The Best Luxury Hotels in Cancún, Mexico

Some luxury resorts in Cancún are slices of paradise for adults only
Some luxury resorts in Cancún are slices of paradise for adults only | Courtesy of Excellence Playa Mujeres / Expedia
Ali Ray

Whether you’re a traveler or a tourist, you’ll be at home – and happy – in Cancún, on the Yucatán Peninsula, which comes with a rich cultural heritage alongside world-class hotels and paradisiacal natural beauty. With its turquoise sea, powder-white sands and breeze-ruffled palms, Cancún’s famous Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone) is loved by the world’s rich and famous. Many hotels in the area have direct beach access and plenty of first-class amenities, including personal butlers, infinity pools, Mayan spa treatments and sunrise yoga. Here’s our pick of the best luxury hotels in Cancún, Mexico.

1. Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancún

Resort, Chain Hotel, Spa Hotel

Umbrellas, tables and seating for dining at Le Blanc Spa Resort
Courtesy of Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancún / Expedia

Which extras at Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancún will make you feel most pampered? Is it the personal butler who will unpack and repack your suitcases and run you a bath of your choosing: mint and cucumber, or petals with a serving of coconut milk? Or is it the personal pillow menu and the bespoke aromatherapy fragrance for your room? You’ll find attentive details poolside, too. The staff at this Cancún luxury resort will bring you cooled towels and slices of cucumbers for your eyes – that’s when they aren’t serving you a complimentary afternoon treat (a popsicle or ceviche).

2. The Ritz-Carlton, Cancún

Resort, Hotel

The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun
Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Cancún / Expedia

The Ritz-Carlton sits in an excellent location on the loveliest stretch of sand in Cancún – and that’s just the start of its grandeur. A lavish collection of fine art and sculptures adorns the interiors of this five-star hotel in Cancún, while the walls of its five-diamond-rated restaurant, Fantino, are lined with cushioned silk rather than paper. All suites have marble bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing that incredible view of aqua-marine paradise into every inch of your room. If you want to learn more about the local culture and its cuisine, take a cooking class in the hotel’s Culinary Center. For an eco-friendly outing, join the seasonal, hands-on sea turtle conservation program, or welcome sunrise with a yoga session on the beach.

3. JW Marriott Cancún Resort and Spa

Resort, Hotel

JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
Courtesy of JW Marriott Cancún Resort and Spa / Expedia
With 35,000sqft (3,252sqm) of space devoted to a Mayan-inspired spa, and a diving pool featuring an artificial coral reef, the JW Marriott Cancún aims to make your stay a memorable one. With a family-friendly pool, kids’ club, game center and teen spa treatments, the hotel is a hit among luxury-loving families, too. Lounge and gaze at the ocean from one of the pergola-topped Bali beds surrounding the lagoon-style infinity pool that winds its way along the beachfront. However, the view is just as lovely from one of the bubbling beachside hot tubs.

4. Moon Palace Cancún

Resort

Moon Palace Cancun
Courtesy of Moon Palace Cancún / Expedia
Just south of the Hotel Zone, on the cusp of the Mayan Riviera, the beachside Moon Palace Cancún comes with numerous luxury benefits. There are more than a dozen restaurants, a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, a fitness center and multiple swimming pools, including swim-up bars. For massage aficionados, there is a palatial spa. Meanwhile, teenagers can visit the Wired Lounge furnished with gaming consoles, arcade games, air hockey, pool tables and more or catch a fantasy wave on the FlowRider surfing simulator. If you’d rather just lounge in your room, you’ll be content with its tranquil, pale colors and serene double whirlpool tub.

5. Hyatt Zilara Cancún

Resort, Luxury

Hyatt Zilara Cancun 
Courtesy of Hyatt Zilara Cancún / Expedia

With Mexican-hacienda inspirations, tropical furnishings and elaborate stained-glass ceilings, this vibrant adults-only haven delivers authentic Cancún luxury hotel style with added upscale elegance. Immerse yourself in regional culture by heading to the Zen Spa, whose architecture and treatments draw on Mayan traditions. Aside from the ocean-facing whirlpool tubs in the bedrooms, you can make the most of your private space by asking the concierge to arrange a romantic in-room dining experience or run you a rose-petal bath.

6. Beloved Playa Mujeres

Boutique Hotel, Resort, Hotel

A couch, table with wine and glasses, a hot tub and balcony with views of palm trees and the ocean at Beloved Playa Mujeres
Courtesy of Beloved Playa Mujeres / Expedia

You can escape from the Hotel Zone crowds at this sleek, all-inclusive 109-room boutique luxury resort on the quieter Playa Mujeres, about 20 minutes from Cancún. With its oceanside location, it’s a romantic sanctuary for couples only. The resort puts on live music and other performances each night, and there are 10 dining options, including bars, to tickle even the most jaded taste buds.

7. Excellence Playa Mujeres

Resort

A large sunbed at the outdoor pool, with pam trees and thatched umbrellas, at Excellence Playa Mujeres
Courtesy of Excellence Playa Mujeres / Expedia
This adults-only hideaway is the perfect place to lap up luxury at your own pace. If you’re looking for cultural stimulation, sign up for Spanish, dancing and Mexican cooking lessons. If you crave wilder escapades, learn to scuba-dive, kayak among dolphins or swim laps in one of the resort’s many pools after floating along the hugely popular lazy river. If low-key lounging is more your idea of luxury, divide your time between the rooftop terraces, swim-up bars and your private plunge pool before having an intimate dinner for two on the beach.

8. Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancún

Resort, Hotel

Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun
Courtesy of Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancún / Expedia
The adults-only Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancún is on many luxury-seekers’ wish lists for its intimate approach – a creative meeting of smart design and nature that sets it apart. Each room at this luxury hotel in Cancún has a menu of aromatherapy scents, as well as personalized music options. Cleverly curated pathways wind their way among the mangroves and lantern-lit trees, leading to a variety of intimate restaurants. Savor surf and turf in the snug InLaack’ech Lobster and Grill, and if you are lucky to find it, visit the (truly) Hidden Garden, specializing in delectable Asian fusion dishes that will tempt you back to dine night after night.

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