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Hyatt Zilara Cancun Review

Welcome to this review of the Hyatt Zilara Cancun, a luxury, all-inclusive, adults-only resort in Cancun. I wanted to stay at the Hyatt Zilara for a few years before I actually did. Once I stayed once, I was hooked! We now visit about every 3-4 months. 

Here is my Hyatt Zilara Cancun review. I paid for my trips and did not receive any kind of incentive to write this post.

I’ve been back to the Hyatt Zilara several times since my initial trip but kept this review from the first time while keeping it updated with current information. Did I love it? Keep reading to find out!

What to expect at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun

The Hyatt Zilara is a luxury, all-inclusive, adults-only resort located in Cancun’s hotel zone. The beach is beautiful and less crowded than some of the other areas of the Hotel Zone.

All 307 rooms have an ocean view. Palm trees may slightly obstruct ocean view rooms, etc., whereas oceanfront rooms are just that, oceanfront. 

All rooms also have balconies with hammocks, whirlpool tubs, rainfall showers, and complimentary daily restocked minibars.

The minibar options are limited, but you can request free room service at any time of day. On our visits, the minibars contained water, two types of Mexican beer, Coke and Sprite.

The included snacks were chocolate bars, Pringles, chips, and peanuts.  

What is available for room service depends on the time of day. You have several options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks.

Prefer a video version of this Hyatt Zilara Cancun review and tour? Check it out on YouTube, and make sure to subscribe over there for more hotel reviews, travel tips, and so much more. 

Suite service breakfast options at the Hyatt Zilara:

Seasonal fruit, yogurt, cereal, pastries, pancakes, eggs, motulenos eggs, omelets, mixteca, and chilaquiles.

Suite Service lunch and dinner options:

Salads, soup, sandwiches, burgers, fajitas, beef filet, chicken breast, penne, bolognese, salmon, and several desserts. 

Late-night room service at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun

Salad, soup, shrimp cocktail, nachos, cheese sticks, chicken fingers, burritos, pizza.

The room service also includes drinks such as juice, coffee, soda, and tea. 

Free room service is not standard at all-inclusive resorts, so this is an extra perk to staying at the Hyatt Zilara. 

Although the room service food is not on par with the restaurant options, it’s still nice to have the opportunity to dine in-suite.

Is the Hyatt Zilara Cancun Adults Only?

Yes, the Hyatt Zilara Cancun is an adults-only property. Their sister resort, the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, is an excellent alternative for families. 

Since this is an adults-only resort, all of the activities are catered toward adults. Plus, you won’t have kids splashing you in the pool – bonus!

If you’re on a honeymoon, babymoon, or anniversary trip, I’d recommend an adults-only resort for relaxation.

Don’t forget to check 40 things to do in Cancun for even more things to do during your stay!

What room options are available at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun?

The Oceanfront Luxury Suites, Presidential Suites, and Swim-Up Suites include a reserved beach cabana, The Zen Water Journey at the spa, and access to the exclusive Chef’s Table Restaurant.

As of 2022, only the Presidential suite has a dedicated beach cabana.  The swim-up and Presidential Suites have access to Chef’s Plate. None of the rooms have access to the Zen Water Journey, which is an additional $29 or complimentary with any spa treatment. 

During our visit, we chose the Oceanfront Luxury King room, and I would highly recommend it.

Since our initial visit, you no longer have access to Chef’s Plate with the Oceanfront Luxury suite king. 

Swim-up suites were not available during our visit, but we have stayed in one in subsequent visits. I recommend trying to get one away from the pool. There are two “quieter” sides while the middle is close to the main pool. Either way, this is not a party resort and the pool isn’t very loud at night. 

There’s also less of a view from the swim-up suites, but overall it is worth the splurge to upgrade to one of the three luxury room types. 

The Presidential Suite

The Presidential Suites are very large and perfect for a special occasion such as a destination wedding, honeymoon, or anniversary. I have a video tour of the Presidential Suite on YouTube. 

Overall, I would say it’s worth it to stay in the “premier” suites at the Hyatt Zilara, especially if you want to eat at Chef’s Plate or have a reserved beach cabana.

The cabanas by the pool are first-come, first-serve, so make sure to get down to the pool early to snag a cabana.

While I believe the premier suites are worth the upgrade, the regular suites are still spectacular, thanks to all-around ocean views.

Unless you’re staying in the Presidential Suite, you won’t notice much of a size difference between the premier rooms and standard rooms. 653 vs. 758 from an oceanfront Junior Suite King and Luxury Ocean Suite King (respectively), and we couldn’t tell the difference.

You might also enjoy what to pack for an all-inclusive vacation. 

What kind of restaurants does the Hyatt Zilara Cancun have?

The Hyatt Zilara Cancun has five onsite restaurants, one buffet, and a coffee bar. All of the restaurants have excellent food, especially for an all-inclusive.

Only two restaurants require a reservation, Chef’s Table, which is available to those staying in luxury rooms or to anyone for an additional fee.

The teppanyaki show at Asiana also requires a reservation, although dining at Asiana does not. 

Let’s talk about the restaurants at the Hyatt Zilara, what they offer, and when they are open.

Maria Marie’s

Maria Marie’s offers upscale Mexican cuisine and is one of the top restaurants for dinner at the Hyatt Zilara. Every time that I’ve eaten here, the food has been incredible.

The very first time I ate at Maria Marie’s, the chef made me a special vegan enchilada dish. I’ve also had several appetizers and dishes that were all very good.

My husband says everything he has tried (not vegetarian) has also been good. Maria Marie’s is his favorite restaurant. 

I recommend asking for Noe. He is fantastic and very knowledgeable about food allergies. He went above and beyond to make sure I had plenty of options.

Asiana

Asiana is split into two dining areas. Downstairs you’ll find four Teppanyaki areas (seating eight people each) and a more casual dining area upstairs. This is where you’ll sit for lunch or dinner if you don’t have a Teppanyaki reservation. 

During my last visit, I had somewhat of a bad experience with the Teppanyaki show. My food was cooked with something that I am allergic to, but fortunately, it was right in front of me, and I caught it. 

The staff at the restaurant went above and beyond to apologize and have my food made in the kitchen to ensure no cross-contamination. I have to give a shoutout to Eduardo (the head waiter) and Carolina (the hostess) for being extra helpful every time.

The food at Asiana is fantastic and, and as with all of the other restaurants, the staff went above and beyond to accommodate my particular food preferences (vegetarian, gluten-allergy.)

My “normal food” eating husband loved his meal too.

Gluten-free, vegetarian curry.

Pelicanos Now punta vista

Pelicanos offers oceanfront dining for all meals. The name has changed to Punta Vista but all the “regulars” didn’t like it and it is mostly back to “Pelicanos” minus the name.

We found Pelicanos to be somewhat limited on our first few visits, but they have expanded the menu since then. Even if you don’t see what you want on the menu, you can ask for something else, and they should accommodate you.

Pelicanos has the best view in the entire resort and is right next to the pool bar, so you know you’ll get some great cocktails!

If you don’t want to eat at the buffet for breakfast, Pelicanos is an excellent sit-down option. We weren’t particularly impressed with Pelicanos the first time, but it’s gotten better every time.

Arturo, who originally worked at Spice, is here now, and here is our favorite server at the resort. 

Spice

The buffet, Spice, has an excellent variety for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Craving something that you don’t see on the buffet? No problem! Ask your server if you can get something special prepared for you. 

Ask for Arturo at Spice if he is working. He will take care of you! All of the staff at the Hyatt Zilara are great, but Arturo goes far above and beyond. **Arturo is now working at Pelicanos. 

Arturo always makes sure that I have special, gluten-free options at every meal and has remembered us every time we return.

La Adelita Cantina

La Adelita Cantina serves Mexican and Caribbean food and is open for dinner only. It is located right next to Maria Marie’s.

It has a more casual atmosphere than Chef’s Plate, Maria Marie’s, or Asiana. There are lots of seafood dishes, so this is the place to go if you love seafood. 

Chef’s Plate

Chef’s Plate is a set seven-course menu that changes daily. If you have food allergies, they will accommodate you even though it says it is a set menu. I avoided it due to my allergies but last time I was told they would create a special menu for me! It was a very fun experience and my food was excellent. 

Chef’s Plate is included with the premier suites (Swim-up Suites and Presidential suites) and is available to anyone for a fee of $50.

Chef’s Plate requires a reservation, and I recommend you make that reservation as far in advance as possible.

This is definitely the most upscale of the restaurants on the property, so make sure to wear your best outfit!

Casa del Cafe

While technically not a restaurant, I thought the Casa del Cafe was worth mentioning. If you want a quick snack, coffee, or smoothie, this is the place to go.

While the coffee and smoothies are fantastic, the baked goods are “only ok,” so I would save your calories for a more substantial breakfast at Pelicanos or Spice.

If you have any excursions planned, Casa del Cafe would be a great spot to grab something to go on the way out. I love the staff at Casa del Cafe; they remembered my coffee order every morning on my last visit. 

Special diets and food allergies at the Hyatt Zilara

One of the things that attracted me to the Hyatt Zilara Cancun was the options for special diets. As someone who has Celiac Disease (I can’t eat gluten) and follows a primarily plant-based diet, I worried that my choices would be limited.

Thankfully the staff at the Hyatt Zilara will go above and beyond to ensure that you’re able to eat something you enjoy. I would highly recommend it for anyone who follows a special diet or has food allergies.

Always let your server know if you have an allergy or special preference when you sit down. At Asiana, the sushi chef made me a very special vegetarian appetizer which I loved! Of course, they had gluten-free soy sauce too.

My veggie rolls were delicious. My husband said the California rolls were also fantastic. 

Is alcohol included at the Hyatt Zilara?

The Hyatt Zilara Cancun is all-inclusive, so yes, drinks are included! There is a large bar in the lobby, as well as a swim-up pool bar. Of course, you can get drinks at any of the restaurants. Mimosa with breakfast? Yes, please.

I recommend ordering a Riviera Maya. A very sweet, fruity beverage that is even prettier than it tastes. I also love the frozen margaritas, although most of the drinks I’ve tried have been very good.

If you do not drink, there are plenty of mocktails available, along with juices and smoothies in the Casa del Cafe. 

The premier rooms include your choice of liquor, although Absolute Vodka, Champagne, and Johnny Walker are what is stocked there unless you request something different. 

How much does it cost to stay at the Hyatt Zilara?

The Hyatt Zilara Cancun is classified as a luxury hotel and as is more expensive than some other all-inclusive resorts in Cancun.

That said, you get what you pay for. I find the Hyatt Zilara to be very affordable considering that it is luxury, adults-only, has great food, and room service is included. 

Rates vary by room type, time of year, etc., and start around $500 per night for two guests.

Pricing goes up depending on the room category, the number of guests, and the time of year. Check current pricing on Expedia for the best rates. 

If you’d prefer to work with a professional, you can contact me for a worry-free all-inclusive Cancun vacation. 

Activities at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun

The Hyatt Zilara offers many free activities to resort guests. A favorite pastime for most guests is hanging out in the large infinity pool.

The pool is split into two sections, one for relaxation and one for activities. The swim-up bar is located on the relaxation side.

It can be inconvenient to get from one side to the other without getting out of the water. You kind of have to throw yourself over the divider – yes, people do that. Don’t ask how I know.

That’s really just a small detail and not a big complaint. You can also simply walk around. 

Some resort activities were limited or modified due to the current conditions, but most are still available, and more are coming back regularly.

Yoga, water aerobics, pool parties, Bingo, volleyball, and nightly entertainment are all included in your stay.

Sometimes you’ll find daytime entertainment at the pool; make sure to check the schedule during your visit.

There is also a weekly pool party, a state-of-the-art gym, pilates studio, and lap pool.

The Zen Spa is an excellent way to unwind, and there are plenty of additional activities available for guests looking for more adventure.

If you do visit the Zen Spa, I recommend asking for Yohana for massages. She is excellent and always remembers me!

Cons to staying at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun

Upon researching my recent stay at the Hyatt Zilara, I found a few complaints online. Mostly having to do with timeshares, pushing people to go to the spa, and pushing upgrades at the front desk.

I have to say that I experienced none of these on any of my visits. I also saw some complaints about the A/C, but again, we had no problem with ours whatsoever.

The only downside is that you’ll have to advocate for yourself if you have a special diet. They are supposed to coordinate for you ahead of time, but I found that this didn’t happen at all.

However, I’m sure if you have allergies or a special diet, you’re used to speaking up anyway. 

Just let your server know, or ask to speak to a chef; they will take care of you!

Overall, I have absolutely no complaints about the Hyatt Zilara Cancun, and that should say a lot because I am pretty picky!

Does Mexico require a COVID test for entry?

As of right now, no testing is required to enter Cancun. Thermal temperature scans are done at the airport, and temperature checks are done at some resorts.

Employees are the Hyatt Zilara, and most other resorts are required to wear face coverings. Although there are some signs for face coverings, it is not really enforced except at the buffet.

Of course, you can wear a face-covering any time if you feel more comfortable doing so. It’s also a large resort, so social distancing is easy if you choose to do that.

Not everyone does social distance, but it’s very easy if that is your preference.

Extra cleaning and social distancing measures are also being taken, and plenty of hand sanitizing stations are available.

Does the Hyatt Zilara offer onsite covid testing?

While you do not have to have a covid test to enter Mexico, you are required to have one to go back to the US.

Fortunately, the Hyatt Zilara offers rapid testing on the property to make this inconvenience a little easier.

Our most recent testing experience was that it was fairly simple. You have to go set up a time to test and then come back for your test. We received our (negative) resorts within about 8 hours.

You must have a negative COVID test within 1 day of re-entry to the US. Make sure to plan your testing accordingly. I prefer to do self testing that is proctored, so that is another option. 

Destination Weddings at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun

The Hyatt Zilara Cancun offers several wedding packages, including a free wedding for two. Wedding packages start at $500 with guests and around $5000 for a larger wedding.

If you’re considering a Cancun destination wedding, make sure to check out my photography site. I’d love to fly down to Cancun and photograph your wedding or elopement!

Hyatt Zilara Cancun Review

Overall we found the Hyatt Zilara Cancun to be an incredible, relaxing resort and a great value for the price. The staff are all fantastic, the food is excellent, and the location is beautiful.

While the Hyatt Zilara is adults-only, their sister property, the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, is great for families.

We encountered the Hyatt Ziva Cancun staff when we were evacuated due to a hurricane (now that is another story entirely), and they were just as wonderful as the Hyatt Zilara Cancun staff. 

Tipping at the Hyatt Zilara

Even though tips are supposedly included, make sure to bring some cash. Extra tips are greatly appreciated and especially needed now after many of the employees were out of work for quite some time.

Make sure to tip housekeeping too! They are working hard to keep rooms extra clean. Many resorts aren’t even offering daily cleaning services, but the housekeeping at the Zilara will keep your room spotless at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun every day.

Mexico All-Inclusive Vacation

While there are still many travel restrictions in place, Cancun is currently one of the easiest places to visit and offers a glimmer of hope for those of us who have had to cancel any travel plans last year.

Travel is a personal choice, so make sure to be cautious, consider booking in advance, and make sure to get travel insurance – just in case! 

Prices at the Hyatt Zilara Cancun start around $350 per night for two people. You can check current prices on Expedia or contact me if you’d like to work with a Travel Agent. 

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