My husband hasn’t had the best experiences at all-inclusive resorts so we have avoided them during our travels but we decided to give the Hyatt Ziva in Cancun a try due to the positive reviews and to redeem an expiring Hyatt Globalist free stay we’d earned. This post will outline my experience as a first-timer at an all-inclusive hotel and provide an overview of the Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
1) The Resort Atmosphere:
Maybe it’s all the spring break photos I’ve seen at all-inclusive hotels, but I would have expected the resort to be one non-stop party with loud music and drunk yelling but that wasn’t the case; overall, it was quieter and classier than what I expected. While some people were loud, rowdy and trashy, overall, the majority of guests were respectful. The hotel does a good job in providing activities too; from spinning in the pool to aqua strength, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaks, the gym, the beach, etc.. There’s enough to keep you active and entertained if you don’t want to veg all day and the hotel has lots of pools so it doesn’t feel too crowded. We also didn’t notice loud music other than certain times and more at the center of the property where the main pool is. If you want a quieter room, you might want to book in Turquoise (adults only) or the Club Tower as the base rooms that face the dolphin pool and main pool area are in close proximity to the that livelier atmosphere. We felt the hotel was very quiet and so it was easy to relax.
2) The Property:
As far as the property itself, it’s beautiful and right at the tip of the peninsula which means you have access to two beautiful beaches; one is one the property itself and one is on the other side behind the barrier and more public. The grounds, common areas, and rooms are impeccably maintained; you see things cleaned, dusted, and serviced often, which is probably why it maintains its current state.
3) Our Room:
We stayed in an ocean view room in the club tower and really enjoyed it; the bed and linens were excellent, the mini fridge well stocked with drinks and snacks. As for the drinks, there were both non-alcoholic and alcohol options ( cans of beer and small bottles of rum, tequila, Johnnie Walker, and single serving bottles of Mexican wine). The bathroom was functional and while we loved the huge shower, the water pressure was a little lower than we prefer.
4) The Food/Beverages:
We were impressed with the quality of the beverages, especially Tres Cervezas where they brew their own craft beer. They had an IPA, a Pale Ale and a Stout and the IPA was by far our favorite. We hope that one day they might make a pilsner which would be great for the weather and those who want a lighter beer with more body. We also enjoyed the wings and appetizers there for dinner one night.
The buffet at El Mercado had options for everyone and we especially appreciated the local offerings at breakfast. There was a self-serve mimosa and cocktail bar but the staff offered to refill your glass for you frequently.
We also really enjoyed lunch at Habanero’s where we feasted on the pulpo ceviche, arrachera tacos, and guacamole. We would order a margarita or beer and sit on the swings and just watch the beach; the bar at Habanero’s is a nice setting. As we were newbies, we were not aware you could grab drinks from anywhere and just walk around the property so for our second lunch, we got IPAs to go from Tres Cervezas to go with our lunch.
As Hyatt Globalists, they offer you some perks; discounted services at the spa/credit, as well as complimentary premium meals such as lobster and special steaks at the two high-end restaurants on the property.
We have very high expectations and while we did enjoy the food, the quantity and options, we were not “wow this is the best I have had!” but we also don’t have anything to compare to because this was our first all-inclusive experience. So to give an example, the tortillas and sopes were not freshly made but we understand the challenges in sourcing and executing all this food and how difficult it is to please everyone. When I read other reviews, I was concerned about the food, but I do feel some other reviews are too harsh and we never had concerns about hygiene or things running out. We’ve had better and worse food at non-all-inclusive hotels and the hotel should be commended for what they offer and execute daily.
5) Overall:
We really enjoyed our stay and will definitely come back again for a longer stay next time, perhaps 3 times because we like to be out and about more and it’s hard to leave the resort with all the activities, the beach, and the food and drink options. We would recommend this property to everyone, including travelers who are wary and/or have never done an all-inclusive vacation. At the Hyatt Ziva Cancun you’ll have fun, be surrounded by beautiful scenery and beaches, eat decent food, drink great drinks (a margarita at Juana Margarita is a must-do as is trying a craft beer from Tres Cervezas), and interact with friendly and helpful staff who work very hard to make your stay pleasant. If you’re flying into CUN – Cancun from Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal, check out the new service offered by Interjet.
We stayed in December 2017.
For more information: https://cancun.ziva.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
Are you a fan of all-inclusives? What do you like and dislike about them?
Related Posts:
Plan/Do:
- 4 Days in Cozumel – A Travel Guide
- Getting to Cozumel by Ferry from Playa Del Carmen
- Getting Around – Renting a Moped / Scooter on Cozumel Island
- 24 Hours in Tijuana
- Travel Advisory for Mexico – A Vacation Horror Story
- Plan – Flying out of PAE Paine Field on Alaska Airlines
- Flying Interjet Between Canada and Mexico: What You Need to Know
- Mexico City: Walk, Eat, Drink and Repeat
- Playa del Carmen: Local Culture and Beaches in the Mayan Riviera
- Sargassum Seaweed in the Caribbean: Will it ruin my beach vacation?
- Tulum: Planning a Day Trip from Playa Del Carmen
- Unfinished Business: 3 Days in Tulum
Stay:
- Review: Playa Escondida, Sayulita, Mexico
- Review: Hotel La Semilla, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
- Review: Ignacia Guest House, Mexico City
- Review: Grand Hyatt Playa Del Carmen Resort
- Review: Hyatt Ziva Cancun All-Inclusive
Indulge:
- Indulge – Where to Eat in Cozumel
- 24 Hours in Tijuana – Where to Eat
- 24 Hours in Tijuana – The Craft Beer Scene
- Guide – Craft Beer in Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, and Cancun
- Review: Los Aguachiles in Playa Del Carmen Mexico
- Review: El Fogon in Playa Del Carmen Mexico
- Review: Birria Tacos y Consome in Playa Del Carmen Mexico
- Review: TaconTenedor in Playa Del Carmen Mexico
WeLeaveToday 
One thought on “Review: Hyatt Ziva Cancun All-Inclusive”