Hilton Cancun
We stayed at the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa for two nights during our trip to Mexico. Being part of the renowned Marriott International chain, we anticipated a much-needed break after a tiring journey from Hungary and exploring Mexico City in a couple of days. This review shares our experience at the hotel, highlights what we enjoyed, and provides insight if you plan to book a stay.
The JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa is situated in an area known as the Cancun Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera). This is a 22.5 km (14 mile) stretch of land that runs from the Faro de Punta Cancún in the north to Punta Nizuc in the south and is connected to the main city by road.
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The Hotel Zone is a top destination for tourists, offering sandy beaches, great restaurants, and top-notch hotels and resorts. Located in the middle of the zone, the JW Marriott Cancun is an ideal base for exploring the area and trying out local dining options.
The Cancun International Airport is located just 17 km (10.5 miles) from our hotel.We rented a car and were able to reach the hotel in just 20 minutes. The hotel provides free secured parking, which is convenient for those who also plan to rent a car.
The hotel does not provide any shuttle service, but you can book a transfer through Prestige Transportation Services for approximately 360 MXN ($22 US) per person. It is recommended to book minimum 48 hours before your arrival. If you opt for a taxi, expect to pay around 730 MXN ($43 US) from the airport.
After waiting for almost 1.5 hours at the airport to get our rental car, we were relieved to step into the hotel’s cool and marble lobby. The doormen greeted us warmly and the reception team checked us in without any issues.
The staff was helpful with our luggage which was necessary as we had 3 large suitcases and 2 backpacks for our 3-month trip around Mexico and the US. There was a concierge desk available at all times for further advice during our stay. You can ask for advice on how to visit nearby attractions like the island of Isla Mujeres or the Chichen Itza Ruins.
The JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa has a total of 447 rooms and suites that are suitable for families, couples, groups, and solo travelers. Along with the regular room options, guests also have the choice to reserve one of the exclusive Club 91 Level rooms.
This property provides exclusive services and amenities that include access to the Lounge Club, which offers free food and drinks and cold beer all day. The guest rooms are in great condition and have a newly decorated feel due to the refurbishment done in 2019.
We chose to stay in a Premium Ocean View Deluxe Guest Room that offered a spacious area of 467 square feet (42 square meters). The room had a king-size bed and a sofa bed, which was great for taking afternoon naps. The décor of the room was inspired by the beach and the ocean, boasting subdued neutral tones, and intricately carved Mayan-style designs above the bed caught our attention.
The bathroom in our room had a nautical style with colors that resembled sand and water. It was made of marble and was very well designed. It had two sinks, a big bathtub, and a strong shower. We were given plush bathrobes and slippers, which made us feel comfortable, as the JW Marriott Cancun Resort is a high-end hotel.
Our room had a fantastic private balcony that overlooked the Caribbean Sea, and there were chairs and a table available for us to enjoy the view while having coffee in the morning or wine in the evening.
The Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa has three pools for guests to enjoy. These include a large two-tier pool that is great for families with young kids, a breathtaking infinity pool with ocean views (also open to children), and a separate pool exclusively for adults.
The pool area has hot tubs and plenty of loungers on the sun deck. You can also opt for a private cabana if you want more seclusion. During our stay, we got a Balinese-style bed by the pool for free, and it even came with free drinks and snacks. We highly recommend trying the nachos with cheese- they’re some of the best we’ve ever had!
You access the sandy beach through the pool area if you want a different view. Keep in mind that this is not a private beach, so you have to bring a towel or rent a sunbed. The beach also allows you to take a refreshing swim in the Caribbean Sea.
If you’re looking for some indulgence during your stay in Cancun, you can enjoy it without leaving the hotel. The hotel features a Mayan-themed spa that is situated near the lobby and covers two floors. Expert staff is available to offer services such as massages, facials, wraps, scrubs, and manicures. To explore new fitness options, you can go for a fitness consultation session. Along with the sauna and steam room, the spa has an adult-only lap pool. You can practice swimming if you want. Remember to book the spa facilities in advance, either before or after checking in.
You can access the hotel gym from the spa complex, and it’s relatively large compared to other hotel gyms. The gym includes cardio equipment, free weights, and other workout machines. The fitness suite is open every day from 6 am to 11 pm, exclusively for hotel guests. You can check the schedule when you arrive if any fitness classes are available during your stay.
At the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, there are 9 dining and drinking options available, including Italian, Japanese, and New York-style pizza. These establishments follow a casual dress code, so there’s no need to dress up unless you prefer to.
During our stay, we enjoyed complimentary breakfast which included two substantial brunches. The property offers two options, Sedona Grill and Sasi Thai. We decided to have breakfast at Sedona Grill both mornings as they serve a buffet with a mix of Southwestern and Mexican cuisine. You can choose to eat from the buffet or order from the menu.
On our first morning, we ordered breakfast from the menu and I had the green chilaquiles which I absolutely loved! My partner had an omelette and we also shared some fluffy blueberry waffles which were delicious.
The next day, we decided to try the breakfast buffet which had a variety of foods such as fruits, cereals, pastries, and cooked meats. They also had options for eggs cooked in any style.
In all honesty, we liked the food better on the first morning when we ordered from the menu. It was freshly prepared just for us. However, opting for the buffet allows you to sample more varieties of food. The choice is yours! The buffet breakfast is charged at a rate of 450 MXN ($25 US) per day. If you prefer to have breakfast delivered to your room, you can arrange this at an extra cost.
On our first night in Cancun, we went to Sedona Grill for dinner because we wanted to try a variety of Mexican cuisine including some delicious tacos and cold beer. Their menu had the classic dishes and seafood options like fajitas, crab ceviche, and oysters with a Mexican twist. Additionally, those who dine there on Tuesday or Friday evenings can enjoy a live performance by the Mariachi band.
In addition to the seven restaurants, you can also choose to visit either the Lobby Bar or Champion’s Sports Bar. The Lobby Bar, which has a beautiful and trendy decor, was our favorite spot. It also boasts a stunning ocean view and offers an incredible selection of 150 different types of tequilas, which might be a one-of-a-kind experience.
One of our enjoyable experiences during our stay was the tequila tasting session at the Lobby Bar. We had the opportunity to try out six different types of tequila and one mezcal. We also learned about the production process and the history behind tequila. Just to let you know, the tequila tasting is held every Monday and Thursday from 5pm to 6pm at the Lobby Bar.
Before the tasting, it is essential to make a reservation. There are three different tasting packages available: Gold (620 MXN/$40 US per person), Premium (1,100 MXN/$59 US per person), and Extra Anejo Premium (1,520 MXN/$85 US per person).
I highly recommend the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa for a luxurious stay in Cancun. The room was beautifully designed and spotless, which made us feel like we were already on vacation. The dining and leisure facilities were impressive, and we felt well cared for during our entire stay.
I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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