4 Best Hotels in Cancún, Mexico

This hip Marriott property near the convention center has a fresh, modern concept that generates quite a social scene. The funky lobby features bright mismatched furniture, cement floors, exposed ductwork, modern art, and a lounge bar. Smallish rooms have leather benches, ergonomic desk chairs, white duvets, and all the basic amenities (minibars, Wi-Fi, TVs, and safes). Although there's only one restaurant, the 24-hour snack bar lets you grab and go. Aloft isn't on the beach, but guests receive access to the neighboring beach club. The 360-degree view from the rooftop pool is unparalleled.

Shopaholics will love staying at this luxury lifestyle hotel overlooking Laguna Nichupté and with direct access to the trendy shops of La Isla Entertainment Village. Although it's part of a chain, it eschews cookie-cutter decor in favor of local flavor, as evidenced by the lobby where Mexican textiles and folk art complement a modern design. Head to the rooftop pool and bar to enjoy panoramic city views, or head to the open-kitchen restaurant to enjoy artisanal dishes that incorporate local ingredients. Although the hotel isn't on the beach, it provides free transportation to the Mandala Beach Club.

The atmosphere at this contemporary, service-oriented hotel on one of Cancún's best beaches is more conservative than at other Zona Hotelera properties, so you're likely to have a relaxed stay. Those looking for even more peace can take advantage of the quiet adults-only pool or a beachfront massage. The sleek, modern styling that starts in the swanky lobby—where you'll find a mixology bar—continues to the rooms, which have tan and olive accents.  For the best views, ask for one of the tower rooms. 

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.