The Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun has been a personal favorite of mine for years. Maybe it's because of the picture-perfect beach location, in the heart of Cancun's bustling Hotel Zone. Or maybe it's the resort's exclusive Aqua Club Lounge. It could be the chic pool deck with its great soundtrack that keeps me coming back, or even the evening sushi bar, where I tend to spend a significant amount of time.
The truth is, it's all of these things. But they would mean nothing without the people behind them; for me, that's what makes this resort a cut above the rest.
I visited the Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun in August as part of a "fact-finding" mission to see what it was like to travel to Mexico during the Covid-19 pandemic. For someone who is in Mexico more often than she isn't, it was strange to be going back under such precarious circumstances.
But all anxiety seemed to melt away upon arrival at Live Aqua Beach. Aside from an entirely masked staff and an ample amount of hand-sanitizing stations, the energy and warmth felt exactly the same. It was a much-needed, welcome change of pace after so many months of isolation and uncertainty.
Live Aqua Cancun is an all-inclusive, adults-only beach resort with 371 rooms, all featuring balconies and ocean views. After being handed my complimentary mask and hand sanitizer (a brand standard among Grupo Posadas hotels), I checked into an Aqua Club Room, a category of units located on the fifth and sixth floors. Guests in these and the 36 suites at the resort have access to the Aqua Club Lounge, which offers private check-in/checkout, top-shelf liquor, private breakfast, hors d'oeuvres and appetizers and afternoon tea.
An Aqua Club Room.
Rooms have been changed during the pandemic to be slightly more spartan. All art as well as brochures, menus and other potentially high-touch items have been removed. What remains, though, are magnificent views, including one of the Caribbean from the deep soaking tub -- my favorite amenity.
The staff at Live Aqua prides themselves on making memories -- they strive to make each guest feel like it's their own private resort. For me, this started with a private cabana, both poolside and on the beach, decorated in colorful signs showing off my social media handles.
There was also a special, secret (socially distant) farewell surprise, but I won't spoil the fun. The excitement to be back in the travel swing was palpable across the entire resort staff. And even though stringent health and safety protocols have been implemented, their fizzy energy permeated the entire property.
Speaking of those protocols, Live Aqua Beach is committed to them. Aside from the previously mentioned masks, many members of the staff wear face shields, as well. And in addition to the ubiquitous hand sanitizer dispensers, there are shoe sanitizing mats at every point of entrance. Pool loungers have been reconfigured to allow for social distancing, and the gym is open by appointment only and only for an hour at a time in order to allow for thorough cleaning between appointments.
It was a refreshingly comfortable experience. However, I was never doubtful that Mexico's hotels were going to go above and beyond to make guests feel safe.
Azur is Live Aqua’s beachfront restaurant, serving casual, fresh favorites from ceviche and tacos to surf and turf.
The only area that caused some concern was the lack of masks I saw being worn by hotel guests within the lobby and the indoor public spaces. Grupo Posadas told me that staff urge guests to wear masks but that they cannot force people to comply. And the hotel does not ask guests to leave when they refuse to wear a mask in public spaces.
I am of the firm belief that travel should be kept to a minimum. That said, for those who are ready to travel, there are absolutely ways to do it responsibly, and staying masked in indoor, public spaces is one of the easiest ways to do so.
Still, devotees of the resort will be pleasantly surprised to discover that their beach haven remains as relaxing and enjoyable as ever -- perhaps even more so for the time being, as hotel capacity is limited to 60% in Cancun.
Personal favorites at the resort are the sushi bar counter, which is open on the lower level near the bar. It's the perfect spot for a quick bite and a cocktail if you're waiting for your table to be ready at mb, the experimental molecular gastronomy restaurant. Tacos and toes in the sand at Sea Corner is another favorite of mine.
Of course, nothing beats a quiet moment in a private cabana on the sugary Cancun beach. With a cocktail of choice in hand, it's almost possible -- almost -- to feel a little bit like normal again.
Rates at Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun begin at $490.