Hotel
Zone
If
you are craving posh accommodations with wide beds, room service
and ocean views, then head for the Hotel Zone. The hotels are there
for one reason alone: to pamper you with their beauty salons, spas,
fully equipped gymnasiums, pools, water sports facilities, restaurants
and bars. Standard rooms are equipped with air conditioning, mini-bars,
safes, hair dryers, private baths and satellite television. In the
all-inclusive resorts there is a daily schedule planned of games
and activities and, in the evening, themed night parties complete with
food, beverages and entertainment. Mexican, Italian and Caribbean
themes seem to be the most popular. Of course all this luxury doesn’t
come cheap, unless you shop around for a package deal.
The
Hotel Zone is shaped like the number seven. The top extends east
from the mainland into the Caribbean; Punta Cancun is the corner
at which point the Zone heads south ending at Punta Nizuc where
the road curves west to the airport. Older hotels are at the north
end, the newer ones at the south. Boulevard Kukulcán is the main
road and, because it’s less than 1 km wide, you can see both the Caribbean
and the lagoons from either side. If you want to be where the action
is, pick a hotel along the northern shore, or near Punta Cancún. Here,
all the clubs, bars, restaurants and discos are within walking distance.
At times, this area resembles Miami with its neon lights, fast food
outlets and brand-name stores. If you want something quieter but
still within a short taxi ride to the shopping, restaurants, and
water sports, stay in the middle of the north-south stretch. The
most remote and most luxurious hotels are found at the south end
and are suitable for those who want to stick close to home or have
a car. It’s a long haul to the clubs, restaurants and downtown from
there.
Downtown
Hotels
Downtown
is divided into neighborhoods called Super Manzanas (SM), each with
its own park. The smaller side streets curve around the parks while
the main streets curve around the whole manzanas. Avenida Tulum
is the main street where many of the hotels are located. Other hotels
are located within walking distance of Av. Tulum.
Downtown hotels have a more modest charm. They are also half the
price of a Hotel Zone room so staying in them allows you to visit
a world-class resort while on a budget. What these hotels lack in
luxury they make up for in color and individuality. Another bonus
is that you are within walking distance of the markets and many
fine restaurants that are more authentic (and therefore less costly)
than in the Hotel Zone. You will also have a chance to meet the locals
and practice your Spanish, if you choose to stay downtown.
Rooms
have the basic amenities: hot water, overhead fans (you pay extra
for air conditioning), double beds and private baths. Some even
have pools. However, television is usually just the local Spanish
channels (which can be an interesting cultural experience – the
Price is Right in Spanish is kind of bizarre.) Many of the downtown
hotels have free shuttle bus service down to the beaches in the
Hotel Zone, but if not, buses and taxis to the Hotel Zone are frequent and cheap.
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