First, a quick heads-up. The hotel I’m talking about used to be The Ritz-Carlton, Cancún. In late 2022, it became the Kempinski Hotel Cancún. I stayed as a Ritz guest in July 2019 for a full week. I went back in May 2024 to see how it feels now. Same beach. Same bones. A lot of the same staff. Different name on the door. For the full blow-by-blow on exactly how the property has evolved, swing over to my detailed Ritz-Carlton Cancún update when you’re done here.
You know what? Both stays were lovely, but in a different way. Let me explain.
Arrival and First Impressions
Back in 2019, I landed around noon. I reached the hotel in about 20 minutes. A bellman handed me a cool towel and hibiscus water. The lobby smelled like citrus and sea salt. I still remember the hush—soft piano, not too bright lights, that easy calm after a long flight.
Check-in was smooth. Ana at the front desk found a room that was ready early. My bag got to the room faster than I did. In 2024, under Kempinski, it felt almost the same. The logo changed. The marble floors and that sweeping staircase? Still there.
My Room: Ocean Views and Cold A/C
Room 917, oceanfront king, July heat beating outside. Inside, the A/C kept a steady cool. I set it to 21°C. The bed was cloud-soft but firm enough that my back didn’t complain. Blackout curtains were true blackout. I slept like a rock.
Little things mattered:
- Hot shower with strong water pressure.
- Two outlets by the bed (not many, but enough). I used a small power strip I brought from home.
- A Nespresso machine with four pods. Housekeeping refilled it daily.
- Turn-down came with a tiny macaron and a beach forecast card. Cute touch.
Wi-Fi was stable. Speed test on my phone showed about 120 Mbps down on the balcony at 6:45 a.m., then 40–70 around the pool area. I worked an hour each morning with no drops.
In 2024, the room felt lightly refreshed. Same layout. Newer linens. Same view that grabs your heart—the Caribbean, that unreal blue.
Food That Made Me Smile
Breakfast at El Café Mexicano got me every time. I ate chilaquiles verdes with a fried egg most mornings. Crunchy, then soft, then a little kick. The fruit bar had papaya, guava, and melon. Fresh tortillas came warm in a cloth wrap. Coffee was rich and not bitter.
Dinner on the sand at Casitas was my favorite “wow, I’m on vacation” moment. One night, I had lobster tacos with lime and a side of grilled corn. The wind was light. A guitarist played “Sabor a Mí.” My fish came a little too salty once. I told our server, Karla, in a calm way. She took it back with a quick sorry and brought a perfect plate ten minutes later. No fuss. I felt cared for.
I did a cooking class at the Culinary Center. We made cochinita pibil and a bright habanero salsa. Chef Miguel talked about sour oranges from the Yucatán. We laughed when my first tortilla puffed up like a tiny pillow. I still make that salsa at home.
Under Kempinski, Fantino kept a fine-dining feel. The flavors were a touch lighter. I liked the sea bass with tomato confit. Same warm service, different uniforms.
Beach and Pools: Real Life Postcards
There are two main pools. One feels calm, with more shade. The other has more families and a bit more chatter. Towels were thick and clean. By 9:30 a.m., chairs by the water filled up. If you like a front row, go early.
The beach is wide, soft, and white. On Tuesday at 6:30 a.m., I walked the shore. The sand was cool on my feet. A staff member named Luis set up my chair, then brought chilled water and fresh pineapple. I read for an hour and just listened to waves. Pure ease.
If you’re beach-obsessed like me and want a broader look at Cancún’s stretches of sand beyond the hotel’s footprint, you might enjoy my honest, sand-in-my-shoes review of Cancún’s playas.
Note on seaweed: In May and June, sargassum can roll in. The hotel cleaned the beach each morning. Some days the water was crystal. Some days it was a bit messy until late morning. That’s nature. It didn’t ruin my days, but it’s worth knowing.
Service That Stuck With Me
Little human moments made it feel special.
- Housekeeping noticed my aloe gel and left extra water without me asking.
- When my A/C made a hum at 10 p.m., engineering came in 15 minutes and fixed it in five.
- At breakfast, a server named Julio remembered I liked a half-sweet cappuccino. On day three he just brought it. I grinned like a kid.
In 2024, I still saw Luis on the beach. He remembered I liked extra lime. We laughed. It felt like coming back to a friendly porch.
Ritz Kids (Auntie Mode)
I brought my niece for two days on the 2019 trip. She did Ritz Kids in the morning. They made papel picado and learned about sea turtles. She came back sandy, sticky, and beaming. She also ate half my churros. No regrets.
Spa Notes
I did an 80-minute deep tissue massage. My calves were tight from runs on the sand. The therapist, Sofia, found the knots without me pointing. She used a light mint oil that cooled, then warmed. I slept hard that night.
I also tried an aloe wrap after a sun-oops. It took the sting down fast. The hydro area is small but calm. Prices sat in the “treat yourself” range, like most luxury spots. I saved it for the last day and left floaty.
Location and Getting Around
The hotel sits in the Hotel Zone, near KM 14. It’s a 20-minute ride from the airport if traffic behaves. I grabbed the R1 bus twice to La Isla shopping village. It cost a few pesos, and yes, it was safe and easy. There’s an OXXO convenience store a short walk away. I picked up sunscreen and snacks there.
For travelers who like their social plans to be spontaneous—maybe lining up a dinner companion, a dance partner, or just swapping local tips before wheels-up—take a spin through Doublelist, a guide to the classifieds-style community that explains how to post, respond, and stay safe so you can make genuine connections wherever you roam.
If your route to the Riviera Maya includes a swing through Pittsburgh, you can scope out the city’s nightlife and meet-up scene ahead of time by scrolling the listings at Listcrawler Pittsburgh, where real-time ads and user reviews help you decide who to contact and how to keep things both fun and secure.
Got a set of clubs in your luggage? I spent a full week sampling the area’s fairways and poured every birdie and bunker into my candid review of Cancún’s golf courses. Check it out if you’re planning to tee it up between beach sessions.
One night I got tacos al pastor from a tiny spot near the bus stop. Juicy, with pineapple char. I brought them back and ate on my balcony while the sky turned cotton candy pink. Simple joy.
If you’re curious about a more boutique, wellness-oriented escape farther down the coast, take a peek at Ceiba del Mar to compare vibes before you book.
What I Loved Most
- The beach, wide and bright, with that soft hiss of waves.
- Breakfast chilaquiles that started my day right.
- Staff who noticed small things and just handled them.
- Sunset light in the room that made the ocean look painted.
Where It Fell Short (But Not Much)
- Saturday night wedding music reached my balcony till about 10 p.m.
- Humidity can sneak into the room if the balcony stays open. Keep it shut and you’re fine.
- Pool chairs in the front row go fast. Early birds win.
- In summer, seaweed can make the water less photo-perfect for a few hours.
Ritz vs. Kempinski: My Quick Take
- Building and beach: same, still stunning.
- Rooms: similar layout; linens feel fresher now.
- Food: classic spots are still strong; menus feel a bit updated.
- Service: warm and polished both ways. I saw familiar faces, which says a lot.
If you stayed when it was The Ritz-Carlton, you’ll feel the muscle memory. If it’s your first time under Kempinski, you still get that calm, cared-for