Hyatt Ziva Cancun vs. Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun
Planning an unforgettable all-inclusive vacation in the Riviera Maya? If the luxurious Hyatt Ziva brand is on your radar, you're likely weighing the merits of Hyatt Ziva Cancun and Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun. Both are all-inclusive family resorts near Cancun, Mexico. To help you choose the perfect escape, our expert travel guide dives deep into a head-to-head comparison, optimizing your search for the ideal Hyatt all-inclusive experience.
Airport Proximity: A Slight Edge to Hyatt Ziva Cancun
When considering your travel logistics, both Hyatt Ziva Cancun and Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun boast convenient access to the Cancun International Airport (CUN). However, Hyatt Ziva Cancun enjoys a slightly shorter transfer time. While seemingly minor, this difference can be a welcome relief after a long flight, getting your all-inclusive vacation started that much sooner. Keep in mind that the specific location of Hyatt Ziva Cancun plays a crucial role in its beach quality, a key factor we'll explore later for discerning beach lovers.
Property and Ambiance
Hyatt Ziva Cancun, a seasoned favorite, first welcomed guests in 2015. Known for its distinctive peninsula location, this resort offers a unique layout and often benefits from refreshing ocean breezes. In fact, the constant airflow, while occasionally a bit windy, coupled with less lush vegetation, contributes to a lower mosquito population – a significant plus for many travelers seeking a comfortable Caribbean getaway. The inviting fire pits scattered around the Hyatt Ziva Cancun property also create a popular evening gathering spot for enjoying drinks under the stars. Take a tour:
Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun, on the other hand, re-opened its doors in 2021 after an extensive major refurbishment. It took over the former Secrets Silver Sands, which originally opened in 2008. While perhaps not as consistently breezy as its Cancun counterpart, Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun compensates with a different set of appealing features. Take a tour:
Important Note: Both Hyatt Ziva Cancun and Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun require a security deposit at check-in, so ensure you have a valid credit card ready.
Suites and Room Amenities: Space and Variety
For those prioritizing spacious accommodations, Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun takes the lead. All rooms here are suites, boasting a generous starting square footage of 688 square feet. This significantly outpaces the starting size of rooms at Hyatt Ziva Cancun, which begins at 463 square feet. While the standard room amenities are largely comparable between the two luxury all-inclusive resorts, the sheer size difference provides a more expansive living space at Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun.
However, Hyatt Ziva Cancun offers a unique advantage for those seeking direct pool access with its Swim-up suites, a feature currently not available at Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun. The closest you can get at Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun is the junior suite pool walkout.
Elevated Experiences: Club and Turquoize Levels
For an enhanced stay, Hyatt Ziva Cancun offers both a Club Level and the exclusive Turquoize Level Rooms. The Turquoise Level stands out with its oceanfront suites, complete with a jacuzzi on the balcony and larger floor plans than even the Club Level rooms. Guests of the Turquoize Level also enjoy in-room perks like tablets for convenience and liquor and wine mini-bottles. A dedicated private elevator provides direct access to the Zen Spa, along with complimentary hydrotherapy circuit access during specific hours. The stunning rooftop Infinity pool with panoramic ocean views and the exclusive Punta Vista bar further elevate the Turquoize experience. Notably, Nespresso machines are a coveted amenity exclusively for Club Tower guests at Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun also provides a dedicated Club Level, offering its own set of premium amenities and services for discerning travelers seeking an upgraded all-inclusive experience.
Entertainment and Activities: From Shows to Water Parks
Both Hyatt Ziva Cancun and Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun ensure guests are entertained throughout their stay with daily activities led by the energetic resort staff, particularly around the main pool areas. The evening shows at both resorts take place in outdoor theaters, but Hyatt Ziva Cancun boasts a significantly larger venue, potentially offering a grander scale for performances.
Unique to Hyatt Ziva Cancun is the availability of a golf simulator and the opportunity to swim with dolphins (an onsite experience not owned by Hyatt). Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun, however, boasts a significant draw for families: an on-site waterpark, complete with a dedicated area for younger children, providing hours of aquatic fun.
Bars and Lounges: Setting the Scene for Relaxation
When it comes to finding the perfect spot to unwind with a drink, my favorite bar is Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun's Outdoor Bar. It’s a popular hotspot, creating a vibrant social atmosphere in the evenings. At Hyatt Ziva Cancun, the onsite brewery with its craft beer selections and the centrally located Lobby Bar are the go-to destinations for evening cocktails and socializing.
Restaurants: A Culinary Journey
Dining at both Hyatt Ziva Cancun and Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun offers a diverse range of culinary experiences with similar cuisine offerings. Overall, guests tend to rate the dining options at Hyatt Ziva Cancun higher. The restaurants offer more choices.
Family-Friendly Features: Catering to Younger Guests
For families traveling with children, Hyatt Ziva Cancun offers a comprehensive approach with both a dedicated Kids Club and a Teen Club, catering to a wider age range. Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun focuses on younger guests with its Kids Club.
Poolside Paradise: Options and Availability
Both Hyatt Ziva Cancun and Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun prioritize guest safety with lifeguards at their pools and offer the option to enhance your poolside experience with cabanas available for rent. However, guest feedback suggests that loungers tend to be more plentiful and readily available at Hyatt Ziva Cancun. Recent reviews indicate that Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun may have developed more of a "chair game" scenario. Hyatt Ziva Cancun boasts three stunning infinity pools, while Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun offers an impressive nine pools scattered throughout the property. This abundance of pools at Riviera Cancun provides ample options for those seeking a quieter retreat away from the main pool area. Beverage service can be inconsistent at the smaller pools.
Beach Bliss: Sand, Surf, and Serenity
For many, the beach is a non-negotiable aspect of a Caribbean vacation. In this regard, Hyatt Ziva Cancun holds a significant advantage. It features two distinct beach areas, one of which is private to the resort, offering a more exclusive feel. The water on the private beach tends to be calmer due to the resort's location, while the Sahara Beach side offers a slightly rougher surf. Families can also enjoy the unique double-decker family cabanas available for rent at Sahara Beach. Overall, Hyatt Ziva Cancun presents a better option for dedicated beach lovers. In contrast, the beach at Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun is small, narrow, and rocky.
Zen Spa and Fitness Centers: Wellness and Rejuvenation
When it comes to wellness, both Hyatt Ziva Cancun and Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun offer comparable Zen Spa experiences. Guests can indulge in a variety of treatments, including massages, facials, and access to a hydrotherapy circuit, along with full salon services. Similarly, both resorts feature well-equipped fitness centers with a range of equipment and included fitness classes, ensuring guests can maintain their workout routines while on vacation.
Price Point: Understanding the Investment
Finally, a crucial factor for many travelers is the cost. Generally, Hyatt Ziva Cancun tends to be the more expensive option compared to Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun. This price difference likely reflects factors such as its established reputation, unique location with better beach access, and the availability of the exclusive Turquoize Level.
The Verdict: Choosing Your Perfect Hyatt Ziva Escape
Ultimately, the "best" Hyatt Ziva resort for you depends on your individual priorities and preferences for your luxury all-inclusive getaway.
Choose Hyatt Ziva Cancun if: You prioritize a superior beach experience with calmer waters and more space, desire the exclusivity and enhanced amenities of the Turquoise Level, want the option of swim-up suites, appreciate a potentially lower mosquito population, enjoy a larger evening show venue, and value the social atmosphere of the Brewery and Lobby Bars. The availability of a Teen Club might also be a deciding factor for families with older children.
Choose Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun if: Spacious all-suite accommodations are a top priority, you're traveling with younger children who will love the on-site waterpark, you prefer a newer property with a modern feel, and the Outdoor Bar's social scene appeals to you. The potentially lower price point might also be a significant factor.
One perk of booking your next vacation with Trips with Angie is that we help you sort through all the resort options based on what’s most important to you. Email Angie@TripswithAngie.com to get started.