White-sand beaches and an endless stretch of turquoise waters are what make Cancun a great destination. The Mexican city sits at the edge of the Yucatan peninsula and overlooks the gorgeous Caribbean Sea. Given that it’s Mexico’s most popular beach destinations, it’s no surprise that the city has something for everyone. Party monsters, beach bums, and even culture buffs have a lot to explore in the city. LGBTQ travelers also love Cancun as it’s amongst the 11 Most Welcoming Gay-Friendly Islands. Hence, you’ll also find some of the best gay friendly hotels in Cancun. With so many avenues for activities, exploration, and fun, it’s no wonder that Cancun is the perfect destination for your next family vacation as well. Cancun has a bevy of all-inclusive family hotels and resorts that have clubs for all of your toddlers and teenagers too!
They have everything right from specially-prepared kids menus to kids clubs that’ll occupy the children for hours. Plus, their rooms are the size that can house even a circus! Clearly, the best hotels for families in Cancun have all ingredients to make your family trip a memorable one. To that end, here are the best family hotels in Cancun.
Where to Stay in Cancun?
Cancun lies at the northern end of the Riviera Maya, the flashy and decadent beach resort district on the Mexican Yucatan peninsula. Basically, the city is divided into two sections – the Hotel Zone or the Isla Cancun and the Ciudad, which is its downtown area. Most of the amazing hotels and resorts for families lie in Isla Cancun due to all the space and the presence of Cancun beach. Interestingly, the beach resorts are also popular with gay travelers since Cancun Beach happens to be amongst the 12 Best Gay Beaches In The World. That said, it’s an almost 17 km long stretch! It begins in the north at Punta Cancun and ends at the Punta Nizuc in the south. So, each resort area is different from the other. On the other hand, if your family is more interested in exploring the many cultural attractions that Cancun has to offer, Ciudad makes for a better location.
Moon Palace Cancun
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It’s only fitting that we begin our list with one of the most popular resorts in the city, the Moon Palace Cancun. The luxurious, all-inclusive resort sits around 15 km south of the Punta Nizuc in the heart of the gorgeous Riviera Maya. In fact, the Moon Palace is also the largest Palace Resorts’ property in the world!
So, what does the resort have to keep your little and not-so-little ones engaged? To begin with, there’s the “Playroom,” which is the resort’s in-house kids club. It has fabulously decked-out rooms, all in different themes. If one room is an all-out pink explosion in the form of a beauty salon, another is a fashion runaway room for chic kids. There’s even an art room to bring out the creativity in your toddlers. Clearly, this place will keep your youngest ones entertained for hours on end. What’s more, the clubs also have a labyrinth, an outdoor playground, a mini-theater, and a mini racetrack. A snack bar onsite satisfies the regular hunger cravings that pop up.
In the end, the resort has a lot for the adults too. Take a break from looking after your kids at the state-of-the-art zen spa. You can even join one of the fabulous guided sightseeing tours the resort offers along with the family. Winding up the resort’s extra-curricular activities are the two lagoon adult pools and the kids’ pool. What’s more, you even have tons of accommodation choices at Moon Palace, including deluxe and family rooms and junior and swim-up suites. Moreover, all of them are lavishly equipped with mod-cons, private beachfront balconies, and lots and lots of space.
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun
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One of the best beach hotels in Cancun is also one of its most family-friendly ones. Welcome to the beachfront haven that is the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun. If you’re spa-obsessed or your children are pool junkies, you might have just found the perfect boarding for you. Located ideally in Punta Cancun, the resort faces what are the clearest and calmest waters in the city. A bonus perk is an ocean view from every room!
Stepping into the main lobby is entering a tropical world of its own. Think fresh flowers everywhere, vibrant, glass-stained ceilings, and lovely ocean views. The resort is a haven for children – and as a result, the parents. A kids’ club, kiddy pool, and a playground keep your tiny and older tots engaged for hours. Even dining here will keep your children entertained, for there’s a Mariachi band playing lively music as you tuck into food! When you want some time to yourself, lounge by the lagoon-style pool or enjoy a cocktail at the swim-up bar. When your kids are asleep, a great way to unwind would be the decadent Gem Spa and its lovely, soothing rituals. At the end of the day, a trip to the pristine beach is a great way to spend some time with the entire family.
The family will be thrilled by the rooms at the Grand Fiesta too, what with all the space and the gorgeous views. The upscale amenities and beautiful marble floors are an added perk. If you’re looking for something spacious, the Junior Suites with luxury bathrooms, roomy Master Suites, and living areas are perfect.
The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun
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The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun is an extension of the previously mentioned Moon Palace. Just like its sister resort, this magnificent hotel is a one-stop luxurious escape for the entire family. With a beachfront kids club and a whopping nine swimming pools for adults, you might just never want to leave this place.
Staying at The Grand actually gives your family access to three resort properties chock-full of entertainment and leisurely activities. The Grand has an excellent kids’ club with everything from neon mini-golf to mirror mazes and bumper cars. That’ll keep your tots and tweens occupied all day long. Furthermore, the property even has a water park with a wave pool, slides, and a lazy river for your entire family to enjoy. You can have your share of fun lounging by the pools and sipping on cocktails from the swim-up bars. A visit to the swish spa will take all your stress and tiredness away. To add to that, the resort also offers a bevy of lip-smacking cuisines from Lebanese to Italian.
What families love the most about this Cancun hotel is that even when it’s packed, you never have to fight for a place at the club or by the pool. In addition, the rooms at this resort are massive and have lots of space for your children to stretch their legs. Terraces with sea views, lavish bathrooms, and excellent service only add to the sumptuous experience.
Hard Rock Hotel Cancun
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There’s something about the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun that draws everyone to it. First of all, it sits smack dab in Isla Cancun and boasts swoon-worthy ocean views. Secondly, its infinity pool and swim-up bars are to die for. Plus, it’s also one of the best hotels in Cancun to party! Finally, the place could very well be the epitome of “family-friendly mega-resort” with not one, but two kids clubs!
The resort is peppered with nostalgia-inducing music memorabilia and rocker glitz. It’s a haven for music lovers with live band performances and guitar menus. It even allows you to form rock bands and perform songs live! Younger parents with children will particularly love the mash-up of a party atmosphere with quieter lounging areas. This includes everything from an infinity pool with swim-up bars to waterfalls with submerged loungers. Two great kids’ clubs, the Ultimate Playtime and the Hard Rock Roxity Club will keep children of all ages engaged as you unwind. Finally, the Rock Spa belies its name with a plethora of stress-melting treatments by the sea.
Rooms at the Hard Rock redefine “fun” with rock-n-roll style interiors. Moreover, all have balconies with Nichupte Lagoon or Caribbean Sea views that’ll have your kids oohing and aahing. High-tech mod-cons and plush open bathrooms in the expansive rooms make it an absolute dream to stay here with your family.
Panama Jack Resorts Cancun
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You don’t need to pay through the nose for luxurious fun in the city, as is evidenced by the Panama Jack Resorts. Located in the northern part of Isla Cancun, it’s one of the best-value hotels for families. It also happens to be one of the best hotels in Cancun. And not to mention, the gorgeous white sands of Playa Blanca lie right out front. So, indulging in some beach fun is the best way to end the day.
The resort focuses on fun for children in the form of two pools and a sprawling splash park called Camp Jack. It features everything from slides and even a pirate ship to evening entertainment in the form of magic shows and children’s movie screenings. There’s even a club called #Hashtag for teens and tweens to socialize over stuff like video game competitions. Still, there’s also lots of activities, and non-activities, as may be, for you – the adults. Think tequila volleyball, beach parties, and even cooking classes and wine-tasting sessions. If you’re looking to get some quiet, the spa with its host of treatments is the next best thing to utopia. An on-site water park and water activities are a great addition to the fun. However, an excellent family activity you can participate in is their summertime turtle-release program, where more than 10,000 sea turtle eggs are hatched.
Aside from its activities, accommodation at the Panama Jack is extra special. Besides lots of stunning modern family room choices, they all have terraces with hammocks with breathtaking views of the Caribbean.
Marriott Cancun Resort
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Royal blue and turquoise hues make for a wonderfully Mexican ambiance at the Marriott Cancun Resort. Nestled in the middle of Isla Cancun, the hotel sits on a palapa-dotted white sand beach that is perfect for lounging. The resort melds traditional European elegance with Mexican charm with chandeliers and an overall hacienda-inspired style. Palm trees and lush tropical garden areas dot the entire property, which makes for a lovely laidback ambiance.
What makes the resort excellent for families is the tons of avenues for fun for children. At the same time, the hotel doesn’t turn a blind eye to relaxation for you adults either. For instance, a small kids’ pool sits right next to the main swim-up bar pool. So, you can lounge by the pool sipping on margaritas while keeping an eye on your children at the same time. It even has a great kids club and even a hotel mascot called Pancho who dishes out hugs to kids and adults alike. While the little ones have their fun, you can book a massage at the spa at the indulgent beachside massage cabins. Last but not least, tuck into excellent Argentinian, Caribbean, Thai, or American fare at its many restaurants, which are some of the city’s very best.
Rooms at the resort are inspired by the ocean with blue hues and wood furnishings, coupled with lavish mod-cons and marble bathrooms. Your family will love the extra space in the suites, as well as cozy beds and private balconies with breathtaking views.
Omni Cancun Resort and Villas
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Sandwiched between the beach and the Nichupte lagoon, the Omni Cancun Resort and Villas in the center of Isla Cancun is one of the best family hotels. Its best feature is the highly reputed Omni Kids Crew Program which pampers young kids right from the outset. Right when you check-in, the staff hands your children a backpack packed to the brim with goodies like games, toys, and books. What’s more, they even have a special turndown service for them on the first night, complete with cookies and milk. There’s so much more for tiny tots and tykes to do on the property.
Aside from the kids’ pool, there’s even a Kids’ Party on Sundays at the main pool that has contests, games, and even breaking a piñata! Finally, the resort even has a fabulous kids’ club for children between the ages of 5 and 12 years. It has a massive play area, books, three Wii systems, play kitchens, art centers, and more. You can rest assured that your children are in the hands of kid-friendly adults who operate and run the club with lots of love and affection.
As the kids are away, the adults can play too. Enjoy a sun-kissed morning by the pool or the beach or enjoy a massage at the spa. At the end of the day, your family can retire to one of the roomy suites and villas. Featuring classic yet homey touches, they feature amazing views, high-tech mod-cons, and lavish bathrooms that promise to be relaxing for everyone.
Royal Solaris Cancun
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If you’re looking for a mid-range, all-inclusive hotel for families, then the Royal Solaris Cancun is perfect. Located between the center and Punta Nizuc in Isla Cancun, the resort hasn’t lost its charm even though it was built way back in the 1980s. Since the resort bills itself as a family resort, it has a wonderfully cozy family feel, unlike many other party-centric resorts in the Hotel Zone.
Perhaps its noteworthy feature is the kids club, and the resort certainly drops the ball when it comes to it. All your kids need to do is follow tiny vibrant footprints to get to a splendid animal-themed water park that has the whole package. Think adventure courses, fountains, slides, and more. If they ever decide to leave the water, then there’s also an excellent indoor area for kids below the age of 12 years. You can have your own fair share of adults fun in the form of oceanfront hot tubs, spa treatments, and nightly shows. Don’t miss drinking the crazy yet amazing flaming Mexican coffee happy hour!
With 300 rooms to choose from, you’re certainly spoilt for choice at the Royal Solaris. That said, upgrade to the suites to enjoy more space with your family, along with balconies and whirlpool tubs.
Crown Paradise Club Cancun
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With origins that date back to the 1990s, the Crown Paradise Club Cancun is one of the most wallet-friendly family hotels in the city. With live entertainment, water sports, and more, you’ve come to the right place if you’re in town looking for activities that’ll keep the entire family happy and content. What’s more, the resort also lies close to the El Rey archaeological zone and the AquaWorld watersports park if you fancy an excursion outside its confines.
The resort knows how to keep its young guests well-entertained, whether it’s the teens, tweens, or tiny toddlers. For infants between 4 and 18 months, there’s the Baby Paradise Club. The Kids Paradise Club is perfect for children between the ages of 4 and 12 years. Aside from a kids-only water park, it even has a teen hangout space with air hockey tables and video games galore. It even has a rock-climbing wall, zip lines, and water slides. The adults aren’t ignored, either. Adult-only spaces make for great places for you to unwind, whether it’s the spa or the beach.
What’s great about the family suites at the resort is that they have bunk beds for up to five people. So, the entire family can live in a fun away rather than the regular rooms with beds. Besides, the rooms also have hot tubs, minibars, and private terraces with Insta-worthy views of the ocean.
El Rey Del Caribe
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If there’s one family hotel you’d stay in Ciudad, then it’d be the eco-friendly, boutique hotel of El Rey Del Caribe. It’s also one of the best bases in the city for exploring the Top 7 Things To Do In Cancun. What’s more, it’s within walking distance to lots of good local restaurants and markets in the city.
What makes this tiny, lush eco-hotel away from the beach so great for families? Well, for one, it boasts an excellent kid’s playhouse and club set in a jungle garden full of flora and fauna. At the same time, it has lots of spaces for adults to unwind and relax sans the cacophony of larger resorts. Aside from a hot tub, there’s a small yet heavenly outdoor pool. Additionally, the serene, lush tropical property is sprinkled with hammocks, with dulcet tones floating in the background. Moreover, the hotel follows a bunch of ecologically sustainable practices like composting, solar heating, and rainwater harvesting as well. In addition, they train community leaders and students in eco-technologies. Rounding up the laundry list of amneities are healthy breakfasts, massage studio, and twice-a-day yoga.
Another excellent part of the hotel is its accommodation, all of which are junior suites with kitchenettes. So, it’s easy to whip up quick meals whenever the young ones are hungry without worrying about having to eat outside all the time.
Ritz-Carlton Cancun
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There’s a lot to love about the Ritz-Carlton Cancun. To begin with, it sits in the tranquil and serene center of the Hotel Zone. Secondly, it melds unmatched culinary experiences with fabulous Ritz-Carlton sophistication. And finally, it has one of the most memorable child-friendly amenities of any city resort. The Ritz-Carlton elegance is evident in the grand staircases, shimmering chandeliers, and large floral arrangements. The best part is that at no point does it feel out of place with Cancun’s tropical beach setting.
What makes the resort utterly family-friendly is its fantastic Ritz Kids Program. It features a daily roster of unending activities in the form of half-day and full-day camps for children between the age of 4 and 12 years. If your child is interested in cooking, then they’ll have a whale of a time at the Junior Mexico Cooking Classes. Finally, the exciting weekend program of Kids Night Out is a great way to wind up the day. While your children have engrossed, have your own share of fun lounging on a hammock or loungers at the beach. You also have two lagoon-style pools to choose from for swimming or simply relaxing. Indulge in the ultimate unwinding experience at the Kayanta spa and its soothing massages and plunge pools.
Rooms at the resort are contemporary and feature Mexican-style artwork set against soothing, ocean-inspired hues. Moreover, all of them have terraces with ocean views, plush beds, extensive mod-cons, sprawling marble bathrooms, and even nightly turndown services.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Cancun:
- Cancún – Taco & Local Beer Tasting Tour: Dig into the city’s best beer and tacos on this authentic food tour.
- La Fonda Del Zancudo: This amazing restaurant lies in the restored ruins of an ancient house smack dab in the heart of the city. Don’t miss the deserts at this rustic restaurant.
Recommended Activities In Cancun:
- Cancun City Tour and Shopping: Experience the best of Cancun’s culture, sightseeing, and shopping on this full-day tour.
- Chichen Itza Sunrise Tour: A Mexican vacation is incomplete without visiting Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin your day memorably watching the sunrise over the magnificent city.
