During the recent renovation, oceanfront villas were added. — Photo courtesy of Viceroy Riviera Maya

The Tides Riviera Maya, a name synonymous with luxury, has changed ownership as well as its name. The resort is now called Viceroy Riviera Maya, but the outstanding service and high level of guest privacy are still the same. In fact, just before the name change, Conde Nast Traveler magazine listed this magnificent resort the third best resort in Mexico and the number one resort in Cancun & Riviera Maya. 

Instead of guest rooms, the Viceroy Riviera Maya has 41 private villas. Each villa is over 1,000 square feet and has its own private terrace and pool, an outdoor shower, a handmade hammock, and high-thread-count Egyptian cotton linens.

Each villa has its own pool, but there is also a gorgeous main pool for all guests to enjoy. — Photo courtesy of Viceroy Riviera Maya

Most of the villas are in the jungle and they are so private that, when you are walking through the hotel grounds, you can't even see them. Before the hotel became a Viceroy property, there was a big renovation, which included adding more villas in the jungle, as well some oceanview villas and beachfront villas. The beachfront villas are inches from the resort's pristine beach.

The hotel's spa offers a variety of massages, but they also offer some uncommon treatments, like the Black Lava Facial, the Xocolate Massage (chocolate massage), and several Mayan rituals. One of their Mayan specialties is the South Star Fertility Treatment, which is part massage and part Mayan ritual. The Temazcal Spa (the Mayan version of a steam room) ritual purifies and heals the body. These unique treatments and Mayan rituals, along with the private villas, gourmet food, and top-notch service are just some of the things that set this resort apart from all the rest.