Are you looking for where to stay in Cancun with kids? Keep scrolling for my honest Hyatt Ziva Cancun review so you can decide if it’s one of the best hotels in Cancun for families for your upcoming Mexico vacation.
This Hyatt Ziva Cancun review was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Are you looking for a kid-friendly, all-inclusive resort in Cancun? Then, this Hyatt Ziva Cancun Review is a good read for you.
Our family loves staying at all-inclusive Mexico resorts. We actually stayed at the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos a couple of years ago and it was such a great experience that we wanted to try their Cancun location.
Check the latest rates and availability for the Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun Review: Where is it?
The Hyatt Ziva Cancun is located right on the tip of the Cancun Hotel Zone, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea on three sides. This prime spot offers guests spectacular beachfront views and easy access to white sandy beaches.
Does the Hyatt Ziva Cancun have an airport shuttle?
No, the Hyatt Ziva Cancun does not have an airport shuttle. But we booked our package with Costco, and it included transportation to and from the airport. This saved us a lot of stress when we landed.
Honest Hyatt Ziva Cancun Review
What was our room like?
We booked a Club Level room, which was pretty basic. There was a large bathroom with a shower, toilet, double sinks, a hair dryer, and little amenities.
We had two queen beds with a nightstand in between them. There was also a lot of room for opening suitcases and drawers for putting in clothes/packing cubes.
We also had a mini fridge stocked with water, beer, and soda. And a tray of snacks (chips, candy, cookies, and nuts). These were replenished twice a day.
There was also a large closet with a safe and places to hang up clothes.
And we had a large balcony with two chairs, a table, and a clothes drying rack. We had an awesome view of the beach and pool area. Check the latest rates and availability for the Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun Review: The Food Options
The food options were almost identical to the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos. It was all pretty okay food. Nothing really stood out as being amazing or something I’d recommend ordering.
There are restaurants that specialize in Italian, Mexican, Japanese, and French cuisines. There’s also a steakhouse and a general buffet restaurant. Plus, there’s in-room dining.
Additionally, there were a lot of food options around the pool (like grilled items). We also saw stands for crepes, churros, tacos, and other items all around the resort.
There was also a dedicated dessert shop that was open late. This is where you could grab ice cream, slices of pie/cake, candy, macarons, popcorn, and cotton candy. My kids were BIG fans.
My favorite meal was the filet mignon at Tradewinds. I also enjoyed the ceviche and the tempura shrimp tacos at the pool.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun Review: The Pool Areas
The Hyatt Ziva Cancun has three stunning infinity pools, each offering beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea. Check the latest rates and availability for the Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
These pools include areas with swim-up bars where you can grab a drink without leaving the water, making it a fun spot for families to relax and enjoy the sun.
There are actually two distinct pool areas at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun. The one near the main lobby is the “louder” area with multiple pools and activities. The other one is smaller and next to the Club Level tower.
Cabanas
We rented cabanas in both pool areas. For our kids, a cabana next to the pool is the ultimate vacation splurge so we did it for a few days.
The cabana rentals come with complimentary facials and shoulder massages in addition to a butler (who helps with the physical cabana) and a staff person in charge of food and drinks.
You also get two coconut waters (inside a real coconut)!
We had cabanas at both pool areas and we preferred the pool area near the Club Level tower because it was much more chill.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun Review: The Beach Areas
The beach areas were quite nice. The one in front of the main building had fairly calm water and access to a lot of beach activities. Check the latest rates and availability for the Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
The one in front of the Club Tower was much calmer and we saw a lot of families playing there. Both beaches had cabanas, lounge chairs, and people brought their own beach umbrellas.
There is a lifeguard tower on the beach at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, but you’ll want to keep an eye on your kids. There are also a bunch of cabanas and lounge chairs.
While there are all kinds of beach cabanas available to rent, this pier cabana is quite unique and it would be perfect for families with teens or for adults who don’t want to be at the pool area.
Habanero’s is a nice seafood cafe right on the beach. It’s a great spot for grabbing lunch or a cocktail while you gaze at the sea.
Other features/amenities
Dolphins
You can swim with dolphins at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun! They have a whole area that offers dolphin encounters for people of all ages and abilities.
We didn’t do it (we’ve done it in Hawaii) but it sounded like other families enjoyed it. It’s an additional cost.
Spa
I checked the prices and decided NOT to book anything. We have some great spas where we live so I didn’t want to pay double. But they had a lot of great options.
Kids Club
While our kids didn’t participate (they are currently anti-kids clubs when we travel) I did peek at the facilities and it seemed like all the kids were having a nice time.
This is a great perk for parents who want to use the spa or book a kid-free dinner.
Arcade
They do have a small arcade but it only takes pesos. My husband took my 11-year-old there, and they thought it was cool, but they didn’t spend much time there.
Golf Simulator
There’s also a golf simulator. It’s important to make reservations if you want to do it (especially during school breaks or during the rainy season).
My husband and boys did a 2-hour session and they really liked the instructor who helped them improve their swings.
Shopping
There were also several on-site stores that offered all kinds of things from clothing/accessories to snacks (like chips) to pool items.
Expect to pay resort prices for the items there. But, it’s super convenient.
Special Occasions
My son celebrated his 11th birthday while we stayed at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun and we made a note of it on our reservation. We honestly can’t remember if we paid extra for this.
They put a banner on our door, filled the room with balloons, and gave us a bottle of champagne and a little birthday cake! He thought it was amazing!
Are there any things we didn’t like?
I know I’m asking for the moon but I really wish the food was tastier. It definitely has cruise ship vibes. If you’re a foodie you should lower your expectations.
It was also a bit frustrating to have limited plug-ins near the beds (especially for charging devices).
When we chatted with other guests, they said they thought there was a lack of chairs around the resort and at the pool.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun Review: Tips for Staying
1. Splurge for the Club Level
If you have kids who get hangry easily (like our kiddos) then staying in the Club Level tower is a great option. They have a mini buffet in the lobby that serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and treats (like ice cream). Plus, there’s a good coffee bar.
It’s also just steps away from the quieter pool area and the really good beach. And they have their own front desk where you’ll check in and check out.
Basically, you pay a little more for a bunch of nice conveniences. Check the latest rates and availability for the Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
2. Reserve Cabanas During Holidays/School Breaks
I checked every morning and it was crazy how early people “reserved” lounge chairs by the pool. Yes, you can usually find a few chairs in the afternoon, but they are in undesirable spots (like right next to the smoking area).
If you plan on spending a lot of time at the pool, I suggest splurging for a cabana for at least one day. Then, you can have a relaxing breakfast before heading to your cabana. It will save you a lot of stress!
3. Pre-Arrange Transportation
Personally, I find the mob of taxi drivers in the Cancun Airport completely overwhelming. It’s hard to know who is going to scam you or which companies are the most reputable. It feels like a chaotic frenzy.
Instead, it’s great if you can arrange your transportation ahead of time both to and from the resort. Once you arrive at the Hyatt Ziva, they will confirm your pick-up time.
4. Plan an Excursion (or Two)
While all-inclusive resort life is a lot of fun, it can feel just a tad monotonous after a few days.
I suggest having your family pick out at least one excursion to get yourself out of the resort and doing something fun together. Isla Mujeres is pretty close by. Tulum is another popular Cancun day trip.
Our family went to a couple of Xcaret parks: Xel-Ha and Xplor. These are full-day excursions with shuttles from the resort.
5. Reserve Teppanyaki Dinner
If your family is looking for a Benihana-type experience, the Teppanyaki dinner at Moongate is great! It’s a fun show with a chef who cooks the food right in front of you.
The really cool thing for parents is that you can make a reservation so you don’t have to worry about long wait times.
Hotel Ziva Cancun Review FAQs
What’s included in my all-inclusive package at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun?
Your all-inclusive package at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun typically covers accommodations, dining at multiple on-site restaurants, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, entertainment, recreational activities, and non-motorized water sports. It also includes access to kids’ clubs, fitness centers, and daily activities and shows.
Do I need dinner reservations?
No you only need reservations for the teppanyaki part of the Japanese restaurant (you can eat at the ala carte side without reservations). And reservations are not needed at any of the other restaurants (you just might have to wait a bit). I suggest trying for an early dinner at 5:30pm if you don’t want to wait.
Can we request adjoining/connecting rooms?
Yes, you can request adjoining/connecting rooms at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun. These rooms are available and can be arranged upon arrival, subject to availability. It’s a good idea to mention your room preference when making your reservation to better accommodate your family’s needs.
Do you need to rent a cabana?
It depends. If you are early risers, you can totally snag some chairs first thing in the morning. We noticed that all of them were taken by about 8:30 a.m. when we went the week of Christmas. For our family, it was worth booking cabanas for a few days to guarantee a spot without rushing in the morning.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun Review: Our Verdict
Our family really, really liked the Hyatt Ziva Cancun. We prefer it to their property in Cabo (Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos) primarily because of the swimmable beaches and overall vibe of the resort.
We thought the staff were AMAZING and truly went out of their way to ensure all guests had a great experience. It was next-level service.
While the food didn’t wow us, it’s right on par with other Mexico all-inclusive resorts. And there was a lot of variety and availability that suits families.
We definitely recommend this resort! Check the latest rates and availability for the Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
Looking for more posts about Cancun? Check out 15 Memorable Things to Do in Cancun with Kids, 12 Cancun Day Trips: Your Guide to Exploring Yucatan Peninsula, and 12 Crucial Cancun Travel Tips for First-Timers!
