Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun

Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun pampers its guests from the moment they arrive, and it is this level of attention that separates it from its competitors. This is the type of place where guests can expect to be greeted with cold towels and coconut milk and have a butler unpack their clothes. At the pool, an attendant will provide bottled water in an ice bucket, and provide cucumbers and chilled towels for eyes. There are also free afternoon treats around the pool, such as popsicles or ceviche. The resort even has its own app, which guests can use to make spa or golf reservations, ask their butler to prepare a specific bath (such as one with cucumber and mint), select their in-room aromatherapy choice, or order their favorite pillows.

The gorgeous design lives up to the level of service. The building and most of the interiors are a chic, minimalistic white, and there are curved lines accenting the ceiling and the marble tile floor; the freeform pools continue these lines. There’s not a lot of vegetation, so don’t expect lush gardens. Palm trees do dot the grounds, and sculptural metal palm trees adorn the reflecting pool out front. Paths meander around between the various edges of the pools and the eateries with exterior access, eventually leading down to the flat, wide, sandy beach of the Hotel Zone of Cancun, stretching out for miles north and south of the resort.

The resort's vibe is relaxing and quiet. It's the type of place where couples listen to low-key music in the lobby bar in the evenings (such as violin or piano performances) -- not the type of place for hard boozing at the swim-up bar (though there are two). However, nightlife-oriented couples can head to the third-floor lounge for bands and disco in the evenings, or walk 15 minutes north to the clubs, such as the famous Coco Bongo.

All of this luxury, naturally, comes with a price. Though the all-inclusive offering is generous (even access to the spa's hydrotherapy pools, sauna, and steam room is included), there are some extra fees to be expected here. Those who want to up the romantic factor even more by reserving a beach cabana (these can go quickly), a private dinner on the beach, or a couples ‘massage can expect to pay a lot for the privilege. Spa treatments, golfing, and excursions are all extremely expensive -- though many packages include resort credits that help guests offset the costs.

Still, for many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and will be well worth it. Those who can't quite justify the cost, though, can find plenty of luxurious all-inclusive adults-only alternatives, such as the Hyatt Zilara and  Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun (though neither can compete with the level of service, and staff to guest ratio, here). Those with children may want to consider NIZUC Resort and Spa (which still has adults-only areas but is not all-inclusive) or the Hyatt Ziva Cancun.

Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun is in the heart of the Hotel Zone, about a 15-minute walk (or five-minute taxi ride) south of the convention center and nightclubs, such as popular Coco Bongo. It's a 15-minute walk north of the Flamingo Mall, which has money exchange, car rentals, and a number of shops. To the south of that (a half-hour walk from the resort, or five-minute taxi ride) is La Isla Shopping Village, offering souvenirs, a McDonald's, Starbucks, and an aquarium where visitors can swim with dolphins. For local restaurants, guests will have to head to downtown Cancun, Mexico, which is about 25 minutes away by bus or taxi; buses can be found on the main avenue in front of the resort. The Cancun International Airport is around a 30-minute drive away, depending on traffic.

Though guests may choose to stay on-site for their entire vacation, the hotel also can help arrange a number of excursions, such as to the Chichen Itza ruins or Tulum ruins.

Le Blanc Spa Resort rooms are contemporary and streamlined, with cream marble flooring, white walls and bedding, and chic silver fabric accents. There are dramatic floor-to-ceiling wooden headboards to warm up the feel a bit. Fresh fruit and flowers are nice touches, as is the bottle of red wine upon arrival. Standard amenities include free fully stocked minibars, liquor dispensers (with premium brands such as Bacardi, Absolut, and Johnnie Walker Black Label whisky), and LavAzza coffeemakers, plus turndown service includes homemade petit fours. On the technology front, there are iPod docking stations, flat-screen TVs with DVD players and Apple TVs (featuring iTunes and Netflix), digital safes with space for a laptop, and free Wi-Fi. The aromatherapy and pillow menus are luxurious extras.

Swish bathrooms are a highlight, featuring marble countertops and flooring, Bulgari toiletries, TVs built into the mirrors, bathrobes and slippers, garment steamers, and Chi hairdryers and flat irons. Rainfall showers are separate from the two-person whirlpool tubs that are either in the bathrooms or out in the main rooms overlooking the balconies. The bath can be prepared with customized bath salts and rose petals by the butler.

The 429-square-foot Royal Deluxe is the entry-level category, and it has a king-size or two double beds (the latter of which can fit four adults). Every other room type has a king-size bed and can fit two adults. In the Royal Deluxe category, resort, lagoon, and partial ocean views are available, while Royal Junior Suites are ocean-view, and Royal Honeymoon Suites are oceanfront. Around two-thirds of the room offer at least a partial ocean view. One of the only downsides of the rooms is that the Juliet-style balconies are little more than railings, with hardly room to stand, let alone sit.

There are three ADA-compliant rooms.

Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun’s beautiful beach is a wide stretch of white sand with meticulously aligned loungers and beach beds. (The beds must be reserved for a fee.) Waves here can be a little rough (typical for the area), and seaweed sometimes washes up, but the resort rakes the beach every morning with tractors. Though the beach is huge and half-empty, it is federal land and so isn't technically private. Guests will see locals wandering by from time to time as well as vendors occasionally coming up to try and sell things.

There are three outdoor swimming pools here: the main beachfront infinity pool (complete with swim-up bar and nearby hot tub), a smaller infinity pool above on the third floor (it's quiet, with spectacular views), and the lagoon-side pool, which has a swim-up bar and is where the activities take place (such as aqua spinning, water aerobics, and water polo). The spa, BlancSpa, is near this pool, as is a small gazebo where yoga classes take place. Cushioned loungers and daybeds surround the pools, and there's poolside food and drink service from attentive servers. Attendants will help set guests up with towels, chairs, umbrellas, and bottled water in ice buckets when they first arrive.

There are a fully equipped modern gym, outdoor equipment by the pool in front of the spa, and tons of daily fitness classes. Le Blanc’s Spa is a massive luxury spa with 19 treatment rooms, including three suites with hydro tubs, the signature Le Blanc D’Or Suite, a Vichy Suite, and 10 multifunctional suites. There are also free-to-use hydrotherapy facilities and a relaxation lounge, and even an ice room.

Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun weddings are popular and packages are available with lots of inclusions. Free honeymoon packages and free anniversary packages are also offered (terms apply).

Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun has excellent cuisine, especially for an all-inclusive resort. Plus, 24-hour room service is available for no additional fee. Blanc is the main restaurant, offering buffet spreads for breakfast and lunch; at night it transforms into an a la carte with steakhouse and Mexican options. There are also Italian and Asian options for a la carte dinners. Lumiere is the most formal fine-dining option on the property, with a focus on French fusion gourmet fare, and the option of seven-course tasting menus with wine pairing. Lumiere is the only restaurant that requires advance reservations, which your butler can help you arrange.

There are also a handful of bars, including a lobby bar (where live evening music is performed), two swim-up bars, the third-floor Cavo (with bands or DJs at night), and a beach bar. All food and drink are part of the room rate, including top-shelf liquor.