This is one of the more reliable deluxe chain hotels in Cancun, offering more facilities than any guest could possibly use. What its international tropical style lacks in Mexican character, it more than makes up for with its diverse facilities.
Golf, tennis, a stunning beach, a huge pool complex, meeting facilities and varied restaurants make this one of the most complete hotels in Cancun, even if some of the guest rooms are in need of refurbishment. EP rates keep spring-break mayhem to a bare minimum.
Intelligently designed, the 12-story pyramid affords ocean views from ivy-bearded windows in all accommodations. Multiple ceiling fans cool the corridor-style lobby leading to a small but orderly registration desk backed by modern art and Mayan reliefs.
The 11-story atrium, topped by a pyramid skylight and featuring a mellow fountain, contains the lobby lounge, where oversized armchairs mingle with potted palms and a stair-stepped fountain.
Spices is a multifaceted dining area with an elaborate open kitchen serving Mexican food, and the Italian section offers pizzas from a brick oven. The beachside Mitachi grill provides a sushi bar to go with the seafood specialties, served just a few meters from crashing waves.
The golf club and pool area dish up snacks as well. The finer restaurants have a dress code: nice shorts and collared shirts for men, and no flip-flops.
The surf is gentle enough to swim in, except when the wind kicks up. The beach lost several meters when Hurricane Wilma passed by, but the rocky ledges have nearly all disappeared. This Hilton boasts one of the largest pool complexes in Cancun, a sea of chlorinated water made of seven interlocking plunges of classic proportions, along with palm islets, placid shallow areas, a swim-up bar, an activities section and two half-moon whirlpools.
Unlike at other resorts where guests compete for a limited number of chaise longues, here, there are enough for everyone. Two lighted tennis courts, a gym, watersports-equipment rentals provide additional recreation; a regulation-size soccer field even spreads out in one corner of the grounds.
The recently revamped spa includes an outdoor garden sanctuary, a whirlpool, relaxation lounge, saunas, individual and couples treatment suites, and a multichannel music menu. The Golf course, too, has been renovated, with a new pro shop part of the construction.
Eight divisible meeting rooms can hold up to 250 people, the smaller ballroom can handle 1,000, and the larger ballroom can host 1,400. The business center handles routine office needs.
Accommodations, in upbeat tropical design, have rattan-accented appointments, desks and armchairs on tiled floors, armoires or bureaus with TVs (flat top models were being installed at inspection), colorful vases on nightstands, and king or two double beds.
Effectively soundproofed, the rooms furnish thermostats, minibars, safes, three phones with voice mail and data ports, CD and MP3 players, coffeemakers, alarm clocks, hair dryers, robes, slippers and combination baths.
New to rooms are fresh paint, big-screen TVs, Internet access and whirlpool tubs. The "Express Service" buttons take all requests on one line. Window-walls and glass-paned balconies provide an oceanic backdrop for all rooms. In fact, the balconies define the prices here.
Standard rooms have stand-up balconies, deluxe rooms come with larger balconies angled for views and the suites feature whirlpool tubs on the balconies. Villas come with a dedicated concierge, private check-in, larger ocean-view terraces, and a free Continental breakfast and evening hor d'oeuvres in a private lounge. A new, spacious presidential suite overlooks the golf course and ocean.
Room service runs nonstop, turndown is available in premium units, and smokers and disabled travelers have their own digs. Pets are not permitted.
This mega-resort was the first Hilton resort in Mexico, larger and more extravagant than the Hilton in Los Cabos. Guests looking for a destination resort with a la carte service are in for a treat.
