Best Beach Hotels in Cancun

The appearance of the 288-room adults-only Royal in Cancun goes against the often bad reputation all-inclusives have gained. Suites appear updated and buck traditional room layouts with a centrally located bed and spacious balcony (some are even swim-out). The bathrooms boast massive walk-in showers and Jacuzzi tubs with killer views. The quality of the food is surprisingly good and varied, including the convenient 24-hour VIP lounge. The hotel is located on a pristine white-sand beach with turquoise water and cabana beds, plus beach butler service.

This 365-room luxury hotel with classic style is set in Cancun's Hotel Zone against a pristine beach and turquoise Caribbean waters. Room decor is elegant and traditional, if also slightly corporate and dated, and all rooms have ocean views. The resort's romantic and luxurious vibe is ideal for couples looking to splurge. While the resort is undeniably grand, it's surprisingly unstuffy and young within the halls, out by the pool, and down by the beach. Beach casitas (chiffon-walled beach palapas) will redefine how you spend time at the beach with comfortable cushioned loungers, electrical outlets, and a special dining menu.

There is nothing ordinary about the 260-room Le Blanc Spa Resort: Everything from the wine lists to your workout has been tailored to be top notch. It feels more South Beach chic than Cancun party, with a hip, gorgeous aesthetic throughout the entire pristine white property. The rooms are thoroughly modern and bright with minimalist decor and stunning ocean views (some with large Jacuzzi baths). But most of your time should be spent experiencing the top-of-the line spa, the chic restaurants (especially the stunningly designed Lumiere), and heavenly white-sand beach.

The upscale, 295-room Krystal Grand Punta Cancun is a Mexican-owned property with an all-inclusive option that opened in early 2014. It occupies a scenic spot along the tip of Punta Cancun, giving guests a unique view of the Caribbean Sea's postcard-perfect beach and blue waters. A kids' club, playground, and kids' pool help keep the resort family-friendly, while a simple-but-chic spa, large fitness center, and multi-sectional pool are popular with adults.

This 379-room resort is located at the very end of the Hotel Zone, in a quiet spot far from the Cancun buzz. Its large, bright rooms come with the solid amenities (flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and coffeemakers), but have bare walls and feel somewhat dated. The beach is gorgeous, with white sand and turquoise waters, and is quieter and less crowded than other beaches in the area. The hotel also features four great pools, two lighted tennis courts, and several adequate (but unexceptional) restaurants.

Marriott's 4-pearl, 450-room CasaMagna Cancun Resort is located directly on the Hotel Zone's white powder-sand beaches. Rooms have marble bathrooms, classic decor touches, and comfortable beds, but can feature slightly dated technology. A kids' club and children's pool make it family-friendly (as does the hotel mascot, Pancho); while the swim-up infinity pool bar, extra-large hot tub, spa area, and raucous sports bar are ideal for adults.

The luxurious, 448-room JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa rests on a soft white-sand section of beautiful beach just off the crowded Hotel Zone. Sophisticated rooms are outfitted with carpet and finished wood, and every one comes with an ocean view. One of the hotel's biggest draws is its position along an idyllic powder-sand beach and the stunning blue waters of the Caribbean. Guests can get competitive on the beach volleyball court, just relax on one of the numerous loungers, or rent a cabana. However, as on most beaches in Cancun, the waves are rough, red no-swimming flags tend to fly year-round, and a build-up of seaweed can be a bummer to some.

The Paradisus is an all-inclusive Cancun megaresort with 678 clean and updated rooms. The hotel sits on a stunning white-sand beach with turquoise waters in the heart of the hopping Hotel Zone. Quality of the balconies is inconsistent -- some are spacious with great ocean views, while others have obstructed views or little privacy. The pool area is well-designed and massive enough to handle big crowds. The remarkably clean beach is a big plus, as are the impressive spa and large fitness center.

The ME Cancun is an upscale option on a quiet stretch of beautiful beach -- with crystal clear waters and soft white sand -- in Cancun's Hotel Zone. The overall look of the hotel is sleek and sexy, from the marble lobby with high ceilings and modern artwork to the minimalist rooms. The resort is definitely more geared toward couples than families: Though children are allowed, numerous features -- such as two pools, the bars, and a collection of rooms (for guests under the ME + all-inclusive plan) -- are adults-only. The ME Cancun provides guests with a luxurious experience and offers all the amenities of a top-notch hotel: a 24-hour fitness center, a spa, and numerous dining options.

Krystal Cancun's 435 rooms rise high above Punta Cancun, one of central Cancun's most picturesque viewpoints, with outlooks of both the lagoon and sparkling blue ocean. This Mexican-owned hotel is a contemporary, upper-middle-range resort with an all-inclusive option that's popular with Mexican and international guests alike. One of their best features is the natural beach that extends from the back of the hotel. With sugar soft sands and undeniably beautiful blue water, its surprising that more people aren't clogging up the assortment of loungers (with palapa "umbrellas") or the handful of cabanas.

The upscale, all-inclusive Panama Jack Resorts in the Hotel Zone is one of the best values in Cancun. The competitive prices draw a fair number of partiers, and there are lots of poolside activities such as tequila volleyball. But the resort draws plenty of families as well, thanks to its two pools (neither very large or with a swim-up bar), kiddy splash park with a pirate ship and slides, and evening entertainment. Multiple restaurants and bars include buffet and Italian options, and food receives mostly positive reviews. Updated in 2017, the 458 rooms are stylish and beachy, all with hammock-equipped terraces (some with stunning views) and showers.

This 343-room all-inclusive hotel is situated in a pyramid-style building along the Nichupte Lagoon's expansive beach -- just a 15-minute drive from Cancun Airport. Although the hotel has undergone renovations, certain aspects are not up to par for the level of quality guests might expect. Rooms offer nothing special as far as decor (just your basic Mexican design with tile flooring), but redeeming amenities include balconies, purified tap water, minibars, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks. Overall, it's a comfortable family-friendly option, and grounds include tropical gardens surrounding three pools, and the mega-Jacuzzi with seating for up to 35 guests.