Meagan Drillinger
As difficult as 2020 has been for the travel industry, and Mexico's travel industry in particular, things are looking up going into 2021 for the state of Quintana Roo. A slew of openings from January through December brings excitement, anticipation and hope for a much better travel landscape. From budget-friendly hotels to sprawling five-star resorts, there is something to fit most travel styles to look forward to in Yucatan Peninsula state.
Residence Inn Cancun Hotel Zone
Expected to open in January, the Residence Inn Cancun Hotel Zone will be located directly on the hotel strip, with three floors and 158 suites. Complimentary breakfast will be offered, and while there will be no restaurant for lunch or dinner, the hotel will offer local restaurant delivery. There will also be the Market, which will offer light meals, snacks, beverages and travel essentials.
There will be two pools, including one on the roof, and a fitness center. The resort will help to arrange activities like boating, use of personal watercraft, kayaking, scuba diving, golfing and more. This will be a pet-friendly hotel, as well.
Aloft Tulum
Also anticipated in Q1 of 2021, Aloft will open a Tulum property. The four-floor, 140-room Aloft Tulum will have a rooftop pool, a splash pool and a fitness center. The hotel restaurant will be open for breakfast, while the Atico Rooftop Lounge & Bar will serve cocktails, lunch and dinner. The WXYZ Bar will also serve cocktails and is designed to have a social atmosphere, complete with a pool and loft-inspired lounge spaces. Another dining option will be Re:fuel by Aloft, which will serve grab-and-go meals, like salads, sandwiches and snacks.
Live Aqua Beach Resort Tulkal
Looking toward the summer, Live Aqua will be opening its first Riviera Maya beach resort. The Live Aqua Beach Resort Tulkal will feature 343 rooms and suites, each with a private balcony. The beachfront resort will have the signature Aqua Lounge, open to select rooms, as well.
Other amenities will include a pool, spa, more than 10 restaurants and bars and a convention center that will have a ballroom with a capacity of up to 3,000 guests.
Hotel Xcaret Arte
Opening July 1, Hotel Xcaret will open the next anticipated boutique-style resort within its sprawling new development. Hotel Xcaret Arte will open with Caribbean Sea views, 900 adults-only suites, nine dining experiences and an all-inclusive concept that includes unlimited access to the nine Grupo Xcaret theme parks.
The resort's suites will be divided among five Casas. These Casas will host different artistic expressions, including weaving, painting, pottery, dance and vegan cuisine.
Mexican chefs have been tapped to help craft the menus across the dining venues, and the Muluk Spa has been designed to sit tucked within the natural rock caves on the property.
Fiesta Americana Tulkal Riviera Maya
Scheduled to open this fall, Fiesta Americana will open its first Tulum resort. The Fiesta Americana Tulkal Riviera Maya will feature 734 rooms and suites, 13 restaurants and bars, a spa, meetings space and access to the Tulkal Convention Center.
Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort
Slated for November, the Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort will open on 100 acres, featuring six restaurants and bars, access to a 55,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor convention center, a health club and a spa. Two pools will be available for the guestrooms and suites, as well.
Waldorf Astoria Cancun
The anticipated Waldorf Astoria Cancun was slated to open in summer 2021, but has been postponed until March 2022. They are not taking reservations yet. The five-star resort will sit on 500 acres with beachfront, the signature Waldorf Astoria Spa, five restaurants and bars and more than 55,000 square feet of event space. Other amenities will include an outdoor pool and a fitness center.