In many destinations it’s a big deal when one new hotel opens; in Cancun, it’s not uncommon to see up to a dozen resorts opening their doors each year — and that’s not even counting the rest of the Riviera Maya. Literally dozens of new hotels have popped up in Cancun, neighboring Costa Mujeres, and the emerging Riviera Cancun in the last few years; these are our favorites. Here are the best new resorts in Cancun, all of which have opened
The first Waldorf Astoria resort in Cancun opened in 2022; part of the Hilton family, the property blends luxury all-inclusive service and amenities with the intimacy of a boutique hotel; all 173 guest rooms and suites feature balconies with soaking tubs.
The former Ritz-Carlton Cancun is now the Kempinski Hotel Cancun, featuring five-star accommodations and service in the heart of the Hotel Zone with 363 rooms and suites, a half-dozen restaurants and bars, a Kayanta spa, and amenities that include tennis, pickle ball, and a kids’ club.
The Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun
Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, this luxury all-inclusive resort debuted in 2022 with more than 1,000 guest rooms on a stretch of Puerto Morelos beachfront, about 35 miles south of the Hotel Zone in the booming resort area known as the Riviera Cancun.
The Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort
Set next door to the Waldorf Astoria and fringed by a mangrove preserve, this 715-room resort has a dozen restaurants, a water park, kids’ clubs, a spa, and extensive meeting and event space. Like the Waldorf, it’s located on the beach in the Riviera Cancun resort area south of the city of Cancun.
This Palace Hotels and Resorts all-inclusive resort debuted in late 2022 with 291 guest suites on 70 beachfront acres in Puerto Morelos, part of the booming new Riviera Cancun resort area south of Cancun and north of Playa del Carmen. The adults-only resort is a World of Hyatt affiliate.
Garza Blanca Resort and Spa Cancun
The expansive Imagine Spa, butler service, interactive kids club and dramatic, adults-only infinity pool and rooftop bar highlight this new 452-suite resort in Playa Mujeres that opened in spring of 2022. It’s part of Mexico’s homegrown TAFER resort chain.
Easily recognized by its Splash Water World waterpark, this Riu Resorts property debuted in Playa Mujeres just north of Cancun in 2022; the Riu Latino may look like a family resort but in fact is for adults only. The 550-room all-inclusive has multiple dining options, a spa, and access to the amenities at the neighboring Riu Dunamar, including a series of themed dance parties.
Opened along with the sister Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen in late 2021, this 458-room resort in the Cancun Hotel Zone appeals to families with amenities like mini golf, a pirate-themed splash park, kids clubs, and all-inclusive dining with multiple restaurant options that include a candy shop and a hot dog cart.
Named for an ancient Mayan god, this adults-only 400-plus room resort in Cancun’s Hotel Zone is Riu’s newest all-inclusive property in the Mexican Riviera and includes Elite Club by Riu, the Spanish hotelier’s new premium resort-within-a-resort concept.
The Posadas resort chain opened the all-inclusive Live AquaBeach Resort Cancun side-by-side with its Grand Fiesta Americana resort in the Hotel Zone in 2021; the 452-room Live Aqua is an adults-only resort that shares a whopping 19 restaurants and bars with its sister property.
Dreams Sapphire Resort and Spa
This World of Hyatt affiliated resort near Puerto Moreloshas a Pevonia spa for adults and an Explorer’s Club and a waterpark with a trio of waterslides for kids. In addition to water sports and on-site activities like tennis and beach soccer, access to golf on a pair of nearby courses is available.
Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort
Formerly the Royal Uno All-Inclusive Resort and Spa, this 540-room resort set between the Caribbean Sea and Cancun’s Nichupte Lagoon was recently added to Hilton’s growing collection of all-inclusive properties. The Royal Uno itself only opened in 2022, so guests will enjoy freshly designed and locally inspired accommodations and state-of-the-art facilities.