Hotel Xcaret Mexico Review 2025 – My Honest 3-Night Stay at the New Expansion

Hotel Xcaret México Review: August 22–25, 2025

I spent three nights at Hotel Xcaret México this August, and WOW, even after multiple visits, the expansion has blown me away. From the new casas and rooftops to the freshly opened Muluk Family Spa, the resort feels bigger, bolder, and better than ever.

Here’s my honest take: the good, the quirks, the funny moments (yes, I ate sushi by flashlight), and the little things you’ll want to know before you go.

Arrival & Check-In

Arrived via Terminal 3 and used Xcaret’s complimentary airport lounge + transfer.
They started check-in at the lounge. Insider tip: ask which lobby you’ll be dropped off at (old vs. new), because the shuttle doesn’t always tell you.
Check-in itself was quick this time, but I’ve seen it drag, so pack patience just in case.
We landed in Casa Viento, Room 4394, a great “middle ground” between the old and new sides.
Funny moment: I totally forgot to prep my friend on what to expect (things I always tell clients). Whoops!

Dining Experiences (My Honest Foodie Review)

Food is such a core part of Xcaret, and I ate my way through as much as possible. Here’s how it stacked up:

Chi’

Requires reservations, but we got lucky with a walk-in at 6 PM.
Appetizers: grilled zucchini, Castecan, lime-marinated fish, and the best corn tortillas.
The welcome drink was refreshing, service warm, and the vibe felt intimate.
10/10. Don’t skip.

Tama-Mon

Had a reservation confusion (8:30 vs. 6:30), but staff honored my confirmation.
Ordered Dragon Roll + Mongolian grill; my friend got wine, Tama-Mon Roll, Yakimshi.
Then the power went out. Guests cheered, waiters pulled out phone flashlights, and we ate sushi in near darkness.
Restrooms? One set had lights + long line. I ended up in the dark set, guided by an employee holding a flashlight while I “tinkled.”
Sushi was still great. Mongolian grill skipped because it was getting too hot.
Quirky, memorable, delicious.

Arriba Baja

Adults-only, jaw-dropping design, and elegant vibe.
I was overheated (hello, mild heat stroke) so I ate light: creamy mushroom wild rice + flan.
That flan? Life-changing. My friend’s grilled kale w/ smoked fish was also a hit.
The design is breathtaking (seriously, it’s one of the prettiest spaces at the resort).
Reservations required.

La Xentral

Huge restaurant near the new bus station with TVs showing shuttle schedules.
Beautiful space, but fewer food stations than Mercado. Too busy for me, so I skipped.
Clients of mine have loved it, though!

Las Playas

My breakfast go-to.
The conchas were some of the best I’ve had in my life (and I grew up in Tucson where good pan dulce is everywhere). Light, fluffy, perfectly sweet.
Pancakes + chilaquiles also fantastic.

Xinema

Such a fun, family-friendly concept: food carts right by the pool.
My eats: pizza (wood-fired flavor ), tacos al pastor (so good).
Friend: fish tacos + hot dog.
A little tricky to find, but worth it.

La Silla

Gorgeous décor + delicious food.
Funny/expensive story: my friend thought the surf & turf was 350 pesos ($20). Spoiler: it was 3,500 pesos ($200). Cue tipsy surprise at checkout.
Pricey, but quality was fantastic.

Mercado

Always reliable. Best to go around 7 AM before the rush.
Still think Arte’s Mercado has the edge, but this is solid.

Coffee Spots

Cafeteca (new lobby) = excellent coffee + desserts.
Grab-and-go coffee outside Cafeteca.
Old lobby = lobby bar lattes + elevator-area coffee stand with bread.

Muluk Family Spa (New!)

Opened just 15 days before my stay. Gorgeous but approachable.

17 massage cabins, 18+ only, each w/ two beds + private restroom/shower.
Hydro circuit for kids, but steam, sauna, and hot/cold plunges are adult-only.
Mani/Pedi room (lifted above ground) with 3 pedi + 4 mani stations.
Salon facials for kids w/ parental supervision. Not as stunning as other spa areas, but nice option.
Sauna = Himalayan salt walls + starry ceiling .
Bridal suite coming soon.
Swiss showers are there, but nothing too unique.

Activities & Entertainment

Lunateca (under 5) – Cute, monitored play space.
Xiquit Inn (ages 5–9) – Magical, almost speakeasy-style kids’ hotel. I wanted to play myself!
Teen/Family Rooftops – Casa Luna’s see-through pool section is a highlight. Food = ribeye tacos + burgers/fries with amazing salsa. Casa Vida rooftop = quieter vibes.
Salon Flamingo – Stunning bar w/ live bands, people dancing. Loved it.
Cantina – Arrived at 11:30 PM to reggaeton + dancing. Super fun.
New shuttle – Runs underground between old + new sides. Stunning design, but signage/lighting poor.

Quick Tips & Observations

Lost bracelet? 5,000 MXN fee.
Deposit: 4,000 MXN per room.
Housekeeping 9–5.
On our first night, turndown service never showed up, and we also noticed the room didn’t have enough bottled water (nor was any placed in the mini-fridge). Not the end of the world, but definitely a detail that matters after a long day of walking the resort.

Since we were both celebrating birthdays, an employee stopped by on the second day with a notepad to double-check if we had received our celebration amenity (which we had). While she was there, I mentioned the missing turndown service and lack of water. Within 20 minutes, someone was at our door with extra water bottles. That quick response told me they’re actively working on quality control — something I’ve seen improving at Hotel Xcaret Mexico.

We actually ended up receiving two nights of celebration treats plus a bottle of Xcaret liquor, which was such a thoughtful touch and made our birthdays feel extra special.
ATM near Chi’ + Tama-Mon.
Prepare for 15–20k steps daily, pack comfy shoes.
Bathrooms across property? Works of art. (Weird, but true.)
Signage can be confusing or nonexistent.
Room service hard to reach by phone.
Expansion side has jump-off suites w/ stairs into river.
My friend + I looked for “baby beers” (tiny beers). Apparently banned at Xcaret Mexico. RIP.

Overall Impressions

Is Hotel Xcaret Mexico worth it 2025?

The expansion is absolutely stunning. Architecture, activities, and new dining elevate an already amazing resort. It feels less crowded thanks to all the new spaces.

Yes, there are some service hiccups (slow room service, inconsistent turndown, signage), but staff were kind, responsive, and eager to improve. We even got double birthday amenities + a bottle of Xcaret liquor , such a thoughtful touch.

For me, Hotel Xcaret México remains one of the best luxury all-inclusives in Riviera Maya. Whether you’re here as a couple, family, or group, the resort keeps evolving to deliver something for everyone.

I’ll be back in October for destination wedding training, and I can’t wait to see how it grows even more.

Ready to Plan Your Stay?

As a travel advisor who specializes in Hotel Xcaret México, Hotel Xcaret Arte, and La Casa de la Playa, I know all the insider tips to make your trip seamless and unforgettable.

Click here to start planning your dream Xcaret vacation today!

Check out my latest Youtube Videos about the new amenities at Hotel Xcaret Mexico.

Xiquit Inn

Hotel Xcaret Mexico, Muluk Family Spa