Essence at the Fives Beach

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Star 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! 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! Plus there's a great selection of rooms to choose from too. 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. 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, barbecue grill and a whirlpool tub.

14 restaurants and gourmet corners including Flavours (family-friendly buffet restaurant with International dishes, open for breakfast and dinner), Lizzards (healthy delights and natural ingredient-based cuisine, open for lunch), Natura Day Club & Grill (adult-only, grill restaurant, open for lunch), La Brasserie (Bistro restaurant serving the best of International cuisine, all-day dining), Oka (sushi bar, open for dinner), Mestizo (authentic Mexican gastronomy, open for breakfast and dinner), Arezzo (adult-only restaurant, Tuscan cuisine, open for dinner), Sea Olive (Italian dishes, open for dinner), Koh Thai (Thai cuisine, open for dinner). 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.

7 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. Interactive cooking class*. Joy & Wellness Programme (variety of activities designed to refresh and renew both body and mind. These include yoga classes, sport activities, evening entertainment and cooking classes).

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

Guests staying in the Mexican state Quintana Roo are required to pay a travel tax of $11 per adult (over 15 years old). The payment can be made prior to travel, upon arrival or during your stay, as the tax will be imposed upon departure. There is also an additional Environmental Sanitation Tax of $4.25 USD per room, per night that will be added to your hotel bill (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 (13101)
  • Very good (2703)
  • Average (1135)
  • Poor (551)
  • Terrible (662)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Family Trip

Jun 30, 2025 A R

Our family had an amazing trip! Everyone was kind and had amazing service! We were celebrating our oldest’s 18th birthday and they made her trip special.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing resort

Jun 30, 2025 Joe M

Wonderful resort. Staff were amazing and friendly. The variety of restaurants is impressive and delicious. Rooms are spacious and well kept
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Graduation Trip

Jun 30, 2025 Christina T

This was my second time to The Fives but my family's first and we all had such a wonderful time! We booked the 3 bedroom with the rooftop terrace (highly recommend the rooftop terrace). The entire resort was clean, the staff was friendly and helpful, the food was great (loved the Thai restaurant), our rooms were clean, the beds were comfortable… Read more
This was my second time to The Fives but my family's first and we all had such a wonderful time! We booked the 3 bedroom with the rooftop terrace (highly recommend the rooftop terrace). The entire resort was clean, the staff was friendly and helpful, the food was great (loved the Thai restaurant), our rooms were clean, the beds were comfortable and the temperature of the room was great. There was entertainment in the plaza every night. We worked out at the gym, it's a pretty decent size with nice machines. Our kids loved the ice cream shop and the breakfast buffet. It rained one of the days that we were there so the kids and I had a Spa day and it was such a great experience! Our package included the steam and sauna room, a cold and got plunge, the relaxation room, about an hour massage, a facial and a scalp massage, it was amazing! Huge resort, we definitely got our steps in! Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Awful experience

Jun 26, 2025 Mary B

My daughter was injured at this resort and the way they’ve handled it has been shameful. She slipped on standing water due to a leak in the bathroom, fell hard, and no incident report was ever completed. They ignored her messages until she left public reviews. I was there when this happened and the hotel staff never once showed genuine concern. As… Read more
My daughter was injured at this resort and the way they’ve handled it has been shameful. She slipped on standing water due to a leak in the bathroom, fell hard, and no incident report was ever completed. They ignored her messages until she left public reviews. I was there when this happened and the hotel staff never once showed genuine concern. As a mother, I’m horrified at how little they valued her safety. On top of that, I was served chile relleno with raisins in it—which made me vomit. A cabinet door also fell off in our room and almost landed on my foot. The service was slow, food was inconsistent, and it’s clear this resort doesn’t prioritize guests' well-being. I've been on many trips and never experienced something so negligent. This is not a place I would recommend to anyone, especially families. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Yoga everyday and great food at night

Jun 25, 2025 Planetwanderer1

Great food, great yoga program from Fit Bodies and great hospitality. I did yoga 6 days and Pilates, HIIT and core too. The view was awesome from the Zky Terrace. The 1910 Cantina liquors of Mexico tasting and cooking experience at Casa de la Rosa was an added bonus!