If you have started researching destination wedding resorts in Mexico, you have probably come across both of these properties. They are both beautiful. Both all-inclusive. Both in the Cancun and Riviera Maya corridor. And on the surface, they might seem interchangeable.
They are not.
I just returned from touring both properties as part of a destination wedding FAM trip, and I can tell you firsthand that these two resorts are built for completely different couples. Here is what you need to know before you fall in love with either one.
AVA Resort Cancun
AVA is the newest luxury property on this list, having opened in 2024, and it shows. Everything about it feels intentional, modern, and built for the way people actually travel today.
With 1,622 all-oceanfront rooms, AVA is a larger property, and that scale works in your favor when you are hosting a wedding group with guests who have varying tastes and needs. Every single room faces the ocean. The rooms begin on what is technically the third floor, which means every single one has an unobstructed view of the ocean. No rooftops, no landscaping, nothing between your guests and the water. There are no bad views, no guests feeling like they drew the short straw on room assignments. For a wedding group spread across 40 or more rooms, that matters more than most couples realize.
The property is family-inclusive, with adult-only areas and pool, which makes it a strong choice for couples whose guest list spans multiple generations. The 2.8 acre Crystal Lagoon is a standout amenity: calm, swimmable, and genuinely stunning. For guests traveling with children or for couples who want their guests to have an abundance of activities throughout the week, AVA delivers.
While you cannot rent an entire pool exclusively for your group, AVA offers private pavilions (complete with their own television) and cabanas that can be reserved around the lagoon area. For a wedding party that wants a dedicated space to gather, relax, and celebrate together throughout the week, this is a practical and genuinely enjoyable option.
The wedding venues at AVA are oceanfront terraces with sleek, modern design that photographs beautifully. The property also has a dedicated wedding showroom where you can see actual tablescape and reception setup options before committing to anything (a resource that removes a significant amount of guesswork from a major decision).
One insider tip worth knowing: book the largest suite available outright rather than waiting for the complimentary upgrade the resort offers the couple. There are no dedicated bridal suites at AVA or UNICO (the suite IS your getting-ready space). Guarantee it for your wedding morning, then pass the complimentary upgrade along to a family member or guest who could use it. Everyone wins and you look like the amazing hostess that you are.
Onto the food, which is one of my favorite subjects in life. Their main buffet is run by stations rather than one long line ensuring a faster and fresher turnover of food. Every restaurant at AVA has its own chef with its own designed menu. Food quality stays consistent throughout your stay and across the property rather than declining the further you get from the main kitchen. For a group spending a week here, that consistency matters.
AVA is right for you if you want a modern, design-forward resort with family-inclusive amenities, all-oceanfront views for every guest, and a sleek aesthetic that feels fresh and current.
UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya
Couples will say, "We love the look of Tulum." What they usually mean is lush, tropical, intimate, and genuinely immersive in the local culture rather than feeling like a resort bubble.
UNICO 20°87° is actually what they mean.
Situated in Riviera Maya, about an hour and fifteen minutes from the Cancun airport, UNICO is a AAA Five Diamond, adults-only resort with 448 rooms and a maximum of two weddings per day. That last detail alone sets it apart from most properties in this market.
An important detail before you book: the swim-out suites and lower floor rooms that are listed as oceanfront or ocean view are not actually delivering on that description any more. The vegetation in Riviera Maya has grown significantly over the years, and the region has strict environmental policies that limit trimming or removal. The result is that first floor rooms face that lush tropical greenery rather than open water. If an ocean view matters to your guests, the Alto Oceanfront rooms on the upper floor is where that view actually lives.
The resort is built around three pillars: art, gastronomy, and mixology. These are not marketing words. The head mixologist, Luis, personally developed every cocktail on the property's menu and leads private mixology experiences for groups. The Italian restaurant's mushroom cappuccino has become something of a legend among guests. Every restaurant has its own chef with its own designed menu. The same commitment to food quality you will find at AVA, but with a more elevated and artisan approach throughout.
The Local Host program is UNICO's signature service offering. Rather than a traditional butler service, every guest is assigned a Local Host, described best as your most knowledgeable friend in Mexico. They handle reservations, send you your daily schedule, arrange your bubble bath, coordinate your packing service, and are available without hovering. It is the kind of service that feels personal rather than performative.
The ceremony spaces at UNICO reflect the property's character. A private wooden walkway leads through lush tropical surroundings to a hidden ceremony venue that feels genuinely unlike anything else in this region. The gazebo is easily accessible for your guests, mixing both tropical greenery and a view of the ocean, but beachgoers walking through your ceremony will not be an issue. A beach ceremony is also easily done here with a simple walk down one of the most instagrammable walkways. For couples who want their ceremony space to feel like a discovery rather than a backdrop, UNICO delivers.
At seven minutes from one end of the property to the other, UNICO is intimate enough to feel like your group has taken over the place (even when they have not).
UNICO is right for you if you want an adults-only, art-forward, genuinely immersive luxury experience where the service is personal, the food is exceptional, and the aesthetic feels sophisticated without being stuffy. It is for the couple who wants their guests to feel like they were taken somewhere truly special… not just somewhere beautiful.
So Which One Is Right for You?
The honest answer is that it depends entirely on your guest list and your vision.
If your celebration includes children, multiple generations with varying activity preferences, and guests who appreciate a modern aesthetic with abundant amenities, AVA is likely your property.
If your guest list is adults, your vision leans toward intimate and immersive, and you want a resort experience that feels intentional rather than all-encompassing, UNICO is almost certainly your answer.
Both properties are ones I have walked personally. I have seen the venues, eaten the food, talked to the teams, and assessed the details that do not show up on any website. That firsthand knowledge informs every property conversation I have with a couple. And when I haven't walked a property personally, I know exactly what questions to ask.
If you are trying to decide between these two properties (or comparing either of them to other options on your list), I would love to have that conversation. My inquiry link is here.
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