The 12 best hotels in Cancún

With a top spot in the middle of the Zona Hotelera, the Hard Rock Hotel doesn't just tick all the usual megaresort boxes; it does so with originality. As an all-inclusive resort, you'll get endless dining and unlimited beverages along with nightly entertainment and beachside amenities. Contemporary rooms have coffeemakers, hot tubs, furnished balconies, and on-brand decor that brings a rock-and-roll twist. Add in a highly regarded spa, fitness center, five restaurants, an infinity pool, and two swim-up bars, and you’ve got yourself a great resort hotel. And surprisingly, in a resort zone where adult-only hotels are common, the Hard Rock Hotel is child-friendly with a great kid’s club and waterslide.

Time Out tip: Hardrock Hotel offers organized tours and experiences, making organizing a family day out super simple. The Paradise Adventure is a great way to explore Cancun's coral reef.  

South of the Zona Hotelera and one of the closest resorts to the airport, Cancún’s Moon Palace Resort boasts one of the best golf courses in Mexico, designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. With more than a dozen restaurants and first-class facilities for children (there's even an arcade room), the property is so large that golf carts are required for traveling in between certain areas. If we had to pick one fault? Although the resort is on the beach, the sand is just a tad nicer over in Zona Hotelera.

Time Out tip: Enjoy getting out on the water by kayaking, hopping on a catamaran, or paddleboarding.

If you’ve come to Cancún for hedonism, the Temptation Resort is calling your name. The slick, sultry resort was designed to resemble the curves of the human body (not surprisingly, it has an adult-only, topless-if-you-want policy) that's rounded out with cheeky indulgences like aphrodisiac cocktails. The latest addition is a 109-room Tower by Temptation, designed by leading industrial designer Karim Rashid – located north of Zona Hotelera; this hotel is guaranteed to push all the right buttons.

Time Out tip: For when you're recovering from that hangover but still want to enjoy the sun, head to the "quiet pool" – or should we say quieter - to enjoy views overlooking the Caribbean sea. 

While it's the more affordable option to its sister property, JW Marriott, this Cancún resort doesn't skimp on quality or amenities. More than ten restaurants cater to international taste buds – while the must-try Sacbé Beach Shack focuses on traditional Yucatán favorites. The massive heated outdoor pool overlooks the Caribbean, as do the guestrooms and suites. Kids have plenty to do with on-site activities, while adults can take up a game of tennis or kick back with a mezcal pairing experience.

Time Out tip: For some family fun, head to the Wet'n Wild water park at Ventura Park, or if you prefer to stay dry, try out the zip lines. It's a real adrenaline rush. 

Dreaming of a little luxury? The InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort has everything you need to have a really high-end holiday. It’s located on a strip of jaw-droppingly beautiful beach but if you’re done with sand for the day, mix it up by also visiting the hotel’s beautiful swimming pool. Make time for one trip (or many) to the intensely calm-inducing spa and leave feeling like a better version of your former self.

Time out tip: If you’re travelling with little ones, the resort has its own kids’ club and nannies to hire.

Conveniently located across the street from La Isla’s shops and open-air eateries, Live Aqua Beach Resort is a relaxed, all-inclusive, adult-only paradise with miniature zen gardens in every room. The resort leans on subtle aromatherapy to immerse guests in a rejuvenating retreat, with wafts of eucalyptus and citrus guiding visitors from their elegant guestrooms onward to a collection of seven heated swimming pools. Nine on-site dining venues offer everything from ceviche and sushi to Mediterranean and Latin menus – this is a booking for all the senses. 

Time Out tip: Enjoy Latin cuisine made with local ingredients at on-site restaurant MB which has a casual chic vibe. 

Living up to its name, this adult-only all-inclusive sits by the gorgeous white sands of Playa Mujeres, a slightly quieter and more refined area than Zona Hotelera. Here, suites have Jacuzzi tubs and private balconies (or even rooftop patios) – while some sport their own plunge pools. With a dozen restaurants, numerous pools, a fitness complex with wellness offerings, and a spa to bolster the appeal, it's certainly one of the most luxurious options on an exclusive hotel strip.

Time Out tip: Head to the spa for a treatment of choice in the outdoor oceanfront room. If you fancy some hydrotherapy, we'd recommend the steam bath followed by the water fountain – it's fabulously re-energizing. 

At the north end of Zona Hotelera, this sleek adult-only complex takes TLC to a whole new level: we're talking butlers who pack up your clothes and pool attendants who will bring you iced towels. The hydrotherapy pools will soothe your aches and pains as on-site Pilates classes will strengthen your core. Smartly designed suites off two-person whirlpools that look out on either an adjacent lagoon or on a stretch of beach that's considered to have some of Cancún’s best sand. If you've got the budget, this is where to spend it. 

Time Out tip: When it comes to leaving this spectacular resort, what better outing could there be than traversing the underground rivers and caves along the Yucatan Peninsula?

Situated on 14 miles of delectable white-sand beach, the Hotel NYX is beach-life luxury with a side order of contemporary coolness. The rooms feel fresh and light and, often, have great views of the ocean or lagoon. The beachfront cabanas are irresistible but do drag yourself off the sun lounger just long enough to enjoy scuba diving at a coral reef nearby or, less ambitiously, to dine at one of the hotel’s fab restaurants.

Time Out tip: Discover your inner archaeologist with a trip to a nearby ancient Mayan site.

This high-end resort is ideal for those willing to open their wallets in order to escape the crowds: it comprises just 35 luxury suites with features like canopied beds, therapeutic showers, large balconies with whirlpool tubs, and a minimum of 46 square meters of space. For a unique twist, two gourmet restaurants offer French-Mexican or Swiss-Northern Italian cuisine. It’s one of Cancún’s most expensive (and lavish) resorts in one of the city's most exclusive spots, perched peacefully on an isolated peninsula on Isla Mujeres.

Time Out tip: If you've never experienced a seven-course tasting menu, then dining at Le Métissage is well worth the wait. 

One of Zona Hotelera’s older resorts, this is among the easiest on the wallet while still offering superb family amenities that make it one of the best all-rounders for vacations with kids. You'll find all-inclusive dining, family suites, children’s clubs for all ages, and plenty of entertainment like mini-golf, bicycle tours, water slides, and even a rock-climbing wall. All in all, this resort makes for a fun, laid-back stay for families.

Time Out tip: Get up close and personal with one of the seven wonders of the world at Chicken Itza the site of the Mayan ruins. 

Smack-bang in the middle of Zona Hotelera, JW Marriott’s Cancún resort is one of the snazziest spots on the sun-soaked strip. With large, bright rooms and exquisitely decorated marble bathrooms – not to mention a Mayan-themed spa and a full fitness center – the complex is definitely geared towards luxury travelers and couples seeking exclusive beach breaks (although families are welcome, too). And if you need to get away from the spring breakers and the bustling beach, the hotel is near the Museo Maya de Cancún, a stunning museum that houses some of the world’s most important Mayan artifacts.

Time Out tip: Shack up in a bungalow on the beach while enjoying the gorgeous sunset followed by a range of Thai dishes at Sasi Thai.