Kimpton has officially made its grand entrance into the all-inclusive space and its selection of the one of Mexico's most covetous destinations was no accident. The brand's first all-inclusive resort, Kimpton Tres Ríos, has opened its doors in the shadow of Playa del Carmen, and it's offering something no other resort in the area can match: easy access to a massive 340-acre nature preserve that features rivers, cenotes and mangrove trails just steps from the beach. It's a real new chapter for a brand renowned for a boutique, city-hotel personality and it's important to know what this resort brings before you make a decision about it going on your trip list.

A huge property that can be accommodated by everyone

The resort is large, with a total of 355 rooms and suites, many of which have multi-bedroom accommodations just for families traveling together. It's a great point to note for those who have had to make two separate bookings for their party at other hotels in the area, or try to find connecting rooms and struggle with that. There are room views, ranging from overlooking the surrounding mangroves and giving an atmosphere of tranquility and nature immersion to those that open on the pool deck, where you can literally roll out of bed and into the pool.

Amenities-wise, Kimpton Tres Ríos is not afraid to go all guns blazing. There are four individual outdoor pools and guests can enjoy full beach access and don't forget the property's crown jewel: The private nature preserve. Three freshwater rivers, ten cenotes, walking trails, kayaking - most beachfront resorts in the area don't offer this kind of preserve. It's a true selling point in a location where practically all properties offer only a pool and beach access.

The Club Aventuras children's program is a great option for families traveling with children, as parents will now have a built-in method to keep their younger guests entertained while enjoying the resort. Couples and travelers who prefer a more relaxed experience have adult-only rooms to retreat to in the resort, avoiding feeling like an afterthought.

What's on the Menu? 

Dining can be the ultimate deciding factor in an all-inclusive resort, and Kimton Tres Ríos is rolling out a grand statement of 7 restaurants and 5 bars when it's complete. The first two are Bacetto, for Italian cuisine, and Kotori for Japanese cuisine, providing guests with more of a palate in one bite than is typical of some all-inclusive resorts. This is important for longer trips, when you're eating at the same restaurant or hotel each night, as it can become repetitive very quickly.

However, some things may not open on the first day, so it is important to know this before booking. The dining program will be implemented in stages, according to the company behind the property Hotel Equities.

Kimpton Tres Rios Dining, Spa & Fitness Details

With six restaurants and four bars added, this fall, the resort is reaching full capacity. The Mediterranean restaurant, Elaia, will open first, followed by the adults-only rooftop bar, Nebbia, that won't open until early 2027.If you're looking for a variety of dining, it's best to see if they are open before you book, unless you are planning on visiting next year when all is back up and running.

The resort is also equipped with:

• A 10,000-square-foot spa providing hydrotherapy therapy and massages.
• Separate gym space for cycling and yoga instead of a shared gym area on a two-story fitness center.
• Kimpton's signature amenities, such as a morning coffee and evening social hour, are reduced from those you'd find at Kimpton's boutique city properties.

Booking With Points or Cash

Kimpton Tres Ríos is an active member of the IHG One Rewards program and points earned and redeemed are the same as those earned and redeemed at any other IHG property. For those who are looking to travel in the winter season, double-occupancy all-inclusive rates in Riviera Maya begin at approximately $469 per night, which is competitive in the Riviera Maya market when looking at all the benefits that come with being all-inclusive.

On the points side, nights start at 95,000 IHG One Rewards points, which buys a room with two queen beds and a futon to sleep up to five guests. Not being able to book more than one room in a resort at once, or at the lowest rate, is a much better offer for families wanting to stay in a single booking, particularly compared to resorts that charge per person or limit their rooms to two or three guests.

It's also easy to accumulate the points needed to stay here. The easiest way to get to that 95,000-point mark is to sign up for a co-branded IHG One Rewards credit card that includes a one-time bonus as well as regular earning. Travelers with points on either Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards have an easy alternative, as both these programs convert directly into IHG One Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. One benefit of this is that even people who don't have a specific IHG card can potentially redeem their points for travel here by simply moving points they've amassed with other cards through their routine spending.

What Makes the Resort Stand out in a Highly Competitive Area

The Riviera Maya doesn't lack for all-inclusive resorts, so it's not enough to say that Kimpton Tres Ríos distinguishes itself from the dozens of established resorts vying for the same vacationers. The answer is obvious: The nature preserve. The Yucatán Peninsula is known for its cenotes and mangrove areas, but only a handful of resorts offer such an easy, private way for visitors to experience these natural wonders without booking an excursion or tour. That one can actually kayak on a freshwater river or venture out to a cenote without having to travel outside the resort grounds is the real difference.

Add Kimpton's reputation for hospitality with a personality, and the resort has a shot of making a mark for itself, drawing in guests who prefer an all-inclusive experience without losing the boutique and design-centric appeal Kimpton has in its other properties.

The Bottom Line

Kimpton's first all-inclusive resort has found itself in one of the most competitive travel markets and the brand has come with some distinct advantages: a beachfront property, a true private nature preserve and an ambitious dining schedule once all the venues open. The rates of $469 per night and 95,000 IHG One Rewards points will make it an attractive choice for anyone who travels on cash or points plus it can accommodate a family of five in an award room, which is great for families with kids. But do make sure to find out what restaurants and bars are open before you go as several of the main operators are not opening until early 2027 and the more complete dining experience has yet to be realised.