Beach Palace

The Beach Palace is one of the more polished all-inclusive resorts in Cancun. It's a family-friendly property located in the heart of the Hotel Zone of Cancun, with a white-sand beach, tranquil sunrises, and a massive crescent pool that has its own stage for entertainment and movie nights. While the style here certainly doesn't live up to the luxury status that the hotel claims, everything is pleasant and beachy, with a touch of class. Expect to see plenty stonework and ceramic tile weaved in with vibrant details and lots of light colors. The lobby is a spacious affair, meant mostly for checking in and moving on to the rest of the resort. Decor includes marble flooring, brilliant red faux-leather sofas, along with bright large-scale abstract artwork on the walls. It's a fresh, mostly modern look that sets the tone for the rest of a stay here. We did spot some wear, particularly around the rooftop pools, but everything else is largely in good shape and manages to draw plenty of happy repeat guests. Along with the beach, these areas make up the main social hub at the resort, and a constant array of entertainment means that there's never a dull moment at the hotel. Expect a little bit of noise throughout -- while this is a kid-friendly resort, things can get a bit rowdy during high season. 

Set directly in the middle of Cancun's Hotel Zone, this hotel is surrounded by all manner of other large-scale properties. There are two malls with several recognizable chain restaurants and shops just over five minutes away on foot in either direction. The Acuario Interactivo -- where travelers can experience marine life up close -- is also just a five-minute walk away. The beach is the star of the show here, though it's not private and guests should expect to see lots of vendors as well as vacationing tourists. Downtown is about 20 to 25 minutes away by bus or taxi depending on traffic; buses can be found on the main avenue in front of the resort. It's almost two hours by road to Tulum and just over two hours to Chichen Itza for those looking to experience some of the most spectacular historical sights on the Yucatan. Getting in and out of Cancun by air is relatively easy, and the airport is only 25 minutes away by car.

While the rooms here aren't the epitome of style, for the most part they are modern and fresh, with an abundance of light decor that looks appropriate for the hotel's beachside setting. Expect to see plenty of blonde wood furniture and accents alongside soft green hues and plenty of inoffensive earth tones. Chrome fixtures and frames all feel classy, though some details do look a bit dated, including pink marble accents and tropical wall art that looks lifted from a child's bedroom. Still, the ultimate effect is upscale and put-together, making this a fine place to bed down right next to the sea.Standard amenities and services include turndown service, pillow menus, minibars, coffeemakers, and wine upon arrival. There’s also a liquor dispenser with higher-end labels, and upper-tier rooms feature Lavazza coffeemakers. When it comes to technology, the rooms are pretty well set-up. Features include iPod docks, game consoles in the Family Rooms, flat-screen Smart TVs in the bulk of the rooms, with Apple TVs in the Concierge Level, Ambassador, and Presidential Suites. Family Rooms include beach toys and arm floats, plus juices and milk in the fridge. Safes with space for laptops are also offered. Wi-Fi is included and works well, and unlimited international calls are part of the rates. Balconies look out onto either the sea or the resort and come with seating like day beds and cafe chairs.The marble bathrooms are generally a step above much of the area competition, with handsome vessel sinks, a good amount of counter space, and separate showers and whirlpool tubs built for two. Some of the choices in marble don't appear exactly chic, but it still makes a nice impression. Chi and Lavarino bath products are standard throughout, along with Chi flat-irons and hair dryers. 

Of course, almost without questions, the beach is the main draw at this hotel. It’s a wide-open stretch of white sand with meticulously-aligned loungers and beach beds. Drink and food service is available right on the beach. For other chances to get wet, the hotel has three ocean-facing pools. There are two rooftop pools, both of which have a more adult-friendly vibe. The primary crescent-shaped pool stretches across the central part of the resort, and there's a children's pool with a waterslide and attached kids' club (video games and other entertainment is available for kids and teens). The main pool is where much of the hotel's activity take place, as there's a nearby stage that hosts live entertainment and the hotel's movie nights. It's worth noting that not all of the live shows get the best reviews from past guests. The hotel's fitness center is a little underwhelming given the size of the resort -- there's just a handful of cardio equipment, a small set of dumbbells, and a universal machine. The Awe Spa embodies the same crisp design found elsewhere at the resort, and there are two fish foot massage stations plus a steam room, sauna, and salons for individuals or couples to indulge in a variety of treatments. Other activities include Spanish classes, dance lessons, and a variety of tours and excursions that can be arranged.There's an abundance of event space available at the hotel, including the rooftop, open-air venue with its attractive Mayan-inspired flooring as well as a convention center, which can accommodate up to 450 guests. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and works well.

There are a good number of restaurants and bars on-site to keep guests happy, and most are well-liked. The all-inclusive plan covers all food and drink, including top-shelf liquors (though there are upcharges for premium wines and the like). The Tequila Restaurant focuses on Mexican and international buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while Bocelli serves Italian and Mediterranean dishes for dinner only. Asian dishes are available at Wok for dinner, and La Terraza offers wood-fired pizzas for lunch and a la carte cuts of meat for dinner. Various snack bars, coffee bars, and proper bars are peppered throughout the resort as well. It's worth noting that none of the restaurants require reservations, making it easy to pick and choose a meal on an whim. Room service is also available around the clock.