A city’s evolution to world-class luxury destination isn’t measured only by the number of five-star hotels it has, by its Michelin-starred restaurants, or its designer boutiques—it’s measured by what’s happening on its rooftops.
From infinity pools with panoramic views to sky-high private lounges where the ultra-rich sip handcrafted cocktails, rooftop amenities have become a key signifier of a city advancing into the ranks of the world’s most exclusive destinations.
We’ve seen this in the most coveted destinations in the world. Look at Miami, where high-end rooftop experiences have become a must-have for luxury buyers.
And Dubai, where no elite property is complete without a rooftop spa or helipad.
Look at New York…and Singapore…
Rooftop luxury—as seen here in Singapore—is a signifier of a city’s evolution to luxury destination.
And now, this trend is evident in Playa del Carmen on Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
Rooftop luxury arrived in Playa years ago…
Over the past decade, as the city has transformed into a global destination for high-end tourism and investment, its real estate landscape has evolved to match. Rooftops are no longer just a perk—they are the centerpiece.
Much like in Miami, New York, Dubai, and Singapore, the most coveted properties in Playa now revolve around their rooftop amenities.
Infinity pools that merge with the horizon, cocktail bars where guests sip handcrafted drinks against a Caribbean sunset, sophisticated lounges for socializing, and co-work spaces designed for those blending business with beachfront living.
But The Sky Club at The Landmark—the new opportunity I’m opening to members of my Real Estate Trend Alert (RETA) group in just a few hours—is about to redefine the game.
It’s going to usher in a new era of rooftop luxury in Playa del Carmen. And RETA members can buy in ahead of this transformation.
The Sky Club at the Landmark will have a restaurant with views of the Caribbean.
Before we dig into The Sky Club at The Landmark, let’s look at the largest and most impressive rooftop spaces in Playa right now…a mix of hotel and high-end residential, starting with a building where we had a killer RETA deal…
Singular Dream: I brought RETA members a deal here in 2021. The RETA-only price was from $265,304. In early 2024, two-bed condos were listing there for as much as $574,322. One RETA member recently reported 98% occupancy in his two-bedroom unit—a testament to the property’s desirability. A major draw? The rooftop, spanning over 9,100 square feet rivals high-end resorts, complete with an infinity pool and stylish sun decks. While impressive, it’s just a fraction of the size of The Sky Club at The Landmark, which will be 2.5 times larger and designed as the most ambitious rooftop concept in all of Playa.
This is Singular Dream where RETA members are reporting occupancy as high as 98% on their rentals…
Hyatt Centric: Known for its stunning panoramic views, sophisticated lounge areas, and premium poolside service, the Hyatt Centric’s rooftop is a key place in Playa del Carmen’s luxury hospitality scene. Located on the same block as The Landmark, it has become a go-to for both visitors and residents looking for an upscale rooftop experience. The Sky Club is planned for a higher floor, ensuring uninterrupted views of the Caribbean…
The Hyatt Centric is renowned in Playa for its rooftop amenities and views. The Landmark site is right next to this and the plans are for The Sky Club to be higher up, ensuring uninterrupted views of the Caribbean.
The Fives Downtown: A vibrant rooftop hub that blends relaxation with a buzzing nightlife scene. The Fives Downtown has built a reputation for its chic rooftop bar, infinity pool, and live music events. It attracts a mix of international travelers and Playa locals looking for a stylish social atmosphere.
The Fives Downtown…one of Playa’s most popular rooftop hangouts.
The Reef 28: A gem offering a boutique experience with a rooftop bar, DJ sets, and a contemporary infinity pool. The Reef 28 specializes in exclusive events and personalized service, making it a preferred choice for luxury travelers who enjoy a more intimate atmosphere.
Rooftop of the Reef 28 hotel in Playa del Carmen—a popular spot that gets busy. Playa’s average hotel occupancy for the first half of 2024 ran 89%. That’s normal for Playa del Carmen, one of the hottest short-term rental markets in the world.
Siempre Playa: Featuring private cabanas, cocktail bars, and a modern infinity pool, Siempre Playa is a sought-after location for high-end travelers. In 2017 I brought RETA members a deal in Siempre Playa, close to 5th Avenue and the beach. A two-bed condo available to RETA members for $264,400, was listed in 2023 for $523,933—that’s a price uplift of $259,533. Siempre Playa offers a premium experience, and a large rooftop, but nothing like the scale and scope of The Landmark’s Sky Club.
A premium address, Siempre Playa attracts all the many markets of renters you find in Playa…retirees, digital nomads, families, vacationers, snowbirds, long-stay remote professionals, and folks in town for business. It’s where a lot of my team stays, if they can find availability.
Marila: Marila was delivered about a year-and-a-half ago and when my team visited last month only two two-bed condos were for sale. Both well over $700,000. These are big units, around 1,600 square feet, and the amenities in Marila are stunning. Rental rates I’m told are $250 a night short-term or in the region of $4,000 by the month, and I can well believe it.
The amenities in Marila are stunning…but much smaller than The Sky Club at The Landmark.
The Sky Club will be 2.5 times larger than the rooftop amenity area of Marila (pictured) where the developer has devoted roof space to penthouses…not at The Landmark where the entire half-acre rooftop is devoted to our indulgence with those resort-level amenities.
Marila on the left, Singular Dream on the right. Both buildings have stunning rooftop amenities but The Sky Club at The Landmark will be a level above with half-an-acre of luxury. I brought RETA a deal in Singular Dream in 2021. The RETA price was from $265,304. In early 2024, two-bed condos in Singular Dream were listing for as much as $574,322.
Around central Playa, in the best locations you’ll find other buildings with smaller rooftops. They tend toward the standard mix of an infinity pool, sun loungers, a grill, and a few tables.
For most developers today in Playa the reality is they just couldn’t even think about doing The Landmark.
Land prices have surged, and sites are fractured into smaller parcels, making large-scale projects next to impossible. And if a developer does manage to buy in at today’s sky-high prices, they’re under immediate financial pressure. They don’t have the luxury of dedicating an entire rooftop to pools, lounges, and open space. They need to squeeze every square foot for revenue, which means penthouses, not panoramic infinity pools, sauna, steam room, restaurant, co-work…
The economics simply don’t allow for it.
The Landmark is going to have the standout rooftop in Playa—full resort level luxury. A whopping half-acre of gardens, spa amenities, yoga area, infinity edge pool with Caribbean views, co-working, wellness…restaurant, bar… (Renders shouldn’t be considered final.)
The Landmark is a result of something that can’t be repeated—at least not without deep connections, years of land acquisition experience, and an almost unnatural patience for the long game. For everyone else, the barriers are steep. Land is scarce, costs are soaring, and the math squeezes them too hard.
With The Landmark—by securing land early and at the right price, the developer didn’t just create the room to realize a unique standout project. They locked in a competitive advantage that others simply can’t replicate.
While Playa del Carmen already boasts some spectacular rooftop destinations, The Landmark’s Sky Club is set to outshine them all. With unparalleled size, design, and amenities, it will set a new benchmark for luxury rooftop experiences…
And yet—because of the RETA-only deal—members are getting in at prices way below what other non-RETA people are paying to own in those other buildings I mentioned…
To remind you:
- The RETA-only price is from just $318,400 for a luxury two-bed condo of 897 square feet in The Landmark, in the heart of everything with that huge rooftop of resort-level luxury. That’s just a mere $355 per square foot…way less than anything remotely similar around Playa.
- I expect these condos will be worth $520,000 five years after delivery—a gain of $201,600.
- The RETA pricing goes up depending on the floor and size. All the RETA condos are a screaming opportunity to lock in Playa pricing that is simply the stuff of yesteryear…
- There’s also exclusive RETA pricing on a handful of two-bed condos at $404,600. I expect these will be worth $660,779 five years after delivery and be just as in-demand as rentals—short or long term.
- Each and every condo is a RETA deal to blow minds. (We have a few additional premium condos at RETA-pricing of $454,600.)
- Each condo will have renters falling over themselves to stay in. Remember our resort-level amenities and huge half-acre Sky Club…our location…
- And Playa is a place that sees 80% to 90% occupancy year-round in premium buildings! Plus, you have a good choice of property managers. Rent short-term at a modest 73% occupancy thus allowing for a good deal of personal use…use conservative estimates of nightly rates…and I figure on a gross yield of over 13%. That’s income of $41,500.
Landmark is a blow-your-mind deal. If you want to act, you need to be ready…Deal opens at 1 p.m. ET today.
Wishing you good real estate investing,
P.S. Finance on real estate is available in Mexico for non-resident foreign buyers through a number of banks and mortgage companies. The term can be up to 20 years and loan-to-value is typically 65%.
