I haven’t actually stayed in the hotel zone of Cancun in over ten years, so I was delighted to be able to stay at three very different resorts there last week.

I have to admit I had forgotten that the Caribbean in Cancun is much more beautiful than it typically is in the Playa del Carmen area. The water color was just amazing. Best of all the wave action while we were there was very slight, so we were able to wade into the water and really enjoy it.

The first resort where we stayed was family friendly. I was blown away by the huge recently remodeled rooms, and the food and service were exceptional. The entertainment staff made sure everyone on the resort was having fun. The beach was gorgeous and there were always plenty of beach and pool chairs.

This resort is perfect for a family looking for a quick getaway. I hope to send many of you there in 2018.

The other two resorts we experienced were adult only, but that’s where any similarity ended.

One of them was a high rise with an energetic vibe. There was lots of upbeat music going on, small pool areas and many beach activities. The crowd was elegantly dressed, and the party went on into the late evening hours. This isn’t some cheap Spring Break resort; it’s expensive, sophisticated and lively.

I wasn’t particularly impressed with the spa there, and it was super expensive. I was very impressed with the rooms; they were enormous with beautiful furnishings, plenty of closet space and spacious balconies. The butler service was excellent. The restaurants were a homerun.

The final resort was almost a boutique resort, intimate yet sophisticated. It also had music but it was similar to James Taylor, never intrusive and very serene. During the evening there was a live band but it was music to sit and enjoy, no dancing or partying was going on.

The spa here was small but the services were excellent and about half the price of other resorts in the area. The rooms were elegantly appointed and of average size other than the suites, which were enormous with wonderful patio’s facing the Caribbean. The food was terrific and the service was literally amazing.

Best of all was the aroma-therapy. This resort was all about relaxation and rejuvenation and experiencing everything with all of your senses. Our sense of smell was delighted with every inch of the resort. The lobby is one fragrance, the halls are another, and in our room was an amazing array of aroma choices. Even the pillows were scented. We loved it.

Three resorts, three very different experiences, all within a stone’s throw of each other on the Cancun hotel strip. None of them full of young people going wild or acting crazy.

An additional point I’d like to make about the Cancun area is the ease of access. The hotels are all within just a few minutes of the Cancun international airport. Cancun is just a short nonstop flight from DFW or a one stop situation from OKC or Tulsa. I prefer to take the 5AM flight from Tulsa, connect in DFW with the 7AM flight, and I’m at the Cancun airport just before 10AM. By noon I’m at the resort enjoying my lunch on the beach. Great for a short weekend getaway, right? Or even better if you can stay longer, more “in destination” time, and after all, isn’t that what you’re paying for?

Joy Gawf-Crutchfield owns and operates The Joy of Travel.

Cancun, a Terrific Destination