Hyatt Zilara Cancun
I stayed at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun, Mexico for two nights last summer. It’s a fantastic all-inclusive, adults-only resort situated in the prime location of Cancun’s hotel zone. In my opinion, it’s one of the best resorts I’ve ever visited. I’m excited to provide a detailed review for you, so keep reading to learn more about this incredible destination.
One of my most favorite resorts ever is the Hyatt Zilara – a newly-built, all-inclusive resort in Cancun’s hotel zone that only accommodates adults. The resort’s size is just right – not too big that it’s difficult to navigate yet large enough to enjoy. Excellent service, pool, and food. What stood out for me were the unparalleled ocean views from our room’s balcony, which featured chairs and a hammock. This spot became my favorite place to relax during my stay in Mexico.
.
.
The Hyatt Zilara can be found in Cancun‘s well-known hotel zone, which is approximately a 20-minute drive from Cancun’s airport. The hotel zone boasts stunning beaches with very little seaweed, as well as proximity to local shops, nightlife, and picturesque lagoon sunsets. Plus, getting there from the airport is a breeze.
To avoid confusion, it’s important to note that the Hyatt Zilara is specifically for adults only while the Hyatt Ziva is open to all ages. If you’re looking for the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, it’s located a bit further up the street in the hotel zone. Although there is an adults only tower at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, it is actually a separate resort and guests cannot exchange privileges with other Cancun properties. However, in Jamaica and Cap Cana, Dominican Republic, adult guests do have the ability to use reciprocal privileges.
Initially, I wasn’t thrilled with the Mexican-style decor in my room at the resort, which was similar to other resorts I’ve stayed at like el Dorado Royale and Hard Rock Riviera Maya. However, once I saw the balcony and the stunning view, I was impressed. Additionally, the room was well-furnished and cozy. I especially liked the split bath that featured a separate toilet/shower and a sink, which made it convenient for two people to get ready simultaneously.
The mini-bars in the rooms have beer, water, soda, and some snacks. I enjoyed using the indoor jacuzzi tub to relax. The Hyatt Zilara Cancun has different types of rooms, including ocean view, ocean front, swim up, master, and presidential suites. If you want the best view, I suggest booking an ocean front room because the view is amazing at this resort.
Although it is a smaller resort, you will find everything you need at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun. The pool is the true highlight of the property, stretching from north to south and offering both lively poolside entertainment and serene spots for relaxation. The Bali beds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and there are plenty of servers bringing drinks around.
The Hyatt Zilara Cancun has a small yet stunning beach. Guests can enjoy the plentiful beach chairs and Bali Beds offered by the resort. During my visit in July 2021, there was some seaweed present but it was not overwhelming like it was further south at the Hilton Playa del Carmen. It is worth noting that this is a common occurrence during the summer months.
For those seeking more Zen, I recommend visiting the Spa which has a breathtaking hydrotherapy room. You can experience hydrotherapy for only $29 or as part of your spa treatment. Additionally, the spa has an alchemy room where you can create your own customized body scrub.
To exercise during your stay, visit the on-site gym on the third floor. Although it may be a bit challenging to locate, it features a stretching room, Pilates reformer room, and all necessary gym equipment. Adjacent to the gym is a lap infinity pool, which is perfect for watching sunsets or unwinding.
I wish we could have stayed a bit longer at Hyatt Zilara Cancun as the food was incredible. The dinner restaurants except one didn’t require reservations. Maria Marie is a great place to enjoy upscale Mexican cuisine and you can also have Mexican apps and tequilas at their bar. Asiana serves sushi, Asian, and Hibachi but reservations are required for the Hibachi tables.
At the hotel, there are three different dining options available. The Chef’s Plate restaurant has a six course tasting menu that requires reservations and is free for guests staying in the presidential suite, while other guests will need to pay a small additional fee. The Spices buffet is open throughout the day and changes its cuisine every night. Lastly, Pelicano’s is located by the pool and provides breakfast, lunch and dinner options with a gorgeous view of the beach.
There is a sports pub called Time Out at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun, which is located off the lobby and open in the evening. They offer karaoke night, so make sure to check it out. Additionally, there is 24-hour room service available to guests. You can access the menu on the iPad in every room and have the food delivered to your magic box.
The Hyatt Zilara is situated at the center of the hotel zone, making it an ideal location for exploring Cancun by foot. It’s also conveniently located for trips to various tourist destinations, such as the Mayan Ruins at Chicen Itza, adventure parks at Xel-ha or Xcaret, Coba, Isla Mujeres, and Cozumel (accessible via ferry).
People often ask if the resorts in Cancun have great beaches. While not all resorts boast great beaches, the Hyatt Zilara Cancun’s beach is enjoyable for swimming. During my visit in July 2021, the beach was lovely and there was little seaweed. However, some days had more seaweed than others.
I highly recommend a stay at the Hyatt Zilara. The resort offers beautiful views from the balcony, comfortable hammocks, excellent food, and impeccable service.
We had everything we needed during our stay and thoroughly enjoyed our time there. It’s the perfect destination for a honeymoon, destination wedding, couples retreat, or trip with friends. The resort’s location is great and the property is stunning. It’s the epitome of luxury, so you can’t go wrong!
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.
© SmartXpat All Rights Reserved 2022
