Of course. I only added Eddie into the service section and left everything else the same…read more
I have gone back and forth on writing this review because there are so many things this resort does well, but overall my experience did not quite match the expectations I had from previous Hyatt stays.
This was not my first visit to Hyatt Zilara Cancun and it was actually my amazing experience here in 2019 that started my loyalty to Hyatt. I am currently a World of Hyatt Discoverist member, and after my first visit to Zilara, we loved the Hyatt experience so much that we chose Hyatt Ziva for our vow renewal in 2022. Because of that, returning to Zilara was something I had looked forward to for years.
First, the staff at this resort deserves so much recognition. My concerns are not a reflection of the employees because the service was consistently excellent throughout our stay. From before we even arrived to our final day, everyone we interacted with was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely wanted guests to have a great experience.
Before our trip, Eddie reached out as our concierge and was extremely helpful in making sure we were prepared for our stay. He helped coordinate our spa services ahead of time and assisted us with securing a late checkout, which made our trip much smoother and more relaxing.
At check-in, Luis helped us on the World of Hyatt side and was wonderful. He explained the changes and additions to the resort, helped us understand reservations, and made sure we had the information we needed. Throughout the resort, the service remained consistent. Even when I had a meal I didn't enjoy, a staff member at the teppanyaki restaurant was genuinely concerned, offered alternatives, and wanted to make it right. That level of care stood out.
Our room was excellent. We stayed on the fifth floor in a corner room and it was clean, spacious, and comfortable. The bed was fantastic, and I loved the pillows so much I am actually trying to find out what kind they are so I can buy them for home. The bathroom was great, especially the mirror with multiple lighting options. The shower had great water pressure and plenty of hot water, which I always appreciate. The only thing I personally missed was having a bathtub, but overall I had no complaints about the room.
The resort itself is beautiful and extremely clean. The pool area is relaxing with comfortable chairs, and it was never difficult to find a place to sit. The atmosphere is definitely more quiet and relaxing rather than a party environment, which can be a positive depending on the type of trip you want. The beach was well maintained, especially considering the seaweed situation during our visit. The staff worked hard to keep it cleaned up, and the things outside of the resort's control, like weather and ocean conditions, did not impact my opinion.
The spa was absolutely phenomenal and I wrote a separate review specifically for that experience because it deserves its own recognition.
The gym was also impressive for a resort gym. There was plenty of equipment, treadmills, a stretching/yoga space, and even a Pilates studio. I was hoping to participate in Pilates, but the class filled up quickly. I thought the fitness offerings were a nice addition.
Where this stay fell short for me was the food. At an all-inclusive resort, the food experience is such a huge part of the overall value because you are eating every meal on property. When we visited in 2019, one of our favorite memories was eating at Pelicanos by the pool, so we were excited to return there first. We knew things had changed since our last visit, but unfortunately the quality and options did not feel the same.
We tried several restaurants, and while the service was always great, the food itself was disappointing. The Italian restaurant felt very bland overall, although the bread service and tiramisu were enjoyable. The cacio e pepe and pasta dishes did not meet expectations. The teppanyaki experience also was not what I expected. I was hoping for more of a traditional hibachi-style experience, and the meat quality was disappointing.
The buffet was fine, especially breakfast, but nothing really stood out. Room service was quick and the staff was friendly, but again the food itself was not something we loved. My favorite treat on property ended up being the ice cream at the coffee shop.
The biggest thing I missed was having easy poolside food options. When I'm at an all-inclusive, I love being able to relax by the pool and grab things like quesadillas, ceviche, or small bites without stopping the pool day. The lack of that type of experience was probably my biggest disappointment.
Drinks and pool service were great, and the staff did a wonderful job checking on guests. I personally don't drink alcohol, but it was clear they were attentive with beverages.
Entertainment was limited compared to some other all-inclusive resorts. There were some activities and a few performances, but not the larger