As I've been to Cancun a number of times now and have tried several other properties, I must confess going-in that Le Meridien Cancun is my favorite. Almost everything about the property is world-class, which has brought me back there twice now. The Westin is too far down the strip and requires a cab or bus to get anywhere. For airport transfers, we used a company called Entertainment Plus which I recommend (there are no cabs at the Cancun airport, so best to reserve in advance).
When I arrived and identified myself as a Platinum member, we were whisked up to the Club Floor, offered a wet towel and some juice while they processed my check-in. During the course of the stay, we would pop into the Club Room for breakfast and snacks in the evenings. The breakfast was strictly continental and did not include hot options that one might expect at a resort like this. There is nothing particularly special about the lounge as it sits right next to the elevators with barely a view of the ocean. Alcohol is free, which is great.
One important thing about this hotel: they are very picky that if you make room reservations for only 1 adult, then you will only show up with 1 adult. Luckily, I had made reservations for 2 adults and we were fine, but I've read on FlyerTalk about people that were charged extra when they showed up with an extra person. While we're talking about gotcha's, the internet cost at Le Meridien is ridiculous as well. US$28 per day! Absurd.
My wife and I were checked into a suite (upgraded) overlooking the ocean. It had a large living room, a huge marble bathroom with both a tub and a shower (amenities were Hermes), and a bedroom in the back. A bottle of wine and some cheese was delivered to our room as a welcome gift. I found a pervasive musty smell throughout the hotel, including our room, probably due to the level of humidity which made sleeping uncomfortable. The balcony with chairs was great, and we spent a few evenings out there enjoying the sea breeze and a glass of wine.
The three tiered, infinity pools at the Le Meridien are really good as well, each at different temperatures (if you have a wife, you know how important this might be!). Importantly, there was plenty of space for everyone there -- no fighting over lounge chairs! Service was always prompt and accurate. My wife wandered down to the spa for a treatment one day and came back bubbling over with enthusiasm about the place. I never did check it out personally.
From a service perspective, I found that almost every employee took pride in what they did. That just added to the world-class feeling of the place. The manager came out to greet us when we arrived, the housekeeping staff would greet me in the hallway when I passed by, the attendants at the lounge were doting, and the concierge definitely knew her stuff. A lot of this is because of the size of the hotel compared to some of the other huge hotels in Cancun -- they actually remember your names!
In summary, the positives of Le Meridien Cancun far outway the negatives. The Westin is also a good choice, but given the location of both properties I will always tip to Le Meridien instead.
Review submitted by Tim R.
Posted at April 13, 2008 8:22 AM