Essence at the Fives Beach

Cancun, Mexico

Virgin rating

Deluxe Room
One Bedroom Resort Residence
One Bedroom Pool Walkout
Zky Bar
Oka
La Brasserie
Koh Thai
Gin Bar
Flavours
Garden Room
One Bedroom Resort Residence
One Bedroom Resort Residence
3 Bedroom Resort Residence
3 Bedroom Resort Residence
3 Bedroom Resort Residence
Penthouse Resort Residence
Spa
Spa
Adult only pool
Deluxe Room
One Bedroom Resort Residence
One Bedroom Pool Walkout
Zky Bar
Oka
La Brasserie
Koh Thai
Gin Bar
Flavours
Garden Room
One Bedroom Resort Residence
One Bedroom Resort Residence
3 Bedroom Resort Residence
3 Bedroom Resort Residence
3 Bedroom Resort Residence
Penthouse Resort Residence
Spa
Spa
Adult only pool

The hotel

Looking to create your own memorable moments in Mexico... well we're sure the Essence at The Fives Beach deserves a spot in your Wishlist! Sitting on a picture-perfect beach in Playa del Carmen the stunning Essence at The Fives Beach delivers all your holiday desires. Starting with their generous all-inclusive plan that offers global cuisine and impressive cocktail lists in 10 trendy restaurants and bars, that's enough to keep any foodie happy! Plus, you have a choice of inviting pools, beach club, dreamy spa and a kid's club playhouse, where little ones will be entertained for hours thanks to the energetic activity programme. Phew! There's a great selection of rooms to choose from too, including an Epic Collection Residence range with added extras and benefits to take advantage of. How does all that sound? It's clear to see a holiday here combines a blissful beach break with something a bit more 'extra'... it's no wonder it’s proving popular with fun-loving couples and families.

Amenities

  • Tennis
  • Babysitting service
  • Kids Club
  • Bar
  • Evening Entertainment
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Beachfront location

Where is it

Perfectly sat on the white sand coast of the Caribbean Sea in Playa Del Carmen. Transfer time from airport: 35 minutes.

Hotel information

663 air-conditioned rooms. All with a balcony or terrace with pool or garden views, air-conditioning, LCD flat-screen television or smart TV, WiFi, coffee maker and daily stocked mini-bar. 

With features of contemporary coastal style, Deluxe Rooms have a large balcony or terrace with garden views, and either 2 double beds or 1 king- size bed, sleeping maximum 4 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

All Inclusive includes: a welcome drink upon arrival. Meals and drinks at 10 bars and restaurants, plus casual dining options in the open-air eateries. Domestic and international premium liqueurs. Personal concierge in pool and beach areas. Ice cream shop. 24-hour room service.

Modern 1 Bedroom Resort Residences enjoy a separate living room with double sofa bed, and a full kitchen, as well as 1 king-size bed, sleeping 2 adults. These rooms are also available as a Swim Up Residence, where you can dip into the pool straight from your patio.

2 Bedroom Resort Residences feature a master bedroom, living room with double sofa bed and a second bedroom with 2 double beds (or 1 king-size bed), and a full-size kitchen. These rooms are also available as a Swim Up Residence, where you can dip into the pool straight from your patio.

1 Bedroom Penthouse Resort Residences have their own rooftop lounge area complete with a pergola, barbeque grill and a whirlpool tub.

The Epic Collection

Fancy upgrading? Epic rooms offer added extras and exclusive benefits to make your stay more enjoyable. Rooms are in better locations of the resort and include the following:

- Private check in

- Welcome amenity

- Complimentary laundry service

- Guaranteed same-day restaurant reservations

- Reserved seating at the beach and pool areas

- Special turndown service

- Premium bath amenities

- Pillow menu

- Personalised in-room aromatherapy

- Complimentary in-room breakfast (upon request)

(Available in Epic Deluxe, Epic 1 Bedroom Swim-Up Residence, Epic 1 Bedroom Penthouse Residence, Epic 2 Bedroom Resort Residence, Epic 3 Bedroom Penthouse Residence)

Choice of restaurants: Flavours (International buffet). Mestizo (authentic Mexican gastronomy). La Brasserie (Bistro restaurant serving the best of International cuisine). Oka (sushi bar). Koh Thai (Thai cuisine). Sea Olive (Mediterranean and Mexican fusion menu). Arezzo (Italian delicacies). Natura (grilled flavours). Lizzards (healthy delights). Oriola (beach club grill). 5 pop up food corners including pizza slices, Mexican bites, burgers and sandwiches and other pop up delights. 4 pool bars and 4 signature bars. Coffee shop*.

Daily and nightly entertainment.

Seven outdoor pools. Spa*. Gym. Outdoor tennis courts. Basketball court. Running and jogging circuit. The Beach Club with loungers and sun beds. Aluxitos Play House (4-12 years) offering fun supervised activities for kids, ranging from fitness classes, arts and crafts and tennis lessons. 

Butlers in the pool and beach areas. 24-hour room service. Dry-cleaning/laundry services*. Babysitting service available*. 

Please note: a travel tax of $11 per adult (over 15 years old) applies when visiting the Mexican state Quintana Roo. The payment can be made prior to travel, upon arrival or during the stay, as the tax will be imposed upon departure. There is also an additional Environmental Sanitation Tax of $3.72 USD per room, per night (payable locally, subject to change).

* Denotes local charge. 

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (12800)
  • Very good (2641)
  • Average (1089)
  • Poor (528)
  • Terrible (610)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Avoid. Much better options are easy to find.

Apr 26, 2024 paproctor8 Ahoskie, North Carolina

This is the first negative review I’ve written on Trip Advisor, but there's no way to honestly review our experience at The Fives in a positive light. It is BY FAR the worst 5-star hotel I’ve ever stayed in (lots of experience with other popular ones). Some examples of why I say that: Neither my nor my fiance’s key fobs worked when we first… Read more
This is the first negative review I’ve written on Trip Advisor, but there's no way to honestly review our experience at The Fives in a positive light. It is BY FAR the worst 5-star hotel I’ve ever stayed in (lots of experience with other popular ones). Some examples of why I say that: Neither my nor my fiance’s key fobs worked when we first arrived at our room. No one accompanied us there, so I had to make the long walk back to the main desk to get it fixed. But they wouldn't issue one for her, just me. “She has to come here in person” they said. Can't drink the water here, so rely on housekeeping bringing bottled water. Almost no water pressure in the rain shower. Ordered room service. “That's too many plates for two people. We’re going to charge you two delivery fees.” (we didn't even order drinks or dessert 🤷‍♂️) They want to make sure you don't steal pool or beach towels, so they won't let you have one if you forget your special towel card (different from room key). I tried to touch a towel after getting out of the pool and they sternly ran me off since I’d forgotten to have the special card with me in my bathing suit. Think that'd ever happen at a Four Seasons? 😂 Called for dinner reservations. “First come first serve” they say. No problem. We go, and it's a 45 minute wait for two people. Texting our friends trying the other restaurants, same story or worse. Nice staff, but they've just got too many guests for the restaurant sizes. Called concierge to reserve tennis court for an hour the next day. “We can't do that. You need book the tennis teacher.” “Just to play by ourselves?” “Yes”. “Okay, that's fine. Let's do it”. “We can’t. Call the tennis teacher.” “Okay, connect us to him please?” “He’s gone now. Usually arrives between 8 and 9 in the morning. Try calling after that tomorrow”. 🤦‍♂️ Asked concierge to connect us to the front desk so I could address some of these things and give them an opportunity to respond or improve before I posted this review. “I’ll connect you to them but they're pretty busy.” “No problem, I can wait.” It rings a long time then goes to voicemail. Conclusion: The Fives doesn't come close to meeting 5-star expectations. There are many better options at this price point. We highly recommend you select one of those instead. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Avoid- accommodations are fine, but you may lose water/power with no explanation

Apr 25, 2024 Kameron M Arlington, Virginia

The room and the set up of the resort were nice! But that’s where the positives begin and end. During a three day trip, the resort lost water and internet for a two hour period and then on and off the rest of the day in addition to losing electricity for 20 minutes. I could have accepted this had I not learned that this water/internet/power… Read more
The room and the set up of the resort were nice! But that’s where the positives begin and end. During a three day trip, the resort lost water and internet for a two hour period and then on and off the rest of the day in addition to losing electricity for 20 minutes. I could have accepted this had I not learned that this water/internet/power outage was PLANNED by the local government & the resort just chose to play coy. Aside from these misfortunes, while the resort staff was very pleasant, the food is mediocre and best and the resort isn’t adequately staffed to support all the guests. If you want to stay at Riviera Maya, choose another resort for better service, food, and rate. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Lovely hotel

Apr 25, 2024 COYMB Poole, United Kingdom

We weren’t really sure of the Fives as we passed all the other resorts on the main road. Then turned down this little side road. Anyway lovely welcome from all the concierge as we arrived. Drinks and cold towels. The room was really big with sofa bed already made up but not at all comfy for a 16 year old boy. We organised another bed to… Read more
We weren’t really sure of the Fives as we passed all the other resorts on the main road. Then turned down this little side road. Anyway lovely welcome from all the concierge as we arrived. Drinks and cold towels. The room was really big with sofa bed already made up but not at all comfy for a 16 year old boy. We organised another bed to be brought to the room and still we had a load of room. Breakfast buffet every morning 9/10 Lunch every day on the beach 9/10 Drinks and service at the beach every day absolutely fantastic great service 8/10 Dinner was however a little hit and miss. We never ate in the buffet we did all the restaurants instead. Had to wait one night with a buzzer for 2 hours but food good. You can’t book Beach area 9/10 The staff are fantastic 9/10. Several pools all good We had a great holiday Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Awesome

Apr 24, 2024 Everika M

It was great experience ! Staff is so friendly and helpful! Beautiful resort! I definitely recommend and will be visiting soon!
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Could be so good but fails

Apr 24, 2024 SammywLondon London

I’m sorry to write a poor review of a hotel which could so easily be great. I’m hoping management read this and contact me because all complaints have fallen on deaf ears. As a family of 10, we have not been able to eat in any of the restaurants despite getting there at 6pm. They offer a table at 9pm. With kids aged 6, it’s completely… Read more
I’m sorry to write a poor review of a hotel which could so easily be great. I’m hoping management read this and contact me because all complaints have fallen on deaf ears. As a family of 10, we have not been able to eat in any of the restaurants despite getting there at 6pm. They offer a table at 9pm. With kids aged 6, it’s completely impractical. Even trying to get 2 tables to make it easier. There are tables free but not given. We’ve tried and called, spoken to reception to see if they can do anything. A reservation system would be so simple to coordinate. Even forced reservations for families like our size. If management read this, I’d be happy to speak directly whilst we remain at the resort Read less