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Part of the Maya Riviera’s Mayakoba resort community, the Fairmont Mayakoba has 401 guest rooms located in casitas of various sizes scattered around the forty-five-acre property. Most rooms have views of one several natural lagoons which guests can travel across via complimentary lanchas or small covered canal boats. The rooms are spacious and well designed for families. The Signature Casita Rooms, for instance, feature a large master bedroom with huge marble bathroom and dressing area and a living room, which can be outfitted with twin cots and second bathroom. The rooms and bathrooms are as attractive as those in a Four Seasons property, with sleek, contemporary furnishings, not likely to offend anyone but not particularly specific to Mexico. Many convenient amenities such as plasma screen Tvs and high-speed internet have been thought of but others are missing. On a recent visit, there were mini-bars in the rooms but they were not stocked. The gift shops sold suntan oil but no sunscreen, which given that you cannot board a plane in the U.S. with more than 4 fluid ounces of a lotion seemed a major oversight. If the rooms are as nice as those in the best resorts, the service and the crowded feeling of the public areas remind you that what really sets the top properties apart from the next level down is not the infrastructure but the people. The hotel opened in April 2006, and with only two major pool areas for 400 rooms, it gets so crowded that you may not find a chaise if you don’t stake one out early. Families tend to pack in around the pool that is not near the beach, possibly because of its popular water slide. All restaurants feature a kids’ menu but service can be exceedingly slow. In addition to a fantastic Willowstream Spa and 18-hole Greg Norman golf course on the property, the Maya Riviera offers a spate of family-friendly activities from diving or snorkeling in Cozumel (the world’s second largest coral reef) to zipline riding though the jungle or exploring the Mayan ruins of Tulum—many of which can arranged by the hotel. Bottom line: At first glance this looks like a true luxury resort but its size and service give the experience a slightly mass-market mediocre feeling. On the other hand, it is only forty minutes or so from the Cancun airport, which is easily reached from both coasts, so for a quick fix of sun in winter, it’s reliable and can be reasonable. Rates based on availability (and thus are subject to change) although average starting room rate is $219; casitas are $299 and private casitas start at $399.

Tip: The nicest rooms are the ones on the beach in a private area of the resort. Each of these comes with butler service.