A Week in Mexico: My Experience at Impression Moxché and Impression Isla Mujeres
The beach and swimming area at Impression Isla Mujeres
I just spent a week in Mexico, courtesy of my host agency, Gifted Travel Network, who sent me on a rewards trip in recognition of my sales last year. Getting rewarded like this was pretty amazing. (I don’t know about the rest of you, but I get pretty tired of my own cooking after a while so it’s nice to have such a luxury of choice at an all-inclusive.) All-inclusive resorts are not usually my style of travel, but I had a genuinely good time in Playa del Carmen and Isla Mujeres, and I came home with plenty to report.
Getting there
I flew from Fort Lauderdale to Cancun on JetBlue. FLL is a lovely airport, though I'd steer you away from the sandwiches sold in the airport shops. (I ordered some kind of chicken wrap and it was so gluey, I could barely finish it). I also tried the TSA Touchless ID gate for the first time and struck out. The machine wasn't working, so file that one under "promising in theory."
One thing I dislike about JetBlue is the earbud tax. They charge for headphones! What’s the point of DirectTV on board if you can’t hear it? JetBlue also uses really old headphone jacks that no one has anymore so unless you remember to pack old school headphones or JetBlue headphones from a previous trip, you’re stuck!
The flight itself was uneventful. Once in Cancun, immigration was super fast (I used the e-gates) but baggage claim took forever, long enough that my transfer driver kept checking in to make sure I hadn't vanished. Goran turned out to be from Serbia, having left the country during the war (1998-99), and we had a good conversation about my time in Belgrade and Novi Sad before I moved back to the US in 2019. (We are in firm agreement that Serbians smoke far too much.)
Property Comparison
Back to my hotel stays…here’s a quick overview of the two properties I stayed at…
| Impression MoxchéPlaya del Carmen | Impression Isla MujeresIsla Mujeres | |
|---|---|---|
| Suites | 198 | 125 |
| Pools | 7, with several reserved for Impression guests, including a rooftop infinity pool | 4, including a rooftop infinity pool |
| Restaurants | Up to 14 dining venues, 3 exclusive to Impression guests | 7 |
| Setting | Large dual-brand resort in the gated Corasol community, about 40 minutes from Cancun airport | Boutique resort reached by a 45 minute drive from Cancun airport and then a 45-minute catamaran from Cancun |
| Best for | Large groups, milestone celebrations, bachelorette parties | Couples, girls' weekends, smaller groups who want something more intimate |
That’s Impression Moxché on the left and Secrets Moxché on the right. Sorry about the clouds!
Impression Moxché, Playa del Carmen
My first stop was Impression Moxché in Playa del Carmen (pronounced Mow-shay, not mock-shee). I need to be very honest here: The first thing that greeted me when I stepped out of the car was the smell of sargassum. We're in peak sargassum season right now. You sorta get used to the smell eventually, but it's worth checking into before you book anything along the Riviera Maya this summer. (Sargassum is never going to be solved by a guy on a beach with a shovel. It will take a coordinated multi-country effort. Last year, I flew from Puerto Rico to St. Barth’s and you can see the sargassum in the ocean everywhere—long strips of it. It’s really disturbing.)
The adults-only Impression Moxché is impressive in scale. My room was enormous and the bedding was excellent, though the mattress ran a little firm for my taste. There are pools in every direction and restaurants to match. One useful detail on how the property works: Impression guests can use any pool or restaurant shared with the neighboring Secrets property, but Secrets guests cannot come the other way into the Impression spaces.
A few things I appreciated: complimentary sunscreen, toothpaste, and mosquito repellent in the room, the sheer range of pools and restaurants, and the spa, where I had an excellent massage and spent a very happy stretch in the water circuit and hydrotherapy area.
A few things to flag. The pathways throughout the property are laid with uneven stones, which makes for a genuine tripping hazard if you're in heels or have any mobility concerns. (I really do not understand what they were thinking here.) The resort is in the process of replacing the walkways, but that work will take months. (Sometimes travel gives me an entirely new appreciation for US and UK building codes.)
Separately, the house rosé was, in all candor, some of the worst I have ever had. Order something else.
Impression Moxché is a great fit for a large group traveling together, an older bachelorette party, or anyone marking a milestone, because there is truly something for everyone on site. It's a little too big for me personally, but plenty of people will love the variety this scale enables.
Impression Isla Mujeres
From there we crossed to Isla Mujeres, which I'd visited last year with Marriott, this time staying at Impression Isla Mujeres. (Also adults-only.) This was much more my speed. At 125 suites it feels boutique and private, and it still manages a real spread of pools and a genuinely impressive lineup of restaurants. The rooms are beautiful and spacious, the beds wonderfully comfortable. I'd happily come back here. Also…I liked the beach towels! (They use more of a Turkish towel, which I really like.)
The resort is popular with couples, but the clientele was more varied than I expected, groups, friends traveling together, multigenerational families. The beach is beautiful if small, and the water is a lovely shade of turquoise. Isla Mujeres also does not have the sargassum problem that Playa del Carmen is dealing with.
I honestly wish I'd had more time at this property. One of my colleagues extended her stay by a night, and I'll admit I was a little jealous. I'm also a sucker for a boat ride, and the catamaran trip to and from the island is lovely.
Ah, one thing I forgot to mention: 86 steps!! There are 86 steps from the dock to the lobby. There is a secret elevator between the beach bar and La Vista but it is really a service elevator for luggage so it’s not widely advertised.
On the all-inclusive question
When you hear "all-inclusive," you tend to picture a buffet. I didn't encounter a single one at either property. Both lean à la carte rather than buffet, which I like! I'd much rather sit down with a menu than graze at a steam table.
A few notes from me
Both Impressions properties are part of Hyatt Privé, which means I can layer perks and amenities onto your stay. On this trip, I traveled alongside the global head of sales for all of Hyatt's all-inclusive properties, an excellent contact for supporting my clients. (For those that often question “Why are travel agents still around?”, we forget that travel is a business and hotels can’t sit around passively waiting for travelers to book them on Expedia, a platform that takes up to 30% of their revenue. Simply put…all these hotel rooms aren’t going to sell themselves. Hotels need to be proactive in marketing their properties to different sales channels.) I also traveled with one of my wholesale partners which was eye-opening. Wholesalers negotiate rates and help me bundle in transfers and private excursions, and they tend to know these properties inside and out, which makes them invaluable when I'm matching a client to the right resort. (I’ve been to a lot of hotels, but I haven’t been everywhere. Wholesalers have truly been everywhere.)
These vacation-style properties often do not have desks! Hard if you have to work. Impression Isla Mujeres had a stool that pulled up to a counter but otherwise, you were utilizing the sofa and coffee table. Keep this in mind if you are hoping for a working holiday.
On safety, since it comes up often: a lot of people worry about security in Mexico and the Riviera Maya. Safety is personal and I can never promise anyone’s safety, but we had no issues whatsoever. I also want to point out that as much as some people may think that “no one is going to Mexico” because of safety, both Impression properties were packed!
A few practical reminders
You should always pay the Visit Tax before visiting Cancun and the Riviera Maya! They don’t often check for your receipt at the airport, but if they do, you don’t want to be the person without one. I honestly don’t know why they just don’t add this to hotel stays.
Hang onto your Mexican immigration card (the FMM). I misplaced mine, which made the JetBlue desk agent very unhappy with me when I was checking in for my return flight. Luckily, I eventually found the paper at the bottom of my purse. I'd pulled it out of my passport at some point, so the lesson is to keep everything together.
And on the Cancun airport: it's actually a nice airport with good places to eat and drink, but skip the Priority Pass lounge. It's in the basement, small, hot, and a little stinky. You're far better off at one of the regular restaurants or bars in the terminal.
About Krista
I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in Palm Beach, Florida. I attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad and I have my MBA from the University of Chicago. Before building my travel business, I spent 20 years in the investment management industry and over a decade living and working in London, England. I’ve personally traveled to 80 countries and now design thoughtful, highly customized trips for travelers who value expertise, access, and a seamless experience.
I offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation for travelers considering a custom itinerary or luxury cruise.c
For travel inspiration and real-time updates, you can follow along on Instagram or connect with me on Facebook. I also share a curated list of travel products I genuinely use and recommend in my online store.
What I Offer…
Custom itinerary design for complex, multi-stop trips
VIP hotel benefits through Virtuoso and preferred partner programs (including complimentary breakfast, hotel credits, and priority for upgrades where available)
Luxury ocean, river, and expedition cruises with added onboard credits
Vetted villa rentals with concierge services worldwide
Private guides, small-group touring, and unique local experiences
Private aviation and yacht charters through trusted partners
Airport transfers, VIP arrival and departure services, and full ground logistics
Travel protection and support when plans change
I work best with travelers who want expert planning, trusted partnerships, and someone in their corner from start to finish. That’s what I am best at! Ready to talk travel? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.
