Grand Park Royal Luxury Resort Cancun

Not to be confused with the slightly more drab Park Royal Cancun, the Grand Park Royal Cancun Caribe is a solid upper-middle-range all-inclusive resort with enough style and substance to make it a good choice in the Hotel Zone. Rooms here are situated in two modern buildings: a seven-story main building that is curved to take advantage of its beautiful beachfront location and a newer low-rise annex by the beach. The big open lobby is a busy place, with guests coming and going at all hours. White sofas and chairs provide places for them to hang out, which they often do as the lines for checking in and out can be long. The grounds are sprawling, but there are many places where guests can sit or lie down to enjoy the Mexican sun and sea. It's a lively place, to be sure, with all sorts of activities on the beach and around the pools throughout the day, though it's not the typically raucous Cancun getaway. The hotel draws all sorts of guests, including couples, families, groups, individuals, and businesspeople attending events at the hotel or in the area. Travelers should keep in mind that the staff is sometimes prone to offering aggressive time-share pitches, which keeps this place from feeling as upscale as it aspires to be.

This hotel is located right on the beach in Cancun's main tourist area, the Hotel Zone. Guests can walk to the nightclubs and bars in about 10 minutes, and restaurants and shopping also are within walking distance. The popular La Isla shopping village is a five-minute drive or 25-minute walk. The Peninsula Convention Center is about a 12-minute drive from the hotel. Those wanting to experience a slice of local life can head into downtown Cancun, where Mercado 28 can be found. It's a 20-minute drive, and the market sells all manner of crafts and wares. Cancun International Airport is about 25 minutes away by car. 

Rooms are reasonably modern and attractively decorated, although a bit chain-like. Furniture is medium-toned wood, floors are tile, and color schemes are neutral with accents of soft green or sea blue with peach. The style is pleasant and bright, though doesn't have much in the way of local charm -- though, admittedly, that's a rarity in this part of Cancun. All are spacious, with even entry-level Deluxe Rooms having 300 square feet of floor space (28 square meters). Amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffeemakers, safes, and ceiling fans to supplement air-conditioning. Modern bathrooms come with hairdryers, toiletries, and magnifying mirrors. All rooms have a furnished balcony or terrace with views of the sea or garden. Rooms in the Royal Tower are for adults only and add jetted tubs. These also have way sharper decor, including funky Expressionist wall art, dark wood furniture, and nicer fabrics and rugs. Suites in the Royal Tower have both indoor and outdoor tubs. Junior Suites have mini-pools on their terraces, as do Villa Master Suites. Some guests have reported thin walls, meaning that noise may travel between rooms.

There are a number of features at the resort that help make it a solid bet for an all-inclusive getaway. Among the four on-site restaurants is the signature Cocay Restaurant, which serves buffet-style Mexican and international specialties for all meals. Dinner brings live entertainment. La Concha serves lunch and dinner by the pool with views of the sea. The menu features seafood, pizza, Mexican, and international fare. Children 12 and younger are not allowed. Asian fare is on the menu at El Oriental, serving dinner only with entertainment. El Mirador is the place for Italian fare and a dessert buffet. In addition, there's a pizza place, a coffee bar, and a snack bar by the pool. There's also a lobby bar, plus bars by and in the pool, and a rooftop bar. All-inclusive rates include all meals, drinks, and snacks. The hotel has two pools, both overlooking the beach. One is only for adults. Activities in the main pool include scuba diving demonstrations, volleyball, and party games. There's also table tennis and a whirlpool. For those who would rather just relax poolside, there are plenty of lounge chairs, some shaded by palapas. At the adults pool, guests can swim up to the bar for a drink. Hammocks hang from palm trees, and kids can swing and jump on a trampoline. The beach is beautiful, with a wide strip of white sand and turquoise-blue water. Lounge chairs are available for guests who want to relax on the sand, and the active can choose from volleyball, kayaking, sailing, paddle boarding, windsurfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. A fitness center offers cardio and weight training equipment, and floor-to-ceiling windows allow in plenty of natural light. There is a daily fee to access these facilities. Massage treatments are available inside the spa or out by the beach. Events spaces serve groups both for business meetings and social events, and planners assist with all the details. Basic Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, though past guests complain that the signal is weak.