Hotel Review: Ventus Ha' at Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort

During all my visits to Mexico, I’d never before received a pair of binoculars when checking into an all-inclusive resort.

But that changed during my latest trip, when I arrived at Ventus Ha’ at Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort. It was a telling sign of how this beautiful new property blends the luxury hotel experience with opportunities to connect with nature.

Opened in late 2021 as the newest component of the Marina El Cid complex in Puerto Morelos, near Cancun, Ventus Ha’ is not your ordinary all-inclusive resort. With its decidedly stylish contemporary design and lush setting, the property was designed to showcase the natural beauty of the Mexican Caribbean while also indulging guests with attentive service, excellent cuisine and a refined atmosphere.

The hotel design makes generous use of locally harvested Tzalam wood and the comfortably elegant furnishings are complemented by large, artsy photos throughout the property that highlight the region’s flora and fauna (and I was thrilled to put the binoculars to good use while admiring a variety of bird species on the property).

While the new hotel sits across the street from both the Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort and Ventus at Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort — and offers full access to the amenities at both properties — Ventus Ha’ has its own unique ambiance, with a lower room count, an especially peaceful setting and a nature-focused contemporary design sense that fits well with its surroundings. It’s a tranquil oasis for those who want access to the amenities of a large-scale resort but prefer a smaller, more secluded setting.

Winding paths guide guests through lushly landscaped grounds, and the expansive pool and large Jacuzzi were never crowded during my visit. Even the well-equipped fitness center takes advantage of its scenic location, with large, floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook a verdant patch of mangroves.

Amenities at Ventus Ha’

I stayed in the Junior Suite Platinum category of accommodations, which features a spacious room with a gloriously comfortable king-size bed; the sleeping experience can be customized by choosing from the extensive pillow and aromatherapy menus. The beautiful wood ceiling fan and large balcony, furnished with chairs and a hammock, were other elements that I especially appreciated. I was also impressed with the personalized service offered by my “mayordomo” (butler); he inquired about my drink preferences and stocked the minifridge accordingly.

The Platinum-level room categories offer additional benefits, including a separate check-in lounge and access to Platinum lounges at all three properties in the El Cid complex, where guests can enjoy refreshments and light snacks not available elsewhere.

Sophisticated dining is another selling point at Ventus Ha’. I savored perfectly prepared duck enchiladas at A’akat, an upscale restaurant that specializes in fire-roasted dishes, followed by drinks and live music from talented performers at Waves, a bar next to the lobby. At Kobo, I dug into delectable Asian cuisine during a lively 80-minute Teppanyaki food presentation.

Among the most memorable — and Instagrammable — experiences during my visit took place at Ruf, the adults-only rooftop pool and bar, which is perfectly positioned to take in the Mexican Caribbean’s legendary sunsets. The uniquely creative cocktail menu there can’t be found anywhere else at the resort.

Resort-Wide Benefits

The opening of Ventus Ha’ expands the overall offerings of the Marina El Cid complex, since guests at all three hotels have access to all amenities and activities. That allows for lots of variety when it comes to dining, drinking and entertainment.

Even the pool settings are different at each hotel. Live music and entertainment fuel the poolside vibe at Hotel Marina El Cid, for example, while at Ventus it’s a bit more relaxed, and there is an adults-only pool area on the beach. Ventus Ha’ is quieter still, with an expansive, family-friendly main pool and an adults-only rooftop pool and bar. Families can also make use of the free children’s club, for ages 4 to 12, and the teens’ club, for ages 13 to 17.

As a grownup, of course, I was more interested in making an appointment at El Cocay Spa, which offers a variety of indulgent treatments and therapies that can take place indoors or in picturesque beachfront cabanas. The facility is in the process of adding new outdoor cabanas among the lush vegetation.

Guests at Ventus Ha’ can make their vacation experience as lively or peaceful as they like; entertainment takes place daily, and I enjoyed witnessing the talents of musicians, fire dancers and circus-style performers, to name a few.

I also enjoyed the cuisine at the restaurants located at Ventus, including the diverse flavors at Mercado de Dolores, which combines an international street food/buffet vibe with modern flair, and Ile de France, an elegant French venue.

At Marina El Cid, noteworthy dining options include La Alhambra, a casual international buffet; Hacienda Arrecife, the go-to place for Mexican specialties; Trattoria di Gulio, which blends Caribbean and Italian flavors; and La Marina, which serves gourmet seafood beneath a giant palapa with Caribbean views.

Heading back to my handsomely furnished room at Ventus Ha’ after an evening of live entertainment and fine dining felt like entering my own private retreat. And that’s a lovely way to end a day in the Mexican Caribbean. 

The Details
Ventus Ha’ at Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort