UNICO 20º 87º Hotel Riviera Maya: #Superbia

As the title may suggest, Unico 20 87 in Riviera Maya is simply superb. But, the Latin term, superbia, actually means pride, and that is what so clearly shines through at this luxury adult only 5-star all-inclusive resort.

Unico’s uniquely-coined superbia hashtag can be seen in everything from its design and atmosphere to its amenities and landscape. And, most of all, it is evident in its staff. Let me tell you what was most impressive about our two-night stay here last week.

Superbia continued to be on full display as we were seated in the lounge just beyond the foyer. The Yucatan-vibe is everywhere from the handcrafted pottery and sculptures to the furniture sourced from local indigenous materials. Here, we were treated to Unico’s signature welcome cocktail – the Jade! The cucumber and ginger puts you immediately at ease. It’s a mocktail?! Who cares! It’s delicious and hints at the excitement to come!

These personal touches continued with the arrival of one of the hospitality specialists who asked if we had any questions and put us in touch with our local host who would be able to make dinner reservations, set up excursions, or arrange experiences like their in-room mixology program, which we tried on our second night there!  We chose two cocktails to be made right in our room by their skilled mixologist. You’ve got to try the Exotic Yellow when you go! It’s a rum-based masterpiece with a homemade mango and passionfruit syrup, lime juice, and rosemary! Muy buena!

Unico 20 87 in Riviera Maya has over 400 guest rooms, but it truly feels more boutique and bespoke than that. 

We were personally guided to our room on the fifth floor by a staff member who made sure it was to our liking and who gave us a short explanation of some of the amenities such as the scent diffuser, for which we could choose our preferred fragrance. 

Our beds were turned down for us each evening, and the most decadent chocolates were awaiting us as we returned at night. (Shhh. We might have left an extra-good tip, in order to get a plentiful amount!)

If there is any occasion where personalized details and touches are preferred, it’s your wedding day! As we toured the luxurious grounds of the property, we made a point of checking out the many venues they offer for their wedding couples. 

Some of these locations are tucked away and accessed by dreamy jungle-like walkways, and some are more centrally located near the heart of the resort.

One of these locations is the gazebo venue. With its wood frame, this structure makes the perfect spot for cocktail hour, ceremony, or small reception. This particular venue is large enough to support 70-80 guests.

Stand directly under the pavilion for a photo that includes nothing but blue skies and palm trees as the ultimate destination wedding backdrop. 

The week we stayed here would have been ideal for some great outdoor wedding photography, but we unfortunately never got to see one take place.

If you have a larger group, Unico also has several elevated outdoor patios for an elegant reception and/or wedding ceremony. These looked to be able to accommodate well over 100 people and would look stunning with string lights, tropical or traditional florals, and wood and wicker seating options.

And, tucked away just beyond the Esencia Wellness Spa is Terraza Verde – a secluded patio surrounded by lush trees and what we thought might be a monkey or two scampering through the nearby forest. It is a massive area, fit to entertain up to 500 guests!

While in the Esencia Spa, we inquired about their wedding amenities. One of the staff brought out the manager. She introduced herself and allowed us to meander through the salon and take a look at the private room they offer for the bride when she gets ready on her big day!

If we had stayed longer, we definitely would have made an appointment for a facial or massage, or taken a dip in one of their private hydrothermal pools. Maybe we would have done all three!

Our whole stay at Unico 20 87 in Riviera Maya felt like a spa experience, actually. It just has that relaxing, therapeutic vibe. 

Between their signature fragrance hanging magically in the air, the sense of zen as you stroll the lush grounds, the personal bathtubs on every balcony and swim up pools off of each first floor guest room, it’s hard not to feel the restorative benefits that one gets from the spa when you experience all of Unico.

Mi Carisa had such a quaint European atmosphere. The restaurant is surrounded by water and reached via a walking bridge. It gives you the feel of strolling along the Mediterranean, which matches their menu. 

We started light with their refreshing caprese salad. Then, were treated to their mushroom cappuccino. At first glance, it looks exactly like a cappuccino of the caffeine variety, but upon swiping your spoon through and tasting the curious creation, you find a savory mushroom soup beneath the white truffle foam. Deliciosa! 

Another spot we tried while at Unico was Cueva Siete. I had their Chiles en Nogada which was a large poblano pepper stuffed to the hilt with minced meat, onion, garlic, tomatoes, nuts, even fruit! The creamy sauce and pomegranate seeds added a punch of sweetness that was mouth watering.

And we liked stopping at little Cafe Inez. Set in the center of the resort, it mimics the cafes and bakeries as the central social gathering spots in European villages. 

Their salmon crostini made for a hearty morning meal and their iced mocha latte was an easy midday grab-and-go energizer.

The waitstaff were all friendly and efficient, but we especially enjoyed our time at Mi Carisa. They spent the time and took the effort to get to know you and what you had a taste for. That, coupled with the food and the ambiance, made Mi Carisa at Unico one of our favorite experiences.