a fantastic day out and well worth a visit.
There are also a number of impressive natural sites to visit such as the Xcaret nature park which has a number of natural attractions and wildlife to be admired. The Yucatan region also boasts some of the most impressive swimming spots in the world. The area has a number of sinkholes like the one below in Dos Ojos and is well worth a visit.
Is the Excellence Club worth it?
The premium club offering at the Finest is actually broken down into two clubs. “The Finest club” and “the Excellence club”. They are seperated as the Excellence club is an adults only experience and “The Finest club” is for family guests that want that premium club offering.
There are a number of room offerings that are categorized as “excellence rooms/finest rooms”. These rooms give you access some unique benefits to make you stay extra special. The biggest question we always have about these premium club offerings does the benefits outweigh the additional cost compared to the standard rooms. At the Finest Playa Mujeres, the Excellence/Finest club rooms cost on average 25% more than comparable standard rooms.
There are a plethora of offerings that come with the Excellence/Finest club, the two features below were the standout ones.
Access to Private Beach and Pool Area
Although this resort isnt short of space and you will have no issue getting a space by the beach or the pool. The private area that you have access to as a Excellence/Finest club guest is actually pretty nice. In the beach there are Cabanas availabe at no additional cost which was the standout element to us. The service in this area was also top qulaity and a little bit faster then that of the main beach.
Access to Lounge and Restaurants
Elevated access top shelf liquor options at the premium clubs and restaurants is definitely a great bonus to the have. In these lounges and bars you can get the likes of Johnny Walker Black, Grey Goose and Hendriks Gin. You alcohol selection in your rooms is also upgraded with a club level room. We didnt find the the addtional restaraunts were much better then the other restaurants in the resort.
Overall, although some of the features of the premium clubs were strong we felt it didnt warrrant the additional cost. If you are travelling in a particularly busy time of the year, then it would be worth paying the premium, but for anyother time we dont feel its needed.
Conclusion
Overall, we were very impressed with the resort. Finest Playa Mujeres offers a high standard of service and should definitely be considered in the top 3 resorts in the Cancun region. Of the three excellence hotels that are in the Playa Mujeres area, I would rank this as the second-best experience. It was a close second to Finest’s sister hotel the Beloved. For an in-depth review of the Beloved, check out our review here.
The main areas of concern for me were that sometimes the quality of the ingredients that were being used in the restaurants was not a very high standard in some cases. Also, the room service was a little bit hit and miss, but overall the experience was of a very high standard.
When you take into account the lower price point compared to the sister hotels in the complex I think the Finest Playa Mujeres is the best option for families and couples who are looking for a luxury experience but don’t want to break the bank.
FAQ’s
Q. Does Finest Playa Mujeres offer a shuttle service from the Airport
A. Yes, a shuttle service from the airport can be requested. They do advise that you ring prior to your trip to check availability. This shuttle service does come at an additional cost though.
Q. Is parking available at the resort
A. Yes, parking is available for guests and it is complimentary
Q. Is Wi-Fi included
A. Yes, Wi-Fi is available to you in your suite as well as throughout the resort. Wi-Fi is complimentary. The signal was very good throughout the resort. Youll have no issues taking video calls or streaming TV shows from the beach or by the pools. The signal in the rooms was also very strong too.
Q. What local attractions are there?
A. There are multiple tours in the local area. You can book tours online or through the travel excursions desk that is located on the ground floor of the main building opposite the Tapas restaurant. Some of the tours that are available are fishing trips, cruises, tours of the Tulum Mayan Ruins, and Xel-Ha Natural Park.
Q. Does Playa Mujeres have a seaweed problem?
Seaweed does wash up onto the shore of the Playa Mujeres beach, but its never been an issue any of the times we have visited as its been in quite minimal amounts. The staff here do also clear it each morning too, so we don’t consider it an issue at the Playa Mujeres beach.
