Resort Review: Atelier Playa Mujeres
Last week, I had the privilege of visiting Cancun, Mexico for the 2025 ALGV Ascend Conference. (more to come on that!). The conference had several host hotels to accommodate the 700+ agents, suppliers and sponsors who traveled to Quintana Roo for this annual event. It’s SUPER important to me to visit a new property whenever I come to Mexico and since I was assigned a hotel I’ve already visited, I chose to book a “pre-FAM” at a different hotel. One I’ve been dying to see.
An absolute FAVE among my colleagues and clients alike has been the adults only, all-inclusive Atelier Playa Mujeres – a resort I had yet to visit. I felt like this was the perfect opportunity to check it out for myself, so I booked a one night stay before the start of the Ascend Conference.
Considering how many times I’ve been to Mexico, I’m a little embarrassed to admit this – but this was my first time visiting Playa Mujeres. In fact, I’d never been north of Cancun International Airport until January 2024. (All my previous visits found me in Riviera Maya, south of the airport). There is a massive difference between these regions, but I’ll save that for another post.
Therefore, I was super excited about 1) finally experiencing Atelier Playa Mujeres and 2) seeing Playa Mujeres, period.
First of all: Playa Mujeres is situated behind a gate…which I didn’t know. My driver had to scan his ID to even drive into the area, which houses multiple resorts including The Excellence Collection (Beloved, Finest & Excellence) and the brand new SLS Playa Mujeres. Once we arrived to Atelier, we had to pass through yet another gate to get onto the property. (This makes this a great option for travelers are a little skittish about who else might access to the resort…nobody is sneaking into this spot).
From the moment I arrived, I felt embraced like a VIP. I was greeted with a glass of champagne and a cool towel, and was escorted to check-in. Every guest gets a seated, no-standing-in-line check-in experience. Although everyone gets a personalized check-in experience, guests staying in Inspira suites have a separate check-in area with canapes, beverages and A/C that works REALLY well.
Although the lobby isn’t open-air, it’s elegant and filled with art that makes it feel like you’re in a modern gallery. There’s a lobby bar and floor to ceiling glass windows facing the ocean.
My Accommodations
Although I arrived before check-in time, my room was ready…such a relief after several hours of traveling. I booked an entry level Junior Suite Ocean View, but there was nothing “cheap” about this room. I was impressed with how large the room was, how the bed situated was at an angle, and the well-stocked wine & snack cart. The decor in the room was mostly brown and beige with pops of color from artwork and a gray slate-tile floor. Of course, there was a sliding glass door that opened up to a private balcony with a view of the ocean.
One of my favorite design details was the set of barn doors that concealed the bathroom, giving the space a sleek and versatile layout. Almost every room category has a sofa bed available, allowing the resort’s room categories to accommodate up to three guests; this makes this property an ideal choice for couples, friend groups or anyone who loves a little extra space to unwind.
Beach Vibes
Let’s talk about the beach…
First of all…I’m not a beach girly. On any given getaway, you can find me at the pool strategically close to the swim-up bar. Something unlocked in me when I stepped on the beach at Atelier. I found a shaded chair under a palapa and walked down to the water to stick my toes in. There was a little bit of sargassum on the beach, but not enough to be distracting or gross.
The open seating on the beach is a standout feature. I saw Bali beds directly in front of the water and simply assumed that there was a rental charge for them. I didn’t ask and later learned that was very wrong. Guests can choose from palapas and Bali beds at no additional cost, which is a luxury touch you don’t often see at all-inclusive resorts. They’re literally “first come, first serve”. This provides options for everyone, whether you prefer lounging in the shade or stretching out in the sun.
There is also beach and pool service; I was quickly approached by Guadalupe and had my drink order taken. She asked my last name, and I was thinking that it was for tracking purposes or something. Nah…she just wanted to greet me using my name whenever she brought me something to drink.
Speaking of which…cocktails were another highlight—each one crafted with premium liquors and attention to detail. From smoky mezcal margaritas to refreshing spritzes, every drink was balanced, beautiful, and worthy of a toast (or two).
Food/Dining
Dining at Atelier Playa Mujeres is an experience in itself. The resort boasts 13 restaurants, each with its own distinct flavor and atmosphere.
I arrived midday, yet actually had food options! (Sometimes that is not the case when you arrive in the “food desert” hours between 2pm-6pm). After putting on my swimsuit, I went down to Limon y Sal, an outdoor dining option with a la carte service. I enjoyed cheddar and bacon croquettes and salmon florentine — trying to be a lil healthy.
For dinner, I made a reservation through the website for El Suspiro, where I enjoyed a solo surf & turf dinner (Lobster and steak).
Atelier is known for María Dolores by Edgar Núñez, the property’s Michelin-starred culinary masterpiece. This fine-dining experience is available at an additional cost, unless you’re booked in an Inspira suite for seven nights or more, in which case it’s included as part of your stay. From presentation to flavor, María Dolores delivers a true gastronomic journey—one that’s absolutely worth dressing up for.
The Inspira Experience
On my second day, I had the opportunity to do a site inspection and tour the property’s upgraded Inspira room categories (Inspira Swim Out Garden View, Inspira Rooftop Suite and Inspira Master Suite), which were nothing short of incredible. The Swim-Outs are ideal for those who love quick pool access and quiet mornings, while the Master Rooftop Suite offers a private plunge pool and expansive terrace views that are as breathtaking as they sound.
Because I LOVE a rooftop moment, one of the highlights of my site inspection was the Inspira Rooftop Pool and Bar, an exclusive area that I, unfortunately, missed out on my first night. During the day, this rooftop is reserved for Inspira guests only, but after 6:30 PM, it opens to all resort guests. The view at sunset? Pure perfection.
Inspira rooms also include a personal butler, upgraded liquors, access to hydrotherapy and a wine refrigerator in the room. Guests staying 7 nights or more also receive a round of golf at the neighboring course. Otherwise, there aren’t many major differences between this and the standard categories—proof that Atelier maintains an impressive level of consistency and quality throughout every room type.
Nightlife & Entertainment
Atelier isn’t just for quiet relaxation; it also knows how to turn up when the sun goes down. The resort’s nightclub, El Deseo, keeps the energy going until 3 AM with live DJs, craft cocktails, and decor inspired by a Mexican caberet. Whether you’re in the mood to dance or simply people-watch with a drink in hand, El Deseo adds the perfect dose of nightlife to an otherwise tranquil resort experience.
If you’re not trying to do all that, you can have a more laidback experience to wind down. I sat in the lobby and enjoyed a lovely cello performance.
Final Thoughts
Atelier Playa Mujeres is ideal for discerning adults who crave elevated design, exceptional dining, premium cocktails, and a sophisticated atmosphere—all just minutes from Cancún but far enough to feel like a peaceful retreat.
The ONLY criticism I have from my 24 hour stay is the “web app”. The hotel directs you to an internal website to manage your needs – you can make restaurant reservations, request services or room service, and view the activity schedule via this site (among other things). It was odd to me that there wasn’t a standalone app to download. Perhaps that’s a better thing versus using more memory on your phone, but it stood out to me.
That’s a small nit-picky thing and considering how “resort snobby” I am these days, if that’s my only negative takeaway, they’re doing pretty good!
Although I was alone, I never felt unsafe or out of place as a solo traveler. I wish I could say the same for some other resorts. 👀 (This is why I visit these properties…there’s something for everyone and I want to match with to the right hotel).
This is a perfect resort for travelers celebrating a special occasion (Destination Wedding, Birthday Trips, etc), looking for a romantic getaway, or someone who is just ready to treat yourself to a stress-free luxury escape. Atelier delivers in every way.
This one’s officially on my “highly recommend” list—and trust me, it’s earned that spot.
Ready to book your trip to Atelier? Submit your inquiry!
