Unbiased Review: Let’s Talk About UNICO 20°87° in the Riviera Maya

Hidden in the heart of the Mayan jungle, just about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Cancun International Airport and 30 minutes from Tulum, UNICO 20°87° is an  incredible  adults-only, all-inclusive experience offering one of the best dining experiences you can find. The name comes from the coordinates of where the resort is located, and alludes to just how unique this resort is since no other place can claim those coordinates. It’s a member of  The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd which is a fantastic award and a  AAA Five Diamond Award winner as well.

Right when you step inside, you’ll feel it—the lobby is stunning with beautiful and unique wrought iron chandeliers, and there's this calming aromatherapy that just melts your stress away. Built in 2017, The resort facilities look and  feel  brand new and are inspired by the natural richness that characterizes the Riviera Maya region. Now this isn’t your sprawling mega-resort; it’s a beautifully designed, boutique-style property with just 448 rooms spread across a few well-laid-out buildings. This makes it feel intimate, extremely walkable, and perfect for those who prefer a more personalized experience.

Despite being adults-only, it’s not just for couples—so if you’re having a 40th birthday party or a girls’ getaway or you have a friend group who loves to use the spa, you can book Unico.

I love the thoughtful touches. When you check in, you are each given a sun hat that you can have hand painted on the resort as a souvenir and can also choose the SCENT of your room and your soaps. One interesting feature I haven’t seen often is the open bathroom design with sliding doors that let you enjoy the view while you’re getting ready in the morning. So often I am stuck with a straightening iron in the 4 walls of a hotel bathroom, but Unico allows you to feel like you are still part of the beauty outside. Small things that make a big difference!

Of UNICO 20°87°’s 448 rooms, a whopping 90% have ocean views! If you are not in a swim-up room, you will still have a terrace with a private soaking tub large enough for two. If you are on a higher floor you are more likely to see the ocean, and it looks stunning. The colors are just breathtaking.

Plus, you get your very own  Local Host. This isn’t butler service. It’s more like a friend you can bounce questions off and they’ll help with everything from making dinner reservations to booking spa treatments, laundry service or arranging late checkouts. They can answer any questions via WhatsApp or via the UNICO 20°87° Experience App. You can download the Unico app once you’re booked. It’s so interactive. You can talk with your local host, you can learn about pop up events, you can book your spa and golf reservations and customize your minibar right from there. If you do not like your pillows, you can order those from here. You are also able to personalize the scent of your room and soap here. You can just go on the app and order a cheeseburger at 5am or ask to have a bath in your jacuzzi drawn when you get home from the pool!

Forget what you think you know about all-inclusive food. At Unico 2087, dining is a highlight:

· Mi Carisa:  Cozy Italian with standout steaks. Overlooks a lush courtyard with romantic outdoor seating and a totally instagrammable walkway in.
· Cueva Siete:  Authentic Mexican cuisine and often the favorite.  Fun fact: they’ve brought in a chef from Mexico City to design the menu, so you’re really tasting Mexico here and they even rotate the chefs to get some variety. This approach keeps the dining experience fresh and exciting for returning guests. All the food is prepared daily with fresh, local ingredients, and it truly shows. Every dish is a flavor bomb. Like the best salsa and ceviche you can find. You must also get their flaming coffees at dessert. So fun to watch!
· Mura House:  Japanese teppanyaki with elements of Korean and Thai cuisines, lively atmosphere
· 20.87 Restaurant:  The main restaurant offering a casual atmosphere with a la carte and buffet options. Perfect for breakfasts and diverse meal options throughout the day. In the evenings, the outdoor bar is open and its specialty is craft gin!
· Palmera Lounge and Bars:  Variety of bars and lounges providing snacks, cocktails, and curated drinks with evening entertainment
· Cafe Inez:  Perfect for coffee and pastries – it is like a true European coffee shop.

They also accommodate food allergies and dietary preferences, offering healthy options like smoothies and juices at the juice bar, chia seed pudding for breakfast, an awesome salad bar for lunch, fresh items from the grill, and made-to-order omelets for breakfast.

Mixology is a big deal here, so you can order a beautifully crafted cocktail or tell your mixologist what you like—they’ll make it for you and remember it for next time. The service here is truly amazing.

This will be one of the best dining experiences you’ll ever have at an all-inclusive resort. If you’re a foodie, UNICO 20°87° is the place for you.

Unico’s pools are a vibe in themselves:

• La Unica Pool and 2087 is where the party’s at—think upbeat music and a fun atmosphere. Both have dark-colored floors that provide warmer water temperatures.
• La Sombra Pool is for those seeking mellow tunes and a more refreshing water temperature and relaxing escape. There are plenty of padded loungers – even at full capacity, so don’t worry about fighting for a spot when things get busy.

Warning about the Beach: The beach at UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya  isn’t really ideal  and you’re probably going to want to spend most of your time at the pool. The beach is quite small and narrow, and the water can be a bit rocky. Plus, seaweed is occasionally an issue.

Swimming at the beach at UNICO 20°87° is still possible at times but it really just depends on the beach conditions. The beach is more of a bay, not a cove like Riviera Maya, but since it’s a bay, the waves are much more calm.

That being said, it’s still nice to have beach access and go for beach walks, but the pool is where you’ll want to be if you want a more inviting atmosphere. Bottom line - If you’re here for the pool scene, you’ll be happy; beach lovers, maybe less so.

No trip to Unico is complete without visiting the  spa. The aesthetic is such a vibe. They offer hydrotherapy, locally-inspired treatments, and even handmade soaps.

The resort also offer arts and crafts sessions, from painting hats to creating bracelets, which is a great way to take home something uniquely ‘Unico’ from your stay.

· The Isolated Location:  The location of the hotel is perfect if you’re looking for a peaceful and secluded getaway, but it may not be ideal if you want to get out and explore the nearby towns to get that local experience. You can still reach Playa del Carmen or Tulum by taking a 30 minute taxi ride if you want to check out local restaurants and nightlife but this can add up. You don’t have to leave the resort but lets say you are looking for a trip where you check out Tulum, the local restaurants, and have a cultural experience, you’ll probably want to stay in town.

· The Small Beach:  The beach at UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya isn’t really ideal and you’re probably going to want to spend most of your time at the pool. This isn’t a deal breaker for me, but I know some people LIVE for the beach.
· The Size:  If you love large resorts with lots of restaurants that feel like a city within a resort, this wouldn’t be it. This will feel more like a boutique experience.
· Quiet Evenings:  If you’re looking for nightlife, Unico might feel a bit low-key. This resort isn’t super happening at night and the main nightlife is at the Palmera Lounge, which turns into a nightclub with a DJ, though this isn’t usually super busy. There’s live music and activities like salsa lessons and movie nights. They also have live music at the Bar Balam lobby bar, which is fun but much a more low key lounge-type atmosphere. However, if you’re looking for a relaxing evening with music, drinks and good company, UNICO 20°87° a great option. If serious nightlife is what you’re after, I’d probably recommend going somewhere closer to the strip or elsewhere in Mexico, like Cabo.
· Membership Pitches: During check-in, some guests have been rubbed the wrong way by the pitch for the resort membership program. This is pretty common at the resorts in this area so come ready to put up your boundaries. If you are really after the spa discounts they offer, reach out to me – we often have access to special perks too!

· For the price, you get an incredible range of amenities like the soaking tub on EVERY balcony, an amazing room, top-tier dining, friendly service, and great entertainment. It’s an excellent value for a luxury getaway.
· The local artisan vibe throughout the resort—everything from the decor to the crafts. · · The obvious - the food. The dining alone is worth the trip.
· The Spa: You’ll be in heaven.
· And finally, the no-pressure luxury vibe— It’s high-end without strict dress codes or a stuffy atmosphere, making it a place where you can really unwind and enjoy

And just a note - Evyssa Vacations often has access to exclusive perks like spa discounts, free golf and resort credits, so be sure to reach out - I’d love to help you decide if this is the right resort for your next trip.