One of the first things you might notice upon entering The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun is the chandelier in the lobby bar. The giant glass structure is a brilliant confection of artistic flourishes that creatively represent a coral reef, complete with shimmering glass jellyfish. And it’s just one very visual example of the elegant style that characterizes the all-inclusive property in Mexico.
Reopened in 2017 following a massive upgrade and expansion, The Grand is the most upscale hotel at the Moon Palace Cancun complex, and it’s an ideal complement to the neighboring Sunrise and Nizuc properties.
But The Grand is noteworthy for more than its posh-yet-family-friendly ambiance; it also has a number of noteworthy amenities that are uncommon among all-inclusive resorts. During my recent visit, I discovered what makes this Palace Resorts property not only upscale, but also unique.
In the dining category, for example, I savored gourmet cuisine at a variety of stylish a la carte restaurants, including Asian fare at Jade and traditional Mexican dishes at Cielito Lindo. But my one-of-a-kind culinary experience happened at Habibi, an elegant venue that was the setting for my first Lebanese meal in a Mexican all-inclusive restaurant. Indeed, there’s lots of diversity at The Grand, with tasty options that range from Peruvian at Cusco to French at Le Chateau and prime cuts of beef at JC Steak House. My personal favorite 24-hour go-to place, meanwhile, was Boulangerie, a lovely venue fashioned after a French cafe that serves coffee, snacks, pastries and other sweet treats.
The Grand also stands out for its range of activities. It is, in fact, the first and only resort I’ve visited in Mexico that has its own six-lane bowling alley. The Ninth Pin Bowling & Bar doubles as a sports bar, with modern decor and a casual vibe.
The Grand recently emerged from an expansive upgrade.
Credit: 2019 Palace ResortThe expansive waterpark is another strong selling point. Several other hotels have on-site waterparks, to be sure, but The Grand is so large that it has multiple slides, a lazy river and even a wave pool, as well as a large adjacent children’s activity building. The facility’s name, The Playroom, really doesn’t do it justice; it’s much larger than one room, and it offers everything from video games to bumper cars — yet another amenity most hotels don’t have.
Another praise-worthy on-property feature: Each of The Grand’s nine outdoor pools has its own vibe. For example, there’s a family pool for parents and children; a wellness pool with activities such as aqua spinning and aerobics; and a fun and sports pool that hosts fast-paced games like water volleyball and spike ball. And for a hip, adults-only vibe, guests can grab a cocktail at Unique Day Club, which features a curved pool and lots of daybeds.
The beautiful, 76,000-square-foot Awe Spa is yet another draw for the grown-ups; its rejuvenating hydrotherapy program makes good use of the large indoor pool, which is soothingly illuminated.
After dark, clients can enjoy nightly entertainment programs, or go dancing at the two on-site nightclubs, Unique and Noir. Free shuttle service also links guests at The Grand with activities and restaurants at the other Moon Palace properties, as well as a nearby golf course.
But even with so many tempting distractions, vacationers will surely want to make time to just relax in the spacious and tastefully decorated guestrooms; my swim-up suite featured a glorious, two-person Jacuzzi with a pool view.
The Details
The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun
thegrand.moonpalace.com
