In April 2022, Bryan and I took our first long vacation together to UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Mayaâand looking back, it truly set the tone for so many of our trips since đ
At the time, travel still felt a little different. We were wearing masks on the airplane and had to get tested for COVID when we arrived. Itâs funny now to think about how normal that all felt back then.
⨠First Impressions
From the moment we arrived, we were blown away. The resort was even more beautiful than we expected. As we checked in, we were handed fresh cucumber cocktailsâcold, refreshing, and exactly what we needed after a long travel day đš
We took a quick tour of the property, spotted a few iguanas along the way, and made our first stop at the main lobby barâhome to a bold jaguar centerpiece that immediately caught our attention.
It felt luxurious, unique, and just a little bit wild⌠in the best way.
đĽ Dinner, But Make It a Show
That first evening, we had dinner at Cueva Siete, the resortâs Mexican restaurant.
Everything was incredible, but the highlight? The coffee.
At the end of the meal, they prepared it tablesideâand then lit it on fire đĽ
It was one of those little unexpected moments that made us look at each other and think,
âOkay⌠this trip is going to be good.â
âď¸ Pool Days & Firsts
The next morning was our first full day, and we eased right into vacation mode with breakfast at the outdoor restaurantâwarm breeze, slow pace, nowhere to be.
We spent the day by the pool, and that night we headed to Mi Carisa, the Italian restaurant.
After dinner, we did something completely new (for Bryan at least): a silent disco đ§
Watching him experience that for the first time was one of my favorite moments of the trip.
đĽ Champagne, Traditions & The Birth of the Hats
The next day, Bryan surprised me with champagne in our room and rose petals on the bedâsuch a thoughtful, romantic moment.
Later that day, we unknowingly started a tradition that has followed us on every trip since:
vacation tequila shots.
I am not typically a shots person⌠but on vacation with Bryan? Apparently I am đ
And thenâwhat may be one of the most iconic things to come out of this tripâthe hats.
UNICO gives each guest a straw hat that you can customize with flowers, designs, or words. Bryan had the idea to label ours âChair Holder 1â and âChair Holder 2â⌠and weâve never looked back.
Those hats now travel everywhere with usâand have become our official way of claiming pool chairs in the mornings âď¸
đŁ Hibachi Night & More Fun
That evening, we had dinner at Mura House, the resortâs hibachi grill.
It was interactive, fun, and one of those dinners where you leave smiling the whole time.
đď¸ Exploring Tulum
One of the highlights of the trip was our excursion to Tulum.
Tulum is one of the last cities built by the ancient Mayans and is uniquely perched on cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Seaâmaking it one of the only coastal Mayan ruins.
It was once a major trading hub, and you can still feel the history as you walk through the site.
We had an incredible guide who brought everything to life, sharing stories about the culture, architecture, and how the Mayans used astronomy in their designs.
After exploring the ruins, we went snorkeling and saw huge sea turtles đ˘âone of those moments you just donât forget.
And yes⌠we also did a tequila tasting. Because when in Mexico đš
That evening, we had dinner back at the resort at 2087.
đ One Honest Note
If there was one small drawback to the resort, it was the ocean view.
Because of a protected strip of mangroves, you canât actually see the ocean from most areas of the resort. To get to the beach, you cross over a bridge, and unless youâre up several floors, the ocean itself isnât visible.
That said, once youâre thereâthe beach is beautiful.
It didnât take away from our experience, but itâs something to be aware of if you love constant ocean views from your room or pool chair.
đ¤ Evenings, Sunsets & Little Details
On our final full day, we soaked in every last secondâpool time, sunset views, and a catamaran cruise to end the trip đ
Dinner that night is a bit of a blur⌠except for one very clear memory:
a very large pepper grinder that somehow became part of the experience đ
One of the most incredible touches of the trip was our room.
Every evening when we returned, the staff had filled the bathtub on our balcony with a bubble bath, ready and waiting for us.
It was those little touchesâthe kind you donât expect but never forgetâthat made this trip feel so special.
âď¸ Travel Tips
If youâre considering UNICO 2087, here are a few quick tips:
- Book dinner reservations early â the restaurants are popular and fill up
- Donât skip the excursions â Tulum + snorkeling was a highlight
- Take advantage of customization â hats, room touches, experiencesâitâs part of what makes this resort unique
- Bring a few nicer outfits â dinners here feel a little more elevated than your typical all-inclusive
- Plan at least one âdo nothingâ day â the pool and service are too good not to enjoy
đ Who This Resort Is Perfect For (And Who Itâs Not)
After experiencing UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya firsthand:
âď¸ Perfect For:
- Couples looking for a romantic, elevated all-inclusive
- Foodies who care about quality dining experiences
- Travelers who appreciate service + thoughtful details
- Those who prefer a modern, boutique feel over a massive resort
â Might Not Be The Best Fit For:
- Travelers who want full ocean views at all times
- Guests looking for a high-energy party scene
- Families with young children (adults-only resort)
đ Final Thoughts
This trip wasnât just a vacationâit was the beginning of so many of our traditions.
Tequila shots.
The hats.
The way we travel together.
Looking back, it feels like the start of something much bigger than just a trip.
And honestlyâŚ
Iâd go back in a heartbeat.
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