The Royal in Cancun Rating: 4.5 Pearls

Hotel Zone, Cancun

Photos shot on location by an Oyster.com Hotel Investigator—so what you see is what you'll get.

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Pool at The Royal in Cancun

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Oyster Hotel Photos

Amenities
76 Photos

Beach
20 Photos

Pool
40 Photos

Presidential Suite
68 Photos

Restaurants and Bars
76 Photos

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Oyster Hotel Review

 Location

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The Royal in Cancun is located in the heart of the Hotel Zone, a 23-minute drive to the airport. It is a great spot for those who want a beautiful, half-empty beach -- restaurants (aside from U.S. chains like Chili's and Outback Steakhouse), shops, and the tourist-oriented Cancun nightlife are a quick drive to the north.

The Zona Hotelera (or Hotel Zone) is the megaresort, mega-mall area in La Isla Cancun that caters to mass tourism. The nightlife is one of its main draws, as are its shops and restaurants -- but there's little of Cancun's original flavor here. To get a hint of what that is, you'll have to take a cab to Ciudad Cancun, the real downtown, where smaller, better restaurants, local shops, and quieter bars are located.

• 23-minute drive to the airport
• 18-minute drive to downtown Cancun (Ciudad Cancun)
• 40-minute drive to snorkeling and quiet beaches in Puerto Morelos
• 1-hour drive to Playa del Carmen, a laid-back and bustling town with great shopping, and a well-heeled crowd
• 1-hour-45-minute drive to the Mayan ruins at Tulum

 Bottom Line

The appearance of the 288-room adults-only Royal in Cancun goes against the often bad reputation all-inclusives have gained. Suites appear updated and buck traditional room layouts with a centrally located bed and spacious balcony (some are even swim-out). The bathrooms boast massive walk-in showers and Jacuzzi tubs with a killer view. The quality of the food is surprisingly good and varied, including the convenient 24-hour VIP lounge. But like many all-inclusive properties, basic amenities can get crowded fast: Expect to fight for chairs by the pool or for dinner reservations at a decent hour. The vibe is also slightly older, so young couples or spring breakers may want to consider staying elsewhere. And families, of course, steer clear (no guests under the age of 16 are allowed).

Oyster Awarded This Hotel

We've visited hundreds of hotels. We debated the pros and cons of every hotel and picked our favorites in a number of categories. Here's how this one stands out:

• Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Cancun