The 450-room Excellence Playa Mujeres adults-only all-inclusive resort is a luxury property set in the heart of a private resort community to the north of Cancun. Modern, luxurious rooms are huge and have big whirlpool tubs; all have balconies and some have ocean views. Swim-up suites and rooftop terrace suites with private plunge pools are available upgrades. All the features expected for this caliber of resort are here, including seven swimming pools, a high-end spa, a theater for nightly entertainment, and activities such as non-motorized water sports, fitness classes, and Spanish lessons. There are 10 buffet and a la carte restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisines such as Italian, Asian, Mexican, and Indian, plus 11 bars offering premium alcohol and 24-hour room service. The secluded location is part of the appeal for many, but may be too isolated for some -- and the white-sand beach, while tranquil, isn't as impressive as those in Cancun’s Hotel Zone. This is an excellent luxury resort, but couples wanting a more central location should consider the beautiful Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun.

The Westin is a large, upscale, family-friendly resort set in a quieter, farther-flung section of Cancun's Hotel Zone. The 376 rooms have views of either the beach or the lagoon and many have balconies, but while some have received modern updates, others still feel dated. The resort features four pools, a beautiful and nearly private beach, a spa and gym, kids’ club, and four restaurants. While there are some meal-plan options, all-inclusive plans aren't available, except for kids. Those looking for an all-inclusive who don't mind a bit more of a party vibe may want to consider the four-pearl Gran Caribe Resort farther up the coast instead.

The Grand Park Royal Cancun Caribe is an upper-middle-range all-inclusive beachfront resort in the heart of Cancun's Hotel Zone. Its 311 rooms are reasonably modern and come a balcony or terrace, some with small private pools, and some with outstanding views of the gorgeous Caribbean Sea. There are four restaurants, including a buffet option for all meals, and there are also snack stands and bars throughout the property. One of the two lovely pools is for adults only, and activities happen on the beach and at the pools. There's also a spa and fitness center (for a fee). Unfortunately, time-share pitches can be aggressive. Travelers looking for a more active all-inclusive could check out the nearby Gran Caribe Resort Cancun, which also offers more services for the kids.

The 1,012-room Colonial & Tropical is an upper-middle-range all-inclusive resort located right on a white-sand beach just south of Playa del Carmen. It offers several huge pools, eight restaurants, and a long list of activities for all ages. While many types of travelers can appreciate the hotel’s extensive features, the hotel seems to cater mostly to families, with great kid-friendly extras such as a kiddy pool, kids’ and teens clubs, and spacious rooms that can accommodate up to five guests.

Made up of five interconnected pyramids, the 525-room Paradisus Cancun is an upscale, all-inclusive mega-resort geared toward families, offering a stellar setting along a beautiful stretch of beach in the Hotel Zone. The well-equipped rooms are spacious and have furnished balconies with sea or lagoon views, free minibars, and free Wi-Fi, but decor is a bit outdated. While breakfast can get busy, there's no shortage of restaurants and bars to choose from and the huge freeform pool with a swim-up bar never feels too crowded. The impressive Yhi Spa, large fitness center, and nine-hole golf course are also notable features here, as is a kids’ club with supervised activities. Family Concierge services include extra in-room perks and family-friendly activities. Despite the property's size, its interior tropical gardens also provide a lush, even secluded ambience. Prices are competitive for this level of luxury, but couples may want to splurge for the adults-only Royal Service at Paradisus Cancun, or consider the adults-only, and sometimes slightly pricier, Live Aqua Cancun.

The all-inclusive, upper-middle-range, 569-room Hotel Riu Cancun has a central Hotel Zone location that's a five-minute walk from popular nightlife spots. The long (but narrow) beach has nice white sand and turquoise water. Rooms are modern (if simple), with free minibars restocked every two days, but limited amenities (no toiletries, no room service, and no coffeemakers). Resort features include three pools, a buffet restaurant with plenty of variety, four specialty restaurants (reservations are not required, but there can be lines), a spa with sauna and hot tub, small gym, and a kids' club. Just note that the pools and beach lose sun by the late afternoon, elevators in the main building can be slow, and the public restroom situation could use improvement. Revamped in 2014, the hotel is now up to modern standards and compares to resorts like Gran Caribe -- though the Gran Caribe has a wider beach, and is farther from nightlife.

Compared to its massive neighbors, the upper-middle-range Samba Vallarta — All Inclusive is pleasantly small scale. While it doesn’t offer the same over-the-top amenities as the Hard Rock or the Grand Velas, its atmosphere is quieter, its pool and beach are less crowded, and its pace is more relaxed. Plus, Samba still has plenty of family-friendly features, like a kiddie pool with water slides, a kids' club, and an outdoor theater with nightly performances. Its 183 rooms are clean and spacious, but decor seriously lacks style, which is true for most of the hotel. There are three on-site restaurants, but food quality gets mixed reviews at the a la carte and buffet options. Travelers looking for a small all-inclusive that’s a bit more upscale might prefer Bel Air Collection Resort & Spa Vallarta, which is pricier but is a bit more stylish and has better food.

The trendy adult-oriented ME Cabo is a fun and sexy four-pearl party hotel situated on the white sands of Playa el Medano and a seven-minute walk to the clubs in downtown Cabo. Centered around a massive pool terrace, ME Cabo has a small fitness center, tranquil YHI Spa, and a DJ spinning house music seemingly non-stop. Guests can grab a bite or order bottle service at the casual poolside restaurant, swim-up bar, or international restaurant and bar. The 162 rooms include flat-screen TVs and minibars, and many feature lovely ocean views. For travelers looking for a quieter atmosphere and lower rates, check out Bahia Hotel & Beach House -- it's one block from the beach and offers a private beach club.

The Now Jade Riviera Cancun is a 550-room megaresort that manages to be both family-friendly and romantic. The hotel's location in low-key Puerto Morelos helps, while its chic spa and unique decor distinguish the resort from its competitors in nearby Cancun. All units are suites with ample space (especially the bathrooms), and the use of a vibrant color palette helps avoid the dreaded "generic hotel" vibe. The private Jacuzzi tubs are also a nice touch, with many located on outdoor balconies. The biggest drawback is the beach, which is smaller and less impressive than many others in the area.

Sprawled across seven acres, the 620-room Royal Decameron Complex is the epitome of the term mega-resort. Colorful low-rise buildings are centered around five massive pools, and seven different bars and restaurants are scattered across the property, which is so large, it’s split in half by a public road. Fun is the name of the game at this always-crowded all-inclusive, and a round-the-clock activities schedule provides constant entertainment for adults and kids. Rooms are plain and slightly dated, the food is mediocre, and Wi-Fi is only available in the lobby, but these drawbacks don’t seem to stop guests from coming. Travelers looking for a smaller all-inclusive with a quieter atmosphere might prefer Samba Vallarta — All Inclusive, though it has fewer amenities and entertainment options.