Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Evergreens

Cancun’s Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort reopens after a major renovation—here’s what changed

From complete suite upgrades to new restaurants, Secrets Playa Mujeres is stepping up its game.

Pool, Water, Swimming Pool
Rachel Dennis / The Manual

Just a 10-minute drive east of downtown Cancun’s hustle and bustle is the peaceful Playa Mujeres. The luxury resort community is nestled in wild mangroves and trails along clear, calm Caribbean beaches. It’s dotted with well-secured, private hotels that rival the traditional Hotel Zone, and Hyatt’s Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort is one of the most coveted accommodations within the gated community. 

The 424-suite Hyatt property has been an adults-only getaway along Playa Mujeres since 2014, but made a bold pivot and closed its doors in April 2025—not because it was gone for good, but because the brand invested in a major revamp, bringing its rooms, amenities, and dining program into a new era of luxury travel.

Recommended Videos

The resort reopened in January 2026, and I was lucky enough to stay in April 2026, landing on the resort’s official reopening celebration. While some renovations were still in progress, Secrets Playa Mujeres felt almost as if it were brand new at the time of my stay. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re considering a visit. 

Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort’s renovations

Secrets Playa Mujeres boasts a AAA Four Diamond status and each of its rooms features a spacious suite paired with all-inclusive privileges, so the prestige was already there. Rather than resting on its laurels, the brand wanted to modernize the guest experience by creating rooms worth lingering in, an easier-to-navigate layout, and a dining experience beyond traditional, bland resort food. 

Revamped suites

Every one of the suites has been revitalized, with “contemporary coastal” as the guiding theme. My room had fresh wooden accents that were new enough that they still smelled fresh off the mill. The color scheme is light, soft, and reminiscent of the jungle that the resort sits in.

Lighting also defines the room, with hidden track lighting and hanging wicker baskets housing soft warm lights. There’s a handy light switch control station that lets guests quickly flip through different lighting “scenes.” This means you won’t have to individually turn every fixture on and off, something that can be a pet peeve of mine when there are so many lamps. 

The suite was appointed with a luxuriously soft king bed, a smart TV with a customized welcome message, and a sizable bathroom with a large walk-in shower, natural wooden shutters, and a standalone vanity station. A couch, desk, and coffee table stretch past the sleeping area, adding to the room’s overall spaciousness.

Plush robes, slippers, an iron, minibar, and a few snacks were placed in a dedicated nook and refilled daily. My favorite feature was the large open-air balcony right in front of my floor-to-ceiling windows. Not only was it the perfect sitting area, but housed an oversized stone bathtub, with views of the resort’s organically shaped pools and the ocean’s horizon in the distance.

All base rooms are 602 square feet, ranging from junior suites to swim-up options, with seven options for Preferred Club members extending to over 1,700 square feet. Each suite comes with complimentary WiFi, 24-hour room service, and 24-hour concierge services. 

Upgraded dining options

Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort upgraded a handful of dining options and added two new culinary programs. Coco Café has been transformed into a light, open spot for grabbing well-crafted coffees, teas, light drinks, and baked goods all day long.

Portofino, Secrets Playa Mujeres’ signature Italian restaurant, has also been upgraded with smart Tuscan decor and a la carte options like burrata with artisan speck, mushroom risotto, and beef filet in red wine reduction. 

The menu, of course, boasts ample pasta options. The team prepared our fettuccine formaggio by basting noodles in a giant Parmesan cheese wheel, periodically applying heat with a blowtorch and drizzling in cream until it reached a state of perfection. The experience was one part show, one part culinary artistry, and fully delicious. 

Ayara, a new Amazonian-themed restaurant, was not yet open during my stay, but I took a look inside and it’s perhaps the most tropical spot on the property. Its entryway is filled with lush vines and foliage strewn across the dining room. The pan-South American eatery will feature flavors from Argentina, Brazil, and Peru, replacing Bordeaux, the French restaurant that previously sat at the same site. 

Relocated check-in lounge

Resorts can be big—sometimes so big that you’re busy checking your watch hoping you can make it around the property without wasting half the day. Secrets Playa Mujeres took this into account and relocated its main check-in desk to sit closer to the guestrooms. The new welcome lounge also includes the Rendezvous lobby bar and comfortable open-air seating, so guests feel as if they’re already settling into the environment from the very start. 

Enhanced spa experiences

The upgraded Secrets Playa Mujeres spa is a massive section within the resort that could easily take up a day of your trip. The spa’s lobby even offers unique amenities, from a workshop space for making beauty products to an onsite shop with wellness products for purchase. I felt like I was in a resort within a resort, with over 16,000 square feet dedicated to spa and salon services. 

There’s no rush with treatments—after my massage, I lingered in the Revive Spa Bar, a relaxation area with comfortable seating, juice, and fresh fruits. Guests can also opt to use the hydrotherapy circuit before or after services, a private outdoor alcove with a cold plunge, hot tub, pool, steam room, sauna, and outdoor showers.  

How Preferred Club guests get the biggest experience boost

Hyatt already offers one of the best hotel rewards programs, but the Preferred Club enhances this experience with its luxurious offerings. Think of the Preferred Club as a first-class ticket, obtained by booking a premium room that comes with additional suite amenities. But what makes the upgrade unique is that it also gives guests privileges across the resort. 

The main improvement came to the private beach club and Preferred Club hub, a newly constructed two-story building that sits at the edge of the ocean with an air-conditioned lounge, concierge services, appetizers, and top-shelf liquor served throughout the day. 

The club’s top floor functions as an exclusive indoor/outdoor breakfast spot where I took in coastal views of downtown Cancun while dining on an a la carte menu. I noticed it was quite a bit quieter than the main breakfast area, adding serenity to the start of my day. There’s also a private beach and pool at the clubhouse with sleek loungers and Bali beds that aren’t as crowded as the rest of the resort. 

Those who book Preferred Club rooms and stay at least three nights can also participate in a complimentary dining experience at the exclusive Ki’ Ki’ Che Restaurant, a 5- to 7-course fixed tasting menu paired with chef-selected wines. This experience was a highlight of my visit and featured Australian Wagyu, hamachi tataki, and wild mushroom velouté, rounded out with a sampling of dessert pastries. 

Should you visit the new and improved Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort?

All-inclusive resorts aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but a resort may be worth it if you’re after low-effort, high-quality amenities. Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort embraces an “unlimited luxury” philosophy that makes everything easy—no wristbands, no dinner reservations, and dedicated spots for golf-cart ride pickups. The adults-only property even allows dual access to the neighboring, all-ages Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort, ideal for guests with children.

It’s also a prime choice for golf aficionados, with an 18-hole course designed by Greg Norman, featuring sweeping ocean views and smartly landscaped tropical enclaves. Sitting just minutes from the resort, the golf club is the perfect getaway without a lengthy commute away from your suite. 

I’ve been to plenty of resorts in Mexico, and at the end of the day, what stood out to me the most was the exceptional service. Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort staff was friendly and interactive, from my arrival concierge team to the many warm greetings as I strolled across the property. 

And while fine food, epic views, and outsized amenities matter, a team that makes guests feel relaxed and at home can transform a trip into a retreat. So if you’re looking for the perfect balance of comfort, elegance, and attentive service, the newly revamped resort is easily worth a visit. 

Rachel Dennis
Full-time slow traveler sharing honest insights on nature, culture, and travel to help you plan informed memorable adventures
I spent 72 hours in London with only a carry-on. Here’s how I did it in style
Luxury travel doesn't require a checked bag
London

Somewhere between the baggage claim carousel and the Elizabeth Line, I realized I'd already won. As passengers from my Norwegian flight to London crowded around the conveyor belt waiting for checked luggage to appear, I was already on my way into the city. Twenty minutes later, I was headed toward central London with nothing more than a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. I've become a bit of a carry-on evangelist over the past few years. Not because I'm trying to prove some minimalist point or because I enjoy seeing how few shirts I can survive with. I just genuinely think it's the better way to travel, especially for a long weekend in Europe.

My recent 72-hour trip from Copenhagen to London wasn't exactly a backpacker's itinerary. It included a stay at one of London's nicest luxury hotels, rooftop cocktails, dinners worth dressing up for, and plenty of walking through Soho, Covent Garden, and the rest of central London. Somehow, everything I needed fit inside my Travelpro Platinum Elite Slim Cabin Hardshell Spinner V2, with a backpack holding my flight essentials.

Read more
This New Montana Hotel Captures the Poetry of the Open Road
Helena's newest boutique hotel revives the spirit of the classic roadside motel.
Corner, Home Decor, Bed

In case you need another excuse for a Montana getaway this summer, a quirky new boutique hotel has opened in Helena, the Treasure State's capital. The Bell Hotel occupies the site of the former Bell Motel, a classic 1950s roadside lodge thoughtfully reimagined by CWG Architecture. Each of its 14 rooms features locally made chocolates, coffee, and artwork. While in town, ask the front desk about the Bell's Picnic in the Park package. The hotel supplies a basket of local treats and a blanket; Montana provides the sublime scenery and glorious weather. You're on your own for companionship.

Hannah honey was a peachy kind of girl /Her eyes were hazel and her nose was slightly curved /We spent a lonely night at the Memory Motel- The Rolling Stones

Read more
Want to feel like a lad watching England vs. Norway in New York City? The London is where it’s at
The quarterfinals are here. The London's where you should be.
Flag, Plant, City

The last quarterfinal games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup are here. England-Norway kicks things off in Miami before Argentina-Switzerland caps the day's action in Kansas City. One of the best things to come out of the World Cup has been the atmosphere these fans have provided at each city they've visited. We saw the amazing vibes out of Mexico City last week when England fans visited. Before the game, England fans partied and went toe-to-toe with Mexicans at bars everywhere. I know because I was there at The Dog House Pub.

After England beat Mexico in a classic Round of 16 game, fans flooded the streets and partied. We celebrated with England fans until the wee hours of the morning. If you have a serious case of FOMO, you need not worry. You can still catch good vibes and feel like a lad watching England-Norway at The London, A Luxury Collection Hotel, in New York City.

Read more