Hey there, fellow wanderlusters! 🌍✨
This past August, we had the absolute pleasure of staying at Impression Moxche, and let me tell you, it was nothing short of a dream. If you’ve been following our adventures on social media, you know we’ve been to some pretty amazing all-inclusive resorts, but this? This was something else.
Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen first opened in April 2022, closely followed by Impression Moxche, which opened its doors in December 2022. The Secrets Moxche Playa Del Carmen resort boasts 485 opulent suites, each equipped with luxurious amenities, breathtaking views, and a variety of room choices to suit all budgets. An additional 198 even more upscale rooms are then offered by Impression Moxche.
Something else that is worth mentioning before we dive into this review, is that in the Mayan language, “Moxché” is akin to the term “tree root.” Stemming from the root word “Moots” meaning roots and “Che” meaning tree. This is a theme that is intricately woven into the resort’s design, evident in tree-root inspired tunnels, live edge tables, and wood embellishments adorning the rooms and hotel premises.
Throughout this review, I’ll point out a few of the ways that this connection to tree roots is used along the Moxche property. Along the way I’ll share our overall feedback on the property, showcase the room, the many pools, and dining options!
Table of Contents
First Impressions (See What I Did There?)
From the moment we drove into the Caracol community located in Playa del Carmen, (which is the gated community that Secrets & Impression Moxche are located on) it felt like we had been transported to another world. Something that starts off the moment you turn into the community, as you drive in through these intricate mangrove tree-root tunnels, a design that you’ll see all throughout the resort, and where you first see the Moxché Mayan reference come to life.
Secrets really brought out the big guns when designing this property. There is barely any angle from which it doesn’t look stunning. Plus that entrance way that hits you with a massive overview of the some of the many pools at this resort, mixed with the sound of the ocean waves crashing, and that distinct salty sea breeze that instantly tells you – vacation mode instantly ON.
I said this in the past, and I have to say it again. Secrets Moxche & Impression Moxche are definitely one of the most Instagrammable all-inclusive resorts in the area. You can walk around them all day, and all night, and the resorts just look beautiful from all angles, at all times.
You’ll also notice several of these mangrove tunnel designs all over the property, much like the ones you drove through when entering the Caracol community! These are a continued nod back to the Mayan Moxche term.
The Impression Moxche Difference
Now, let’s talk about what sets Impression Moxche apart. Guests staying at Impression get the golden ticket – full access to all of Secrets Moxche, including the exclusive preferred club areas. Yes, that means you can lounge at the Preferred Club Observatory Pool and dine at the Preferred Club Restaurant, adding an extra layer of luxury to your stay.
Impression Moxche is a stand-alone building located on the Secrets Moxche property, which gives you access to 3 more infinity pools, a rooftop restaurant called Cielo, a beachfront restaurant called Seaside Beach Club, and a premium dining experience called Teodoro. We cover the dining options a bit later in this blog, but it was all delicious!
Impression Moxche is a much quieter experience. While there are activities and events, they are things like candle making, macrame, and pinata making. Meanwhile Secrets Moxche has the alternative activities like fun naughty games, pool games, sports activities, etc.
So staying at Impression Moxche is like getting the best of both worlds! Want a little relaxation and quiet time with your significant other? Stay on the Impression side. Want a little more social life, head over to Secrets side!
The Room: Master Suite Oceanview
Okay, words might not do justice to the room we stayed in. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here’s where I’ll describe the room in all its glory. And for those of you who are more visual (like me!), I’ve put together a video tour down below that will give you a look into our luxurious abode for that week: The Master Suite Oceanview. 🎥👑
The master suite rooms here at Impression Moxche are massive, measuring in around 2088 square feet, and they feature a full kitchenette with microwave, mini-fridge and wine fridge. There is a dining table that is setup for 4, but you can easily fit at least 6 at this table, and still have plenty of room to hang out in the various other parts of this master suite. Other stand out features include 2 huge Samsung TV’s, 2 couches that do not fold, and 2 bathtubs, one being out on the massive balcony which looks out over the main Moxche property or directly onto the ocean – depending if you got Oceanfront or Oceanview. None of the balcony tubs are jacuzzi at this property, unfortunately.
The bedroom features a super soft King-size bed. USB, USB-C and regular outlets are available on both sides of the bed, and the backside of the bed doubles as a small office nook, complete with desk space, organizing space, and more charging ports.
Bathroom here is, well, massive. You get his and hers sinks, along with a full suite of amenities including shaving kits. Also worth mentioning that a hair dryer and a clothes steamer come standard, and you even get a little bit of incense which is a nice touch. Main bathtub is in here, along with a rain shower for two. And a full walk-in closet, plus a separate room for the toilet. And the entire bathroom area can be closed off from the main room with sliding doors.
Dining: A Culinary Journey
Every meal at Impression Moxche was an experience. Whether we were dining beachside with our toes in the sand at Seaside Beach Club; on the rooftop at Cielo having tacos and listening to live flamenco guitar; or at Teodoro with panoramic ocean views having a wine pairing multi-course dinner; the food was truly top-notch every step of the way. Secrets Moxche already has a culinary menu that’s a step above the average all-inclusive resort, and Impression Moxche manages to take it even further. Fresh seafood, local ingredients, and flavors that danced on our taste buds. And the cocktails? Let’s just say they had us at “Margarita.”
A standout mention would have to be Seaside Beach Club, which makes a delicious Wagyu Burger, and is the only place on property that makes French Toast for breakfast!
And we have to also mention the dining journey that is Teodoro. Teodoro is one of the several dining experiences that are offered at Impression Moxche & Secrets Moxche, the other being an Omakase experience, and a Taco’s & Mezcal experience. Teodoro is included for all guests staying at Impression Moxche for 6+ nights, otherwise you would need to inquire with your butler or concierge to purchase it. As of September 2023, the cost was $250/pp. I did a dedicated post featuring the different dishes from our experience, which you can checkout on our Instagram:
Pool Lover’s Paradise 🏊♂️
If you’re someone who believes a vacation isn’t complete without some quality pool time, Impression Moxche has got you covered. Between Secrets Moxche and Impression Moxche, there’s a whopping 13 pools to choose from! Whether you’re in the mood for a serene infinity pool or a lively pool bar, or a secluded cave pool, or an infinity pool thats higher up than the other infinity pool, there’s a spot for every kind of pool lover here. Seriously. I cannot over-state how many pools there are here and how vastly different each one is.
Activities & Entertainment
While it’s super tempting to just lounge by the pool all day (and trust me, we did a LOT of that), Impression Moxche offers a range of activities – even though it might not initially seem that way. Keep up-to-date with the daily events calendar, and make sure to head over to the Secrets Moxche side to take advantage of all their various activities. From yoga sessions at sunrise to kayaking adventures and even cooking classes, there was never a dull moment. However as I mentioned earlier, Impression Moxche hosts more of the quiet activities, while Secrets Moxche has more of the active ones. So if you feel like you are getting a bit bored at the Impression side, you’ll probably find a bunch of things happening at one of the Secrets Moxche pools!
Night time here is a welcoming experience, as the resort often runs Casino games, live music, golf simulator games, and more activities for the night time crowd. Plus there are some super fun shows, and there’s even a secret speakeasy nightclub – IF you can guess the password to get in 😉
Resort Maps
For ease of reference, I included the maps from both resorts below:
Honorary Mention
We took advantage of the extremely close proximity to the main town of Playa del Carmen, and went for a night on the town with our great friends at Living Dreams Mexico. If you are looking for some delicious, authentic, homemade Italian food, you have to check out La Famiglia. They have some amazing homemade gnocchi, and homemade pasta, and some amazing pizzas! I’m surprised I didn’t hear about this spot sooner.
Final Thoughts
Impression Moxche isn’t just a resort; it’s an experience. It’s the laughter shared over a beach bonfire, the tranquility of a spa day, the energy of a night club and the thrill of discovering a new cocktail (or two!) – all mixed together. It’s a luxury experience every step of the way, offering unique dining experiences and modern amenities.
If you’re looking for a slice of luxury paradise, Impression Moxche is where you’ll find it. And if you ever decide to visit, drop us a message! We’d love to share more tips and maybe a few of our secret favorite spots. 😉
