Four Points by Sheraton Cancun Centro

Four Points by Sheraton Cancun Centro is more modern and stylish than some may expect from the chain. It features only 112 rooms distributed in a five-story building, and a lobby with a classic-retro style. Located off of a major highway leading toward the airport, it is a common stopover for flight attendants and aircrews, but it also welcomes leisure and medical travelers, as it is attached to an upscale hospital. Next to the lobby there is a small restaurant with an outdoor terrace and avenue views. The lobby also provides access to the business center, a tour desk, elevators, and function rooms.

The hotel may feel pretty hectic during rush hours, and leisure travelers who want to stay closer to downtown might prefer the Ibis Cancun, which is attached to a small supermarket and is across from the city's largest mall. Budget travelers may prefer the One Cancun, located almost next door and offering a much cheaper stopover. However, for slightly longer stays the Four Points by Sheraton Cancun Centro may be the better bet.

The Four Points by Sheraton Cancun Centro is on Highway 307, about a 15-minute drive from the airport. Taxis are easy to come by but there is no easy access to public transport in the area. One street down the boulevard is an upscale residential avenue with a small plaza filled with fine restaurants and a Ferrari agency. Guests in good shape may walk to the city's largest shopping mall in about 20 minutes, but not many guests dare given the hot, humid tropical weather. Short taxi rides are inexpensive, but for longer commutes it might be better to rent a car. The hotel is connected to a brand-name hospital and there is also a Hospiten nearby. 

Well-known restaurants are also within a five-minute drive, including the upscale Bandoneon and the steakhouse Fonda Argentina. The sea is at least a 15-minute drive away, although reaching the best beaches takes about a half-hour. The hotel is convenient to some Riviera Maya attractions, including Puerto Morelos (30 minutes), Xoximilco theme park (15 minutes) and Crococun zoo (25 minutes). The Courtyard by Marriott Cancun Airport is even closer to the airport -- under a five-minute drive away -- and has similar rates and services. 

Rooms at the Four Points by Sheraton Cancun Centro are spacious for a mid-range chain hotel, measuring around 350 square feet. All rooms are modern, decorated in shades of brown and white, and feature tile floors and big windows (none have balconies). Deluxe Rooms feature lagoon views, but are otherwise the same as Standard Rooms (which have city views). All rooms have either one king-size bed or two double beds. Junior Suites include a living room area and jetted tubs in the bathroom, as well as separate walk-in showers, but they're significantly pricier. Bathrobes and slippers are standard amenities in the Junior Suites, but have to be requested for the Standard and Deluxe Rooms. Junior Suites can also be connected to up to two Standard Rooms.

All rooms feature modern, spacious bathrooms with walk-in rainfall showers, and a dispenser for shampoo and conditioner. Amenities include large TVs and iHome docks. A capsule coffee machine and a small minibar are also available, as is unlimited free water (four bottles upon arrival, and additional bottles on request). A modern digital system locks the door from inside and works as the Do Not Disturb sign; the room card has to be inserted to use electricity. A large desk features an Ethernet cable and electric plugs, and Wi-Fi is free. An ergonomic chair, a lounger with a laptop table, a full-sized mirror, and an oversized closet with an ironing kit and a laptop-sized safety box complete the offering. 

Four Points by Sheraton Cancun Centro’s most outstanding feature is its rooftop terrace with an infinity-edge swimming pool overlooking the lagoon, complete with lounge chairs, a few Bali beds, a massage fountain, and a bar. The pool has a special lift for guests with accessibility requirements, but its depth (3.5 feet) might not be suited to children. 

Near the pool there is an indoor, air conditioned fitness center open 24/7 with modern equipment, including two treadmills, two elliptical machines, two bicycles, a universal machine, and free weights. Most of the equipment features private screens with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. However, the floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic city views are probably the gym's best asset. Separate bathrooms feature steam rooms and lockers than can be used with a room key.

There are two conference rooms and a contemporary boardroom. Wi-Fi is free, fast, and reliable throughout the hotel. The business center is open 24/7, and has a PC and a Mac, both with free printing services. Next to the business center are a tour desk, and a beauty salon with spa services. Other small areas are available for rent and will probably offer additional outsourced services. 

As is typical for the Four Points chain, the hotel features a "Family Room," which is a lounge area adjoined to the lobby. This area features comfortable furniture, a few books, a TV room, and two additional computers for public use. An ATM is discretely located in a corner of the lobby, and ice machines are located inside dark, poorly signed rooms on each floor.

The restaurant is next to the lobby, and has limited seating for the hotel's size and no service for early birds. There are also more options nearby, including several specialty restaurants at a small shopping plaza along Bonampak Avenue (as the crow flies they are only 400 yards away, but there are no crosswalks immediately nearby to traverse the major highway). Service in the on-site restaurant is mostly a la carte, but sometimes a buffet breakfast is available, especially when large groups visit the property. This restaurant also has a spacious outdoor terrace that works great for smoking and car watching, as it is almost in front of the highway. 

Behind the front desk and the elevators is a sports bar with a good selection of international beers and several screens for sport events. It also has table games and a foosball table. An additional bar is located upstairs on the rooftop, next to the pool, but no wait staff service is available there.