The popular Royal Uno Resort in Cancun has been taken over by Hilton and is being remodeled into the Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort. We have not received details about the renovation. Reservations for the “new” property are being taken starting Oct. 31, 2023.
Check back for an updated review of the property and, until then, check out our author’s recent review, below.
Our Dec. 2022 Review: The new Royal Uno All Inclusive Resort & Spa in Cancun is attracting families like bees to honey. Thanks to the easy peasy trip planning, plus fine dining, upscale décor, nightly entertainment and activities galore, guests of every age are happy. If you’ve been to Cancun or the Riviera Maya region of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, you know there’s already an abundance of all-inclusive resorts.
Yet search for one that distinguishes itself from the pack and this new kid on the block may be just what you’re looking for. In November, 2022, I was lucky enough to be one of the first to sample this sun-splashed oasis of sand and sea. Visit Royal Uno and, like me, be warmly welcomed from the moment you arrive.
Great First Impressions of the Royal Uno All Inclusive
Disclaimer: I love Mexico. I find the people hospitable, the food mouth-watering and the seascapes beautiful.
The Royal Uno, as an all inclusive resort, arranged my private airport pickup with Thomas More Travel, a sightseeing and transportation agency. The transfer was seamless. At the end of my ride, my fun-loving driver put on a colorful Lucha Libre wrestling mask, putting me in a jovial mood.
As they go, Royal Uno all inclusive is big resort, which can sometimes be overwhelming. Usually, it takes me serval days to understand the lay of the land, but I had my bearings straight away as most of the swimming pools, restaurants and bars are centrally located and easy to find. If you do lose your way, there’s no shortage of helpful employees to guide you. The lush landscaping was filled with tropical flowers.
Location, Location, Location On the Water
Among its Cancun competitors along the water, Royal Uno is situated on a particularly pretty swath of sand and sea. The water is an idyllic shade of blue that looks created on a painter’s palette. Think closer to aqua than emerald, warm and as clear as a crystal. The resort’s team of lifeguards protect swimmers from potentially rough surf, and safety is taken seriously. The waves were very gentle during my visit, but I know from past vacations that the sea can be rough.
If you’re not a fan of ocean swimming, there are two oversized pools. Families love the Royal Uno all inclusive’s children’s splash zone with water play area. Spend your days with little ones at the sprinklers and slides or at a small pool on a terrace near the Skybar.
Poolside snack bars make it easy to eat without changing out of your swimsuit.
Conveniece Makes Cancun Resorts an Easy Peasy Vacation Option
One of Cancun’s selling points is its easy-to-reach location. It’s served by numerous airlines, including United, Delta, American and JetBlue. They provide nonstop service from many North American cities multiple times each day. The location works particularly well for my family, as my young adult children live in Los Angeles and my husband and I live in New York City, making it a sensible meeting point, approximately equal distance from both cities. For multigenerational families who live in different parts of North American looking for a convenient vacation destination, it’s hard to beat.
The resort is a 15-minute ride from the Cancun International Airport, so your toes will be tickling the sand shortly after you clear customs. With mini-break getaways trending, when every precious moment counts, that’s important. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s a relief to not to have to embark on a long journey in a car or shuttle bus after a cramped plane ride.
Spacious Guestrooms at Royal Uno All Inclusive Designed for Families
My room was a spacious one-bedroom suite. The living room had two Murphy beds, a sofa, a flat screen television and a kitchen area. The bedroom had a queen-size bed and an additional television. Both rooms opened out to a big balcony overlooking the sea, with comfy chairs and a hammock. I thought the hammock was genius, and I spent many hours listening to the gentle sound of the waves as I swayed. It was so relaxing, I considered sleeping in it.
The bathroom was large, with a shower, toilet and oversized tub. Besides high-end soaps and shampoos, an array of flip-flops in assorted candy colors and sizes was a whimsical touch.
Most important for some, room service is available around the clock. I ordered morning coffee and a piping hot carafe arrived at my door within minutes.
Dining Befitting a Foodie Family at the All Inclusive Royal Uno
I’m a foodie, and eating well is a fundamental part of my vacation pleasure.
The buffet at Royal Uno serves a bounty of fresh choices three times daily. When my kids were younger, buffets had much appeal. Thanks to a variety of food to tempt tiny appetites and no waiting to be served, I still enjoy a good buffet.
The breakfast buffet was a showstopper. American classics such as bacon, made-to-order omelets and waffles joined Mexican specialties. Discover delicious tamales and chilaquiles, lightly-fried corn tortillas smothered in red sauce and topped with crema and crumbled queso fresco. A woman was making handmade tortillas and filling them with chicken, beef or cheese, served with fresh salsas. A variety of bite-sized tropical fruits were as colorful as a rainbow.
Don’t leave without eating at one of the specialty restaurants, open for dinner only, reservations required. I dined at Miamare on my first night. I lived in Italy for several years and always look for an authentic representation of the best of the Italian kitchen. The cuisine at Miamare is just that, including the authentic seafood, antipasti, pasta and risotto dishes.
On my second night, I ate at the Mexican restaurant, Palotinte, serving regional treats like tacos, enchiladas and slow-roasted pork. On my last night, I feasted on Asian fusion cuisine at Aora, sampling Japanese sashimi, Indian samosas and Pad Thai. Part of dinner was prepared tableside with the chef juggling knives and pepper shakers in a thoroughly entertaining manner.
Between meals, Faro 32 Coffee Shop serves crepes made-to-order, sandwiches, ice cream, cookies, cakes and a selection of beverages.
At an All Inclusive like Royal Uno, Entertainment and Cocktails Included Too
The nightly entertainment was almost as good as the food. Let the kids stay up late for the evening show; it starts at 9 pm and is well worth it. My favorite was the Thursday Night Circus, where contortionists and trapeze artists wowed the audience. Catch Wednesday’s Pyrotechnic Fire show for performers who dramatically twirl flaming batons. Performers are not hidden behind elaborate costumes and props, so it’s their raw talent that shines.
For potent potables before or after the show, there are bars, swim-up and beachside bars, where the bartenders will happily mix you any drink you like.
I’m an oenophile and Mexican wines are a favorite. Paradoxically, they are often not served at Mexican resorts. Royal Uno’s sommelier, Abraham, understands the value of Mexican wines and his cellar includes several bottles from the Baja California region.
As a reminder, at the Royal Uno all inclusive, all meals, beverages, room service and entertainment are included in the rate.
Childrens and Teens Activities Keep All Ages Busy
Children age 4-12 may spend all or part of each day at the Uno Kids Club. It is staffed by an energetic group of women who supervise crafts and games. There are play areas with slides and tunnels, plus plenty of immersive programming. Children may make tortillas on cooking day, enjoy face painting on circus day and create a piñata and learn a few words of Spanish on Mexican day.
Teens can be hard to please, but Royal Uno caters to them with activities like bumper pool, beach volleyball and video games. When the sun goes down, parties with live DJs offers them a sense of grownup-style independence. The Cancool Family Room offers families video games, crafts, and card games. There’s loaner snorkel gear available at the sport’s desk so the entire family may take a plunge together.
Royal Uno All Inclusive Has Premium Treats like a Spa
Adults indulge in yoga, bingo, guacamole-making class and mixology demos. Stay active with water aerobics and salsa dancing lessons among the nonstop activities. The fitness center is fully-equipped, so no need to forgo your regular exercise routine. All of these activities are included with rates.
The Alea Spa is an indoor-outdoor center of serenity with premium fees. Start with the outdoor hydrotherapy circuit, where you’ll steam, cold plunge and warm your muscles in the hot tub. A full menu of treatments, from a traditional Swedish massage to a locavore Mezcal body wrap, are available for an additional fee.
Explore beyond the resort. Even though Royal Uno has everything included, it’s important to tour the region. For example, Royal Uno is located steps from the Maya Museum and San Miguelito archaeological site. A visit is an excellent way to deepen your understanding of the Maya community.
If you’re vacationing with teens, book an experience at Puerto Maya, a 10-minute walk from the resort. They offer several aquatic adventures, including a fun speed boat tour. With the help of our guide Maui, we piloted our own two-person speedboat, winding through narrow canals in the mangrove forest before we emerged into the Caribbean Sea.
We jumped in with the fins and masks that we had been given and snorkeled with a colorful assortment of fish at the reef. After our boating adventure was complete, a traditional Mexican lunch was served, a delicious end to a fun afternoon.
For more information and to book your next luxury all inclusive vacation, visit Royal Uno Resort or contact your travel advisor.
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