VIBE: a blend of big and boutique
USP: guaranteed ocean views **
Heading on vacation for a quick dose of sand, sea and sunshine? Take a look at the JW Marriott Cancun. Characterized by modern elements combined with local Mayan flair, this is a hotel that fully embraces its idyllic beachfront location, with all the luxury trimmings you'd expect from a 5 star resort.
The Vibe
The magnificent entrance leads straight to the lounge and Lobby Bar which resembles a grand but cosy living room of a country house. With floor to ceiling windows with streaming light beams flooding in, it’s a pretty impressive first vision of the hotel. Outside, various pools twist and wind around the resort, almost lazy-river style, with palapas dotted in-between.
The resort is large; there’s no doubt about that. Some even say they have the best stretch of beach in the Cancun Hotel Zone. But, having experienced other hotels of similar sizes, JW Marriott has a different vibe. In comparison to some of the other maze-like hotels across Cancun, The Riviera Maya and Los Cabos, there is a more intimate feeling here. While the property is in a top-tier category of Marriott, it’s clear that the designers worked tirelessly to ensure the result was a blending of big AND boutique. The major hotel group sensibilities and amenities are kept intact, but at the same time as a guest, you don’t feel like just another client-cog who gets lost in the machinery of a big hotel chain.
In fact, the one thing that stands out, time and time again with this hotel, is the service. It may seem cliché but it really is 5* here. More like 10, to be honest. From Yemi and Fernanda at reception, Anjel in the concierge, Brenda at the bar, Rock the bellboy, Maritza in housekeeping and Dianna the Violinist…guests cannot stop raving about the customer service.
It’s clear many of the guests vacation here multiple times a year…its their home away from home and the staff become their family during their stay.
The Food
Here comes the best bit. The bar is preetttty unique: 150 specially crafted margaritas curated by an expert team of mixologists and tequila connoisseurs. We’ve also heard a certain Sebastian Torres does an exceptional margarita making class…
Did someone say happy hour?
Turning right from the JW Lobby Bar, you will firstly find the ballroom and meeting rooms, and a little further there’s the Deli gift shop, convenience store, and pizzeria…it’s like a mini luxury shopping mall! But by no means in-your-face or flashy. It’s all tasteful, low-key, luxury.
If you walk through the ballroom area of the JW Marriott, you will soon walk along a fully covered pathway…it’s like a secret passageway mixed with the magical wardrobe leading to Narnia…you start in the JW Marriott and come out in the Marriott Cancun Resort! And the best part is, you can use all the amenities here too. Epic. You can dine in the evening at Kasai Izakaya & Ramen Noodle Bar, Sasi Thai, Champions Sports Bar, or Mikado for a fun teppanyaki experience.
Getting a little peckish? Us too. Let’s talk more food.
Thai, Japanese, Italian, Asian fusion, American, Polynesian, Greek….what we’re trying to say is, this is a fussy eater’s paradise. There is quite literally anything and everything to choose from. As recommended by the hotel, a great way to start the day is heading to the Sedona Grill early to watch the sunrise and enjoy your breakfast on the outdoor terrace. Dreamy, right?
TIPPLE TIP: Be sure to try the Kiwi Soda for a refreshing non-alcoholic thirst quencher, the Mango Tango for a cheeky alcoholic frozen beverage!
The View
We don’t know about you, but for us, the view is as important as the interior. It’s the part which truly confirms your remote status:
on vacation. do not disturb.
Imagine checking in to the most beautiful hotel on the Caribbean coast in Mexico. It’s all going swimmingly. Cold towel upon arrival? Check. Seamless checkin? Check. Then we migrate to the room and we’re on cloud nine; absolutely nothing could dampen our holiday spirits.
We’ve all had that moment. The slightly stomach sinking feeling when you throw open the balcony door and your outlook is—
Well. Underwhelming.
A carpark, perhaps? The main road? I’ve been lucky enough with a concrete wall before! Idyllic!
Let’s be totally honest here. A view can make or break a hotel room. When you’re staying at an ocean front hotel in Mexico, it would be slightly depressing not to have a view of — you’ve guessed it — the ocean.
And this is where JW Marriott excels. There’s absolutely no way you can be disappointed with your view here; the good news is that each and every room offers up an ocean view, no matter which part of the property you are in. This is pretty unheard of and definitely a USP of the hotel.
ROOM TIP: Ask for the view of the pool with the higher floors and you can't go wrong.
If you like falling asleep and waking up to the sound of crashing waves on the beach, this hotel’s for you! The rooms have been recently renovated and are fresh and bright. Coupled with the comfiest bath robe, oversized bathroom with an epic rain-shower and the minibar of DREAMS, its a pretty special experience.