Presidente InterContinental Cancun Resort

The Presidente InterContinental was opened in the 1970s, when Cancun was a burgeoning tourist destination, which helps explain its prime real estate on one of the biggest stretches of beach in the Hotel Zone. The location is also enough removed from the nightclub area to allow for a quieter, more family-friendly atmosphere. With 300 rooms and a reasonably compact layout, the Presidente is more easily navigable than some of Cancun's mega-resorts, and those looking to explore restaurants outside the resort won't mind that the rates aren't all-inclusive. Just note that the open-air restaurants lack AC. The lobby, hallways, rooms, and the gym are all air-conditioned. 

Upon arrival, guests will make their way past the rows of palm trees, through the wood-covered entryway and into the wide-open lobby with its marble tile floors, open business center for guests, reception area and then the Club lounge beyond. Past the lobby are the gardens, pools, and the impressive beach. Renovations in 2014 brought new marble floors, new walls and paint, many new beds (half were replaced), and new window covers. 

The Presidente InterContinental has prime real estate compared to some of the resorts deeper into the tourist zone. The hotel is nestled between private condos and smaller hotels, with the nearest public access points more than 10 minutes on foot in either direction down the beach. This limited accessibility means the beach in front of the resort is less crowded and is usually populated mostly by hotel guests. 

Playa Tortugas (Turtle Beach) is within a 15-minute walk to the west of the hotel. The R1 and R2 buses run deeper into the Hotel Zone and back to the mainland, plus taxis are always readily available. It's under a 10-minute walk to the restaurants in Maya Fair Plaza, and the Cancun Convention Center is a 10-minute walk away. Nightclubs such as Coco Bongo are a 20-minute walk. It's about a 25-minute drive to downtown Cancun. 

The 300 rooms at Presidente InterContinental are modern if a bit chain-like, with veneer zebra wood furniture and black and white photos of Mayan ruins decorating the walls. There are three main color schemes: red, blood orange, and green, reflected in accent walls and bed runners; the scheme carries over to the hallways as well and different floors have different themes. The rest of the decor is neutral: white bedding, white walls, and cream tile floors. Recessed lighting in the ceilings and light strips along the beds in some of the rooms contribute to a romantic atmosphere. 

Tech features include free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, and flat-screen TVs; all rooms have mini-fridges and coffeemakers, though Suites, Club, and some suites have Nespresso machines. (The Deluxe Suite we saw also had a wet bar, and the Presidential Suite has the only true kitchenette.) Two bottles of water and coffee are included in the room, with free refills available daily. Tea can be exchanged for coffee upon request. All rooms have balconies, either facing the lagoon (and the ocean beyond) or of the beach and ocean. Those facing the lagoon can watch sunsets, while those facing the beach can watch sunrises. 

There are 10 categories of rooms, ranging from Deluxe Rooms to the Presidential Suite. Rooms come with a king-size bed or two queens. There are 32 rooms with shower/tub combos, and suites have big rainfall showers, and often separate stand-alone soaking tubs as well. Two rooms have accessible showers for those with special mobility requirements. 

There are nine cribs and 35 extra beds available upon request.

The main garden area has two pools: the family-friendly pool with a maximum depth of 2.43 feet and four whirlpool tubs, and the square, infinity-edge adult-only pool beyond. There are loungers and umbrellas at both, though the three rows of loungers set up at the family pool during our visit may feel a bit cramped to some. The adult-only pool area also features cabanas with cushioned daybeds. In addition, loungers, daybeds, and palapa umbrellas can be found at the huge, impressive beach. Guests can walk in both directions on the sand and will find public access points to the beach roughly 15 minutes on foot in either direction.

La Cap Beach Club, serving Mediterranean fare, is set in between the two pools and is open for lunch and dinner daily. The pool bar operates from morning to night. The open-air, thatched-roof El Caribeño is the main restaurant, and offers ocean views as well as daily breakfast buffets with fruit, cereal, and made-to-order eggs (included in some rates). It serves a la carte Caribbean specialties for lunch and dinner. Those in a Club-level room get free access to the Club Lounge, which features its own outdoor balcony with mason jar lighting and views out over the pools, gardens, and beach, along with an interior small bar and snack area where an exclusive breakfast and evening cocktails are served. 

The mirrored, air-conditioned, thatched-roof gym is reasonably spacious, with four treadmills and a handful of other cardio machines, all of an older variety without personal TVs. There are also a few strength-training machines and free weights. It can probably accommodate around a dozen people at a time, and overlooks the gardens and pools. The hotel operates a small, upscale spa with a hydrotherapy pool in an attractive, modern space with stone walls and cushioned loungers. Massages and facials are available, and the spa has a store called La Clasica where clothing and other sundries can be purchased. 

There are five meeting rooms for guests to rent out, with 793 square meters of space available, and parking for up to 100 vehicles is available in front of the hotel. There's also a space in front of the main restaurant for weddings and other events. While 20 megabyte Wi-Fi is included throughout the hotel property for free, there is also a separate 30 megabyte dedicated line available for those who need additional connectivity, for a small daily fee. During peak periods such as over Christmas and Easter, the hotel also operates a kids' club.