Renaissance Cancun, feels like a resort without being in a resort

When I decided to make a short vacation in Cancun, I carefully chose which hotels I wanted to stay in with a few firm points in mind: I just wanted to Marriott facilities To make the most of the promotion that Gave qualifying double nights, the goal was to get as close as possible to the status Platinum Elite. I also wanted a low-cost, an extra-luxury, and an intermediate solution. In the end, I decided to stay at the Four Points on the night of arrival. Then two nights at the Ritz Carlton and two at the Renaissance, the hotel in this review.

Reservation

Room rates in Cancun in the spring are inflated by spring breaks, the U.S.-made educational stop that brings hordes of young people, families and school groups to escape the cold to destinations such as Florida, Mexico and, in recent years, even cruises.

I booked a promotional rate that included free breakfast. I chose this facility mainly for 3 reasons: is one of the newest openings in Cancun built inside the new marina, is outside the hotel area and does not charge any Resort Fee.

The cost of the room was 180$ per night, at a different time the room would have cost half as much, but I had no other possible dates for this trip. I also did not have enough Marriott points. Having emptied my "wallet" to sleep for free in a 1000$ per night hotel.

The location

This hotel is in the heart of Cancun's new marina, connected to a new shopping center and within walking distance of the new golf club.

Those familiar with this area of Mexico know very well that 90% of the hotels are located in the so-called "Zona Hoteleria," a strip of land in the middle of the sea where more than 100 hotels are active, where there is the heart of the movida and the main Beach clubs.

I must say that I was very happy with the choice I made, the advantage of being outside the hotel area means that you can have a "normal" life without having to take a cab. Outside the hotel there is everything you might want or need within walking distance. Which is impossible in 99% of hotels in the hotel area.

There are still buildings under construction, but the hotel and mall area is finished and alive all day, and if you want to go to the beach it is 10 minutes at most.

Check-in

This hotel is a category 5 in the classification of Marriott, although by now with the dynamic table for award nights it is no longer important information. As soon as we got out of the cab, an attendant picked up the luggage until it was delivered to the room, something expected but which did not happen at the Ritz Carlton.

The attendant had some problems confirming my reservation, although from the app everything was regular. At that time my status in the Bonvoy program was Gold, a level included in the annual American Express Platinum fee. It was worth a small upgrade for me: high floor and a view of the Marina instead of the city, and I must say it was a real treat.

The room

Located on the 11th floor, it had a beautiful view both by day and night, of the Marina and the surrounding area.

The facility is modern and everything is functional. The room is large, great king size bed with a super topper and a mattress of the kind that makes you feel like you are floating, one of the best I have found lately. Ten times better than the one at the Ritz Carlton.

Then there is a sofa that can become a bed and turn the room into a quad without any problems. A mega smart TV and a desk perfect for smart working.

The gem, however, is the small terrace, the only flaw: there is only one chair, if there are two of you one has to take the desk chair.

The bathroom is also functional with a nice walk-in shower.

Services

There is a swimming pool and whirlpool area on the ground floor. Great for relaxing after a day at the beach or a long hike. Around sunset, with guests drinking and the music loud, it feels like a pool party, really a very nice mood.

With people inside the pool, others lounging on sun loungers, and still others having cocktails. Definitely a youthful environment and far removed from the strict standards of the resort.

When I booked, I thought I would not have a beach available, but I was wrong: hotel guests have free access to a nearby beach club, basically like being at a resort without having all the downsides of a resort.

The hotel also has a gymnasium, with a rooftop jacuzzi open until 8 pm.

Food & Beverage

I was literally blown away by the quality, variety and overall service that is offered at breakfast. The buffet is not huge, but it is excellently organized and offers everything, with lots of typical dishes.

There are two "hot" stations: the first, in addition to eggs and omelets, also freshly prepares classic quesadillas . The second, with a very flashy oven, prepares other typical Mexican dishes.

To find fault, cappuccino is not included in the breakfast buffet and must be paid for separately.

At other times of the day, the breakfast room becomes a restaurant, while the bar comes alive and makes excellent cocktails that set the mood for the afternoon at the pool.

The Beach Club

This was a real surprise, I discovered the existence of this option by accident. It had not been explained to me when I checked in, much less was there any mention of this service on the Marriott website.

A shuttle every hour takes guests to a secluded and absolutely off-the-beaten-path establishment-if you don't let the signs reminding you of the crocodile danger scare you away, you'll enjoy a great day on a Caribbean beach, being able to take advantage of all the services completely free for hotel guests.

If you do not want to swim in the sea, there are also 3 small pools, one of which is in the adult area. The special feature of the adult pool is that it has a bar inside, the classic tropical pool bar.

While for families there is also a small playground for children.

In conclusion

Probably one of the most youthful hotels in all of Cancun, due in part to the fact that many airlines use this facility as a base for crews in transit.

If you add up all the services and things it offers, you are very close to the concept of a resort, but without having the classic flaws of this type of facility precisely because it is located in the midst of so many "free" things to do/see and so many culinary and entertainment options at prices that are decidedly different from those of an all-inclusive accommodation.

Of the three hotels I visited, it is the one that definitely left me with the best feeling and the only one I would gladly return to.