My husband and I want to go to Cancun this winter. We would like some advice on a nice hotel in a central, close-to-the-action location. We have been there twice but it has been about 3 years. All-inclusive is not necessary but we want a nice place/good location. Please advise. Thank you.

Try the Latin America board.Fiesta Americana Coral Beach,Ritz Carlton.

The top three hotels in Cancun are:

Ritz Carlton
JW Marriott
Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach

Also very nice (not in the same category as the above, but also not as expensive):

Le Meridien
Presidente Intercontinental
Camino Real

Loved the Marriott.

We were there about 4 years ago, and loved the Westin Regina.

My husband and I stayed at Camino Real a couple of years ago and I wouldn't recommend it. I guess it may have been the timing (it was early summer though - not spring break or anything) and it was FULL of drunk kids. I don't mean ordinary drinking fun, I'm talking screaming at the top of their lungs at the pool bar and dropping cigars and drinks off their balcony (which landed on ours) at 3am. It wasn't just one unruly group - it was probably 50% of the guests at the hotel that were underage and overindulging. Anyway, I wouldn't stay there again.

I honestly think the Ritz Carlton cannot be beat...superior service, wonderful food and service in the dining room. Expensive, but if you can afford it, worth every penny IMO.

Haven't been to Cancun since 1993.We are taking the kids to Ritz Carlton nov.3rd.Was going to stay at Fiesta Americana Coral Beach but was persuaded to go to R/C.I remember the Fiesta being beautiful so I hope I'm not making a mistake.

Not sure if you meant "the best" hotel in Cancun, or the best reasonably-priced hotel in Cancun. If the latter, we really liked the Grand Caribe Real (2 yrs. ago), which I understand is now called the Hotel Riu Caribe. I haven't checked lately, but at the time we reserved there, it was getting very good reviews on TripAdvisor, which was the reason we chose it.

Donna

The JW marriott is the newest luxury hotel in Cancun, and when I was there 2 years ago, it was awesome.
It's in my top 5 hotels ever. I just hope it's popularity hasn't made it overcrowded. The only other hotel I think I'd like to stay at is the LeMeridien; it's very pretty, but gets mixed reviews at Tripadvisor. The FA Coral Beach is aging, and in a very crowded location.

frankie: Did you see the R/C? All the info I have seen says it's #1 in Cancun.

Without question, Ritz-Carlton or JW Marriott...

Both are great hotels with a great beach, superb service, and really nice rooms. The spa at the JW is simply amazing.

If location is really important, then consider the Coral Beach, as the RC and the JW are a bit far away from the clubs and restaurants. The closest place near these hotels is "La Isla", a very nice shopping center with a few good restaurants and bars, while the Coral Beach is across the street from Coco Bongo and Daddy'O

Is the JW adjacent to the R/C?We are going for the beach&pool for the kids,not nightlife.We will take a side trip to Chichen Itza.

They are close, but not exactly next to each other... I can't remember if there are three or four large hotels between them...

Thanks.

The R/C looks very nice, more formal (not necessarily nicer though) than the JW.
I have to respectfully disagree with you, JeanValjean, re. the superior location of the Coral beach.
The views of the ocean and the beach at the JW are much better, and the JW is in a more attractive locale.
The FA Coral beach is closer to the action, but that's not always a positive!

The JW is a beautiful facility and it has a lovely beach (one of my all-time favorite locations for swimming) and it is very easy to catch either a bus or cab and head to off to shopping and restaurants. I felt very comfortable with my children in this location.