There are plenty of resorts in Cancun that do subtlety. Think soft color palettes; a slow, laid-back pace designed for unplugging and total relaxation; and music to fit the vibe.
The all-inclusive Ava Resort Cancun, which made its debut last summer, is not one of those places. And that's entirely the point.
From the moment I stepped into the white marble lobby, with its buzzy check-in counters and groups of guests heading here and there, it was clear what kind of resort I had arrived at.
With 1,622 rooms, 27 restaurants and bars and an artificial lagoon nearly the size of three football fields, this resort doesn't position itself as a quiet beachfront retreat -- it's a showstopper, plain and simple.
If your family or multigenerational clients are looking for a resort with a big buzz, I found that the Ava Resort Cancun delivers in all areas. Throw in the fact that it's less than 20 minutes from Cancun Airport, and it's a great option for travelers who want to get right to it.
My first stop was Ava Bay, that 2.8-acre man-made saltwater lagoon I mentioned earlier; it's the main attraction at the resort. The sprawling, turquoise focal point is wreathed in hundreds of loungers and cabanas and is large enough for guests to kayak or paddleboard in, which they happily do.
The Ava Resort Cancun is oceanfront, with a fantastic view of the Caribbean, but the beach itself leaves something to be desired, particularly for travelers who are die-hard beach people. So the resort has dialed up its pool game, with the splashy Sunny's Water Park as well as the much more toned-down, adults-only Dez pool.
A Friends & Family Sundeck Suite has a master bedroom and smaller TV room with a daybed for children. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Ava Resort Cancun
Rooms for everyone, from singles to couples to families
With the resort's overwhelming number of room categories -- 17 to be exact -- selecting the right room can be a dizzying decision. The units are divided among Rooms, Suites and Villas, but within each category are Oceanfront, Oceanfront Couples, Central Oceanfront, Oceanfront Friends & Family, Friends & Family Sundeck Suites -- the list goes on. The good news is that you will be able to pair your clients with the exact type of room that works for them.
I ended up in a Friends & Family Sundeck Suite, an oceanfront unit with a master bedroom and a TV room with a daybed for two kids. The suite opens to a sundeck and outdoor living room with a spa tub, lounge beds and views overlooking Ava Bay.
An airy lobby connects the two wings of the all-inclusive resort. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Ava Resort Cancun
Endless dining options at Ava
If you like restaurant variety, you'll be spoiled for choice at Ava. In just a few days, I only scratched the surface of the resort's 27 food and beverage spots.
The highlight for me was Black Iron for deliciously charred steaks and all the classic side dishes. But you'll also find Mexican, Italian, French, Mediterranean, Southeast Asian and plenty of casual options, including a grab-and-go coffee shop, tapas, a taco station, ice cream and an international buffet.
The fitness center is a sanctuary in itself for gym buffs, with new cardio equipment, weight machines and plenty of free weights. Personal trainers are on staff to answer any questions or to help perfect guests' form.
Whether your clients are a family of five or a group of grown-up girlfriends, Ava has the demographic covered.
Families can dive headfirst into the fully open laser tag arena, an expansive arcade and a water playground. Teens can hang out in their separate club, while younger kids have their own kids' club to explore.
Adults and families can play on the resort's pickleball courts, take dance lessons and even hone their skills at the bowling alley (though this activity comes with a separate charge).
In the evening, Dez nightclub dials the adults-only energy back up with DJs and dancing well past midnight. Golfers can hit the nearby course, while shoppers can wander the lofty shopping arcade to pop in and out of boutiques.
The subterranean spa spans 66,000 square feet and has more than 40 treatment rooms. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Ava Resort Cancun
Serenity also has its place at Ava
A 66,000-square-foot spa is a cavernous subterranean escape with dimly lit hallways that lead to 28 single cabins, 24 double cabins and two VIP cabins. An extensive menu of facials and body treatments has guests covered with everything from deep tissue massages to scrubs and wraps.
Meanwhile, the adults-only pool can be a welcome escape. It has cabanas and its own restaurant and bar.
The Ava Resort Cancun is a celebration of scale and variety. It's a place where families can bond over arcade games and where groups of friends can slip away to oceanfront suites, spa treatments and after-hours energy.
But if it's quiet and understated you're in search of, maybe look elsewhere.