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Best places to stay:

Last updated: 13 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Alex Robinson

There are two Marriotts in Cancun, situated right next to each other in the plushest part of the hotel zone, and sharing amenities. The JW is the smarter of the two with a superior spa, larger rooms and a long, sinuous infinity pool right behind the beach.

Rooms sit in a single, large hotel block sitting over the plushest section of Cancun’s 24 mile-long Zona Hotelera beach. Decor feels a little chain-hotel anonymous – contemporary light palettes – off-whites and taupes, functional fitted wardrobes and workstations, but it’s really all about the view – all rooms have balconies overlooking the ocean.

The hotel has a suite of excellent restaurants including the award-winning Italian-Mexican Gustino, an additional adults-only pool with swim-up bar and one of Cancun’s best spas.

Surrounding area

The ocean turquoises and blues in front of the JWM are the best in Cancun, the beach is long and white and washed by body-surfable waves’ restaurants and bars sit on the doorstep (and the resort shares those of the neighbouring Marriott Cancun).

The main shopping centres and nightlife block are a 10-minute cab (or bus) ride.

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Key facilities

Airport transfers*
Beach: Onsite
Creche
Fitness centre
Fitness classes
Golf course
Hot tub
Parking: On-site (free)
Pool (adults only)
Pool (indoor)
Pool (outdoor)
Pool (kids)
Spa
Tennis courts
WiFi: Free
Yoga

Food & drink

All inclusive
Kids menu
Restaurant on-site
Self catering
*
Additional charge

Room types

Apartments
Bedrooms
Cabins
Suites
Tents
Villas
Yurts

Room facilities

Air conditioning
Flat screen TV
Jacuzzi (private)
Pool (private)
Tea & coffee making facilities
WiFi

Bedding options

2+ bedrooms
3+ beds
Connecting rooms
Rollaway/sofa bed

Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Gran Cenote

Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Lily-covered, glassy-clear and filled with terrapins and tropical fish, this cenote near Tulum is easy to reach and fabulous to swim in. Big caverns make for spectacular cave diving.

Best for ages: 6+ | £7

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Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first

Cancun Museum of Underwater Art

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico[1.7 miles]

British artist Jason Decaires Taylor’s underwater art gallery feels like a latter-day Atlantis – with statues covered with wispy sea weeds and baby coral, fish swimming all around sitting on the sand in vodka-clear water off Isla Mujeres.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

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El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Club

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Designed by Greg Norman, the course weaves its way through dense jungle, beautiful stretches of white sand and mangrove forests, with cenotes – natural sink holes – providing natural hazards.

Best for ages: 13+ | £125

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Aktun-Chen

Akumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico

A simple nature-based theme park with a safari-park zoo, a cenote for swimming, a spectacular cave and a rainforest canopy zip-line adventure.

Best for ages: 4+ | £30

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Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay

Mayan Riviera

Mexico

Talc-white beaches, reefs teeming with life, ruined temples in misty rainforests – the Riviera Maya offers a family or romantic beach holiday with a dash of Indian Jones adventure.

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