Stay & Play

InterContinental Presidente Cancun

by Susan Campbell

A Landmark Grande Dame

Built back in 1973, this is one of Cancun’s original downtown hotels planned by Mexico’s president of the time Luis Echeverría -ergo the name “Presidente”. This Grand Dame has weathered the years well, and a recent comprehensive update makes it worthy of its reputation as THE upscale anchor of the entire Hotel Zone.

At first blush, the vast expanse of lobby in muted earth tones seems more corporate stay than tropical vacation mode. But don’t let first impressions fool you. Though they do excel at large groups, conventions and events, if you simply keep walking right through to the other end, down the stairs, and out into the water circuit area everything changes. Bam! You are instantly hit with an absolutely postcard perfect vision of paradise on arguably the broadest beach in the region. All swaying palms, blindingly white sand and sparkling turquoise waters flanked by pools, whirlpools, beach bars, and plenty of shade palapas and daybeds. But for me, one of the best features is the wave conditions.

I love to float calmly in the sea, but most of Cancun’s narrow hotel strip beaches are battered by big waves- though lovely to look at- they aren’t so much fun to swim in unless you enjoy getting tossed around like a rag doll. I don’t. So, I really enjoyed the placid conditions in their bay. And an additional bonus is that there are no hotels on one entire side, so you aren’t sardined into a constant party scene which is very much part of the appeal there. And with such an expansive beach, it never feels crowded even when the hotel is full. I also enjoy the fact that one of the pools is adult-only for kid-free relaxation.

Accommodations, Eats, and Activities

Though all of the hotel’s recently refreshed 300 rooms offer an inviting stay, you might want to upgrade your experience from a classic to an executive room or spacious suite in order to avail yourself of their classy Club Lounge which includes complimentary breakfast, evening drinks and refreshments plus many additional amenities. But even if you don’t, you’ll find plenty of fine food and delightful drinks to choose from on-site.

Enjoy healthy fare and Mexican craft beers at trendy little indoor enclave Café Urbano for decadent eats El Caribeño’s big surfside palapa offers an eclectic array of Caribbean cuisine. Right on the sand, Le Cap Beach Club’s outdoor emporium serves up Mediterranean specialities, and the signature cocktails at The Deck Bar are divine. For late night drinks and your caffeine fix, The Epicentre lobby bar is the spot. And you’re also within easy access of all of Cancun’s cosmopolitan downtown dining and nightlife as well.

Activity wise, there’s a full-service watersports centre, while the on-site Ikal Spa offers Mayan inspired pampering treatments. And a brand new urban cultural and nature experience right in the Hotel Zone called Parque Maya Cancun is a must visit for an exciting combination of history, ziplines, mangrove kayaking, ruins exploring, and more…all just minutes away.

www.presidentecancun.com