On a promontory, surrounded on three sides by water in the heart of spring-break central, steps from Daddy O's night club and the overzealous Fiesta Americana Coral Beach, this upscale all-inclusive resort exhibits a blend of traditional Mayan and contemporary Mexican architecture. Renovated just a few years back, this place is holding up well. The Punta Cancun location is ideal. It doesn't get more central—offering placid but shallow beaches, proximity to shopping malls and Mayan ruins, and ocean views at every turn.
Guests arrive through an airy lobby with sitting areas, a lounge with live music and conversation-evoking artwork. Wireless Internet attracts travelers carrying laptops. This space is warm when the breeze falters. Five gift shops offer a variety of items, from sundries to silver.
Dining is varied here, and all venues take advantage of ocean sweeps. The beachfront Oceana provides live music during lunch and dinner, as does Paloma Bonita, which is next door, requires reservations and is not part of the all-inclusive. Himitsu features pan-Asian specialties including sushi. The World Cafe specializes in international dishes, Sea Side Grill offers grill specialties, and the poolside
Snack Shack offers snacks and cocktails during the day. The black-tie service is exceptional. Libations are available in each of the restaurants, as well as in five nicely located bars, including the Rendezvous and Azucar bars, both of which present live music. The latter also serves tapas and is an extremely popular salsa club (a dress code is enforced). Entrance to the club is included along with two drinks.
Though the hotel perches on a rocky peninsula awash in rough summer surf, the leeward side harbors a beach with shallow water and a watersports pier—a perfect place to learn sailboarding and kayaking. Guests can swim with mullets and the occasional turtle in the small sea-fed lagoon that laps the buildings. A whirlpool and a swim-up bar flank the large pool. A tennis court is lighted for night play, and the fitness center offers yoga lessons, bicycle tours and archery lessons.
This hotel boasts a unique dolphin complex, Delphinus Dreams Cancun. Through it, the resort offers a program in conjunction with the Via Delphi Institute that allows guests to swim with dolphins and learn about the creatures through educational programs.
Convention space can host 600 people, and a children's club provides supervised activities. The Internet can be accessed in the lobby, business center and accommodations, and guests have 15 minutes of free access each day.
A menu of treatments is available at the revamped spa, which houses massage rooms, a steam room and a beauty salon. A gazebo on the picturesque point is adaptable for weddings, yoga, massages and small gatherings.
Guest rooms and suites in the step-pyramid building are tastefully decorated. Standard rooms are on the small side, but all units display artistically realized contemporary decor that blends a pinch of local flavor with beach-modern accents. Suites include a spacious conversation area and dinette. All units afford water views (of either the sea or lagoon), and guests can relax and sun on the spacious terraces or balconies.
In the exclusive VIP Tower Club section, guests enjoy a private lounge area, evening cocktails and hor d'oeuvres, international newspapers and private concierge service. The corner junior suites are fitted with furnished 
balconies that include a private two-person whirlpool. Master suites add a large living room and dining room, as well as a private bedroom with a king bed, a large dressing room and a full bath with a second whirlpool. The presidential suite has a direct-access elevator, two bedrooms, and upgraded amenities and decor.
All accommodations have a safe, TV, minibar, hair dryer and complimentary wireless Internet access, and MP3 players and plasma-screen TVs are being added to all. Around-the-clock room service, turndown service and twice-daily maid service are standard. Three rooms are wheelchair-accessible. Pets are not permitted.
Attention to guests' needs has always been a strong point here. This hotel remains one of the best bets at the north end of hotel row, even though Le Blanc is a strong competitor in recreation, dining, accommodations and service. This is a great option for travelers seeking an upscale all-inclusive resort in the midst of the hotel zone and near the Convention Center.
