A family-friendly, ocean front, all-inclusive resort, just 15 miles from the Cancun airport.

It can be extremely tough narrowing down your choices when it comes to a resort for your vacation. You read and research, and sometimes it doesn’t make it any easier. I hope to help with that! I travel throughout the year to resorts to give real life reviews, this way I can help you decide if the resort is perfect for you.

So, let’s get to it. Is the Hilton Cancun the right resort for you?

ABOUT THE RESORT

The Hilton Cancun is a quick 15 minute drive from the Cancun airport. It’s nestled deep into a mangrove forest preserve. The hotel boasts a little over 700 rooms, with some options being suites. The resort features 12 all-inclusive dining options, 2 infinity pools, a splash pad and slides, several bars, a health club, kids and teen clubs, as well as an ice cream and churro shop.

CHECK-IN

It was about 2 PM when I arrived at the resort, and I am used to being welcomed with a welcome drink and a cool towel. Unfortunately, neither were offered. Now, maybe I arrived at the wrong time, and they just weren’t prepared. Of course, I could easily walk to the lobby bar, so not a huge deal, just a little something I took note of.

Other than that, check-in was pretty quick, and my room was ready upon arrival, and that’s always nice! The lobby is absolutely stunning, and I love the large bar there! I spent countless hours there working during the day time.

THE ROOMS

For starters, I love the minimalistic style of the rooms. It felt very modern, with warm touches from the wood. While the hallways walking to the rooms feels very “hotelish” (Is that a word? It is now.), the rooms themselves very much felt more upscale than your typical Hilton or other hotel chain.

The rooms are spread between two connected wings, each with it’s own pool area. The wing in front of the kids’ pool area could potentially be a bit noisier than the other wing. I was in the wing behind the adult’s pool area, and it was nice and quiet. There are multiple room categories from tropical view, to ocean view, to swim-ups.

To me, unless budget just absolutely does not allow, you should always opt for at least ocean view. You’ve flown all this way to get to the ocean, you need to be able to wake up and have your morning coffee overlooking it. The regular rooms looked great, but if you’re traveling with older kiddos or anyone other than your significant other, I would opt for a suite. The main reason for saying that is the restroom area in the regular rooms are only separated from the sleeping area by a glass wall. Now the shower and toilet have their own area with frosted glass doors that do offer more privacy. However, if you’re in the company of others, you would need to change in the actual shower for any type of privacy.

The bed was super comfortable and the room was spotless. All rooms have a closet, safe, robes, a blow dryer, and restroom amenities. They also all have a mini-bar with different sodas, beers, peanuts, potato chips and a few other snacks. This is, of course, all included at no extra charge.

AMENITIES

Let’s talk about the pools. On each wing of the resort you’ll find an infinity pool, they look almost exactly the same. However, one that is next to the slides, splash pad and kids club seemed to attract more families. While the other infinity pool seems to attract more adults. With that said, kids are free to enjoy either pool, the resort does not have an “adults’ only pool”.

I never had a single issue finding a pool chair. As a matter of fact, even the day I didn’t arrive at the pool until after 2, I was still able to find one easily. I did notice there weren’t any cabanas, not even for an extra fee. Maybe in time they will bring these in.

There is a kids’ club with a ton of fun activities throughout the day. There was also a club for teens ages 13-17 with sports activities and things that are more teen designed.

The beach is very thin…let me explain that because my husband didn’t understand the term. The beach is very long, but it’s a “deep” beach area. You don’t have a huge, expansive beach to lay out on. It is very important to note that this resort is hit very hard during Sargassum season (April- September). I visited in January and there was just a little, but by June it will be overrun.

The gym was a bit small for a 700+ plus room resort, but it had everything one would need for a quick workout to get your heart rate up. There were a few fitness classes, but again, not many.

The resort does have nightly shows, but other than performances geared towards kids and families, there isn’t much at all for adults. There is no night club or even a dj playing music in the lobby. The entire resort shut down very early.

Lastly, the Hilton doesn’t have a spa on site, however, guests do have access to the spa at the connecting Waldorf Astoria, and it is stunning.

FOOD AND DRINKS

With 12 different dining options, there is something for everyone. All food and drinks are included with your stay, as this is a true all-inclusive resort. Most options do require a reservation which can be made the day of via the app. If you can’t get reservations, it’s always worth going up when you’re ready to eat and see if they can squeeze you in. They can almost always fit you in.

I would say the food and drink quality is a bit above average for all-inclusive resorts. I can say I have had better, and I’ve definitely had worse. Nothing stuck out as mind blowing, but I was also not disappointed in anything I either.

I did love that availability of bars. I also enjoyed their margaritas with a Tajín rim. I truly believe resorts that offer Tajín are superior to those that do not. They did have higher end alcohol which was nice. I had multiple Grey Goose sodas.

SERVICE

Hilton is new to the all-inclusive world, and I do believe their service could be a bit better. At least at Hilton Cancun. Again, it’s nitpicky, but not having someone greet me upon check-in with a drink and cool towel was a bit disheartening. Also, no one escorted me to the check-in area, which sounds so whiney, but I’m giving an honest review. My first day at the pool, not a single server helped me. After 45 minutes in a pool chair, I had to go and find a drink myself. I was a little put off by this.

However, the longer I stayed the better the service got. By the end of my stay, I was very happy with the service provided. I will also say, the staff was very friendly and always had a smile.

SO, WHO IS THIS RESORT FOR?

This resort would be perfect for someone with smaller kiddos that wants a quick 2-3 day stay in Cancun and doesn’t want to travel far. I told my husband, I would come back for a quick weekend getaway with our 13 month old. It’s very kid friendly, and with the resort having a smaller setup, you’re not having to walk miles and miles to get back to the room for a little one’s nap time.
It would be great for someone that needs a quick option near the Cancun airport. If potentially your flight was cancelled, or you have an early morning flight, this would be the perfect option for a quick overnight stay close to the airport.
This would be GREAT for a company retreat! Transfers in and out for groups would be quick and easy. You could have meetings in the convention center, and everyone would truly have a good time and be well taken care of.
This would be the perfect choice for someone that wants to escape reality and simply lounge by the pool with a great book and unlimited alcohol.
This resort would be perfect for South Asian and Indian DestinationWeddings, as the amphitheater and convention center would be an absolutely perfect wedding venue for the ceremony.
Rates at Hilton Cancun are on the lower end, so it is very budget friendly. This would be a great resort for guests wanting to get away, but do not want to break the bank.

WHO IS THIS RESORT NOT FOR?

This resort is not for someone that wants a huge beach with lots of water sports and activities like beach volleyball. You will simply not find that here. As stated before, this resort is hit very, very hard during sargassum season. Meaning you will not be able to enjoy the ocean during that time. If you are a beach person, this might not be the perfect choice for you.
It’s not for someone that HAS TO HAVE a swim-up bar, you will also not find that at this resort. There are plenty of bars, and there are bars very close to the pool, but you will not find a true swim-up bar here.
It’s not for guests that prefer a high energy resort. The resort closes down pretty early. There isn’t any live music or DJs playing at the pool.
Hilton Cancun is not for foodies, which can be said for many all-inclusive resorts. Again, the food was not bad, it was great for the price you pay for this all-inclusive, however, it’s not for foodies.