For Tropical Relaxation, Elect To Stay At Cancun's InterContinental Presidente Resort
The stereotypical American idea of Cancun typically involves binge-drinking college students. And while that is part of the landscape of this spread-out seaside town — yes, you'll see dive bars and clubs on the main road in Cancun — there's way more to it than that. If you need proof, you don't have to look much further than the luxurious InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort. This resort hotel features two on-site restaurants, a modestly sized spa, two pools, and is located on a beach that many refer to as one of the best in a city filled with them.
I can personally attest to that: The beach is heavenly. I'd argue that there's no better way to relax than by cooling off in those crystal-clear blue waters, trudging back to your lounge chair, and then just lying around all day as the sun shines down on you.
And the beach is just the beginning. The small spa provided a soothing atmosphere too. Mere steps from the beach, this is a great place to unwind after a long day, and I loved the flowers floating in the small bowl of water at the entrance. After my soothing 80-minute massage, I relaxed at the centerpiece of the spa, a gorgeous pool surrounded on both sides by chic lounge chairs. It almost astounded me that I could find a quiet place that close to the hubbub of the nearby beach.
If you get hungry or thirsty, there's poolside service. I especially loved the fresh guacamole and chips, the crispy fish tacos, and the classic beachside cocktails like piña coladas and daiquiris. The menu also features traditional American offerings like hot dogs and hamburgers, if you'd rather stick to what you're familiar with. The only thing I didn't like about this was that at times the staff was a little slow to pick up finished plates. Not a huge deal, but it's annoying to have bugs swarming around when you're trying to relax.
As for other dining options, there are two restaurants onsite, and Le Cap Beach Club was probably my favorite. It's just off the beach (no shoes, no problem) and provides diners with an elegant, low-lit setting that's quiet but close enough to the beach that you can still hear the waves breaking. You'll want to order anything that comes out of the outdoor oven here; my tasty flatbread was just crispy enough.
The thatch-roof covered El Caribeño (expect to see some birds inside here) is a great place to watch the beach while dining, especially in the morning under the shaded patio. It does get a tad warm in here, but fans help move the air around. I appreciated the mix of traditional American offerings like pancakes, bacon, and sausage, in addition to the more traditional Mexican dishes like refried beans at the breakfast buffet.
Lunch and dinner are also served at El Carib, and you really can't go wrong with any of the seafood dishes. Try the fresh ceviche, topped with two slices of kiwi and served in a coconut, which is common here. I also really enjoyed my creamy avocado soup — a specialty here — and the roast snapper served with burst cherry tomatoes, black olives, and caper butter had just the right amount of accompaniments.
The most stunning dining experience here was when I got to enjoy dinner on the beach. Watching the sunset from a table with my toes in the sand is something I'll be thinking about for a long time to come.
The only real con at this resort is it's somewhat far from other sites in Cancun, and you'd have to take a cab to get downtown or to some of the other attractions. But does it even matter? You'll probably just want to lay on the beach sipping cocktails instead. And the Presidente InterContinental is the perfect place to do just that.