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You might find it bewildering to choose among Cancún's many hotels, not least because brochures and websites make them sound—and look—almost exactly alike. For luxury and amenities, the Zona Hotelera is the place to stay. In the modest Centro, local color outweighs facilities. The hotels here are more basic and much less expensive than those in the Zona. If you want to be in the heart of the action, northern hotels near Punta Cancún are within walking distance of the nightclubs. Quieter properties are located at the southern end of Boulevard Kukulcán and in the residential streets between El Centro and the Zona Hotelera at Laguna Nichupté near the Pok-Ta-Pok Golf Course.
Many hotels have all-inclusive packages, as well as theme-night parties complete with food, beverages, activities, and games. Take note: generally the larger the all-inclusive resort, the blander the food (and the more watered-down the cocktails). For more memorable meals, you may need to dine off-site and essentially pay for food you're not consuming.
Many of the larger and more popular all-inclusives will no longer guarantee an ocean-view room when you make your reservation. If this is important to you, check that all rooms have ocean views at your chosen hotel, or book only at places that will guarantee one. Be sure to bring your confirmation information with you to prove you paid for an ocean-view room. Also be careful about lost wristbands and unreturned towels, since many resorts have started charging up to $150 per day for the former and $25 for the latter. When checking out, make sure the hotel hasn't tacked on excessive phone or minibar charges, as some tend to do. At check-in, ask if your “all-inclusive” rate includes tips—some resorts are now automatically adding 15% gratuities—and "resort fees," which tend to be hidden supplementary charges.
A three-level, 35,000-square-foot spa, which has an indoor pool, and a 20-foot dive pool, where you can practice snorkeling and scuba diving in an artificial reef, are among the draws at this towering beach resort. The design scheme blends modern elements with Maya touches, and rooms have oversized bathrooms with standing soaking tubs and luxurious rainfall showers.
On the tip of Punta Cancún, this contemporary, 14-story hotel offers some of the Zona Hotelera's best views—west-facing rooms enjoy sunsets over the lagoon and bay, while east-facing rooms take in sunrises over Isla Mujeres and the Caribbean. Setting the stage is a dramatic, cylindrical lobby bar with a stained-glass dome. Draperies and throw pillows in burgundy, orange, or goldenrod lend a bit of personality to the otherwise neutral guest rooms, each of which has a stone floor, sitting area, flat-screen TV, and spacious balcony. Room 1122 has stunning views of the ocean and a bilevel pool divided by a waterfall. You can relax in the garden area or in one of the daybeds near the Beach House Spa.
At this tranquil resort, 12 white-stucco buildings house spacious suites equipped with kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms that have 42-inch flat-screen TVs and pullout couches. Centering the grounds are a sundeck, large pool, and swim-up bar. Use of facilities at the spa, located at the Ocean Spa Hotel sister property, costs extra. Note, too, that only six rooms have lagoon views, and the closest beach is a 20-minute walk away.
Situated just steps from the ferries to Isla Mujeres, this family-friendly property has lots of pool-side activities, as well as a roomy kids' clubhouse with a small outdoor play area. If you crave peace, escape to the spa, where the cold-water plunge, steam room, sauna, and whirlpool tub are free of charge. All rooms have white marble floors and orange stucco walls; the suites, which come with private whirlpool tubs, are a luxurious splurge.
Shoppers appreciate this lively resort's proximity to a couple of malls, but there’s plenty here to keep non-shoppers occupied, too—including volleyball games and water-polo matches in the activities pool. Although sound from busier areas sometimes carries, you can find a bit more peace at two other pools, one of which has built-in chaise lounges for ultimate relaxation. The salmon-color hotel is offset by bright blue accents throughout. To secure an oceanfront room, you'll have to pay extra. And don't lose your towel card, because it will cost you MX$340.
This fresh, hip hotel greets you with a pop art–style lobby and vibrant hallways that lead to guest rooms with marble floors, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, minibars, and small balconies. Compared to the common areas, accommodations are subdued in shades of cream, beige, and olive. Although you’re not on the ocean, you can lounge at the pool or use the amenities at Oasis Palm in the Hotel Zone. Families with underage offspring can book at the connecting Oasis Smart, as Oh! Cancún The Urban Oasis only allows guests over 21.
Resembling a Maya temple, this enormous, modern beachfront property features atriums topped by pyramid-shaped skylights and spacious rooms that are decorated with hints of orange and have marble floors, balconies, and lagoon or ocean views. For more privacy, upgrade to The Reserve, the hotel's impeccable VIP area. Golfers will enjoy the 9-hole, par-3 executive course, and foodies will appreciate the diverse selection of cuisine—Mexican, Asian, Latin, French, and Mediterranean—at the ten restaurants.
High on a hill off the main boulevard, this refined yet relaxed hotel offers personalized service and rooms that blend art deco and Maya styles, are done in soothing shades of cream and mauve, and have either ocean or lagoon views. All-inclusive perks include fully stocked minibars and 24-hour room service. The three infinity swimming pools are stunning, and the stellar on-site spa has 14 treatment rooms. The property also includes tennis courts and a large fitness center.
This adults-only resort offers "unlimited luxury," so even butler service, international calls, 24-hour room service, taxes, and gratuities are included in the rate. The property also stands out from the pack for its no-bracelets, no-reservations dining policy and its “Vine” concept—you can join the hotel's sommelier for wine tastings or enjoy wine-therapy treatments at the spa. The cozy lobby has a fireplace and board games. Rooms are tastefully decorated in neutral tones and have large balconies; due to the long, narrow shape of the hotel, however, only the 17 suites have full ocean views. The Secrets app lets you connect with other guests and stay informed about daily activities.
Oasis Smart caters to business travelers with a location 20 minutes from the airport and 10 minutes from the Zona Hotelera. Rooms are average in size, and all except the ones on the sixth floor have small balconies. Rooms in the connecting sister hotel Oh! Cancún The Oasis are worth checking into if you like hip, contemporary decor and you're over age 21. You're allowed access to the beach, restaurant, and gym at the Oasis Palm Resort in the Zona Hotelera.
This five-star resort, which blends Maya and modern architecture, makes you feel right at home in apartment-like rooms with full kitchens, living rooms, dining areas, and spacious balconies draped with hammocks. Suites add washers and dryers, two full bathrooms, and private whirlpool tubs. Since the hotel is U-shaped, 90% of the accommodations enjoy ocean views. The center of the property has manicured gardens, three pools (one adults-only), and flower-shaped hot tubs centered with firepits. A bridge crosses over the pool area and tunnels through massive towers that are illuminated at night. On-site activities include kayaking, art classes, and salsa lessons. Although the beach is narrow, plenty of sun chairs line the soft sand, and decent snorkeling awaits just offshore.
Every unit here—four-person studio or eight-person villa—is oceanfront and equipped with a washer and dryer, full kitchen, whirlpool tub, and delightful design touches like recessed lighting and built-in shelves displaying Mexican pottery. Rooms are housed in 14 towers, but those in Building 9, Phase 4, have the best views. All of the pools are heated, and the one designated for children has a waterslide. Families can also enjoy miniature golf, tennis courts, and a playground. Connected to the property are the historic Yamil Lu'um ruins and a stunning beach. Keep in mind that this is not an all-inclusive, and the three on-site restaurants are somewhat pricey.
Pampering touches—like the white-tea mist that periodically sprays in the lobby and the beds so heavenly that some guests buy them for their own homes—are what make this hotel extraordinary. Rooms juxtapose modern and traditional, with sleek dark-wood furniture offset by bright rugs and the occasional blue or yellow wall. There are two beaches—an expansive one on the Caribbean side and a smaller one facing Laguna Nichupté—so you always have a place to sunbathe. Due to its quiet, isolated nature, this Westin outpost mainly attracts families with small children and adults in their thirties and forties.
The most basic lodging option at this resort is a spacious junior suite with a sofa bed, sitting area, flat-screen TV, stocked minibar, and balcony; family suites have bunk beds and direct access to the Kids' Club via sliding glass doors. Due to the resort's size, the pools here may feel a bit crowded, but if you're lucky (and quick) you can snag a chaise in the outdoor areas. The aqua park with a pirate ship and waterslide—one for kids and one for adults—is the perfect way to cool off.
Rooms at this hotel, which caters mostly to families, have plenty of light and ample space, although some feel a bit dated—for a better experience, book an ocean-view villa. With six restaurants and three bars, the dining offer is a good deal, even if the offerings are nothing spectacular.
This refreshing retreat from El Centro's bustling streets reflects Maya culture through murals, statues, and reliefs and forms part of a complex that also includes two restaurants and a snack shop open to the general public. Rooms are brightly decorated with rustic Mexican furniture, mosaic-tiled bathrooms, and colorful murals painted by local artists. Equipped with a swimming pool and outdoor theater (shows Thursdays and Saturdays), this is Cancún's only hotel focused on art and culture.
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