I’m Kayla. I travel with two kids (5 and 9), a lot of sunscreen, and unrealistic snack expectations. Over the last three years, we stayed at five family resorts in Cancun. Some big. Some chill. Some that made me cry happy tears because the kids actually ate the veggies. You know what? They weren’t all perfect. But a few hit that sweet spot—good beach, good beds, and happy, tired kids by 8:30.
If you want an even deeper play-by-play, I put together an unfiltered recap of every resort we tried with extra photos and packing tips.
Here’s what we look for: calm water, shade, a kids club that isn’t a sad room with crayons, and food that doesn’t taste like “conference.” I also care about nap spots and how fast check-in is when someone is melting down. Maybe that’s obvious, but it matters.
Let me explain how each one felt, what worked, and what bugged me a little.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun — The One With Three Beaches
We stayed here in late May and again in January because we liked it that much. If you’re comparing options, you can peek at the latest deals on the Hyatt Ziva Cancun website. It sits at the tip of the Hotel Zone, so the water wraps around. One side is calm, like a big pool. My youngest could float with a vest while I drank a cold coffee from the lobby bar. Win.
Our room had two beds and a sofa bed. Clean, bright, and yes, the balcony view made me gasp. The KidZ Club had a splash area and crafts. Staff actually learned my kids’ names by day two. That’s rare. At night, we grabbed tacos from the beach grill, then wandered to the candy shop, Pasteles. Overkill? Maybe. Did I regret it? Not even a little.
The food ranged from “pretty good” to “oh wow.” Chilaquiles at breakfast, fresh tortillas at lunch, sushi at night. Service felt fast and kind, even when the place was full.
- What we loved: calm water, easy layout, fun kids club, real variety in food.
- What bugged me: the main pool gets busy by mid-morning; snag shade early. Night shows were hit-or-miss for us.
Best for: families who want beach time with young kids, short walks, and good food.
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach — Calm Water and a Dreamy Kids Club
We came in July when the ocean can be a little moody, but the beach here stays calm. Soft sand. Gentle waves. I could actually relax while the kids dug giant “soup bowls” and argued about shells. Families curious about the vibe can see room layouts on the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach official site.
Rooms are all ocean view. That part felt fancy. The Coral KidZ Club is the star—multi-story, hands-on zones, a mini kitchen, and themed spaces. My 9-year-old forgot about us for hours. My 5-year-old needed a break after lunch and snoozed in the room. Not a bad rhythm.
If you’re weighing other long-time luxury icons, check out my honest take on staying at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun for a side-by-side feel of classic elegance versus family-forward fun.
Going all-inclusive here made food simple. The tacos by the pool were solid, and the seafood spot cooked the catch just right. I snuck off to the Gem Spa for the hydrotherapy circuit while my partner did sandcastles. That spa is huge. It felt like another trip inside our trip.
- What we loved: calm, swimmable beach; top-tier kids club; big, bright rooms.
- What bugged me: it’s not cheap; buffets were fine, not great, but à la carte was better.
Best for: families who want a calm beach and a kids club that actually entertains bigger kids.
Moon Palace (Sunrise + Nizuc) — The Giant Playground
I thought I’d hate a mega resort. I was wrong—well, mostly. We stayed at Sunrise in March. It’s huge. Like, “I-need-a-shuttle” huge. But that size means stuff to do. The FlowRider surf machine was a hit with my 9-year-old. The bikes, mini golf, and nightly shows filled the gaps. The Playroom kids club was clean and active, with crafts, climbing, and staff who kept things moving.
Food? Endless. Some spots were “meh,” but the wood-fired pizza and the taco cart outside won the week. Breakfast had fresh fruit, local dishes, and good coffee. We walked to Nizuc for a change of scene. Same idea, a bit quieter.
Note: The Grand section has a water park, but it’s a separate upgrade. We didn’t stay there, so we stuck to Sunrise/Nizuc fun. No FOMO, honestly. We were busy enough.
- What we loved: activities for days; FlowRider; bikes; tons of dining; easy to keep kids busy.
- What bugged me: it’s spread out; expect walking or waiting for shuttles. The beach can be sargassum-heavy in summer.
Best for: families who want non-stop action and don’t mind a big layout.
Iberostar Selection Cancun — Turtles, Slides, and That Iconic Pyramid
We stayed here in late August. The beach had bigger waves—great for older kids who like to jump waves, not so great for little ones. Lifeguards were on it. The kids pool had slides, and Star Camp ran age-based activities. Soccer fields and tennis courts made it feel sporty. My partner played the golf course early morning while I did sunscreen duty.
The pyramid-style main building looked cool and felt easy to navigate. Our room was simple, clean, and comfy. Food was decent, with a nice grill by the pool, and a better-than-expected steak at dinner. Not fancy, not sad.
Bonus: during turtle season, the hotel teams work with local groups for safe releases. We watched from a distance one night. Quiet, sweet, and worth the late bedtime.
- What we loved: family vibe; pools and slides; staff energy; turtle season moments.
- What bugged me: waves can be strong; bring rash guards and patience.
Best for: active families and older kids who love pools and waves.
Seadust Cancun Family Resort — Budget-Friendly and Kid-Forward
We used this as a quick spring break escape. It’s not polished like the others, but it’s honest family fun. The Treasure Island water park is a kid magnet—pirate ship, slides, splash zones. Our Family Suite had a king bed plus bunk beds, which meant no late-night “scooch over” fights.
Food? Mixed. The crepe station was the win. Some dinners were just okay. Service felt warm, and the kids were happy, which carried a lot of weight. The beach is wide, with rolling waves. We built sand barricades and laughed when the water knocked them down. Simple joy.
- What we loved: price point; family rooms; water park; staff kindness.
- What bugged me: food can be uneven; some areas need a refresh.
Best for: families who want value and water play without fuss.
Bonus: Finest Playa Mujeres — Quiet, Close, and Great for Little Ones
Okay, it’s just north of Cancun but still close to the airport. We went in October. Calm water. Smooth sand. Family Suites with little pools made nap time easy. The kids club takes babies and toddlers, which is rare. Food had more finesse, and the service felt dialed in.
- What we loved: calm beach; baby care; roomy suites; peaceful nights.
- What bugged me: not much nightlife; it’s more relax than party.
Best for: families with babies or toddlers, or anyone craving peaceful days.
If you’d rather hole up in a true pocket-size hotel inside the Hotel Zone, my first-person stay at Laguna Suites shows what a super-quiet, no-frills vibe looks like in the same stretch of sand.
Families who want a boutique-size property that balances spa pampering for parents with a calm Caribbean coastline will also appreciate Ceiba del Mar, a tucked-away Riviera Maya resort that often flies under the radar.
My Quick Picks
- Best overall for most families: Hyatt Ziva Cancun
- Best beach + kids club combo: Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach
- Best for non-stop activities: Moon Palace (Sunrise/Nizuc)
- Best budget pick: Seadust Cancun Family Resort
- Best for babies and toddlers: Finest Playa Mujeres
- Best for sporty kids and bigger waves: Iberostar Selection Cancun
Money, Timing, and Little Tips That Helped
- Price: For two adults and two kids, we paid between mid-$300s and high-$800s per night, depending on season and room type. Holiday weeks spike hard.