Cancun Hotels Provide Mid-Range Options

Jul 22, 2013

The new Aloft Cancun has a hip vibe and is close to attractions. // © 2013 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc 3

Tourism officials are quick to tout Cancun’s increasingly upscale hotel offerings and its ample array of all-inclusive options. But in recent years, a growing number of mid-scale chains with highly recognizable names have also debuted in Mexico’s biggest tourism hot spot, bringing with them opportunities to sell the destination in new ways.

These mid-price properties offer many advantages, including attractive prices and amenities that often include free breakfast, free in-room Wi-Fi and loyalty reward program benefits with big hoteliers such as InterContinental Hotel Group, Marriott International and Starwood. These hotels also provide brand recognition that can help some clients feel more secure about their vacation or business travel choice.

These types of hotels are located in various parts of Cancun, making it easier to find the ideal fit for each traveler. The newest property in the category is Aloft Cancun, which opened this year in the Hotel Zone and is close to Playa Marlin beach, multiple shopping centers and the Cancun Center convention facility. Part of Starwood’s W-inspired Aloft brand, the 177-room hotel exudes a hip, social ambience, with contemporary decor. Free Wi-Fi access is available throughout the property, and in-room 42-inch flat-screen televisions, a rooftop pool, a cafe, a gym and 6,500 square feet of event space round out the offerings. Prices start as low as $89 per night.

Also in the Hotel Zone — although a bit off the main strip — is the Holiday Inn Express Cancun Zona Hotelera. Guests here enjoy the use of free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour business center, complimentary coffee 24 hours a day in the lobby and a free daily buffet breakfast. The hotel is not on the beach, but there is a swimming pool, and clients who prefer a quiet residential neighborhood and proximity to the Pok-ta-Pok golf course — as well as room rates that start as low as $87 per night — may find this a viable option.

Clients looking to avoid a lengthy, pricey airport transfer should consider the Courtyard Cancun, a Courtyard by Marriott property that’s one of the closest hotels to Cancun International Airport. A free shuttle service whisks guests to and from the airport as well as to the beach, while a swimming pool, 24-hour gym, a restaurant, a business center and free property-wide Wi-Fi access keeps visitors occupied on site. Each room is equipped with a 32-inch LCD television, an iPod docking station, a laptop-sized safe and a coffeemaker. Prices start at around $100 per night.

Downtown Cancun also offers multiple brand-name options. The 137-room La Quinta Inn & Suites Cancun, located on bustling Avenida Tulum, is close to the Malecon Americas shopping mall. Rooms feature 32-inch LCD televisions, iPod-ready alarm clock radios, free Wi-Fi access, free newspaper delivery and free local calls. Breakfast — which features seasonal fruit, cereals, juices, sweet bread, eggs and chilaquiles — is also included, as is access to a fitness center, an outdoor pool and a 24-hour business center. Prices start at about $87 per night.

Also close to downtown is the 152-room Fiesta Inn Cancun Las Americas, which belongs to Grupo Posadas, the company that also owns the Fiesta Americana and Live Aqua brands. The property is a perfect example of Fiesta Inn’s recent brand-wide revamp, with smart, contemporary decor and amenities. Guests here can use free Wi-Fi and a rooftop pool with impressive views (although unlike most hotels in this category, there is a charge for parking). Shopping enthusiasts might appreciate the Fiesta Inn’s location, adjacent to Plaza Las Americas shopping mall with 234 stores, while business travelers can make use of the extensive meeting space that accommodates 300 people. Prices start at about $137 per night.