Cancun - Casa Magna or JW Marriott?
 

Four of us ladies, lifelong friends, are planning a special trip to celebrate the big six-oh next year in early June. We have selected Cancun, but we are having difficulty deciding between the Marriott Casa Magna and the JW Marriott. Both look lovely. Can any of you help us make up our minds?

Definitely the JW Marriott. The service, amenities, staff, location are all first class. The age of the visitors is usually in the late 40's due to its posh service and not a party hotel. You ladies will love it. The pool area is amazing. The service of the JW is truly exceptional.

Thank you! That was easy...

I agree. I have been to both and look at it this way, if you can afford it, why would you choose the lesser of the properties? You will still be able to visit the Casa Magna since it is just down the beach.

Looking at the on-line photos of the two hotels, especially the lobbies, it seemed to me that maybe the CM was more relaxed and informal, while the JW might be a little too sedate and formal. Does either one have a more laid-back and tropical feel than the other? I've been to the JW Marriott in Phuket and that is the tropical look and feel I'm hoping for.

I, unfortunately, have not been to the JW Phuket. I would say both the Casa Magna and JW are tropical. I would say the JW is more elegant and classy. I think it will be easy for you to use the facilities of both hotels (we did) so I would still choose the JW over the CM. It is more formal but still very much a "beach resort". I would imagine the crowd at the CM will be more families and kids running around while the JW is more sophisticated. That's how it was when we were there...

You might also consider the Le Meridien, just north of JW (one hotel between the two that is being rebuilt at this time). We have stayed at all and the last trip last month we used Le Medidien - it is wonderful. But you will not go wrong with either Marriott.

I'd choose the JW with one big caveat -- that the construction next door at the Cancun Palace is finished by then, and it should be. Right now, IMO, I would avoid the JW. The view of construction is not good.
I was in the Casa Magna this summer and they were still doing restoration. I have to say that their lobby is just beautiful, very Spanish style. Their rooms will be all new, too, so I would not hesitate to stay at the Casa Magna either.

I am sitting in my room at the Casa Magna and was wondering why all the fuss. Book either hotel and what you get is a giant complex which you can wander back and forth at will. You don't go down the street you just take the covered walkway back and forth. You can eat in any restaurant and since the rooms are numbered differently, you don't even specify which hotel you are staying in. The Argentinian restaurant in the casa Magna was our favorite but the the Italian restaurant in JW was a close second. It is great getting good service and great food for a reasonable price. It makes us wonder why we should go back to Europe.
Each hotel has educated staff, great food and good beaches(the beach is continous). Thought the surf was a bit agressive. Watch the slick willys trying to sell you a timeshare, condo or vacation plan at the airport.