Moon Palace Cancun
Although it may seem unlikely, work can be done at an all-inclusive resort such as the Moon Palace Cancun, Mexico which has received the AAA Four Diamond Award. Despite the tempting distractions like the beautiful beach and other amenities, we managed to be surprisingly productive thanks to the bottomless food, drinks, and fun offered by the resort.
Moon Palace is ideal for multigenerational family travel because there are activities suitable for all ages, making it a popular choice. Additionally, the resort wristband serves as a key to happiness and eliminates concerns about costs.
In, the resort is extremely large, providing access to numerous pools, restaurants, rooms, and other activities. It’s worth noting that this review is based on my experience in 2014.
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The resort is very large, covering more than 123 acres, and it is divided into three sections: Sunrise, Nizuc, and Grand. Guests can use a shuttle that runs every 5-10 minutes to move between the three areas, but they can also walk along the beach for a more direct and scenic route. The resort has 2,400 rooms with both waterside and garden views, and there are multiple pathways to navigate.
Moon Palace recently underwent a 100 million dollar enhancement project that improved guest rooms, lobbies, the gymnasium, meeting spaces, and restaurants. They also added new amenities like the Flow Rider double wave simulator, a new nightclub, and a teen club. While there are plenty of activities to enjoy in Cancun from visiting Xcaret to Tulum, you can also enjoy all the new upgrades and amenities right at Moon Palace.
Moon Palace is conveniently located just a 15-minute car ride from Cancun International Airport (see the map), making it easily accessible. Upon arrival, I received a welcoming flower and a blue tropical drink. Initially, the size of the resort and the busy lobby overwhelmed me, but I quickly adapted after a day of exploring the area on foot.
I stayed in the Sunrise section and I wished I could have spent more time resting on the hammock on the balcony. The room had two double beds, a roomy bathtub, a fully-stocked mini-fridge that was included in the price, in-room coffee, a safe, and other amenities. The big walk-in shower was ideal to wash off sunscreen and pool water before attending conference events.
The room had enough power outlets to charge devices, and there was adequate storage space to unpack a large suitcase. The bath amenities and hairdryer provided in the room were made by CHI. Despite staying up later than usual and using earplugs, the room was quiet without excessive noise.
I found it surprising that there were no prices listed on the 24-hour room service menu. However, this was because everything was included in the price, allowing for fully customizable in-room meals.
I could ask for extra items without worrying about additional charges, which was a very liberating experience. During my stay at Moon Palace, I mostly ate at the conference’s on-site restaurants, except for two occasions when I was able to try something different. Unfortunately, I missed the bus to Xcaret because my flight arrived late.
There was a coffee shop in the Sunrise section that served tasty panini sandwiches, ice cream, cookies, and various coffee drinks to-go. It would be very helpful for parents with young children. In addition, we enjoyed paninis as late-night snacks while hanging out in the lobby bar. The conference held myan-inspired buffet events on the premises which were passable, but possibly due to a large number of people. We also had an average experience at a poolside restaurant, but we heard that the sit-down option was better.
Since there are 7 swimming pools and 6 swim-up bars in Cancun, plan on wearing your bathing suit most of the time. The Sunrise pool has a large size with a separate kids’ water play area. It might be difficult to try to find friends since the pool is so big. Additionally, there are other activities available at Moon Palace:
The list is extensive because Moon Palace is more than just a resort; it’s a place for entertainment.
Large Groups at the Moon Palace WorksI think we were all staying in the section close to the Sunrise building because right next to it is the massive Moon Palace Arena. It boasts state-of-the-art AV equipment and has ample conference room space, but we occasionally experienced problems with the WiFi in the smaller rooms.
It was very convenient to move quickly from one conference room to another. I’m not being entirely sarcastic when I say that a lot of networking happened in the bar or pool. Having everyone in the same place was definitely beneficial. Also, being located in beachfront Cancun provided a relaxing vacation-like atmosphere during short breaks.
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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