Check out first-hand descriptions, ratings, family reviews and contact information for favorite, kid-friendly Cancun hotels for a Mexico beach getaway..

Most of Cancun’s major hotels and resorts are located in Zona Hotelera (the Hotel Zone), which is bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the Nichupte Lagoon, and the place most families want to be. Read on for reviews of some of our favorite Cancun beach getaway destinations, keeping in mind that the whole town has been refreshed with the completion of the beach recalamation project. Although some areas of the Cancun shoreline are better for swimming than others, everywhere you will once again find the famously broad, gold sand beach that put this resort on the map.

For more information about the region and its attractions, visit the tourist office sites at Cancun Info or Visit Mexico

Cancun A La Carte Hotels

The Royal Cancun
Boulevard Kukulkan
Cancun, Quintana Roo  77500
1-888-838-7842
The Royal Cancun (formerly the Club Internacional de Cancún) is a smaller resort whose pretty beachfront is sheltered by the island of Isla Mujeres, just offshore. It is one of the Royal Resorts' timeshare properties; all are well managed and host many resident grandparents.  Reasonably-priced apartments with hotel-style amenities and kitchens (including duplex two-bedroom and two bath units) are rented on a weekly basis. There is a 3-night minimum stay.  The 200-plus units overlook lush gardens, two winding pools with footbridges, and a classic, thatched Mexican palapa where all meals are served. Other amenities include an on-site medical clinic, free aquarobics classes and other activities, and nearby golf. 

Ritz-Carlton, Cancun
800/241-3333 or 52-98/81-0808
Retorno del Rey, 36 - Zona Hotelera
Cancun, Quintana Roo  77500
On the Atlantic side of the Zona Hotelera is the posh Ritz-Carlton, Cancún, host to a 2010 film festival that brought Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie, Justin Timberlake and other celebs to the recently renovated oceanfront resort. This property is especially popular with well-heeled teens, who adore the Kayanta Spa, which features exotic water rituals and a large fitness center. All 350-plus rooms are super luxe and bright; some have been configured as connecting rooms to accommodate families; suites are huge. Resort features include a culinary center hosted by the Fantino restaurant's notable chefs, where guests -- of all ages -- will be able to watch demonstrations by master chefs and take lessons. The Cliff Drysdale Tennis center offers top notch tennis programs all year round. The Ritz Kids Mayan Adventures camp serves ages 4-12 daily from 9am-5pm . The program, accompanied by jaguar mascot Balam, is divided into two age groups and highlights environmental and local cultural activities. The tiniest travelers fall under the brand's Ritzy Bitzy kids standards: thorough room babyproofing, complimentary cribs and high chairs, and the ability to turn phone ringers off during nap time. There's even a staffed nursery welcoming babies from 6-months to 3-years. The Ritz beach hosts nesting sea turtles from July to September so, as part of the chain-wide Giveback Getaways initiative, local biologists lead guests on evening turtle patrols, and young guests can "adopt" and guard turtle eggs during their incubation. Private babysitting services and a fun Kids Night Out keep kids busy after sunset.

Gran Melia Cancun

888/95-MELIA or 52-998/881-1100
Kukulcan Boulevard, Km 16.5 - Zona Hotelera
Cancun, Mexico  77500
The Melia Cancún Beach & Spa Resort has spacious rooms, most with two double beds, built around an imposing 11-story atrium which encloses a rainforest-like landscape. Its striking architectural style was designed by the architect Emile Nadal, inspired by the local Mayan culture. With its bright light, the lobby is conducive to family gatherings and late afternoon breaks from the summer heat. Be forewarned that the nearly 800 rooms are sold as timeshare properties, so a hard-sell presence has emerged in the lobby area; this shouldn't bother hotel guests. Beyond the large, rambling pool, this Melia has a seaview, open-air café with good Mexican and kid-friendly fare. Families may opt for the hotel's all-inclusive plan but remember - it's near Kukulcan Plaza and dozens of good restaurants. The Kids Club has daily activities and a children's pool, and the Aqua World marina right across the street offers family-friendly water sports for everyone.  Non-motorized water sports are also available in the resort, with diving lessons available at one of the two swimming pools.

Le Méridien Cancun Resort & Spa
800/543-4300, 52/998/881-2200
Retorno Del Rey, Km 14 Zona Hotelera
Cancun, Quintana Roo 77500
Le Meridien is located at the edge of the sparkling Caribbean Sea and Laguna Nichupte, in a quiet and lovely spot. The beach is great and there's plenty of space to accommodate one of the city's finest day spas, which boasts 14 treatment rooms, inhalation rooms, saunas, Jacuzzis, cold plunge pools, Swiss showers, and a whirlpool tucked beneath a waterfall. Families will like the more than 200 bright, large guest rooms, many of which have both ocean and lagoon views. Most have balconies, too, and an array of modcons that includes coffeemakers, high speed Internet access, minibar, microwave, balconies, ironing setups, and a separate bath tub and shower so that everyone can get ready for the disco at the same time. On property is a pretty, three-tiered pool with waterfalls; nearby is easy access to deep sea fishing, windsurfing, scuba diving, horseback riding, and a walking area. The hotel also features two artificial grass tennis courts (floodlit at night), a fitness center, and nearby golf and tennis. The Penguin Kids Club accommodates ages 4-12 from 10am-4pm daily, but it may be hard to keep the kids out of the large shopping center, handicraft boutiques and artisans stalls next door. For families with picky eaters under 12, be sure to ask about the all inclusive kid's meal package, the SPG Kids Pass, a program which allows children to eat for free. 

Marriott Casa Magna Cancun
888/228-9290 or 52-998/881-2000
Boulevard Kukulcan, Retorno Chac L-41, Zona Hotelera
Cancun, Quintana Roo 77500
The 400-plus room Marriott Casa Magna Cancún offers sea or lagoon views from modern and pleasant rooms that had a  US$11 million renovation in winter 2008. The daily Club Amigos program for 4 to12-year-olds includes all sorts of indoor and outdoor activities with lunch. Check their schedule for the special once weekly eco-focused Beach Builder program and twice-weekly Kids Cocina program that enables young guests to partake in cooking classes featuring regional specialties such as tacos, nachos, guacamole, refried beans and flan. Families will like the children's playground, large pool area and adjoining sundeck, and a babysitting service. This island-like resort is especially popular with teens, who can independently roam the extensive property. Alternatively, families may consider the sister property, Cancun's very high end J.W. Marriott, which gets rave reviews for its service and gourmet dining. Note that the JW, within walking distance of the Casa Magna, provides spa treatments for ages 6-years and up, including manicures and pedicures as part of a Mayan Princess package for little girls. Casa Magna guests may also sign up for the JW's PADI resort course, which offers elementary Scuba instruction to young guests in the resort's grotto pool.

Cancun All-Inclusive Hotels & Resorts

Iberostar Cancun Hotel
52-998-881-8000
Boulevard Kukulcan, Km. 17
Cancun, Quintana Roo  77500
Formerly Cancun's Hilton Hotel, this large resort was popular with golfing families even before the upgrades completed in post-Hurricane Wilma renovations.  There are 400-plus rooms overlooking a newly expanded beachfront or the pretty lagoon across Blvd. Kukulcan, and several restaurants, bars, business center and more. Larger families will definitely want to look into staying in one of the 50 garden veiw villas. The resort’s 150-plus acres of pretty landscaping, seven pools, several whirlpools and sundeck areas have new reflective pebble flooring, new water treatment systems and additional shaded areas. While very large, this full service resort does a good job of accommodating extended families, particularly those who have golf and tennis players in the mix. With a bigger and better attitude, the Iberostar Cancun Hotel is definitely at the top of it's game. It is the only hotel on Cancun with a full-sixed golf course, and its white sand beach is the biggest of any of the hotels. 

Grand Oasis Cancun
52-998-881-7000
Boulevard Kukulcan, Km.16,5. Zona Hotelera
Cancún, Quintana Roo  77500
The Oasis Grand and its adjacent wing known as Oasis Cancun are “luxury” all-inclusives that – despite their size at more than 1300 rooms – are distinguished by good service and better than average food. The main hotel’s huge, sun-lit atrium lobby is framed by six levels of rooms that overlook the Caribbean, the pools and landscaped grounds, and across Kukulcan Blvd to the lagoon. Spacious and simple, rooms are painted in the deep amber, burnt orange and rich greens of Mexico, and have two queen beds, a small seating area, large closet, bathroom with full bathtub and balcony with seating. Amenities include a wide range of toiletries, stocked minibar at no extra fee, hairdryer, coffeemaker, and even room service. Be warned that rooms nearest the elevator are farthest from the beach and pool, which are more easily reached by an exterior staircase. Families with young children may prefer a ground floor room in one of the adjacent wings tucked between the pools and the beach. Our favorite eatery is the glass-enclosed lounge at the water’s edge, with its excellent, varied, healthy and kid-pleasing breakfast and dinner buffets. There are five restaurants between the properties. Children ages 4-12 can return to the supervised KidsClub where activities run from 9am to 5pm daily, or hang around the main pool for the program of boisterous activities. Parents can retire to the 9-hole par 3 golf course. Private babysitting is available with 24 hours advance reservation at a fee. And the beach and aquamarine water (with its swift and treacherous undertow) continue to beckon sunbathers.

Avalon Grand Cancun
888-774-0040
Boulevard Kukulcan, Zona Hotelera
Cancún, Quintana Roo  77500
As far as all-inclusives go, the Avalon Group, which also manages the charming and very Mexican Avalon Baccara next door, marches to its own high-quality drummer. At the Grand, there are only a bit more than 100 guestrooms, yet many are suites, unique in size, details and amenities, but with kitchenettes and lots of room for larger families to spread out.  The two-bedroom suites that sleep 6 even have three bathrooms, perfect if you're traveling with teens. Set in the Zona Hotelera near the popular Planet Hollywood and several malls, this hotel fronts a pretty beach where the strong winds and sometimes turbulent currents make swimming problematic. However, families will find the large unshaded pool is really action central, and it's where the Wild Things kids club often plays. Each day the friendly counselors welcome ages 4-10 years, and younger ones who want to join with their caregivers, to try crafts, games and other activities. Another plus here is the good food, served buffet style but facilitated by very nice wait staff.  If you go, make sure to allow a day to visit the sister property, the Avalon Reef, set on an idyllic beachfront spot on nearby Isla Mujeres, a fun ferry ride away. Well priced with seasonal specials available.

Cancun Palace
800/635-1836; 52/998/891-4110
Boulevard Kukulcan, Km 11.5
Cancún, Quintana Roo  77500
Smack dab in the middle of the Zona Hotelera, this large and busy Palace Resorts outpost has been condo-ized and has a more urban feel than some of the other resorts. A post-hurricane makeover has remade the Beach Palace into a more stylish place, however, where whites and beiges, natural wood and milky glass predominate. Spacious rooms have a king bed and seating area that sleeps a child; recessed lighting, flat screen TV and the Jacuzzi tub give rooms a more adult flair than at other all-inclusives. If this sounds tempting to parents looking for time alone, rest assured that Beach Palace has a busy kids club for ages 4-12, plus lots of on-site programs. There is a dive tank to practice your snorkel moves, spa facilities, and a fitness center for the health-concious. Families will enjoy the 3 outdoor pools (two on the roof), 3 swim up bars (drinks are on the house at this all-inclusive) and for younger sibs, the kiddie pool at the Kids Club. Teens will like the billiards, ping-pong, table games and nightly theme parties or shows. The beach is lovely but as elsewhere, the sea can be rough. However, everyone will love the magnificent sea views from one of the sky bars atop the hotel.

Riu Cancun Hotel 
888/666-88616
Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 9, Zona Hotelera
Cancún, Quintana Roo  77500
Hotel Riu Caribe
888/666-88616
Blvd. Kukulcan, Km 5.5
Cancún, Quintana Roo  77500
We like the Riu Resorts because this Spanish-owned company does everything with a Latin flair, ensuring that its European clientele and their families remain happy. Of the these two in-town, all-inclusive resorts (there are several more along the Riviera Maya and all can be visited by guests), the Riu Cancun is our pick for its location on pretty Playa Caracol (pictured above left). The Cancun region is shaped like a number 7 and the Caracol beach is at its north end, just around the tip from the lighthouse at Punta Cancun, and opposite the island of Isla Mujeres. While the beach is more narrow and not as picturesque as the broad sand stretch at the Riu Caribe (in the main part of the Zona Hotelera), this quieter area tends to have calm water that is easier for swimming. Both hotels are large (over 500 rooms) with large pools, poolside dining pavilions, several other restaurants including a la carte options ideal for a romantic night out, and evening entertainment. The Riuland supervised entertainment program for kids is in two age groups (4-7 years and 8-12 years), with daily themed activities for pirates, eco-adventurers, junior athletes and more. These resorts also both have a shallow children's pool, a kids' talent show, beach games, and lots of pool fun. While the Cancun is near the convention center and has a disco open to teens in the pre-adult hours, the Riu boasts handicap-accessible rooms, two tennis courts and a small playground (gets quite hot in summer).  Family pricing includes discounts for children 12 and under; seasonal specials sometimes available.

Gran Caribe Real Cancun
800/760-0944
Blvd. Kukulcan Km 11.5, Z.H.
Cancún, Quintana Roo 77500
This 5 Star all-inclusive resort has nearly 500 renovated suites and sits on a pure white beach right next to the ocean. The all-inclusive deals will get you delicious meals and access to the resort's 24 hour air-conditioned club, as well as exciting nightly entertainment. There are two pools, one with water sports, including SCUBA lessons, and the other right next to a relaxing jacuzzi. More recently the gorgeous beach has become a major attraction because the aquamarine water is now home to the 'white turtles'. These turtles lay their eggs on the beach and if guests are lucky, they will witness the release of the hatchlings as they go towards the sea. The Oki Kids Club provides daily activities and games for kids ages 4-12. The club also teaches children about the white turtles and takes the kids on trips to see them. The all-inclusive family package at the Gran Caribe Real Cancun resort is valid in Master and Presidential suites, and children under 5 stay for free.