Voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world, this incredible sandy bay greets you as you walk through to the rear of the hotel. With a stunning azure sea and powdery white sand that is always cool to the touch, waves to add a little excitement, and a tropical palapa for some shade in the heat of the day, it's utterly, breathtakingly perfect.

Since our first visit to Maroma nearly 10 years ago, this area has flourished and many large hotels are springing up along this 'Riviera Maya'. A 300-room hotel has now opened along the same stretch of bay as Maroma, so you can expect to see a few more footprints in the sand today.

However, the new neighbors are sufficiently far away to prevent any disturbance to the tranquility, and with over a mile of beach fronting the hotel there's plenty of space for everyone.

Snorkeling and other water activities are available if you're feeling energetic, or you can just grab a cocktail from the thatched beach bar and sit, relax and watch the world go by.