Cancun Bay Resort

A large circular driveway leads up to the blocky, white three-story buildings that make up this resort. Free parking is to the side of the hotel in a shaded lot. The large lobby decked out in bamboo armchairs, low-slung couches, and tripod floor lamps has an attractive, contemporary look. It can get crowded at night as guests make use of the free Wi-Fi (only available here or by the pool). Off the lobby, an outdoor patio by the bar and near the pool gives guests a quiet spot to linger.

The hotel is older and it shows in some areas. But it also has some odd, charming details you wouldn’t find in newer properties: Hallways are open-air; the stairs are lined with mosaic tile; and hidden gardens can be spotted in nooks and crannies.

With low rates, spacious suites, and a beachfront location, Cancun Bay Resort attracts vacationers looking to save some money as well as families and groups. The resort is laid-back and relaxed, and although it is family-friendly, it's not overrun with screaming children.

Cancun’s Hotel Zone is shaped like a “7,” and Cancun Bay Resort is located at the very top (or northern part) of the zone. The beaches up here are calmer and much less wavy than properties located down the main strip, making swimming ideal for kids or less adventurous swimmers. Guests interested in water sports or other wave-friendly activities might want to travel farther down the strip.

Most resorts are located on the narrow stretch of land between the Nichupte Lagoon and Caribbean Sea (the base of the “7”), making Cancun Bay Resort a minimum 10-minute drive from central restaurants, shops, and attractions. Taxis are always available in front of the property and plenty of buses run up and down the Hotel Zone. The resort is a 10-minute drive from downtown Cancun.

• 10-minute drive to the heart of the Hotel Zone
• 22-minute drive to Cancun International Airport
• 36-minute drive to Puerto Morelos, with quiet beaches and great snorkeling spots
• 60-minute drive to Playa del Carmen, a bustling town with great shopping and a well-heeled crowd
• One-hour-40 minute drive to Tulum ruins
• Two-hour-10-minute drive to Chichen Itza ruins
• Two-hour-20-minute drive to Coba ruins    

Cancun Bay Resorts’s 98 guest rooms are comprised of Standard Rooms, Junior Suites, and Master Suites that face either the pool or the garden. Some guest complain about noise from both the road and the pool, especially when music is being played during the day. Don’t expect the lobby's upscale furnishings to be reflected in these rooms -- they’re fairly simple and bare-bones with beige or brown tile floors and bare walls that can feel a little sad. A neon green accent wall and matching green pillows and bed runner add a pop of color. Cherry wood cabinets and headboards add a bit of warmth, too. The low rates are reflected in the rooms, which don’t come with any amenities with the exception of a digital safe -- there are no coffeemakers, irons or ironing boards, mini-fridges, or alarm clocks. Some of the bedside lamps are screwed to the crooked side tables to prevent them from falling off. Many of the rooms also have an odd layout or design, such as randomly placed counters or kitchenettes with sinks and counters but without fridges, microwaves, stoves, or utensils.

The Standard Room comes with two double beds or one large bed. Spacious Junior Suites also suffer from an odd layout, such as the second bedroom with three single beds oddly circling the room separated from the main bedroom with a half-wall divider. It's notably lacking a living room area, typical of suites in this category. However, this suite can sleep up to five people, so it's a good option for large groups or families that don’t need a ton of privacy.

The Master Suite is also very large with an extra bedroom and bathroom, and it can sleep up to nine people. Despite the size, these suites don't come with any kitchen equipment. As an alternative, the mid-range, family-friendly Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas has well-equipped kitchenettes.

Cancun Bay Resort’s Main Pool, located at the back of the resort, faces the beach. It has an attractive circular design, a popular and lively swim-up bar, an adults-only whirlpool, and a shallow children’s area. Plenty of lounge chairs line the perimeter but there aren't many umbrellas. However, the pool can be shaded by the hotel's shadow at times. The surrounding area is paved and doesn't offer much landscaping, but it does have lovely views of the beach. The hotel’s smaller and casual restaurant, Pina Colada, is housed to the right of the pool under a thatched roof and serves snacks (nachos, pizza) during the day. Pina Colada also provides poolside food and drink service. The Quiet Pool, located outside of the lobby in the middle of the resort, lives up to its name. With a large rectangular design, sparse landscaping, and few loungers, it often has just a handful of guests, if that.

The hotel’s beach is small and narrow, with clusters of beach chairs along the sand and some palm trees lining the perimeter. The water, however, is lovely -- calm, blue, and clear. Most guests seem to prefer the pool although the beach is ideal for children and leisurely swimmers. Two small massage cabanas sit by the beach, and an on-site massage therapist provides services to guests.

The hotel’s main restaurant, El Faison, is situated off the lobby, overlooking the Quiet Pool. It's open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with dinner buffets during the week serving a variety of cuisines, including Asian, Mexican, Italian, and barbecue. There's also a popular Sunday brunch spread.

Cancun Bay also has a variety of daily activities including water aerobics, pool volleyball, trivia, bingo, Pilates, and salsa lessons. They also have evening activities some nights each week, such as lobby games and karaoke. And a small deli/snack shop next to the reception desk that is open 24 hours. The shop has toiletries, cold drinks, and packaged food and snacks.

The resort offers a meal plan with just breakfast included, as well as an all-inclusive option with breakfast, lunch, dinner, and open bar. (There's no room service.) It’s important to note that the menu at Pina Colada, the smaller poolside restaurant, is limited and serves mostly bar snacks. For meals, there’s only one main restaurant. Flamingo Cancun Resort, a similarly priced hotel that’s more centrally located on the strip, offers an all-inclusive plan and has two large restaurants.