Is Catalonia Playa Maroma the Perfect Blend of Family-Friendly Activities and Authentic Mexican Culture?

On our adventure from Catalonia Royal Tulum, we drove about 30 minutes northwards, with our next stop being the family friendly Catalonia Playa Maroma. Quite reminiscent of Royal Tulum in its layout, the welcoming lobby embraces you right at the entrance. Unfolding from there, a stone pathway leads down to the beach and pool area. Giving it a village-like feel, the pathway sprouts off into side lanes leading you to clusters of room buildings on both sides.

To see my other resort reviews:

• Catalonia Grand Costa Mujeres Review

• Catalonia Royal Tulum Review

Catalonia Playa Maroma Overview

Welcome to the Catalonia Playa Maroma, an amazing family haven sprawling over 426 spacious rooms. Each corner of the resort is cram-full of wonder with seven restaurants, five bars, and an inviting beachfront pool. All of these amenities come without breaking the bank; it’s as affordable as it's beautiful.

Resort Location

One of the best features of Catalonia Playa Maroma is it’s location, just 35 minutes south of Cancun International Airport and 15 to 20 minutes north of Playa del Carmen.  This location is perfect for some of the Mexican Caribbean’s best excursions like visiting a cenote, snorkeling, one of the many different eco parks, fishing, and the shopping and nightlife of Playa del Carmen.  

Resort Layout and Vibe

This resort is laid out a LOT like the adults only Catalonia Royal Tulum.  Imagine a rectangular plot of land with the lobby buildings on one end, the beach and ocean on the opposite end, and a walkway between the two.  Along the walkway are off shooting pathways leading to the room buildings. The main difference is the Catalonia Playa Maroma walkway is straight, while the Catalonia Royal Tulum walkway is winding and relaxing.  However both are set among the mangroves and feature a traditional Mexican jungle-like vibe.  

Because this resort is family-friendly, the pool area was hopping with the animation/entertainment team leading a family music trivia game.  The vibe was active and lively, without being over the top. 

The Rooms

Similar to Catalonia Royal Tulum, Catalonia Playa Maroma offers large, spacious rooms, some with traditional Mexican accents (think dark wood furniture) and some that have been renovated to a more modern, fresh style.  There are no elevators at this property, so keep that in mind.  

While it may take a few years, all of the rooms will eventually be updated to the more clean look, similar to what you can find at Catalonia Grand Costa Mujeres. They plan to eliminate some room categories as the renovations are complete.  Here are the current room categories available:

• Comfort Room

• Premium Room (renovated)

• Premium Deluxe Room (refreshed)

• Privileged Romance Room (Adults Only)

• Privileged Romance Deluxe Room (Adults Only)

• Privileged Suite Room (renoated)

• Privileged Superior Room(refreshed)

• Privileged Suite Ocean View & Swimming Pool (renovated)

• Family Premium Deluxe Room (renovated)

If you stay in a Privileged room category, you also received Privileged benefits which include:

• Exclusive, updated room locations 

• 10% discount on hotel services

• Privileged identification

• Early check-in and late check-out based on availability

• 10% off romantic beach dinner

• Room service

• 10% discounts in boutique and stores

• Dedicated beach area and beach bar

• 10% discount on massages or spa treatments

• Turndown service

• Beach towels in room on the day of arrival

• Access to Bloved restaurant

• 1 Hour hydrotherapy circuit per stay

On top of this, if you select a Romance room you also receive a couple’s massage and a romantic dinner for two on the beach with a minimum 4-night stay.

Pool & Beach

Again, very similar to Catalonia Royal Tulum, Catalonia Playa Maroma features a beachfront pool, which is one of my favorite things.  The large, freeform pool features multiples different levels, ledges, steps, and zero entry which is perfect for families and kids of all ages.  

The pool has an all-important swim up bar, walk up bar between the beach and pool, plus several snack areas.  They even offer mini food trucks with extra quick snacks, which is such a unique concept!  I really do love the lunch options at all Catalonia resorts!

Check out these quick videos of the pool:

Maroma Beach is ranked as one of Mexico’s best beaches, although at times it can be prone to sargassum.  The sargassum situation can change from day-to-day or even hour-to-hour, but the quality of the sand and stunning water colors usually make up for it.  

The beach is divided into two sections, Privileged and Non-Privileged.  Guests staying in a Privileged room have a designated beach area with tan colored loungers and a Privileged guest only beach bar with beach service.  Non-Privileged guests have teal colored loungers and a nearby bar as well.  

Entertainment

Catalonia Playa Maroma offers excellent entertainment options for families and even offer specialized activities for kid’s.  During my visit, I got to witness a really cute kid friendly, Disney movie inspired trivia game by the pool.  They also have a theater with nightly shows and various live music throughout the evening.  

The included kid’s club accepts children from ages 4 to 12 with supervised scheduling programming and the teen club offers a fun getaway for teens from 13 to 17.  

Additional onsite activities include their own butterfly farm and beehives and tennis courts (pickleball coming soon!).

Dining

Catalonia Playa Maroma offers 7 different restaurants, and all but the buffet require reservations.  I had the opportunity to eat lunch at the buffet and I was quite pleased with the options and various types of cuisine available.  Plus, it was hot and delicious!

Breakfast is offered at the buffet daily or Privileged guests have the option of service at the Bloved restaurant.  I loved the location of Bloved, right near the beach and pool with a lovely view. 

There are SO many lunch options outside of the buffet including a creperie, snack bar, coffee bar, and food trucks.

For dinner, your restaurant options include:

• El Pajarito, buffet

• Terrace. Tapas Lounge & Bar, tapas lounge

• BLoved (Privileged guests only)

• Adelita, mexican

• Grill, cuts of meat grilled

• Ayami, teppanyaki and japanese

• La Toscana, italian

Connectivity

As with Catalonia Grand Costa Mujeres and Catalonia Royal Tulum, Catalonia Playa Maroma does not have a stand alone app.  Instead they feature a website via QR code scan that is the hub of the resort.  

Through this website, you’ll manage your dinner reservations, view the activity and entertainment schedule, and find general information about the resort.

Who Is This Resort Perfect For?

• First time all inclusive families who have a moderate budget to spend

• Want to be relatively close to the best excursions in the Riviera Maya region

• Value privacy and quiet and prefer a lush, tropical setting

• Want lots of fun activates to keep their kids busy and entertained

• Enjoy seeing wildlife - I saw a howler monkey plus lots of coati (do NOT feed the coati!)

• Love an AWESOME beach, despite possible sargassum

Who Is Not Right For This Resort?

• Prefer butler or concierge level service

• Want rooms with an ocean view

• Looking for rooms with a separate sitting area

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5

I think this resort has a place for families on a strict budget, however if the budget allows, I do think there are better options in the same area that offer more.

Still to come are:

• Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres

• Atelier

• Garza Blanca

• Planet Hollywood Cancun

Have you started planning your next vacation? I'd love to help find YOUR perfect destination and resort.

Email me today or schedule your complimentary 30-minute phone consultation.

Until next time...