Photo Marriott
Stay & Play
Escaping Winter at the All-inclusive Marriott Cancun Resort
Article & photography by Jennifer Merrick
Spring Break in Cancun brings to mind images of hard-partying students, loud music and mucho tequila. But this particular winter in the Great White North had been so brutal, I was willing to take my chances and go anywhere a warm sun was shining and winds were salty breezes and not biting gusts.
Direct flights are plentiful to this tourist beacon on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea. A four-hour flight and a quick 15-minute taxi ride from the airport delivered us to the Marriott Cancun all-inclusive. And a completely different world. Our dry, pasty complexions thirstily drank in the sultry air that danced in the palm fronds that swayed around us.
People were dancing, too. We had arrived in the evening, and a local band was playing classic rock and Latin favorites. But this was not the party crowd. Multi-generational families, couples and groups of friends of all ages mingled in the outdoor garden, the stress of winter gone from their faces. Our pinched looks softened, too, as we changed into sandals and linens and enjoyed melt-in-your-mouth birria at its open-concept Casa Madre restaurant.
The next morning, pulling open the blinds of our balcony, our eyes, accustomed to hues of white and gray, blinked and widened as they took in the dazzling shades of turquoise and azul. The colors of the two large infinity pools matched the striped blues of the Caribbean Sea behind them and invited us to come play.
Our winter blues thawed.
Besides its easy-to-reach beach location, Marriott’s first all-inclusive property ticked all of our boxes when it came to an ideal winter escape:
Top-notch Food and Dining Experiences
The restaurants went beyond the typical buffet-style fare found at many all-inclusives. Our dinner at Mikado – Teppanyaki was as much entertainment as it was a meal, with our talented chef juggling up delicious made-to-order stir-fry with a choice of top sirloin, salmon, shrimp or tofu. Other standout eats included a strawberry milkshake topped with a slice of pie at Mo’s Burgers & Shakes (a 50s-styled diner), hummus and kabobs at Delphina (Mediterranean), tuna poke at Hana Polynesian Grill, and perfectly seasoned tacos from the poolside food truck. Cocktails delighted as well, and as much as we tried to duplicate their paloma at home, we were unable to do so.
Well-designed, Modern Accommodation
As the hotel has recently undergone a complete renovation, its 450 rooms are bright and airy with ultra-comfortable beds and all amenities. The light wood accents and contemporary décor added to its spacious, luxurious feel. There’s a variety of rooms and suites to choose from, including 38 suites with balconies and ocean views. Amenities included coffeemakers and a mini bar with drinks that were refilled daily as part of the all-inclusive package. Room service is also included if you want to spend more time in the lovely rooms.
Poolside and Beach Fun
The pool complex sparkles with a 6,800-square-foot main pool for all ages and an adults-only infinity pool. Other features include two water slides, a mini lazy river and a large jacuzzi overlooking the ocean. The beachfront offers plenty of loungers, along with the same attentive service found at the pool. Staff-led programming offers activities for all ages, including a kids club, beach volleyball, aquafit and stretch classes and even Spanish lessons, where we learned important resort vocabulary like camastro (sunbed) and alberca (pool).
Blissful Beach Massages
Massages take place right on the beach in open-air cabanas draped with sheer white curtains. It was the ultimate in relaxation with the sounds of the waves rolling in, a soft sea breeze, and the expertise of the masseuse.
If there had been any winter stress left in my body before the massage, it was completely gone after.
