JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa

From the street, the entrance to the JW Marriott Cancun is marked by a sign, tiled water fountain, and a driveway surrounded by lush green landscaping. Despite having more rooms than the 433-room CasaMagna next door, the JW Marriott feels more intimate and refined. The lobby has a patterned marbled tile floor and is anchored by a gorgeous, huge, fragrant flower arrangement. The reception desks stand in an enclave to the left, while the concierge desks are to the right. There is minimal seating in this area -- and during full capacity check-in time, it can get full -- but just beyond there is a long lobby hallway stretching from one end of the hotel to the other, peppered with sections of couches and cushioned chairs. There's more of a lounge and lobby feel in the seating section off the lobby bar and most people can be found passing time here, in the bright light of the two-story floor-to-ceiling windows facing the pool courtyard, even when the bar is closed. The hotel is larger than it seems, so public spaces usually feel roomy -- except during an event, when the hotel can get a busy, conference vibe. Otherwise, the hotel usually draws well-heeled couples. Even though it does attract plenty of families, too, it's probably best-suited for parents with older children. The CasaMagna next door, where the kids' club is located, is more geared toward families. 

Most guests spend their time at the uniquely designed pool and spacious beachfront. The pool bar has a more social vibe and the large beach area has plenty of space to relax, even with events at the hotel. These are also the spaces, along with the Beachwalk Restaurant, where guests can afford to be more casual in attire, as the interior spaces feel a little too upscale to walk around in your bathing suit and a towel (but shorts and a shirt are fine). 

Located at KM 14.5 within the first third of Cancun's popular (and highly touristy) Hotel Zone, the JW Marriott Cancun Resort is close to the airport and several of Cancun's attractions. Places like the adventure course Xcaret and port to Isla Mujeres are within a 20-minutes drive, while famed ruins such as Tulum and Coba are one-and-a-half to two hours away by car, respectively. While there is a convenience store just opposite the main road from the resort and a few restaurants, traveling to central Cancun will require a car or bus ride (there is a bus stop just at the bottom of the hotel's street-side entrance). Heading to the main restaurant and clubbing area will take about 10 minutes by car. 

All 448 rooms at the JW Marriott Cancun are decorated in classic luxury style and feature finished maple wood, carpets, marbled entryways, and modern appliances. There may be a slightly corporate vibe in the color scheme and patterns, but space still feels plush. Mid-tier rooms have sleeper love seats, desks with hard-wired Internet access (for a fee), smallish balconies with a set of chairs overlooking the pool and ocean, and marble bathrooms. All rooms come with cable LCD TVs (although reception may be disappointing), minibars (that may require a key from the front desk), a selection of snacks, music docks, comfortable beds with pillow-top mattresses and duvets, and a heaping selection of pillows. Bathrooms have some of the softest and fluffiest towels around and the selection of Aromatherapy toiletries includes the often elusive conditioner. Turndown service, bathrobes and slippers, and an umbrella to navigate Cancun's unpredictable weather are nice touches. 

Rooms start at 467 square feet, and the main benefits from upgrading are more space, potentially easier sleeping arrangements (with the addition of sofa beds and separate living areas), and better views. Rollaway beds and cribs can be provided upon request. Guests in Club 91 Rooms get access to a lounge with free breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening appetizers. 

One of the hotel's biggest draws is its position along an idyllic powder-sand beach and the stunning blue waters of the Caribbean. Guests can get competitive on the beach volleyball court, just relax on one of the numerous loungers, or rent a cabana. However, as on most beaches in Cancun, the waves are rough, red no-swimming flags tend to fly year-round, and a build-up of seaweed can be a bummer to some. But, the uniquely shaped pool remains seaweed-free. Spread across the back of the hotel, the pool curves around palapa-covered loungers and small hot tubs, and darts through bridged walkways, ending (or beginning) at the Beachwalk restaurant. Inside, there all the expected resort features, including free Wi-Fi in public areas and free parking, but the spa and business facilities are exceptional. 

The multi-level spa area contains a publicly accessible floor where guests can sweat it out in the gym or workout room, grab a natural juice at the health bar, or do a little shopping. There is also a large whirlpool and indoor lap pool on this level. Only those who book treatments or pay a fee are allowed to access the facilities on the second level, which has Mayan-inspired theme and is where the treatment rooms can be found. 

Besides a nice selection of variously sized meeting and event rooms, the hotel has a specific area for business. This area has a business concierge, large sitting area with daily newspapers, and big business center with individual computer cubicles. 

Guests are also welcome to use the pools and kids' club at the CasaMagna next door. 

The JW Marriott Cancun is equipped with a nice range of dining options, ranging from casual sandwiches and cafe items inside the deli, to Tex-Mex fare at the Sedona Grill (complete with diet-restricted menu choices), to the surf-side and sporty Beachwalk restaurant, to the fine-dining Gustino's Italian Grill. Reservations are not needed for any of these spots, but are recommended during higher capacity, especially for Gustino's. The hotel's filling breakfast buffet is served inside the Sedona Grill. It's also good to know that guests have room-charging capabilities at all of the restaurants at the next-door sister property of CasaMagna.