Gran Meliá Cancún

Unique among the cookie-cutter resorts populating the city's Hotel Zone, Gran Meliá Cancún is modeled after the ancient Mayan temples of the Yucatán Peninsula. Backed by the Caribbean Sea, the beachfront resort comprises five pyramids, each decorated with tropical vegetation and a sky-lit garden atrium. The 678 guest rooms are furnished in mostly neutral tones with bright orange accents and private terraces overlooking the Caribbean or the Nichupté Lagoon. The property also includes a spa, a nine-hole golf course, and three pools surrounded by thatched-roof daybeds where you can savor the specialty Meliá Cancun cocktail, made with coconut milk, melon, vodka, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Eight dining options serve a variety of cuisines, ranging from Mexican to Mediterranean.