Honest Review of the new Marriott Cancun All-Inclusive Resort

Many of you know I’ve been diving into the world of points and miles to maximize both the quantity and the quality of our travel. Well, I found myself with 5 free Marriott nights (thanks to this card) that needed to be used by March of this year, so I was on the hunt for the best possible redemption that would be a fairly effortless trip. That is how we ended up at the new Marriott Cancun All-Inclusive (AI) resort in Cancun’s Hotel Zone. It was a fantastic use of the free night certificates, staying just under the maximum point value allowed. And when we paired it with Delta’s companion pass to get there, we pulled off a nearly free vacation!

But the real question is—should you spend your hard-earned cash (or points) on a stay here? Let’s break it down so you can decide if this all-inclusive is the right fit for your next getaway!

Browsing other all-inclusive properties? Check out my series on Hotel Xcaret Arte, about 45 min south of the Cancun Airport:

• Hotel Xcaret Arte: The Ultimate Guide *Start Here*
• Hotel Xcaret Arte: Time for Adventure-the Activities and Excursions
• Hotel Xcaret Arte: The Best Restaurants and Bars + Menus
• Hotel Xcaret Arte: How to Maximize your Vacation ++ **Complete Packing List**
• Hotel Xcaret Arte: Breaking Dowthe Resort and Grounds

Table of Contents

The Resort Grounds

As you enter the resort, you’re welcomed by a lively mix of dining and amenities. On the left, you will find the restaurants Casa Madre (Mexican cuisine) and Ono Izakaya (Japanese), while on the right, you’ll find Press + Start (a sports bar) and the fitness center. The walkway is lined with greenery and inviting seating areas, making for a pleasant first impression.

There is a bit of a wow moment when you step inside—the first thing you see is the stunning ocean view framed through a glass wall directly across the entrance. Due to a 2024 renovation (which converted the property to an all-inclusive), the resort feels fresh and modern. The main atrium, anchored by an attractive lobby bar, naturally draws guests in, with restaurants and shops lining the hallways on either side.

One quirky detail? A massive TV screen in the atrium played a constant stream of 2000s music videos on mute (a nostalgic but random touch), while two smaller TVs looped a three-minute video about Marriott’s founder, J. Willard Marriott—a bit of an unexpected history lesson in between vacation vibes.

The Rooms

Thanks to the recent renovation, the 450 rooms at the resort feel modern, fresh, and clean. The property spans six floors, offering a mix of rooms and suites.

We originally booked the entry-level room, but upon arrival, we were pleasantly surprised with an upgrade to a partial ocean-view suite. Our balcony view included not only the turquoise waters but also a peek at the JW Marriott next door (which, unlike this resort, is not all-inclusive). A pretty solid start to the stay!

The Amenities

We will go through the major amenities below – pool, spa, beach, and fitness center. They also offer a Kid’s Camp – for more questions about that, email MCR.Concierge@marriott.com (they are very responsive).

Pool Area

The pool area features an adult pool and family pool, each with a swim-up bar. It also includes a kid’s play area, and a large jacuzzi overlooking the ocean. There are sundecks on either side with additional loungers and umbrellas (although it was too windy while we were there to use them). The kid’s play area has waterslides and a small lazy river. I didn’t test it out, but I heard the waterslide was surprisingly zippy!

If you want a good poolside seat, you’ll need to be up bright and early—lounge chairs are at a premium. Once a chair is claimed with a complimentary towel, it’s basically reserved for the day, even if no one shows up for hours. At some resorts, staff will remove unattended towels after 30 minutes to an hour, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here! So, if poolside lounging is a priority, set that alarm and stake your claim early.

There are cabanas for rent (approx $120 USD without the additional food package). We rented a cabana our last day that faced from the pool deck onto the beach (there are about 12 dotted around the pool area). The temperature of both pools was quite cold while we were there (mid-February). There was a pool DJ who kept music thumping all day, and an events pavilion directly behind the main pool with staff-lead activities from dance lessons to cornhole.

The Beach

The beach area is lively, and much like the pool, you’ll want to arrive early if you’re hoping to snag a front-row lounge chair. The sand is soft and inviting, but the waves in this area tend to be choppy—we had red flag conditions nearly every day. Still, it’s a great spot to relax, and taking a stroll along the shoreline to check out the neighboring resorts makes for a fun little excursion!

You’ll find vendors walking up and down the beach selling jewelry, hats, and bags, but they’re not overly pushy—a simple “no, thank you” and they move right along.

One of the standout aspects? The service on the beach (and at the pool) is excellent! The staff is attentive, keeping drinks flowing and making sure you’re taken care of while you soak up the sun.

Fitness Center

I was really impressed with the fitness center! The equipment was brand new and extensive, making it easy to get in a solid workout. They provide complimentary water and towels, and there’s a well-kept locker room area for added convenience. The only catch? It’s a bit tricky to find—you’ll need to head outside to a separate building behind the Press + Start restaurant, which also houses racquetball courts. But once you’re there, it’s worth it (and you can afford a few more drinks on the beach)!

Spa Services

Ka-Lai Spa isn’t inside the resort, but rather a picturesque setup on the beach, with open-air huts and flowing white curtains. The ambiance is pure vacation bliss—waves crashing, sea breeze drifting in, and total relaxation.

I opted for the 50-minute Relaxing Massage, and let me tell you—it was ahhhmazing. That said, changing behind those gauzy, wind-blown curtains was a little… adventurous. The spa also offers facials, express massages, and packages, so you can customize your pampering session.

The Food

The Good (aka The Best Bites at the Resort):

🌮 Taco Cart by the Adult Pool – Hands down, my favorite thing I ate here. The seafood tacos were next-level, with fresh tortillas, perfectly seasoned meat, and the ideal balance of toppings. If you’re going to eat one thing at this resort, make it these tacos.

🥩 Hana (Polynesian Cuisine) – This was the standout for table service. Mr. Toasty Tourist raved about his prime rib, and we both loved the mushroom side dish (seriously, order it). The tuna poke was another winner. Pro tip: If the weather’s nice, grab a seat outside!

🍽️ Honorable Mentions:

BBQ buffet (Thurs–Sun) – We didn’t try it, but it looked promising. Maybe next time?

Casa Madre’s breakfast buffet – Solid selection with some good options.

Croissant sandwiches from Pizzeria 750 – A pleasant surprise!

The Bad (aka The Letdown List):

🌮 Casa Madre (Mexican Table Service) – You’d think being in Mexico would give this spot an automatic advantage, but somehow, it missed the mark. The meat was tough, the sauces were bland, and these were supposedly the best dishes (we asked the server for recommendations!).

🔥 Redemption Moment? – The meal ended on a high note with a cool dessert presentation featuring fire, ice cream, and possibly peanut brittle? It was a fun touch, but not quite enough to make up for the meal itself.

The Ugly (aka the Food Fails)

🍣 Ono Izakaya (Japanese Table Service): I chose Ono Izakaya for our first night, and that was a mistake! Nothing we ordered was good. We never got the edamame we ordered, maybe that would have been the dish that saved the night. The final insult was a matcha crème brûlée that we didn’t order—and definitely didn’t want.

🥤 Mo’s (American Counter Service): Their milkshakes were an affrontery to milkshakes everywhere with their chalky texture and taste. The burgers were acceptable, but the “poutine” was just weird – consisting of a slice of melted and re-hardened cheese on fries with watery gravy. They owe Canada an apology!

In general, there were a lot of cheap ingredients used in most of the restaurants, which is unfortunately common in all-inclusive resorts. The only food that consistently tasted “real” was the poolside tacos. And that brings us to…

The Drinks

Oh boy, are you in trouble if you are a wine drinker! While I didn’t have high expectations (it is an all-inclusive, after all), I still found the wine selection particularly underwhelming—at least for the sparkling and red varieties I sampled.

Cocktail lovers, take note: if you want premium spirits like Grey Goose, Ketel One, or even Tito’s, you’ll have to pay extra. So, it was Absolut and tonic for me! Mr. Toasty Tourist stuck with Tanqueray and tonic, since Bombay Sapphire wasn’t included. We also tested out some of the tropical cocktails, but the mixers—mango, pineapple, margarita—tasted artificial and cheap.

On the bright side, the lobby bar’s espresso martinis were solid, and judging by the crowd gathering for pre-dinner martinis each evening, we weren’t the only ones who thought so!

Service

All of the servers were kind, helpful, and friendly, so no complaints there. Although you aren’t required to tip at an AI property, these folks work hard for little pay – please come prepared with pesos for tipping. Though they’ll accept U.S. dollars, it’s not their currency, and they’ll face exchange fees. Our room was cleaned well every day, and the minibar was stocked to our satisfaction (TIP: leave a note with an extra tip requesting anything you would like more of – in our case we requested additional water and beer for the room).

Now, the check-in process left a bit to be desired. It took longer than we expected—though, to be fair, we may have been less patient after a long travel day and battling through Cancun traffic for our shuttle. Restaurant service was generally quick, but we did experience a bit of a delay when checking in for our reservations. We had booked everything via the app (5 days in advance), but since we weren’t assigned a room number yet, the low-tech system with handwritten notes and paper slips seemed to cause some confusion.

Location

This resort is right in the middle of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, so if you aren’t looking for crowds, you will want to go elsewhere. It was nice being so close to the airport, although you never know if Cancun traffic will cooperate! We used a private transfer service for airport pickup and dropoff.

To Wrap Things Up

I hope this review of the new Marriott Cancun AI gives you all the details you need to decide if it’s the right spot for your next getaway! Overall, I met my goal of an easy, relaxing trip—all on points. The service was excellent, and I never had a moment of concern about cleanliness or safety. The biggest downside? The food (and to a lesser extent, the drinks). But if you’re open to venturing offsite for a few meals, you can easily balance that out!

For a break from resort dining, we loved Gustino’s at the JW Marriott next door (the speakeasy was a fun surprise too!) and Fred’s Seafood across the street—both worth checking out.

✨ Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a comfortable, stress-free, beachfront getaway (especially on points!), this resort checks a lot of boxes. Just be strategic about your dining choices!

Happy travels as you Sip, Savor, and See the World! 🍹🌍