We have a soft-spot for Hard Rock Riviera Maya family holidays

Riviera Maya holidays that entertain everyone in the family from dawn until dark are a major talent at Hard Rock Riviera Maya and Rochelle Streater and her kids turn out to be huge fans.

Meeting icons, Riviera Maya holidays © Rochelle Streater

When planning the perfect family holiday, finding a destination that balances entertainment for both adults and children can be challenging. Recently, I had the pleasure of experiencing the Hard Rock Hotel in Riviera Maya with my two daughters, and I can confidently say this resort in Mexico has managed to perfect that balance with ease. From the moment we arrived until the day we left, our stay was packed with unforgettable moments.

Hard Rock Riviera Maya

It’s easy to slip into the Hard Rock spirit on Riviera Maya holidays

Hard Rock Hotels are known for their vibrant atmosphere, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s all about partying. Upon arrival, the hotel impressed us with its spacious, modern design and family-friendly vibe. My daughters, eyes widened with excitement at the Dia de los Muertos décor and staff dressed in Halloween costumes.

Our rooms were spacious, with comfortable beds, jacuzzi and enough room for my daughters to spread out their pre-prepped beach toys. The rock memorabilia lining the walls was a nice touch, though what really won us over was the balcony overlooking the garden and its view of all the wildlife, monkeys included.

All the world’s a stage at Hard Rock Riviera Maya

If there’s one thing Hard Rock Riviera Maya does exceptionally well, it’s evening entertainment. Every night we were treated to live shows ranging from energetic performances to theatrical productions. A highlight was the spectacular acrobatic show we caught on our second evening which completely captivated my daughters. On several evenings, there were also opportunities for the kids to join in, with mini dance-offs, costume contests, and themed parades.

We were lucky enough to visit during Halloween season, and the Hard Rock celebrates in style, transforming itself into a creepy, but fun, wonderland. From flower garlands to skeleton decorations, every corner of the resort embraced the spirit of the holiday. And the staff went all out with face painting and arts and crafts stations where kids could create their own spooky masterpieces.

Dia de los Muertos parties were organised for both adults and children and on one evening the hotel hosted a Trick-or-Treat event around the resort, which had my daughters excitedly dashing from location to location, filling their bags with candy.

Hard Rock works to make every meal feel like a celebration

Another great thing about Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is its sheer variety of dining options.

The restaurants offered themed cuisines, including Italian, Asian fusion, and a traditional Mexican spot that quickly became our family favourite. My daughters particularly loved the endless supply of desserts, from ice cream sundaes to mini churros, that made each meal feel like a celebration.

The ambience in every restaurant was casual enough for families but still felt like we were dining somewhere special.

We became superstar DJs and made our first family ‘hit’

What made the Hard Rock experience even more memorable for us were the hands-on music activities at the resort. One afternoon, we had the chance to participate in the Family Rock Band experience. Each of us picked up an instrument, and created our very own family rock band. My eldest daughter was absolutely thrilled to be on the drums, while my youngest tried her hand at guitar, and I took on vocals (all with varying degrees of success!). By the end, we’d recorded our very own “hit song”, no surprise it’s now a treasured keepsake.

Another day, we tried DJ lessons, which were a huge hit with my daughters, and their dad! They had a blast learning how to mix tracks and create their own music. The instructor (a professional DJ herself) was fantastic: patient, energetic, and skilled at making the lesson fun. And watching my girls, as they twisted knobs and played with beats, I could tell they were feeling like superstars.

Hard Rock beach, Riviera Maya holidays

Riviera Maya holidays need beaches, and Hard Rock doesn’t disappoint

Of course, no trip to Riviera Maya would be complete without some beach time, and Hard Rock’s secure beach did not disappoint and, while the girls were busy building sandcastles, I took time to unwind in one of the cabanas. It’s an ideal beach for families, with calm waters sectioned off from the main sea, so perfect for swimming and my daughters spent hours playing in the shallow tide pools, chasing tiny fish and giggling as they splashed about; there are also water sports for more adventurous types.

As a family getaway, Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya exceeded our expectations. It was an ideal mix of relaxation and entertainment, offering something for everyone. The vibrant evening shows kept us on the edge of our seats, the festivities added a playful twist to our trip, and the wealth of dining options ensured we were never bored or hungry.

But the best part was creating lasting memories filled with images of my daughters beaming with delight during the colourful Halloween parade, being superstar DJs or all of us rocking out together as a family band. This trip was truly special.