UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya. Photo by Jill Weinlein
The adults only, all-inclusive UNICO 20°87° Hotel along Riviera Maya recently wrapped up their second annual Aura Wellness event. From March 29 to April 4, 2024, the five-star resort offered guests a weeklong wellness retreat with numerous transformative experiences. Mornings were filled with aqua yoga, beauty and skincare classes, meditation and ice cold plunges. Afternoons feature healthy cooking classes and wellness experiences led by renowned experts in their field.
Throughout the year UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya provides guests with enjoyable enrichment activities to ignite a positive wellness journey.
Lobby of UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya. Photo by Jill Weinlein
Located along the Yucatan Peninsula overlooking the Mexican Caribbean Sea, the name of the resort is its latitude and longitude location. Visitors fly into Cancun International Airport and ride in a group or private shuttle for a 90-minute drive. Midway between Tulum and Playa Carmen, once you reach the front gate, there is a security check before the gates open onto a lush mangrove forest drive leading to the Hacienda-looking resort.
The professionally trained staff greets guests with a smile and expedites check-in inside the dramatic soaring ceiling lobby reception. Guests receive a refreshing cold towel and iced mocktail before being led to their guest room or suite.
UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya. Photo by Jill Weinlein
Built in a U-shape, every room has a tropical garden, swimming pool or ocean view. Spacious guest rooms on the first floor boast sliding doors leading out to a patio. There is an elevated platform for two lounge chairs partially in the water, and steps leading into a long plunge lap pool.
UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya. Photo by Jill Weinlein
Guest rooms on the second to fifth floors have resort and ocean views. Slide the metal and glass sliding doors open to have the room blend with the outdoors. A four post king-size bed with luxury bedding is the centerpiece of the room Stylish basket lighting, beautiful wood furnishing and a large indoor shower add luxury modern sensibility with a Mexican decor flair.
UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya. Photo by Jill Weinlein
Outside is a large enough for two people soaking bathtub to enjoy and take in stunning panorama views. There is also a day lounge sofa with pillows for napping outdoors, and a large wood table to enjoy room service dining among Mexico Caribbean breezes.
La Utica Pool. Photo by Jill Weinlein
Everything about the luxury resort can be discovered on their app or by iPad in your room. One can order food and drinks 24-hours a day.
Sitting by the pool, the pool concierge will secure a chair in an ideal sunny or shady location. Food and beverage attendants will take one’s order and deliver it poolside with an ice bucket filled with bottled water and your favorite beverages.
UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya. Photo by Jill Weinlein
Swim in a different pool each day, as the resort has three different pool areas. La Unica Pool is one of the largest and has plenty of seating on the pool terrace and in the pool.
The dark color absorbs the sun’s warmth, providing an ideal temperature for swimming, floating and socializing in the water.
La Escondido pool. Photo Jill Weinlein
Hidden to the side of 20°87° Restaurant is a lovely mellow pool area with comfortable seating and a light color bottom for slightly cooler water temperatures. There is also a hydro pool for those looking to soak in warm water.
During Aura Wellness, La Escondido pool is where guests work their core while taking an Agua Floating Yoga class.
20°87° Pool. Photo Jill Weinlein
The 20°87° pool is the closest to the beach, and the most lively pool. DJ music plays during the day, while wellness experiences take place throughout the day. Guests swim over to the 20°87° swim up bar to enjoy a margarita and array of award-winning cocktails.
During Aura Wellness, this pool was where guests took an aqua spinning class. Throughout the week, there are also aqua workout classes. pool volleyball and pool parties in this pool.
Aura HIIT Workout Instructor Kayla Nicole. Photo Jill Weinlein
Aura Wellness fitness expert Kayla Nicole led groups of guests during an Aura HIIT Workout on the Costera Terrace. Throughout the year, this area hosts morning yoga classes, receptions and al fresco fiestas.
Karla Hernandez. Photo Jill Weinlein
During Aura Wellness, Chef and cookbook author Karla Hernandez held daily cooking classes to enlighten guests about her healthy and easy to make recipes.
Throughout the year, Unico offers cooking classes for guests to learn more about authentic Mexican cuisine and cooking techniques using traditional ingredients such as chiles, fruits and vegetables.
The resort also offers Mixology Classes with some of the in-house mixologists to learn more about the basics of artisanal cocktails.
Other enrichment workshops include wine tasting with cheese and charcuterie, and a chocolate tasting at Soól Chocolate Shop. The chocolate chef guides guests through the process of preparing various types of chocolates and truffles.
Dining at UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya. Photo by Jill Weinlein
One never needs to leave the resort to dine, because there are over seven different dining venues and room service. Choose from a casual beachside buffet with elevated culinary options in the morning and afternoon, to romantic venues, International cuisine and fine dining experiences.
One of the top modern Mexican innovative cuisine chefs, Lula Martin Del Campo is now in the kitchen at Cueva Siete. She is the first female chef in the resort’s rotating chef program.
Chef Lula incorporates quinoa into a beautifully presented salad, embracing both art and culture in her dishes. The textures, flavors and colors of her dishes appeal to all guests.
20°87° Restaurant. Photo by Jill Weinlein
The hotel’s 20.87 Restaurant offers a fun Mexican ambiance with a diverse hot and cold buffet for breakfast and lunch. During dinnertime, the beachfront venue becomes a classic grill preparing choice cuts of steak and fresh fish entrees.
Mi Carisa. Photo Jill Weinlein
Take a stroll along a floating walkway surrounded by water and mangroves to Mi Carisa for a fine dining experience. The coastal Mediterranean menu offers Italian cuisine prepared in a beautiful wood-burning oven, imparting an appealing smoky flavor.
Those seeking Asian cuisine will want to make a reservation at Mura House. The menu draws flavors and techniques from throughout Asia, with a concentration on Japan. The chefs practice three principles: the harmony of flavor, precision through preparation, and quality of ingredients. Guests can choose three different styles of Japanese cuisine prepared teppanyaki, yakitori, and sushi.
Cafe Inez. Photo Jill Weinlein
In the lobby area is the European-style Cafe Inez. It’s open in the early morning for fresh juice, coffee, tea, baked goods and pastries. Later in the day, this picturesque venue prepares and displays sandwiches, paninis and salads. In the evening, desserts and sweet treats line the display cases.
Esencia Wellness Spa. Photo Jill Weinlein
Many of the Aura Wellness classes were held inside Esencia Wellness Spa. There was an Aura Vibration class, Beauty Bar Experience, My Skin Care by Natura Bisse, and Energy Reset Meditation class with Faith Hunter.
Throughout the year, the Spa offers a variety of wellness classes in the fitness center and massage and beauty experiences in the treatment rooms.
This year is the time to recharge your wellness routine. UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya will awaken your senses along Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
