Melody Maker Cancun

Formerly the ME Cancun, the Melody Maker is a sleek all-inclusive resort with all the bells and whistles of comparable resorts in the area. Although the vibe is party-oriented, its entertainment program focuses on music, with DJ sessions on weekends, house beats around the pool, and an exclusive Day Club with cabanas and a whirlpool that even guests have to pay a cover to access. The atmosphere is lively but generally not rowdy, and although families are welcome, the lack of kid-friendly amenities means there’s rarely a kid splashing around in the pool and certainly no mini disco in the evening. While the Melody Maker is going for a somewhat different concept than its party-oriented neighbors, some past guests have complained that there’s little to do on-site when the sun sets, as there is no live music or shows in the evening.
The resort is impressive both inside and out. The lobby and the restaurants have a sleek design that combines dark hues on walls and floors with a variety of textures on furniture -- including leather, dark woods, marble, velvet, and satin -- and stylish ornaments throughout, such as glass bottles and bamboo canes. Rooms and common spaces have huge windows that make the most of the hotel’s privileged position, overlooking the Nichupte lagoon and the sunset on one side, and the Caribbean Sea on the other. The grounds, with a large central pool and private VIP section adjacent to the beach, are particularly appealing. There isn’t much greenery here, but the palapa roofs add charm, and the ample pools and gorgeous sea views don’t hurt either.

The hotel is located in Cancun's Hotel Zone, halfway up its renowned Kukulcan Boulevard -- a long stretch of road lined with numerous upscale resorts and separating the brackish Nichupté lagoon on one side from the stunning Caribbean Sea on the other. Although standing between similar high-rise buildings, the hotel is set on a particularly pristine piece of white, powder-sand beach that slopes gently into crystal-clear turquoise waters. La Isla Shopping Village, home to dozens of international boutiques, is just a 10-minute walk away, and Downtown Cancun's vibrant, if touristy, nightlife is 20 minutes away by cab. Cancun International Airport is about half an hour's drive away. Tourist attractions such as the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá and Tulum are within a couple hours’ drive.

The Melody Maker Cancun has 679 rooms that start at a spacious 400 square feet, plus all rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of either the sea or the lagoon and the sunset. Only some, however, have balconies. When the hotel changed hands in 2017 (it is now part of the Be Live brand), the new management swiftly redecorated some suites -- the ones now labeled Signature Icon and located on the top floors of the property -- but most have kept the original design from when the resort was the ME Cancun. Melody Maker Cancun Junior Suite options include oceanfront, ocean view, and sunset view rooms.
Decor is smart and modern, though marred by the odd sign of wear in entry-level units, with polished travertine floors, contemporary dark-wood furniture, and fabrics in plums, blues, and gold. The bedding looks a bit generic, with bed runners and skirts that would look at home in a chain hotel. New units have a more sophisticated design, complete with bold artwork over dark walls, brushed gold accents, plush rugs, velvet throw pillows and chairs, and soft lines throughout.
In-room tech is up-to-date, consisting of free Wi-Fi, smart TVs, and laptop-sized safes. Minibars are stocked with soft drinks and beers -- all free and replenished daily -- while branded liquors are available in all rooms for a fee. Bathrooms are clad in travertine stone in non-renovated units, and black stone in refurbished suites. All include walk-in rainfall showers and organic toiletries. Suites and villas feature either jetted tubs or big outdoor hot tubs. Melody Maker Swim-Out Beach Villas have private plunge pools with sea views.

The hotel’s main restaurant is the Social Buffet Marketplace, which offers a varied spread at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Additionally, there are two a la carte restaurants, both included in the standard rate. Talavera serves up tasty Mexican cuisine in a pleasant space with pool and beach views, while Botanico offers Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine for dinner. Drinks and small bites are available at the pool bar and the lounge, and espresso-based drinks and sweets can be purchased at Nespresso Coffeeshop. Delirio Beach House is located at the beach and is an extra charge, as is the sophisticated Champagne Bar, located in the VIP area.
A rooftop restaurant was being built at the time of writing.

Melody Maker is set on one of Cancun's most attractive and widest stretches of beaches, complete with its signature cool, powder-fine sand and stunning turquoise sea. Seaweed is regularly cleared. There are several rows of sun loungers and thatch umbrellas for general use, which can fill up fast in high season.
The resort’s large main swimming pool occupies most of the space between the hotel and the beach. It includes central water features -- hydro-massage jets and mini-waterfalls -- and semi-submerged loungers as well as a bar. The surrounding terraces provide plenty of daybeds as well as sun loungers from where guests can order food and drink. There is a separate adults-only area for guests staying in villas and Signature Icon Junior Suites, complete with hot tubs, and infinity pool, and panoramic sea views.
The Day Club also features a pool and a whirlpool as well as cabanas offering food and drink service -- though use of these incur an expensive day rate. Access to the Day Club requires the purchase of VIP bottle service on weekends, when DJs keep the atmosphere vibrant and fun.
The spa is a stylish space offering a number of treatment rooms, as well as saunas, steam baths, and a thermal circuit featuring indoor hydro-massage pool, sensation showers, and outdoor hydrotherapy pool with swan-neck water jets and views over the Caribbean. Day passes are available for guests staying in standard rooms; suite and villa guests get free access to the spa. The 24-hour gym is free and well-equipped, with a range of cardio and strength-training machines, plus a spinning studio and free morning yoga classes that take place at the beach a couple of times per week if the weather is nice.
 
The hotel accepts pets for a rather steep fee, and offers dog-sitting services for an extra charge. There is free parking on-site. The Melody Maker lacks a kids’ club, making it a better pick for couples and adult groups than families.