Paradisus Cancun Review: A Smart Pick for Families Who Want an Active All-Inclusive Getaway
Advisors love Paradisus Cancun for its brand-new look, great location, and new wellness focus—here’s how to book it best.
Paradisus Cancun. The Reserve Pool. Photos: Courtesy of Meliá International
Nearly 40 years ago, Paradisus Cancun opened along what is now Cancun’s heavily developed Hotel Zone. At the time, the resort stood out for its distinctive architecture: five interconnected pyramids that would become Meliá’s first all-inclusive property. Nearly four decades later, the hotel remains instantly recognizable, even if a few other properties have since borrowed elements of its distinctive architectural style. Now, it has entered an entirely new era.
Personally, I’ve always appreciated the Paradisus brand. Whenever someone asks me to recommend an all-inclusive resort that offers a step up in quality without an entirely out-of-reach price tag, Paradisus often comes to mind. The brand delivers all the conveniences of an all-inclusive vacation while offering a more upscale experience, particularly in The Reserve, its adults-only section, where guests enjoy additional amenities and more personalized service.
Having visited Paradisus Cancun twice over the past decade, I was curious to see how the property had evolved when I was invited back for its grand reopening on Oct. 19 following a nearly yearlong closure and a $55 million transformation.
The guest rooms, in particular, were due for a refresh, and that’s where some of the most noticeable changes have taken place. The new design embraces a softer, more contemporary aesthetic, with neutral and earthy tones, macramé accents, and locally inspired artwork. The result is brighter, more inviting rooms that feel better aligned with today’s travelers’ expectations.
But the transformation goes well beyond the rooms. All the restaurants have been renovated, and wellness has emerged as a central focus of the resort’s new identity, with a state-of-the-art fitness center, an infrared yoga studio, a smoothie bar, and a dedicated facial spa among the additions.
Here’s what luxury travel advisors should know about booking the newly reimagined Paradisus Cancun:
Why Travel Advisors Book It
- It’s a great option for travelers who appreciate the convenience and ease of an all-inclusive vacation, without compromising on quality.
- With dedicated spaces for adults and families, the resort caters to different types of travelers without forcing everyone to share the same spaces.
- Situated along Cancun’s Hotel Zone, just 25 minutes from the airport, the resort offers an easily accessible beachfront escape.
- Following its extensive renovation, the property feels almost brand-new, making it particularly appealing to travelers who prefer newer or recently updated resorts.
- With upgraded fitness facilities and a range of wellness experiences, the resort is especially well suited to travelers who want to stay active and maintain their healthy routines while on vacation.
Rooms & Suites
Guest accommodations span the resort’s five interconnected pyramids, two of which are dedicated to more exclusive experiences.
The Reserve, located in Pyramid 5, is an adults-only “hotel within a hotel,” offering a private check-in area, dedicated spaces, and suites with ocean or lagoon views. Meanwhile, Family Concierge, housed in Pyramid 1, offers a similar elevated experience, but with families in mind. Guests staying in this section have access to two-bedroom suites, a kids club, and dedicated family areas.
The remaining three pyramids house the resort’s standard accommodations, which come with either one king bed or two queen beds. All rooms feature private balconies, indoor and outdoor seating areas, a coffee station, and a minibar replenished daily with nonalcoholic beverages and snacks. Bathrooms include a shower, bathtub, or both, depending on the room category.
The main differences between room categories come down to location, whether within The Reserve or Family Concierge, and the view, either overlooking the ocean or the lagoon. Floor level is another important consideration. Because of the buildings’ pyramid-shaped architecture, rooms tend to get smaller as you go higher, but the views become increasingly impressive. It’s a trade-off to keep in mind when helping clients choose accommodations.
For travelers looking for more space, the resort also offers premium two-bedroom suites featuring a separate living room, a full dining area, and a hot tub.
At the top end of the accommodation offerings is the Presidential Suite, which features three terraces overlooking different sides of the property, a full kitchen, a dining room, two hot tubs—one indoors and one outdoors—and an expansive primary bedroom.
Food & Drink
Paradisus Cancun is a massive resort, but it doesn’t necessarily have to feel like one, especially when it comes to dining.
Guests staying in The Reserve or Family Concierge have access to exclusive restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with dedicated coffee and snack bars offering light bites and refreshments throughout the day.
Both restaurants are located outdoors, overlooking the ocean, with covered seating in case of rain. For guests staying in either section, this is likely where they’ll enjoy most of their meals. While the menus are more limited than those at the resort’s larger restaurants, there’s enough variety to satisfy most tastes. More importantly, the beautiful oceanfront settings, relaxed atmosphere, and smaller crowds make for a particularly pleasant dining experience.
Elsewhere, the resort offers several dining options, including the newly opened Kao Restaurant, an Asian-fusion concept located in the main lobby. Serving sushi, maki rolls, and other Asian specialties, the restaurant features an unusual dining setup, with tables tucked beneath pergolas that complement the lobby’s distinctive architecture. This memorable setting makes the experience feel different from a typical resort restaurant.
Sal Steak House, which specializes in grilled meats, is another option, though dining here is included for only one evening for guests of The Reserve and Family Concierge. Other restaurants include American, Italian, and Mexican concepts, as well as a sprawling international buffet offering an extensive selection of dishes throughout the day.
One particularly welcome feature is the 24-hour coffee shop, which serves coffee, ice cream, sandwiches, and a rotating selection of light bites. Depending on the time of day, guests can grab everything from yogurt parfaits and overnight oats in the morning to salads at lunchtime and desserts in the evening. It’s a convenient option for a quick bite between activities or when a full restaurant meal feels like too much.
And, of course, 24-hour room service is also available for guests who prefer to dine in the comfort of their accommodations.
Experiences & Amenities
There’s no shortage of things to do at Paradisus Cancun. The resort sits directly on the beach, with a dedicated area for hotel guests, and features two main pools: one reserved for The Reserve guests, offering a peaceful, adults-only atmosphere without music or organized entertainment (pure bliss!) and a family-friendly pool with an Aquazone and daily activities.
Throughout the property, guests can enjoy a wide range of activities, from bracelet-making workshops and mixology classes to wine tastings, yoga, sound healing sessions, and pool aerobics, to name just a few.
For younger guests, the brand-new Kidsdom offers a colorful, engaging space filled with games, costumes, character appearances, movies and other activities designed to keep little ones entertained. Babysitting and daycare services are also available.
Teenagers haven’t been forgotten, either. A dedicated teen zone features golf and baseball simulators, along with a nine-hole mini-golf course, available for an additional fee. These newly renovated spaces are particularly well designed, and even adults might be tempted to stop by, especially on a rainy day.
The resort also introduced four new pickleball courts as part of its transformation, with equipment available for guests to borrow at no additional cost.
For travelers who enjoy venturing beyond their resort, even during an all-inclusive vacation, Paradisus offers its Destination Inclusive program, which incorporates locally inspired experiences into the stay.
At Paradisus Cancun, guests booking The Reserve or Family Concierge have access to the program, which includes a sunset cruise on the lagoon behind the property, as well as cooking classes inspired by local traditions. It’s a welcome addition for travelers who want to experience more of the destination without organizing excursions on their own.
Wellness & Fitness
With wellness now at the heart of Paradisus Cancun’s renewed identity, guests who prioritize health and fitness while traveling won’t have to choose from limited options.
The resort’s newly renovated 24-hour gym is particularly impressive. Spacious, modern, and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, it could easily rival a high-end fitness club in a major city. Adjacent to the gym is a dedicated infrared yoga studio, offering both heated and traditional yoga classes throughout the week.
Inside the fitness center, a brand-new smoothie bar, developed in partnership with Habits, a local protein brand, offers a convenient post-workout pick-me-up. A fitness instructor is also available on-site to answer questions, assist guests, or arrange private training sessions.
The resort’s spa is another highlight, offering a full hydrotherapy circuit, massages and a variety of body treatments. While the spa itself isn’t new, the recently introduced Facial Spa adds a dedicated space for facial treatments and incorporates newer beauty and wellness technologies, including red-light therapy.
Beyond the gym and spa, guests can stay active with pickleball courts and a variety of group fitness classes, including HIIT, meditation, and, of course, yoga.
Sustainability & Accessibility
Sustainability is another important part of Paradisus Cancun’s renewed identity. As part of Meliá Hotels International’s broader commitment to responsible tourism, the resort has implemented several initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint, including energy and water efficiency measures, recycling programs, and efforts to eliminate single-use plastics.
One of its most notable initiatives is its sea turtle conservation program, which has helped protect more than 175,000 turtle eggs over the past three years. The program also involves guests and employees who can participate during their stays.
Location & Access
Paradisus Cancun is in a prime location in the heart of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, about 25 minutes from Cancun International Airport. For travelers who prefer not to feel too isolated at an all-inclusive resort, it’s an ideal setting, with local shops and restaurants within walking distance.
You can arrange private airport transfers in advance, and they’re highly recommended, especially given how chaotic Cancun International Airport can be upon arrival. Authorized airport taxis are another option, as Uber is not currently permitted to pick up passengers at the airport.
How to Book Smart
Upgrading to The Reserve or Family Concierge is well worth the additional cost. Guests in either section enjoy access to dedicated check-in areas, private lounges, exclusive dining venues, and upgraded accommodations with additional amenities for a more personalized, elevated experience.
Advisors receive a 45% discount and bonus points every time they book a Meliá property when they join the complimentary Meliá Pro program.
