Cancun (Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya), Mexico
Rating8.3
Rating6.3
Rating8.2Above Average
Based on 3.1k reviews
Exceptional Dining
Guests rave about the resort's top-notch à la carte gourmet dining, with particular praise for restaurants like Ambar and the Ceviche Bar.
Attentive Staff
The staff consistently receives commendation for their warmth, friendliness, and personalized VIP service that often exceeds expectations.
Serene Natural Beauty
The resort's lush tropical jungle, tranquil waterways, and on-site cenote create a peaceful ambiance, integrated harmoniously with nature and diverse wildlife.
Luxurious Suites
Guests love the spacious and well-appointed suites, often featuring private plunge pools, outdoor bathtubs, and sophisticated amenities like espresso machines.
Private Beach
The wide, private beach offers soft, uncrowded sands and calm waters, making it an ideal spot for peaceful relaxation.
Included Spa Hydrotherapy
Unlimited complimentary access to the comprehensive spa hydrotherapy circuit, including various pools, steam rooms, and saunas, is a significant guest perk.
Aging Facilities
Many guests note that while aesthetically pleasing, the hotel's infrastructure shows signs of age with recurring maintenance issues like faulty air conditioning and plumbing.
Service Speed & Staffing
Despite positive remarks about individual staff, guests frequently report slow service for requests, transportation, and dining, sometimes attributed to understaffing.
Hidden Costs/Inclusions
Be aware of potential unexpected charges for items like specific premium liquors, certain room service options, or advertised water sports that may not be fully included.
Limited Entertainment
Those seeking a lively atmosphere might find the resort very quiet, with limited organized daily activities and entertainment options that often require advance booking.
Firm Beds
Several guests have found the beds to be uncomfortably firm, which can affect sleep quality during their stay.
Aggregate score derived from public review platforms. Category scores reflect our editorial assessment based on analysis of guest reviews. ResortFlock is not affiliated with or endorsed by any review platform.
AAA 4 Diamond
AAA
Member
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH)
Best Boutique Hotel – Overall
Silver, 2019
Travvy Awards
Best Boutique Hotel – Mexico
Silver, 2019
Travvy Awards
The Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel is what happens when a 5-star jungle resort changes ownership from Mandarin Oriental to a Spanish mid-tier hotel group and tries to maintain the original property's level. Opened in December 2011 (on the footprint of the former Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya), the resort spans 36 acres of protected coastal ecosystem: tropical jungle, river waterways, mangroves, and a genuine Mayan cenote that guests can swim in from Monday through Friday. At 128 suites, it maintains a boutique feel.
The property specifically attracts couples, honeymooners, and luxury-seeking adults who want an all-suite all-inclusive with à la carte-only dining, zero buffet exposure, and a serious spa. The AAA Four Diamond rating is accurate — the ambition is clearly high-end. What draws guests is the setting (the 36-acre junglescaped property is visually striking), the cenote swim (rare for a resort), and the 2,200 sq meter Blue Diamond Spa with its complimentary hydrotherapy circuit access.
The honest issue is that the property is showing its age. Built in 2011 and last renovated in 2012 (with a suite and spa refresh in 2023), recurring guest feedback flags maintenance problems: malfunctioning plumbing, inconsistent air conditioning, worn bicycles that are the only practical way to navigate the sprawling 36 acres. Some guests also report unexpected surcharges for items supposedly covered by the all-inclusive plan — premium liquors, specific water sports — creating a trust problem that premium resorts can't afford.
At 36 acres, it takes 15 minutes to walk from the lobby to the beach — golf carts and bicycles are the practical navigation tools, but the golf carts can be hard to summon and the bicycle fleet is reportedly poorly maintained. Cancún International Airport (CUN) is 40–55 km away, a 35–46 minute drive depending on route and traffic.