Ritz-Carlton, Cancun

Mexico
Latin America

The Experience

The Riviera Maya may have stolen a lot of Cancun’s thunder over the past few years, but the Ritz-Carlton is proof that Mexico’s favorite vacation isle hasn’t lost all of its glitter. Situated about halfway up the Caribbean coast of the number-seven-shaped island, the resort goes way beyond the dazzling white-sand strand and endless ocean views that everyone in Cancun offers into territory explored by few: an opulent spa, world-class culinary college and the best tennis in southern Mexico. It also doubles as a wildlife sanctuary: during the summer months, a slice of the beach is reserved as a sea turtle hatchery. That said, the RC Cancun lacks a Mexican soul—while hard to fault, the resort could be just about anywhere in the tropics.

The Rooms

While all of the rooms feature ocean views, private balcony and rather lavish bathrooms, the Club Level rooms are the ones that stand out due to their concierge service and access to an exclusive lounge with all-day snacks and beverages. Decor is typical Ritz-Carlton—a timeless European look rather than indigenous funk—a conservative blend of wrought-iron tables and overstuffed armchairs, crystal chandeliers and Persian carpets, most everything drenched in colors that are meant to soothe rather than excite your senses. The higher up the food chain you rise the better the electronics, culminating in suites with iPod docks and plasma screen TVs.

The Service

On an island renowned for lukewarm service (at best), the RC stands head and shoulders above the competition. From spiffy service on the beach through the resort’s six restaurants, the staff is almost always efficient, fast and friendly.

The Highlights

Nearly everyone offers a great piece of beach in Cancun. What makes the Ritz-Carlton special are the Kayantá Spa (and its breezy beachfront treatment areas), the well-run Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center (lighted courts, pro shop and lean sports cuisine), and a unique Culinary Center that offers Mexican and Maya cooking classes, tequila and wine tasting clinics, and even an outdoor kitchen where you can learn to cook beside the Caribbean. Watersports options are rather limited on property, but the hotel can hook you up with aquatic outfitters elsewhere in Cancun that offer everything from lagoon wakeboarding and waterskiing to whale shark swims off Yucatan’s north coast.

 

Find Hotel Deals on Yahoo Travel»