On my recent trip to Cancun, I had the opportunity to visit The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, an impressive hotel. It remains the only AAA Five Diamond resort in North America to receive triple honors from the association for the hotel and its two owned and managed restaurants, The Club Grill and Fantino. I was eager to visit as the resort was celebrating their 20th anniversary of exceptional travel experiences. Opening its doors on April 15, 1993, this was the first international Ritz-Carlton property!
My guide for the day was Grisel Alpuche, Travel Industry Sales Coordinator for The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun. Grisel and I spent more than two hours exploring this large property. Boasting 363+ rooms and suites, nine innovative dining experiences, the Kayantá Spa, two heated outdoor pools and a whirlpool, the interactive Ritz Kids program, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a first-class Tennis Center, a business center, and a 27,000-square-foot convention center … there is plenty to do and see at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun
The beach fronting the hotel is wonderful. My photos – on an infrequent, cloudy day in Cancun – do not do justice to the deep, white sand and turquoise waters. There are private casitas available along the shoreline and you can enjoy a romantic evening dinner under the stars here. The second photo above displays the private infinity pool that accompanies the 3-bedroom suite on the property. Plenty of room for your large, vacationing family!
There are multiple rooming options you can choose from at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun. With Grisel as my guide, we visited a myriad of rooms. She showed me the “new look” of the recently renovated rooms. These rooms are light, airy, and include handmade artwork and ceramic amenities. The room choices include:
Ocean View Room – SIZE 435 sq ft | 39 m2
Beautiful ocean views with balcony
Choice of King or two Double beds
Ocean Front Guestroom – SIZE 439 sq ft | 41 m2
Oceanfront; Breathtaking ocean front views
Plush King or two Double featherbeds
Club Ocean View Room – SIZE 439 sq ft | 41 m2
Beautiful ocean views from balcony
Choice of King or two Double beds; Exclusive Club Level access
Club Ocean Front Room – SIZE 439 sq ft | 41 m2
Oceanfront; Ocean front views and large balcony
Choice of King or two Double beds; Exclusive Club Level access
Ritz Kids Guestroom – SIZE 439 sq ft | 41 m2
Beautiful ocean views with balconies
Choice of King or Double featherbeds/Baby-proofed crib and changing table
_____________________
Then, you also have your Suite Options… Each of these residential-like suites opens to a furnished balcony or terrace with views of the white sand and turquoise sea!
Ocean View Suite – SIZE 876 sq ft | 81 m2
Partial Ocean View with balcony
Living room with flat-screen TV. One and one half baths
Ocean Front Suite – SIZE 876 sq ft | 81 m2
Oceanfront/ Three balconies overlooking the sea
One and one half baths
Club Level Ocean View Suite – SIZE 876 sq ft | 81 m2
Partial Ocean View
Residential-style living room. Exclusive Club Level access
Club Ocean Front Suite – SIZE 876 sq ft | 81 m2
Oceanfront, Breathtaking views of beach and sea
Residential-style living accommodations. Exclusive Club Level access
Club Master Suite – SIZE 876 sq ft | 81 m2
Oceanfront/ Three balconies overlook the Caribbean
Located at Club Level atrium – Exclusive Club Level access
Three Bedroom Ocean Front Suite – SIZE 1,900 sq ft | 177 m2
Oceanfront, direct access to the beach
Personal pool and expansive terrace
Exclusive Club Level access for up to 6
Ritz-Carlton Suite – SIZE 2,460 sq ft | 229 m2
Oceanfront, Panoramic views
Large terrace overlooking the Caribbean
Exclusive Club Level access
_____________________
As Gissel pointed out to me, there are innumerable combinations of connecting rooms that can be combined into your own suite-arrangement. This hotel is perfect for families and multi-generational outings where travelers have the option of privacy or connecting/shared rooms.
My favorite option for families was the Three Bedroom Ocean Front Suite with its private infinity pool, large terrace and direct access to the beach. You step off your terrace, and you’re ON THE BEACH. You also have a living room, dining room and multiple bathrooms. It certainly has a residence feel.
I also liked the Club Level options – either in Room or Suite configuration. The Ritz-Carlton group masterfully creates an oasis in their Club Rooms. In this hotel, the Club Level is located on the 8th and 9th floors of the resort.
It features continuous culinary offerings throughout the day, including breakfast, light snacks, hors d’ oeuvres, beverages and sweets. I have to admit I visit multiple times a day when I stay in a Club Room as I love their espresso! (and the pastries.. and the hors d’ oeuvres…) You also have access to a computer station; great if you need to catch up with folks at home or print out your departing boarding pass.
As someone who spent 25 years in the restaurant industry I was eager to see the Culinary Center.
The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun proudly boasts the first Viking® Culinary Center. It is a state-of-the-art residential-style kitchen where guests can enjoy hands-on cooking classes. The chefs of the resort serve as the teachers. Each session is unique, blending regional flavors and meals paired with selected wines… with a view of the beach.
There are a variety of cooking class options, from interactive cooking lessons to amusing culinary shows. The Center is available for guests ages 16 & up – reservations are required. I have to come back and try this!
There is so much to do at the The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun! Even with a two-hour tour Gissel and I were unable to see ALL of the property. For families, this resort offers the Ritz Kids, with a diverse collection of vacation activities based on the four pillars of their program – water, land, environmental responsibility and culture. Your kids won’t want to leave (and neither will you because they’re so busy… and you’re NOT!). The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun Turtle Guardian Program assists in protection and release of baby turtles. Time your visit so you and your children can share in this amazing experience.
Guests also have the two pools, whirlpool, the Spa, fitness center, a premier tennis sporting facility offering world-class tennis programs year round, scuba diving lessons in the hotel’s pool, and of course, the beach… And More! For a getaway-business-meeting, the 27,000-square-foot convention center offers meeting spaces of all sizes. When I visited, there were multiple business meetings and presentations occurring.
I enjoyed my visit with Gissel and the opportunity to get behind-the-scenes at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun. The pools were pristine, the staff attentive, courteous and professional (as you expect at a Ritz-Carlton), and the hotel comfortable and relaxing. I only wish I had more time to try the sushi bar and a few of the restaurants. This is a resort that needs at least three or four days when you come – there’s just so much to see, do and experience. I can’t wait to return!
Through our affiliation with Brownell Travel, a Ritz-Carlton STARS agency, Ron Phillips Travel has a special relationship with Ritz-Carlton that can often make the difference in your stay.
copyright (c) 2014 by Ron Phillips Travel LLC – luxury travel and consultancy. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, Contact Ron Phillips Travel
