The best hotels in Cancun span party-hard properties in the thick of the Hotel Zone, and laidback Riviera Maya retreats with away-from-it-all vibes.
Cancun’s got so many options when it comes to places to stay, that this pocket of Mexico has a dedicated Hotel Zone. Shopping malls, restaurants and beaches line this six-mile strip of holiday heaven, so it can be tricky to narrow down hotel options.
We’ve picked out a handful of the best hotels in Cancun to give you some inspiration, from rockstar-worthy pads and adults-only escapes in the heart of the action to quieter picks on the outskirts of Cancun and Riviera Maya options that put you within daytripping distance.
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When nothing less than rockstar treatment will do for your holiday in Mexico, it’s got to be the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun. Right on the beach, close to a clutch of shopping malls and just a 10-minute taxi away from nightclubs like Coco Bongo, it’s a Spring Break favourite for a reason.
As it’s part of the Hard Rock Hotels group, this hotel comes with certain A-list features – like in-room whirlpool baths as standard, entertainment including live music and foam parties, and themed activities like making your own music videos and learning to DJ. That’s when you’re not busy soaking in the huge infinity pool or sipping a cocktail at one of the hotel’s inviting swim-up bars, of course.
Another great option if you want to be in the heart of the action, the Riu Cancun is a stone’s throw from two big shopping malls and only a 15-minute walk from Cancun's nightclubs and bars. Exclusively for adults from December 2024, this hotel is another popular pick with Spring Breakers – so expect the party atmosphere to peak around March.
Highlights here come thick and fast, from the beachfront plot to the four impressive pools. One is an infinity pool, one has a swim-up cocktail bar, and they all come with in-water loungers, shady palms and sunny sunbathing terraces. Plus, you can take a free introductory scuba class in one of the pools, then pay to have a go at the real thing in the sea if you fancy.
If you’re casting your net wider, Mexico’s Riviera Maya is just over an hour down the coast from Cancun – and it’s a haven of All Inclusive hotels. Take the TUI BLUE El Dorado Seaside Suites, for starters. In-room whirlpool baths, poolside waiter service and couples’ spa treatments set the tone at this adults-only property on the beach.
There are five à la carte restaurants – all included in your stay as an All Inclusive guest here – plus three swim-up bars and four pools. One is set aside for quiet relaxation and is framed by king-sized sunloungers big enough to share. It’s just one of many touches that have earned this place the title of one of the world’s most romantic hotels according to the famous US mag, Forbes.
Want the same five-star treatment without the adults-only tag? Take a closer look at Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort & Spa. It’s full of luxurious touches – like junior suites as standard, seven à la carte restaurants and a huge spa you can pay extra for – but it also ticks off plenty of nice-to-haves for families.
That includes a hotel-run kids club for 4 to 12-year-olds, a dedicated kids’ pool, and a different show put on every evening alongside things like mini-discos and quizzes. This place also counts a 5-a-side football pitch, tennis courts and a multisport court among its list of features, and you can pay extra to take a course at the hotel’s PADI-certified dive school.
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Author: Katie Gregory
Last updated: 20.12.2024
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