Waldorf Astoria Cancun Review
Our Verdict
Waldorf Astoria Cancun
Waldorf Astoria Cancun is a luxurious beachfront resort located in Cancun, Mexico about 25 minutes outside of the tourist zone. The resort is situated on a stretch of pristine white sand beach overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The hotel features an elegant and modern design that seamlessly blends Mexican culture and contemporary luxury.
Waldorf Astoria Cancun sits near Bahia Petempich Beach which is located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, near the town of Puerto Morelos. The beach is known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, pristine white sand, and lush tropical vegetation.
Bahia Petempich Beach is a quieter and less crowded option compared to other beaches in the area, making it ideal for those seeking a more peaceful and secluded beach experience. Its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere make it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Yucatan Peninsula.
It was a short drive only about 15 minutes from the Cancun International (CUN) airport to the turn off the highway into the resort complex where Waldorf Astoria Cancun is located. And then it was about a 5-6 minute drive all the way to the back of the complex to arrive at Waldorf.
The front drive of this resort is gorgeous with a large water feature and reflecting pond in the center of the front drive and these massive wooden doors that take you into the lobby.
And as soon as you go through the massive doors, be prepared to be wowed as you are greeted by this grand lobby including the signature Waldorf Astoria clock right in front of you. Welcome to the Jewel of Cancun.
This review is based on our personal stay in March of 2023. And don’t forget, if you are planning to stay at Waldorf Astoria Cancun when you book through Live Luxe Travel Co., you’ll receive complimentary benefits such as hotel/resort credits, daily breakfast, room upgrades and more.
For a limited time get the 4th night free plus an additional resort credit of $150 USD for rooms and $300 USD for suites. Must book by June 30, 2023 for stays from January 1, 2023 - December 20, 2023 (blackout dates apply).
Our Room
During our stay we stayed in an Ocean Front Suite with King Bed. All of the rooms and suites at Waldorf Astoria Cancun are very luxurious and offer ocean views, balconies and soaking tubs.
The Ocean Front Suite has extra space at over 1,000 square feet with the convenience of a half bath off the living room. And like a one bedroom suite, there was separation from the living room and bedroom. The living room had a relaxing oversized sofa and table for two. The bedroom also features a sitting area.
Overall the rooms feel very high quality, but with subtle touches of Mexico such as bright colorful artwork to remind you of the destination.
The bathroom in our suite was super luxurious with lots of marble, dual sinks, a space to sit down and do makeup or hair and the glass enclosed shower over looking the balcony.
The shower was very good sized and offered a waterfall rain head from the ceiling along with a handheld. The only complaint was that there didn’t seem to be air conditioning in the shower so it did feel quite hot in there no matter the temperature of the water.
Waldorf Astoria Cancun features Vervan toiletries. These are local products from Mexico that are all natural, cruelty free, biodegradable and more. They were green tea, mint and ginger scented which smelled quite nice and left your skin feeling great.
It’s worth mentioning that all rooms and suites have an ocean view, a hair dyer, iron and ironing board, balcony, Nespresso machine, mini bar and more.
Amenities
Whether you’re looking to spend time at the beach, the pool, the spa or the fitness center, there is something for everyone at Waldorf Astoria Cancun.
During our stay, the red tide was pretty bad, but it wasn’t just at Waldorf Astoria Cancun, it was bad at all of the resorts we visited in the Riviera Maya area.
Waldorf Astoria Spa Cancun is a magical enclave that truly connects you with nature and provides a transformative experience by providing holistic well-being by combining innovation with traditional Mayan culture. Their whole spa is inspired by the connection between the Yaxché or Tree of Life for the Mayan culture.
The spa is absolutely stunning from the facilities in the locker rooms to the outdoor hydrotherapy circuit to the treatment cabins. Your wellness escape awaits.
The pools at Waldorf Astoria Cancun are infinity edge and face the ocean. There is an upper pool closer to the building and the lower pool closer to the beach. Both pools offer a great place to rest, relax and soak up the sun.
During our stay we spent time at the pool. And the staff at the pool is absolutely amazing, The service was very attentive and very quick. It only took about 5 minutes to get drinks and the pool was fairly busy. They do have sun beds that are first-come-first-serve and cabanas for rent.
And if you’re looking for something more adventurous than lounging at the pool, beach or going to the spa, the concierge can arrange tons of activities and experiences.
Waldorf Astoria Spa Cancun is a magical and unique enclave that provides an authentic and transformative experience to our guests, focused on their holistic well-being by combining innovation with the tradition of the Mayan Culture. Timeless and free-spirited, with an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, Waldorf Astoria Spa Cancun reinvents the spa experience, incorporating locally sourced oils and fresh herbs from the garden, with healing crystals and the most innovative products to take you in a magical journey of transformation and enlightenment. Our signature spa experience is inspired by the connection between the Yaxché or Tree of Life for the Mayan culture, with the use of the healing stones and the Mayan cosmovision.
While we didn’t have a treatment at Waldorf Astoria Cancun Spa, we did use the spa facilities including sauna and steam in the locker room and the outdoor hydrotherapy circuit.
Dining
Waldorf Astoria Cancun offers a variety of dining options, including a seafood restaurant, a modern Mexican restaurant, and the pool bar with stunning panoramic views. There are a total of 5 food and beverage outlets on property at Waldorf Astoria Cancun.
Breakfast each day is served at Chaya which is also open for dinner. Breakfast is a super casual and relaxed atmosphere. For breakfast we tried the chilaquiles (these are a must), pancakes, American breakfast and more.
For dinner we dined at Ja’o (modern Mexican cuisine) one night and the tacos and margaritas were excellent. This restaurant has great ambiance and blends the indoor with the outdoors.
And lastly we dined at Chaya for dinner our last night. They were having an Italian theme night, which during a long length of stay or just for something different was a nice change of pace.
Service
Like any new property, it’s hard to open and have top-notch service within the first year. But we were super impressed by the service we encountered at Waldorf Astoria Cancun. Everyone from the bell staff, to front desk, to housekeeping, to waitstaff was all very friendly, helpful and accommodating.
In fact, one night at dinner we asked what other desserts were possible because we didn’t see anything on the menu that looked good. They asked what we had in mind, we told we wanted Tres Leches and they made it happen. Luxury is learning how to not say no.
Overall Impression
Waldorf Astoria Cancun is a hidden gem. This new luxury resort will cater to those wanting a quick weekend escape, to couples, families, honeymooners and anyone else seeing a true luxury five-star experience who doesn’t want to spend nearly an hour in the car going to other Riviera Maya properties.
We would go back to Waldorf Astoria Cancun in a heartbeat. In fact it will become a resort that we frequent.
Extra Perks
And don’t forget, when you book Waldorf Astoria Cancun with Live Luxe Travel Co., you’ll receive a $100 USD equivalent resort credit (once per stay) to use on dining or spa treatments, daily breakfast for two and a room upgrade (if available at the time of check-in).
For a limited time get the 4th night free plus an additional resort credit of $150 USD for rooms and $300 USD for suites. Must book by June 30, 2023 for stays from January 1, 2023 - December 20, 2023 (blackout dates apply).