UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya

Laid-back yet luxurious, UNICO 20º 87º is a secluded, all-inclusive adults-only haven, set on the pristine beaches of Riviera Maya.

UNICO 20º 87º calls for its guests to go barefoot and walk along its glistening shoreline, wade in the warm Caribbean, stroll its winding paths through lush jungle greenery, and lounge beside your suite's swim-up pool. Are you relaxed yet? Set along a white-sand beach in Akumal, UNICO 20º 87º is one of the most beautiful resorts in the region and should most certainly be added to your Mexico bucket list. The resort's grounds are spacious and immaculately manicured, though it feels far more compact than the majority of its neighbouring resorts, giving it a boutique-y feel, despite the high room count.

While the resort may look like any other luxury all-inclusive property from the outside, the interiors have been meticulously designed to evoke traditional haciendas with modern touches. Ochre rugs over black tile floors, tufted couches in grey hues or brown leather, wooden shutters, and high ceilings with exposed beams make the lobby area warm and inviting for guests, while details such as raspberry and moss-green velvet seating, black leather booths, and wooden accents give the restaurants a rather luxe and stylish vibe. A refined but rustic essence permeates the public spaces, aided by colourful Mexican art, vaulted ceilings and Spanish Colonial-style furnishings. Tufted leather sofas and patterned carpets inside give way to white-washed, sun-drenched walkways outside, contrasted with black-tiled pools.

UNICO is also known to be one of the best party resorts in Playa del Carmen, so if you fancy a social holiday, there are lively pool areas with a variety of activities taking place during the day. On the flip side, if you’re like me and would much prefer to lay low, there are plenty of beautiful spots to unwind and disappear into tranquillity.

LOCATION

Situated along Mexico’s Riviera Maya midway, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, UNICO 20º 87º has incorporated its location into its name, 20º 87º being its latitude and longitude coordinates. The resort is just over an hour away from Cancun International Airport, around 20 minutes from the nearest golf course, and 30 minutes away from the Mayan ruins and deep-water cenote pools in Tulum. UNICO 20º 87º allows you to reap all the benefits of a secluded and tranquil stay, yet still, be in a prime position to enjoy the very best the Riviera Maya has to offer.

THE UNICO EXPERIENCE

UNICO 20º 87º first opened its doors in 2017, and completely changed the hospitality game by elevating what guests could expect from a luxury all-inclusive resort. Yes, this adults-only property has a beautiful beachfront location, contemporary design, three sleek pools, and five-star service, but it’s not your typical all-inclusive. Everything within UNICO is designed so that guests can create their own personalised immersive experience. Food, drinks, entertainment and some on-site activities are included as expected from an all-inclusive resort, but you’ll also get to personalise your in-room minibar, choose the scent of your bathroom amenities, and order from the aromatherapy and pillow menus at no extra charge.

UNICO 20º 87º provides each guest with their very own personal local host who is available throughout the day via WhatsApp. Your host will greet you on arrival and will share their number with you so you're able to contact them anytime during your stay. They can make anything happen. They will arrange your dinner plans, schedule your spa appointments, arrange excursions and give you tips to make sure your stay a memorable one.

One of the biggest perks of the unlimited inclusions available at UNICO is the access to carefully-curated local excursions, some of which aren’t available to other resorts in the area. Tours and excursions within UNICO’s program include visits to famous Mayan ruins, VIP island beach experiences with open bar, and adventures like swimming in nearby cenotes, scuba diving, and ziplining.

The App

UNICO 20º 87º also has its own phone app to provide convenience and ease for guests when ordering food and drinks. Poolside margaritas, guacamole and prawn tacos? The app has you covered, no matter where you are in the resort. You can order room service, drinks to your pool-side lounge, extra pillows for your bed, make dinner reservations and more! It really makes it so easy, with just the click of a button. You can also view all the daily activities, fitness class schedules, and nightly entertainment, so you can plan your days accordingly.

Pool Life

UNICO 20º 87º features secluded plunge pools, private decks, pop-up bars, live artistic demos and activities are scheduled practically every 10 minutes. Three giant bi-level pools ringed with white loungers take over what seems like the majority of the resort. The main two pools located in the centre of the property is where most of the action happens. One of the pools is dedicated to bringing a lively atmosphere to the resort with water activities such as water basketball, waterpolo, and has live music played by a DJ on certain days. This is also the spot where you’ll find water aerobics and aqua spinning led by an instructor taking place daily. The pool right beside this has a quieter but social vibe, and is typically occupied by guests holidaying with larger groups or by couples. We spent the majority of our days soaking up the sun and lounging by this pool. The third pool, Escondida, is tucked away in a quieter part of the resort and pipes soothing music. Drink and food service is available around all pool areas, and two of them have swim-up bars. Multi-person whirlpools and cabanas (for a fee) are also available in all pool decks.

The Spa

UNICO provides a full-service spa that caters to the body, mind, and spirit through a range of luxury treatments and locally-inspired beauty rituals. The best part is that all treatments are included in the Unlimited Inclusions program, which means you can go to the spa as much as you desire and you'll only pay a 25% service fee for each treatment. Esencia Spa is a fully-equipped spa complete with hydrotherapy, massage, spa pools, relaxation rooms, and treatments to demonstrate an immersively relaxing environment. Guests at UNICO work through the water circuit before having massages, moving from the sauna and steam room to the cold room to cool off with some crushed ice. Meditation, yoga and personal training are also available at the beach and in the gym.

LUXURY SUITES & ACCOMMODATIONS

The accommodations at UNICO 20º 87º are designed to provide a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. The hotel offers a range of room options, including oceanfront suites, swim-up pool rooms, and terrace rooms. Each room is equipped with modern amenities such as a smart TV, Bluetooth sound system, and Nespresso coffee maker. Additionally, all rooms feature unique touches that celebrate Mexican culture, including handcrafted art and furnishings.

THE ALL-INCLUSIVE DINING EXPERIENCE

One of the standout features of UNICO 20º 87º is its all-inclusive dining experience. The hotel has five restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines, including Mexican, Italian, and Japanese. The meals are prepared with locally sourced ingredients, and the menus are curated by renowned chefs. In addition to the restaurants, the hotel offers a range of bars, including a rooftop bar and a swim-up pool bar.

What sets UNICO 20º 87º apart from other all-inclusive hotels is its dedication to providing guests with a truly immersive experience. The hotel offers a range of activities that allow guests to learn about Mexican culture and explore the surrounding area. Activities include tequila tastings, cooking classes, and guided tours of nearby archaeological sites.

Overall, UNICO 20º 87º Hotel is an excellent choice for travellers seeking a luxurious beach vacation that combines top-notch accommodation with an exceptional dining experience. The hotel's dedication to providing an immersive cultural experience sets it apart from other all-inclusive resorts in the area, making it an excellent choice for travellers who want to explore Mexican culture while enjoying the beauty of the Riviera Maya.

WHAT TO KNOW

DINNER RESERVATIONS: Be sure to make reservations for dinners in a day or two before you arrive to ensure you have dinner reservations for your first night at the resort. You can make reservations through UNICO’s app.
SAVE YOURSELF A POOL LOUNGER: One of the frustrating things we found with UNICO was the fact that all the sun loungers by the pools were taken or reserved by 8am. If you want to secure yourself a spot by the pool for the day, you’ll have to reserve your spot or be seated by 7am. We would wake up at 6am just to reserve a spot, and even at that time, there wasn’t much choice left.
CHILDREN: All ages welcome. The restaurants have children's menus. Some rooms can interconnect with suites. Baby cots and extra beds are free for kids under 12 years.

WHAT TO PACK: Save some space in your suitcase. UNICO provides his and hers sun hats for you! You’ll even have the chance to have your hat custom painted on Wednesdays from 11am–5pm.

Visit https://www.unicohotelrivieramaya.com/ to check their availability or visit their Instagram page @unico2087.

I was hosted as a guest of UNICO 20º 87º, however, all the opinions expressed in this article are, as always, my own.