On a recent visit to Mexico, I spent a few days in Riviera Maya to recharge and relax. Considering this wasn’t my first visit to Cancun, and there was a relatively new hotel on the block, I took the opportunity to try out Hotel Unico 20 87 Riviera Maya to see what this design-led all-inclusive hotel was all about, and how a hotel further down the coast could compete with the more established Mayakoba properties.
On arrival at Cancun Airport, i was greeted by a representative who arranged our hotel car that took us directly to the hotel. When being told it was roughly 60 to 70 minutes away, my tired weary bones sank a little, but actually the distance from the airport meant it was closer to some of Riviera Maya’s better attractions, including the iconic Tulum, which now has it’s own airport which is marginally closer and perhaps a little easier to arrive into (airline permitting).
But I shouldn’t have worried, the transfer was fast, smooth and on arrival in Unico 2087, I couldn’t help but feel transported away from the rest of the world. Why 20 87? Well, it’s pretty obvious, it’s the latitude and longitude of the property. These coordinates are representative, not only of the hotel’s devotion to its location, but also its ambition to immerse guests in the region’s beauty and culture.
That’s evident on the main reception area which features not only an epic high-ceiling atrium filled with iron lamps and artisanal furniture, but the hotel’s main bar which features stunning Mexican artefacts, displayed in glass cabinets, akin to a modern art museum, let alone a hotel bar. The hotel’s attention to detail and commitment to design is evident from the first step inside the property.
On arrival, I was greeted by a host who introduced us to the variety of restaurants, bars, facilities and took us to our room, which was situated on the 5th floor of one of the wings, giving us unparalleled views of the sea and main pools. Virtually every room has uninterrupted sea views thanks to the design and layout of the property.
The hotel features no less than 448 rooms, with semi-private swim-up pools on all ground floor rooms and outdoor hydro spa tubs on all remaining rooms. Accommodations are topped off with an in-room mini bar stocked for preference, Nespresso coffee machine, free hi-speed Wi-Fi, 24-hour room service and lots more including an ‘Anfitrión’, our very same local host, to provide an added level of personalized service, including ironing and steaming services.
Each bright, spacious room is filled with local inspiration, from the art on the wall and the patterns of the upholstery, to the handcrafted details throughout; they are a luxurious reflection of modern Mexico.
The hotel exteriors were brought to life by Artigas and the stunning interiors were conceptualised by AvroKO, the hotel’s design is inspired by its locale and the respective native culture. The main intention from the design studios was to provide guests with a fresh new perspective, approaching familiar aesthetics through a modern lens.
It’s a fair assumption that Unico 2087 is trying to replicate the familiar aesthetics of historic
haciendas while translating them for a discerning contemporary audience. Think “Rustic-meets-modern.”
Now Unico is a food and drink-lovers paradise. It features five signature restaurant outlets varying from elevated fine dining to casual beachside buffets, while the café sports a variety of juice creations, pressed sandwiches and wraps.
The signature Mexican restaurant Cueva Siete brings the history of the region, bringing dishes filled with inspiration from all that is Yucatecan. By day, the restaurant feels casual, celebrating
Mexican street food: by the evening it is decidedly more refined. Next door, the food is decidedly different. Mura House is a forward-thinking Japanese-inspired restaurant with a surprising attention to detail. While Mura House draws flavours and techniques from throughout Asia, with a concentration on Japan, its cuisine is guided by three principles: the harmony of flavour, precision through preparation, and quality of ingredients. It looks to traditional techniques, preparation and flavours, while utilising the freshest local seafood and ingredients.
The main restaurant 2087 starts the day as a diverse morning buffet – think fresh juices, eggs to order and house-baked Mexican pastries (plus sparkling wine should you wish) – to a classic grill in the evenings, serving up choice cuts of steak and fish.
However our favourite restaurant was the hotel’s signature restaurant, accessed by a walkway through enchanting reflective pools. Mi Carisa focuses on the traditions and practices of coastal Italian cuisine, serving seafood-centric fare in a warm and intimate setting. That culinary heritage is most deeply honoured in the form of a beautiful wood-burning oven, imparting a wonderful smoky flavour to everything that passes through it. Out top tip is to head here in the morning, it’s less visited but offers a much more private, intimate breakfast experience.
During the day, the main pool area offers its own range of food – think Mexican street food and Mediterranean staples including fresh salads. Being an all inclusive, our expectations were low for the quality and quantity of the food on offer, but we were blown away by the quality, flavours and presentation. As were the Coati’s who were perhaps the resorts longest residing residents (think raccoon meets monkey) who were adept at stealing my tacos as soon as my back was turned.
The pools were beautifully designed, perfectly symmetrical and the central focus point of the resort, and unlike other resorts along the Riviera, relatively quiet and reserved. Don’t think there will be huge foam parties and forced audience participation here, things are a little bit more chic and reserved, although there will be a large group of floating bodies near the swim up bar, which serves a range of cocktails on demand. Although our recommendation is to ask for the top shelf serves, rather than the local pours which will be given as standard when asking for a gin and tonic, or vodka soda for example.
As well as a curated dining scene, excellent bars and relaxed areas to switch off, disconnect, there’s the beach, which features a few day beds and a small sandy area to enjoy the warm shallow seas, or should you want to fully relax there’s a fully loaded spa and gym section, which is worth a visit (albeit spa treatments of course aren’t included).
It’s certainly worth the extra splurge though, as it’s the perfect retreat to get away from the midday sun and pamper those weary muscles, whether just using the gorgeous facilities, or going one step further and having an indulgent treatment.
One thing is for sure, Unico is a modern interpretation of the Riviera Maya, that mixes design touches, with a more relaxed, refined approach to service, food and drink, and with its proximity to some of the Yucatan’s more famous and interesting landmarks, you couldn’t be better positioned to enjoy the very best of the Riviera Maya.
The Big Picture
TheDesignAir 