5 reasons we’re excited for the now-open Waldorf Astoria Cancun
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Great news for folks trying to plan a luxe trip to Cancun: A swanky new Waldorf Astoria just opened its doors to guests looking to soak up some sun and fun in Mexico.
Located just 15 minutes from Cancun International Airport (CUN), the Waldorf Astoria Cancun is a 173-room resort south of the Hotel Zone, tucked away on more than 100 acres of land between Cancun and Puerto Morelos. One of TPG's most anticipated hotels opening in 2022, this new beachfront property has a lot to offer guests — especially Hilton Honors members and loyalists.
Until we get there to review it ourselves (and you know we will!), here are a few highlights and things you should know about the Waldorf Astoria Cancun.
The rooms are bright and airy
The Waldorf Astoria's guest rooms and suites include a variety of accommodation types to fit your needs. Better yet, every single room includes a soaking tub and private balcony with ocean views, so you don't have to worry about getting a sad view of the parking lot while on vacation.
Room types range from an entry-level ocean-view room with a king bed or two queen beds at 675 square feet to rooms with swim-up pools that are closer to the beach and main resort pools.
More spacious options include king suites that are over 1,000 square feet and have a plunge pool, extra half-bath, an oversized couch and a table for two. There are also oceanfront, corner, swim-up master suites with dining tables that seat 10 people and a pool table as well as a two-bedroom presidential suite with multiple balconies, two plunge pools, a library, a screening room to watch movies and a full minibar.
So depending on your budget and needs, there really is a room for every type of traveler, whether you're looking for a romantic escape or extra space to bring your extended family.
Related: Great for families: A review of the stunning new Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort
There's a modern take on Peacock Alley
For me, the bar is the star of any hotel — and Waldorf Astoria is known for its signature lobby bar, found in every property, called Peacock Alley. Dating back to the original property in New York, Peacock Alley always features a grand clock centerpiece. Here, it's a chic, modern play on the tradition, complemented by white marble tables, ocean-themed carpeting and floor-to-ceiling windows.
But the lobby bar isn't the only place to eat or drink.
Across the resort, there are a handful of places to grab a bite or sip a margarita.
Seafood is prepared on an open-flame grill at Malpeque, the hotel's refined, signature restaurant. Dishes from raw to whole fish incorporate smoke, char or fire into the preparation and are served in a chic, open-kitchen setting with indoor and outdoor tables.
Produce is front and center at Chaya, an Instagram-friendly restaurant with light-pink decor that's both charming and airy. Stop here for a rotating breakfast menu or visit later in the day for "hyper-seasonal ingredients" paired with organic wine or a tantalizing cocktail.
To immerse yourself in more local flavors, Ja'o is a Mexican-style cantina that blurs the "boundaries between indoors and outside" while serving an alfresco menu of traditional fare along with an agave-infused cocktail list.
There are also pool bars and a beach bar and grill for folks to enjoy.
There are plenty of pools and activities to enjoy
Across the resort there are various pools to enjoy and activities to participate in. At the oceanfront infinity pools, the entire family is welcome to enjoy the cooling water while watching the waves crash in the distance. Adults can revel in an adults-only or spa pools to avoid younger guests, but there's also a family-friendly pool perfect for the little ones to splash the day away in. And if you're there for the beach, private cabanas are available for rent.
Throughout the day, various activities are on offer, some of which are free to all guests and others that can be perfectly curated through the concierge. Some of these activities include family-friendly movie nights, roasting s'mores around a fire, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, playing volleyball on the beach, nature walks, bike rides and even scuba diving lessons.
For the kids, youth activities like painting, storytelling, cultural treasure hunts, sand art and pizza-making lessons are on offer.
The spa is the perfect place to unwind
For me, it's essential to hit up a spa while on vacation because I never take time for myself (and my skin and body) at home. At the Waldorf Astoria Spa Cancun, eight indoor and 13 outdoor treatment rooms ensure you leave feeling better than ever. Using locally sourced oils and fresh herbs from the on-site garden, expect everything to be rich, fresh and good for your body.
The spa also has a sauna, a salon and a pool, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
You can redeem Hilton Honors points
Now through the end of the year, cash rates for an entry-level room (the king or two-queen rooms mentioned above) start at $576 a night, swim-up rooms start at $758 a night and the presidential suite sits at $4,683 a night.
Hilton Honors members should expect to redeem at least 95,000 points per night for an entry-level room, 200,000 points per night for a swim-up option and over 1.2 million points for the presidential suite.
With the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card you could earn 165,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after spending $3,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership.