Hyatt recently announced a partnership with Playa Hotels & Resorts to introduce its newest brand, Hyatt Zilara, an upscale, adults-only all-inclusive resort. The first one opened a few months ago in Cancun’s hotel zone, and I was invited to check it out during Tianguis Turistico, Mexico‘s annual tourism convention. Here’s my impression of this recently rebranded Mexico beach hotel, which was formerly known as the Royal Cancun resort.
THE STYLE: Classic Mexican resort style characterizes the property, with a large, atrium-style lobby furnished with comfy, heavy wood chairs. The service is very attentive, with the well-groomed hotel staff greeting each guest with a hand over their heart. Upon checking in, I was allowed to select the type of pillows I wanted from a pillow menu, and even the time period each day that I’d like the room cleaned (a great way to avoid being woken up by hotel staff).
••••••
DON’T MISS: 5 Ways to Enjoy Mexican Culture in Cancun
••••••
THE GUEST ROOM: We stayed in room 238, an ocean-view room, a mostly white affair with brown furnishings and accent décor, and heavy pillars marking the dramatic entrance. The room has a king-size bed and a balcony with hammock. Among the best amenities inside the guest room were the two-person Jacuzzi (with candles for creating a romantic environment), a flat-screen TV with Bose sound system and ceiling fan (the room had air conditioning too, of course, but I love hotel rooms with ceiling fans). The minibar was well-stocked with coffee, tea, vodka, rum and whiskey, plus soda, juice, beer, water, energy bars and peanuts (all included in the room rate). The bathroom area had two sinks — one next to the closet (where the safe deposit box and bathrobes were) and another inside the water closet/shower area, where the shower was nicely decked out with rainforest and multiple shower heads. The extensive bath amenities included mouthwash, razors and shaving gel, toothbrush and toothpaste, hand sanitizer and a sewing kit. WiFi was free throughout the property and worked well.
••••••
DON’T MISS: Day of the Dead is a Colorful Celebration at Xcaret (PHOTOS)
••••••
HOTEL FEATURES: Two large freeform pools wind their way around the hotel’s expansive beachfront, surrounded by Bali day beds and lounge chairs, and never seemed crowded. A few swim-up suites have their own pools that connect to the main pool. The hotel also has a well-equipped fitness center, a lighted rooftop tennis court, and a spa, as well as a temazcal next to the pool.
One of the hotel’s biggest selling points, in my opinion, is the cuisine. Multiple dining options offer a wide range of high-quality choices. Among my favorite meals: especially good snapper in garlic sauce at Pelícanos, the open-air poolside/beachside restaurant (which serves a-la-carte food for breakfast, lunch and dinner), and a wide array of breakfast and lunch items at Spice, the international buffet restaurant, which also serves dinner. We also enjoyed a lovely dinner at one of the more formal restaurants on site: Maria Marie, an upscale Mexican venue that is fashioned after a colonial-era courtyard, with high, domed ceilings, thick pillars and a giant fountain. My favorite Mexican food here included the cochinita pibil, the mahi mahi prepared with achiote in “tikinxic” style (wrapped in a plantain leaf and baked) and the mouthwatering soufflé with mescal and Gran Marnier. Next door, Asiana serves pan-Asian cuisine in a contemporary setting; I didn’t have time to sample this restaurant (next time!).
The Hyatt Zilara also has a swim-up bar, a beach bar and lobby bar. A nightly dance performance in the lobby has a different theme every night, including Mexican music and dance, tropical-style entertainment and oldies music. An especially convenient feature at this hotel is the 24-hour VIP lounge, which is open to all guests and has an array of snacks and drinks, as well as pool table and other games.
BEST FOR: Adult vacationers, including couples looking for a bit of romance on the beach. Travelers who like the all-inclusive concept but prefer high-quality, diverse cuisine options — without the stereotypical “waiting in line” feel — will also be satisfied here.
RATES: About $479 per night, for two people, all inclusive.
INFO & RESERVATIONS: http://cancun.zilara.hyatt.com