The 151-room Ocean Spa Hotel is a mid-range all-inclusive resort in Cancun's Hotel Zone that's a good choice for undemanding travelers looking for a good value. The well-maintained grounds are dotted with palm trees and feature a nice pool, kids' pool, and a small stretch of beach, but the property is due for an update, with generic, lackluster interiors and guest rooms that have a clinical feel. All rooms have private balconies and a smattering of standard amenities, but they lack mini-fridges, bathrooms are small, and guests complain of maintenance issues like problems with air-conditioning and plumbing. Food here gets mixed reviews, but guests can choose between a buffet restaurant and three a la carte eateries, plus there are several bars. A nice on-site spa and beauty salon offer various treatments, and though there's no fitness center, there are free classes such as yoga and Pilates, as well as tennis courts. Rooms at the nearby (sometimes slightly pricier) Barcelo Costa Cancun are nicer, and it has a kids' club, but Wi-Fi incurs a fee.

The upper-middle-range Grand Oasis Cancun is a beachfront all-inclusive mega-resort that’s part of a two-hotel complex in Cancun’s Hotel Zone with 1,200 rooms that prides itself on entertainment. It’s a family-friendly property with a kids’ club, but 12 bars -- including two adults-only nightclubs with burlesque-style shows -- provide plenty of entertainment geared towards adults. The pool is one of the largest in Cancun and features two swim-up bars, music, and DJ sessions from time to time, while the beach is beautiful and relaxing. Rooms, while clean and comfortable enough, are starting to show their age and have basic amenities. The all-inclusive package is just average: it doesn’t cover all restaurants, plus Wi-Fi, in-room safes, and access to the spa are all extra charges. It’s worth paying a bit more at Hotel Riu Cancun, which is smaller and more modern.

A time-share and all-inclusive property, the Sandos Cancun Luxury Experience is located in Cancun's Hotel Zone. While ownership pitches from the concierge can be pesky, this property does have a variety of quality restaurants, considerable spa offerings, and three elegant infinity pools. The hotel overlooks a gorgeous strip of white-sand beach and some rooms have balconies with striking water views. There is 24-hour room service, a chic lobby bar, and well-equipped fitness center, but some guests complain about a lack of nightlife and limited number of pool and beach umbrellas.

The Westin is a large, upscale, family-friendly resort set in a quieter, farther-flung section of Cancun's Hotel Zone. The 376 rooms have views of either the beach or the lagoon and many have balconies, but while some have received modern updates, others still feel dated. The resort features four pools, a beautiful and nearly private beach, a spa and gym, kids’ club, and four restaurants. While there are some meal-plan options, all-inclusive plans aren't available, except for kids. Those looking for an all-inclusive who don't mind a bit more of a party vibe may want to consider the four-pearl Gran Caribe Resort farther up the coast instead.

The Grand Park Royal Cancun Caribe is an upper-middle-range all-inclusive beachfront resort in the heart of Cancun's Hotel Zone. Its 311 rooms are reasonably modern and come a balcony or terrace, some with small private pools, and some with outstanding views of the gorgeous Caribbean Sea. There are four restaurants, including a buffet option for all meals, and there are also snack stands and bars throughout the property. One of the two lovely pools is for adults only, and activities happen on the beach and at the pools. There's also a spa and fitness center (for a fee). Unfortunately, time-share pitches can be aggressive. Travelers looking for a more active all-inclusive could check out the nearby Gran Caribe Resort Cancun, which also offers more services for the kids. 

Made up of five interconnected pyramids, the 525-room Paradisus Cancun is an upscale, all-inclusive mega-resort geared toward families, offering a stellar setting along a beautiful stretch of beach in the Hotel Zone. The well-equipped rooms are spacious and have furnished balconies with sea or lagoon views, free minibars, and free Wi-Fi, but decor is a bit outdated. While breakfast can get busy, there's no shortage of restaurants and bars to choose from and the huge freeform pool with a swim-up bar never feels too crowded. The impressive Yhi Spa, large fitness center, and nine-hole golf course are also notable features here, as is a kids’ club with supervised activities. Family Concierge services include extra in-room perks and family-friendly activities. Despite the property's size, its interior tropical gardens also provide a lush, even secluded ambience. Prices are competitive for this level of luxury, but couples may want to splurge for the adults-only Royal Service at Paradisus Cancun, or consider the adults-only, and sometimes slightly pricier, Live Aqua Cancun.

The all-inclusive, upper-middle-range, 569-room Hotel Riu Cancun has a central Hotel Zone location that's a five-minute walk from popular nightlife spots. The long (but narrow) beach has nice white sand and turquoise water. Rooms are modern (if simple), with free minibars restocked every two days, but limited amenities (no toiletries, no room service, and no coffeemakers). Resort features include three pools, a buffet restaurant with plenty of variety, four specialty restaurants (reservations are not required, but there can be lines), a spa with sauna and hot tub, small gym, and a kids' club. Just note that the pools and beach lose sun by the late afternoon, elevators in the main building can be slow, and the public restroom situation could use improvement. Revamped in 2014, the hotel is now up to modern standards and compares to resorts like Gran Caribe -- though the Gran Caribe has a wider beach, and is farther from nightlife. 

Opened in 2013, NIZUC Resort and Spa is a stylish and luxurious 274-suite and villa property situated on 29 acres of peaceful nature preserve in Punta Nizuc. Its mangroves and rocky white-sand beaches help make it an ideal spot for couples and friends to relax and soak in Cancun's sometimes elusive tranquility. Features include a good selection of bars and restaurants, three pools, water sports, and a kids club -- in addition to what is possibly the most impressive spa in town. All rooms have exceptional decor; private villas have dipping pools, large terraces, and outdoor showers. The only other hotel along the Punta Nizuc coastline is the cheaper (and much older) all-inclusive Club Med; travelers will be hard-pressed to find another option in Cancun that matches Nizuc's secluded feel.

While not all-inclusive, to which many guests attribute the resort's quiet atmosphere, the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach Resort & Spa has three restaurants; three poolside bars, including a swim-up bar; and a lobby bar. While the restaurants are deemed to be on the pricey side, guests give them high marks for the food -- one specializes in seafood, while the other two feature Mexican cuisine and French Mediterranean fare. The extensive and beautifully designed spa, billed as the only in Latin America with a 10-step hydrotherapy program, is a big draw.

Moon Palace Cancun is a gigantic family-friendly all-inclusive luxury resort along Cancun's Riviera Maya, about a 15-minute drive from the airport. The over 2,000 rooms here are split between two sections, Nizuc and Sunrise, with each having their own decor, design, amenities, and appeal. A stellar all-inclusive package covers food and top-shelf liquor at the nearly two dozen restaurants and bars, as well as room service. Multiple outdoor pools with swim-up bars, kiddy pools and a kids’ club, tons of daily activities and sports facilities, a full-service spa and fitness center, and 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course provide ample to keep guests of all ages busy. Unfortunately, beaches in this area of town -- often smelling of and strewn with seaweed -- are far less idyllic than those in the Hotel Zone. But if you aren't bothered about the beach, this is a stellar value. For a kid-friendly hotel in the Hotel Zone, consider the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun.