Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas Rating: 3.0 Pearls
Hotel Zone, Cancun

Hotel Website  |   (877) 834-3613
We investigate in person.
Like your mother-in-law.

Watch Video ›

Oyster Review Summary

Photos and Review by Oyster.com Investigators.

Pros

  • Spacious, clean rooms with private furnished balconies overlooking pool or beach
  • Suites available with sitting area and well-equipped kitchenettes
  • Flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi in rooms
  • Resort is close to buses that can take guests downtown
  • 2 outdoor pools
  • 3 restaurants -- a buffet, gourmet Italian, and oceanfront taqueria
  • 2 bars, with nightly entertainment like karaoke and bingo
  • Fitness center with a few treadmills, stationery bikes, and dumbbells
  • Good children's activities, including a kids' club with video and board games, movies, and pool activities
  • European plan and all-inclusive rates available
  • Guest laundry room

Cons

  • In an isolated area of the Hotel Zone, not close to shops or restaurants
  • Beach area has a lot of seaweed; not the best area for swimming
  • Plastic lounge chairs with no padding
  • Walls are thin and let in some neighboring noise
  • No Jacuzzi or swim-up bar

Bottom Line

The first thing potential guests should know about this mid-range, all-inclusive-optional Holiday Inn is that it's not in the heart of the Hotel Zone. It's actually located at the very northern end, and requires a bus or taxi ride to get to local shops and restaurants (at least there are bus stops right next to the hotel). The 214 rooms here are minimalistic -- all-white with pops of color (either blue, green, or red -- just one color) -- but clean and spacious, and have private balconies overlooking either the pool area or the ocean. The suites have well-equipped kitchenettes, which can come in handy for families who don't want to pay the all-inclusive rate. Standard resort amenities exist here -- two pools and a fitness center, though no full spa (just massages available) -- but the beach is full of seaweed, making swimming a less-than-pleasant experience. Still, this hotel is a good value, and families may especially enjoy it -- there are good kids' activities, and kids eat free in the three restaurants. Business travelers might also appreciate the free and reliable Wi-Fi.

Read Full Oyster Review

Oyster Hotel Photos

View All 10 Albums

Customers Who Viewed Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas Also Viewed

Temptation Resort Spa Cancun
20% viewed
Temptation Resort Spa Cancun
Hotel Zone, Cancun
Show Prices   $120/night and up
The Westin Resort & Spa Cancun
20% viewed
The Westin Resort & Spa Cancun
Hotel Zone, Cancun
Show Prices   $100/night and up
Mayafair Design Hotel
13% viewed
Mayafair Design Hotel
Hotel Zone, Cancun
Show Prices   $60/night and up
Holiday Inn Express Cancun Zona Hotelera
13% viewed
Holiday Inn Express Cancun Zona Hotelera
Hotel Zone, Cancun
Show Prices   $60/night and up

Oyster Hotel Review

 Location

At the northern end of the Hotel Zone, guests must take a bus (or taxi) to get to local restaurants and shops

The Holiday Inn is one of many all-inclusive resorts located in what is referred to as Cancun's Hotel Zone. While most resorts take up residence on the narrow stretch of land between the Nichupte Lagoon and Caribbean Sea, this hotel is situated at the very northern end, far from central restaurants and shops. The beach area here is also smaller than that at other resorts, and not the best spot for swimming due to an abundance of seaweed.

Buses that run round-the-clock are steps from the property, and can take guests to more central areas of the Hotel Zone (and better beaches). Business travelers might appreciate being closer to the mainland where the government buildings and corporate offices are located.

  • 31-minute drive to Cancun International Airport
  • 21-minute drive to downtown Cancun
  • 47-minute drive to Puerto Morelos, with quiet beaches and great snorkeling spots
  • 64-minute drive to Playa del Carmen, a laid-back and bustling town with great shopping, and a well-heeled crowd
  • 112-minute drive to Tulum ruins
  • 3-hour drive to Chichen Itza ruins

 Bottom Line

The first thing potential guests should know about this mid-range, all-inclusive-optional Holiday Inn is that it's not in the heart of the Hotel Zone. It's actually located at the very northern end, and requires a bus or taxi ride to get to local shops and restaurants (at least there are bus stops right next to the hotel). The 214 rooms here are minimalistic -- all-white with pops of color (either blue, green, or red -- just one color) -- but clean and spacious, and have private balconies overlooking either the pool area or the ocean. The suites have well-equipped kitchenettes, which can come in handy for families who don't want to pay the all-inclusive rate. Standard resort amenities exist here -- two pools and a fitness center, though no full spa (just massages available) -- but the beach is full of seaweed, making swimming a less-than-pleasant experience. Still, this hotel is a good value, and families may especially enjoy it -- there are good kids' activities, and kids eat free in the three restaurants. Business travelers might also appreciate the free and reliable Wi-Fi.

Things You Should Know About Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas

Address

  • Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 2.5, Cancun, Mexico 77500

Room Types

  • King Guest Room
  • Standard Guest Room
  • Two Doubles Guest Room

Lowest Prices for this Hotel

Check-in
Check-out
Adults
Starting at: $70

 Offers for This Hotel

$80 (Save 16%)
Special Rates at Beachfront Cancun Hotel Near Attractions Good until Dec 31, 2012 expedia.com

Nearby Hotels to Consider

Ocean Spa Hotel - All Inclusive
Temptation Resort Spa Cancun
Barcelo Costa Cancun - All-Inclusive
The Royal Cancun- Club Internacional de Cancun

All About Oyster

You Can't Return a Bad Vacation.

Our special investigators visit, photograph, review and rate each hotel. We uncover the truth, before it's "uh-oh" time.

Go undercover with an Oyster Investigator The Today Show
Go Undercover with an Oyster Investigator
See 47 Videos of Oyster on TV

Recently Viewed Hotels

Barcelo Costa Cancun - All-Inclusive
One Ski Hill Place, a RockResort
Mountain Thunder Lodge

Hotel Features

Number of Rooms: 209
Pool: Yes
Fitness Center: Yes
Internet Access: Yes
Pets Allowed: Yes
Cribs: Yes
Kids Club: Yes
View All

Hotel Information

Location: Hotel Zone, Cancun
Address: Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 2.5, Cancun, Mexico 77500
(See Map)
Loading
Loading...