When InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort first opened its doors in 1975 as Presidente Stouffer, it was only the second resort-style property in what would become Mexico’s biggest tourism destination.
But in 2014, an extensive renovation brought the upscale hotel firmly into the 21st century, with fresh decor, additional amenities and services and several stylish, newly built guestrooms.
The 300-room property, located in Cancun’s hotel zone, closed for three months during the renovation period. The hotel now features handsome, contemporary decor and lots of natural wood.
Among other eye-catching changes at the hotel is the addition of nine new guestrooms and suites; five of these rooms are part of a brand-new accommodation category called Club Ocean View.
I was able to enjoy one of the new Club Ocean View rooms during my stay, and I found it to be both expansive and elegant. I was delighted by the glorious open-air shower — a feature in all of the newly built rooms and suites — which makes it easier to appreciate and experience Cancun’s year-round warm weather. Also inviting are the balconies that overlook the Caribbean Sea, which are perfect for viewing the sunset.
Another good choice for travelers seeking extra amenities is the Executive room category, which offers free access to the property’s Club Lounge, where visitors can enjoy a free continental breakfast buffet, a selection of entrees, unlimited coffee and tea, two computers and access to a private oceanview terrace.
Several new and expanded features have also debuted at the upgraded InterContinental Presidente, including Ikal, an attractive spa that offers a full menu of treatments and services.
Access to the sizeable fitness center, which is open 24 hours per day, is part of the standard room rate.
Dining venues have also been upgraded, including Le Cap, a hip open-air restaurant that serves Mediterranean delicacies, and Cafe Urbano, a casual indoor eatery that brings a bit of air-conditioned urban chic to the dining experience. The recently renovated El Caribeno, set beneath a thatched-roof palapa, serves seafood and international cuisine for lunch and dinner.
Some aspects of InterContinental Presidente haven’t changed, though. The white-sand beach is still broad, and its location on the northern part of the hotel zone makes for generally calmer, shallower waters than many other beaches.
Another noteworthy aspect of this property: It’s not all-inclusive. While many travelers may associate Cancun with that popular pay-one-price format, InterContinental Presidente’s European plan actually makes it rather unique. As a result, the hotel is quieter, less crowded and free from distractions; it has none of the sometimes less-than-enticing nightly entertainment programs that are usually a staple of the country’s giant all-inclusive resorts.
The upgraded InterContinental Presidente is an ideal complement to another recently renovated property: the nearby InterContinental Presidente Cozumel Resort & Spa, which reopened in July 2016 with new decor, an infinity pool and a new restaurant. The hotels — which offer similar services to guests — could easily be marketed together since they’re only a 20-minute flight apart. Both properties provide guests with many opportunities to indulge in two beautiful destinations on Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
The Details
InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resortwww.ihg.com
