Two nights with Hilton Free Night Rewards: our deluxe room upgrade, seafood lunches, pools, beach and all-inclusive dining experience.

Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya feels like a tropical beach getaway, with an open-air lobby, jungle paths, several pools and a beach for walks along the shore. The resort became all-inclusive on Oct. 1, 2026. We spent two nights here using Hilton Free Night Rewards, received a complimentary deluxe room upgrade as Diamond members and paid about $4 in environmental tax for the entire stay.
Food was more mixed than at the Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya. Seafood was a strength, especially at Crudo, and I would choose Chiringuito Carbón for beef. Mediterranean dinner at Maratea, Japanese dining at Ukai, the Arbolea breakfast buffet and the poolside chiringuitos gave us plenty of variety, although some dishes worked better than others.
One of my favorite small details was the all-inclusive bracelet. Its beaded design felt more like jewelry than a tacky wristband, and it doubled as our room key. Between that, the quiet pools and the tropical setting, there was a lot to like beyond the room itself.
| Detail | Our stay and what to know |
|---|---|
| Property | Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, a separate property from Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort |
| Stay | Two nights for two guests during shoulder season, after the Oct. 1, 2026, all-inclusive transition |
| Booking | Two Hilton Free Night Rewards; Diamond status; complimentary upgrade to a deluxe room |
| Our hotel charges | About US$4 in environmental tax for the entire stay. Included food, other taxes and the package’s service charge were covered. |
| Rate benchmarks | About $450 per night in cash plus taxes and fees. Our November 2026 calendar showed Standard Room Rewards at 109,000 or 135,000 Hilton Honors points per night on available dates. |
| Breakfast | Arbolea buffet, including made-to-order omelets and quesadillas and a fruit station |
| Lunch | Ultramar and the chiringuitos, including Crudo, Carbón and Leña |
| Dinner | Maratea for Mediterranean food, Ukai for sushi and Japanese dishes and Kengai for Asian dining. Reservations were required. |
| Bars and café | Chaak Bar, Ultramar and Cafetal. We did not try Chaak or Ultramar. |
| Bracelet | Beaded all-inclusive identifier and room key, with a QR code for menus and activities |
| Pools and beach | Plenty of loungers during our low-occupancy visit; beach walks, with swimming subject to warning flags |
| Who can stay | The resort welcomes families. Ceiba Club is scheduled to become a dedicated adults-only section for guests 18 and older on Jan. 10, 2027. |
We used two Free Night Rewards for two guests and two nights. With Hilton Honors Diamond status, we received a complimentary upgrade to a deluxe room. Our only hotel charge was roughly US$4 in environmental tax for the whole stay, which made this an easy redemption to feel good about.
Cash rates during our stay were around $450 per night plus taxes and fees. That gives the two-night room stay a rough $900 cash benchmark before taxes and fees. The November 2026 award calendar below showed available nights at either 109,000 or 135,000 Hilton Honors points. Both prices were labeled Standard Room Reward, the availability to look for when using a Free Night Reward. Some dates were sold out.

Using the $450 cash benchmark, those two award prices work out to roughly 0.33 to 0.41 cent per point before differences in taxes and fees. We used certificates, so this is a planning comparison rather than a points redemption we made. Prices and availability can change.
When using a Free Night Reward, look for Standard Room Reward availability and confirm the room occupancy and all-inclusive inclusions for your reservation. A Premium Room Reward is a different option. Check Hilton rates and reward availability.
We used two certificates for this trip. For a similar stay, these Hilton cards offer ways to earn Free Night Rewards.
With the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, $15,000 in eligible purchases during a calendar year earns one Free Night Reward.
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card provides an Annual Free Night Reward in the first year of Card Membership and each year upon renewal. You can earn an additional reward at $30,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year and another at $60,000 in cumulative eligible purchases in that same calendar year.
These ongoing benefits are separate from any Free Night Reward included in a welcome offer. Allow time for a reward to be issued, check its expiration date and confirm Standard Room Reward availability before planning a certificate stay.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® CardAnnual fee: $150
Terms apply | Rates & Fees
Sebby's Take: This mid-tier hotel card offers strong Hilton Honors earning rates, automatic Gold status, and a Free Night Reward after eligible spending. It’s a solid pick for travelers who stay with Hilton often and want elevated perks without the premium price tag.
Sebby's Take: This mid-tier hotel card offers strong Hilton Honors earning rates, automatic Gold status, and a Free Night Reward after eligible spending. It’s a solid pick for travelers who stay with Hilton often and want elevated perks without the premium price tag.
All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by AskSebby.com.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire CardAnnual fee: $550
Sebby's Take: Get top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, up to $400 in annual Hilton Resort statement credits (up to $200 semi-annually), and an Annual Free Night Reward, making it a powerful option for frequent Hilton travelers looking to maximize benefits from day one. Terms apply. All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by AskSebby.com.
Sebby's Take: Get top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond status, up to $400 in annual Hilton Resort statement credits (up to $200 semi-annually), and an Annual Free Night Reward, making it a powerful option for frequent Hilton travelers looking to maximize benefits from day one. Terms apply. All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by AskSebby.com.
Overall: 8.2/10. These are our scores from a two-night shoulder-season stay. The overall score gives the eight rated categories equal weight, using the average of Ukai (7.5) and Maratea (8) for dinner.
| Category | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Service | 9/10 | Friendly and helpful when approached, with a personal arrival and clear explanations of supplements. |
| Room | 7.5/10 | Clean, quiet and comfortable, with an open layout, included minibar and outdoor bathtub. |
| Breakfast | 7.5/10 | Fine overall, with useful made-to-order stations, but not exceptional. |
| Dinner | Ukai: 7.5/10 Maratea: 8/10 | Maratea was stronger overall. Ukai had some misses, including overly salty miso soup. |
| Drinks | 8/10 | A good included selection, with staff explaining extra charges before we ordered. |
| Pools and loungers | 9/10 | Several pools and plenty of space during low occupancy. |
| Beach | 8/10 | Very well kept. Swimming depends on the warning flags and daily conditions. |
| Value for certificates | Strong for our stay | Two reward nights covered a room with a rough $900 cash benchmark, plus included meals and drinks. |
| Spa facilities | 9/10 | Beautiful facilities. We did not try a treatment. |
Arrival felt personal. We checked in while seated on a couch and had a welcome drink, which suited the relaxed setting. The carved wooden entrance doors and sculptural lobby ceiling made a strong first impression.


Service was friendly and helpful when we approached the team. Staff were also proactive about explaining which food and drink orders would cost extra. That clarity mattered at an all-inclusive, where I do not want to discover a supplement after placing an order.
The Concierge Lounge was useful as an air-conditioned place to wait, with water and fruit available. The lobby and much of the property are open-air, so having an indoor spot to cool off was welcome.

The open-concept layout made the room feel larger. It was very clean and quiet, although we visited during shoulder season with low occupancy. Our room also had its own outdoor bathtub, and the minibar was included.
I would put the room at 7.5/10. It was a comfortable base for the stay; the pools, beach and outdoor setting were the bigger reasons to spend time here.
I liked that the bracelet looked like a simple accessory. It had dark beads, an adjustable cord and a wooden Conrad centerpiece, and staff could use it to recognize our all-inclusive package. It was also our room key, so it served a practical purpose beyond identifying the meal plan.

The bracelet’s QR code opened menus and the resort’s daily activities. The printed Explore pamphlet also linked to the digital resort guide, with a daily schedule, map, dining and experiences. Some activities cost extra, and a third-party tour company operated on the property.

Our all-inclusive package covered meals and drinks from the included menus, minibar items and the restaurant bills’ 15% service charge. Other taxes were covered apart from the roughly $4 environmental tax we paid for the entire stay. The printed restaurant prices did not turn our included meals into extra charges.
There were supplements for some selections, such as certain lobster or steak dishes, and some pastries and drinks at Cafetal were excluded. The team told us before purchase when something would cost extra. Our information sheet also listed premium alcohol and wine bottles, certain specialty dining experiences, spa services, tours and pool cabanas as extras. Confirm the inclusions for your own booking, especially for a club package or specialty dinner.

Breakfast was at Arbolea. The welcome letter named Maratea, but that was incorrect for our stay. Arbolea had a buffet with pastries, breads and fruit, plus made-to-order stations for items such as omelets and quesadillas.


The fresh fruit station was a nice detail: we could choose the fruit we wanted and have it cut for us. Overall, I would score breakfast 7.5/10. It was fine, but not exceptional.

Seafood was one of the better parts of dining here, especially at Crudo. Its menu included mixed ceviche, green shrimp aguachile and tacos, with choices such as soft-shell crab and shrimp. This was the kind of lunch that fit the beach setting well.


For beef, Chiringuito Carbón was the strongest outlet we tried. The sirloin tacos came with bone marrow and avocado, making for a more substantial lunch than a basic poolside snack. Other choices on the menu included octopus tacos, tuna tostadas and grilled fish.



Ultramar and Leña are other lunch options around the resort. We did not eat at Ultramar, so I would treat it as another option to check in the daily guide rather than a restaurant recommendation from this stay.
Dinner reservations were required. Maratea earned 8/10 and Ukai 7.5/10. The seafood was a highlight, while a few dishes needed more attention.
I would rate Maratea 8/10. It serves Mediterranean dishes. Our starters included salmon carpaccio, beef tartare, oysters and tuna crudo, with seafood soup and gazpacho also on the check. The menu gave us plenty to share rather than funneling everyone toward the same few mains.

For the larger dishes, we ordered langoustine risotto, Galician-style octopus and a mussel casserole, along with roasted broccoli. The menu described the risotto with asparagus, fennel, aioli and preserved lemon, while the mussels came with white wine, mustard and herbs.


Our Maratea check printed a total of US$361.92, including the 15% service charge. That was covered by the all-inclusive package. I would not treat the printed menu total as cash we would necessarily have spent ordering à la carte, but it shows how an included restaurant check looked during our stay.

Ukai earned 7.5/10 overall, with sushi, sashimi and other Japanese dishes on the menu. We ordered across the menu, with shrimp tempura, sashimi and rolls among the dishes in our photos.



The miso soup was a clear miss. It was far too salty and needed more water. We also saw other diners send it back, so it did not seem limited to our bowl. That was a useful example of the inconsistency here: I could enjoy the setting and seafood while still finding individual dishes disappointing. Our package sheet listed Ukai’s omakase separately from the included menu.

I would give drinks 8/10. The included selection worked well for the stay, and staff explained supplements when a drink or café order fell outside the package. At Cafetal, that also applied to select pastries, so it was worth checking before ordering.
Chaak Bar is near the lobby, while Ultramar offers another setting near the pools. We photographed Chaak but did not try it or Ultramar, so neither is part of our drinks rating.

The pools were a highlight, earning 9/10. There were several places to swim or settle into a lounger, and we had plenty of room during the low-occupancy shoulder season. I would expect the atmosphere and competition for chairs to change when more rooms are occupied.

The beach was very well kept, earning 8/10. Swimming depends on the beach warning flag system and daily ocean conditions. You can still walk along the beach when swimming is restricted. The beach was clear during our Conrad stay, while red flags and sargassum had kept us out of the ocean at the Waldorf.
The resort’s open-air design, tropical landscaping and jungle paths made it feel like a beach vacation. We walked the Sacbé Trail to get to Chiringuito Carbón, and the route was decorated with orange flowers and butterflies during our visit.

The activity program included sage-making and cultural performances at night. The QR guide was useful for checking the optional daily schedule and seeing which experiences carried an extra charge.

The spa facilities were beautiful, earning 9/10. We did not try a spa treatment.
We flew into Cancún International Airport because the routing from San Francisco worked better for our trip. Tulum’s airport is another option to compare. I would look at the actual flight schedule, fare and transfer quote together before choosing an airport.
Our taxi from the St. Regis Riviera Maya to Conrad cost about $100. That was a transfer between hotels, not the airport fare. It was a noticeable extra expense on a stay where the room, meals and drinks were covered, so I would get a transportation quote in advance rather than assume an easy, inexpensive ride will be waiting.
Check current promotions and the exact rate inclusions for any hotel-arranged transfer. Transfer prices, eligibility and advance-booking requirements can change.
I preferred Conrad’s setting for the feeling of a beach getaway. The open-air spaces, jungle trail and tropical grounds made more of a difference than the room alone. The Waldorf felt more like a city hotel that happened to be on the beach.
The Waldorf had the more consistently strong food on our trip. Conrad gave us good seafood, plenty of dining variety and enjoyable pools, but some dishes missed. If dining is the priority, that distinction matters. If you care more about the outdoor resort atmosphere, Conrad has a strong case. Read our Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya all-inclusive review for that side of the comparison.
Our stay was a certificate redemption. For a cash booking, I would compare direct Hilton rates with eligible American Express Travel® options for the same room, guests, cancellation terms and package inclusions. Count a credit only when it covers something you would otherwise buy.
| Booking route | Why compare it? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| American Express Platinum Card® through Fine Hotels + Resorts® | Potential Lodging Credit and property benefits on an eligible booking. | The total prepaid rate, the credit’s minimum-stay rules and useful extra-cost purchases at an all-inclusive. |
| Hilton direct with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | Hilton Honors earnings and a quarterly Hilton statement credit on eligible direct purchases. | How the hotel bills the purchase and the credit remaining for that quarter. |
| Hilton direct with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | Diamond status, eligible resort statement credits and a Free Night Reward benefit. | Participating resort eligibility, rate restrictions and Standard Room Reward availability. |
| Hilton Honors points or a Free Night Reward | Covers an eligible room redemption, including the package attached to that booking. | Standard Room Reward availability, registered guests and any separately payable taxes or extras. |
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is an option for eligible purchases made directly with a Hilton property. Compare the room rate, Hilton Honors earnings and the quarterly Hilton statement credit you have available. Third-party bookings do not qualify for that direct-purchase credit. Eligible incidental charges must be billed to the room and paid with the card at checkout.
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers Hilton Honors Diamond status, a Free Night Reward benefit and statement credits for eligible purchases at participating resorts. Check the participating resort list and rate rules before counting on a resort credit. Advance Purchase Rates and Non-Refundable Rates are excluded, and eligible incidental purchases must be charged to the room and paid with the card.
If a Fine Hotels + Resorts rate is available, compare it with the Hilton direct price after credits you can use. Breakfast is already included in an all-inclusive package, so I would not count it twice. A property credit is more useful if it applies to an extra-cost experience you actually want. Confirm the eligible prepaid booking requirements and minimum stay before counting on the Lodging Credit.
American Express Platinum Card®Annual fee: $895
Terms apply | Rates & Fees
Sebby's take: Despite a hefty annual fee, you get up to $3,500 in credits that help offset this. The card is great for people who benefit from lounge access, travel protections, and access to programs like Fine Hotels & Resorts.
Sebby's take: Despite a hefty annual fee, you get up to $3,500 in credits that help offset this. The card is great for people who benefit from lounge access, travel protections, and access to programs like Fine Hotels & Resorts.
Yes. The resort transitioned to all-inclusive on Oct. 1, 2026. Our package included participating meals, selected drinks, minibar items and the restaurant bills’ 15% service charge. Some dishes, drinks and activities cost extra.
The wider resort welcomes families. Ceiba Club is scheduled to become a dedicated adults-only section for guests 18 and older on Jan. 10, 2027.
We used two Hilton Free Night Rewards for a two-night stay for two guests. Our November 2026 calendar showed Standard Room Rewards at 109,000 or 135,000 points per night on available dates, with some dates sold out. Pricing and availability vary. Confirm Standard Room Reward availability and the inclusions for your reservation.
Our only hotel charge was about US$4 in environmental tax for the entire two-night stay. Included meals, drinks, other taxes and the package’s service charge were covered. Transportation was a separate expense.
Our beaded all-inclusive bracelet was also our room key. Its QR code opened menus and the daily resort activities. We liked that it looked more like an accessory than a typical resort wristband.
Breakfast was at Arbolea during our stay. The buffet had pastries, fruit and made-to-order stations for items such as omelets and quesadillas. Our welcome letter incorrectly named Maratea.
Seafood was a strength, especially at Crudo. For beef, we preferred Chiringuito Carbón. We rated Maratea 8/10 and Ukai 7.5/10. The overly salty miso soup was one of Ukai’s misses. Dinner reservations were required during our stay.
Swimming depends on the warning flag system and daily ocean conditions. You can still walk along the beach when swimming is restricted. The beach was very well kept during our stay.
No. Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya and Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort are separate properties. Confirm the name when comparing rates or arranging transportation.
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💳 Featured Card Offers

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points
Terms apply | Rates & Fees

Earn 200,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points

Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Points + a Free Night Reward
Terms apply | Rates & Fees