NIZUC Resort and Spa is a 29-acre luxury resort in the secluded Punta Nizuc area south of Cancun, Mexico. The resort redefines luxury with six world-class restaurants, an ESPA-branded spa, and spacious accommodations with private terraces (some with pools). Their experienced staff offers butler service, in-suite spa treatments, specialized dining experiences, and personalized attention in the fitness center and on-site salon.
Curated activities such as cigar rolling, sushi-making classes, a yacht excursion, and various water sports cater to its high-end clientele. It’s our top pick for the Hotel Zone, and its other accolades include AAA Five Diamonds and a ranking by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best hotels in Mexico. Learn more about my perks at the hotel and its offerings in my full review below.
Your Access to Virtuoso Benefits
Through me, you have access to Virtuoso amenities at NIZUC Cancun that include:
Full details are below. Kids 13 and up pay adult rates.
*The desktop version of Virtuoso.com is where you’ll search rates and book online. To enable the desktop version from a mobile device, after clicking on a Virtuoso hotel link, scroll down to the navy blue section at the bottom of the web page and click “Full Site.” When searching rates on Virtuoso, do not input children ages 17 and under as they will be priced as adults. I’m notified when you book and will add them when I contact you about your reservation.
WHAT I LOVE
- Generous Virtuoso amenities
- Excellent cuisine and cocktails everywhere
- Suites with plunge pools (a hit with my daughter)
- Incredibly attentive service
- The powdery white sand on the beach
- Included water sports
- Winik’s Kids Club for ages 4 to 12
- A 15-minute drive from Cancun International Airport
GOOD TO KNOW
- If you seek a luxury boutique hotel near the airport this is where you should stay
- Some rooms require golf cart transport
- Plunge pools are shallow and unheated
- Ocean water is shallow and calm (with lots of seaweed)
- Beach chairs are tough to snag during peak season
- Some rooms and restaurants have age restrictions
- Total accommodation square footage on some booking websites includes outdoor space
- AAA Five-Diamond resort
- Rollaway beds are steep — we paid USD 129 per night during winter break
NIZUC Resort and Spa Guest Rooms and Suites
NIZUC Resort and Spa offers 274 spacious suites and private villas with unparalleled amenities. Suites and villas include floor-to-ceiling windows that lead out to individual terraces with sweeping views of lush tropical gardens, the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, white sand beaches, and dense mangroves.
Some also include private pools, outdoor showers, rooftop sundecks, and butler service. Bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces are decorated in muted tones with natural elements.
Soothe your senses in a rainfall shower or soak in your room’s deep free-standing tub. A state-of-the-art entertainment system that includes flat-panel TVs in the bedroom and bathroom can be found in each suite.
Other electronic amenities include an IP Avaya telephone and a radio with an iPod dock. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available as well. You can quench your thirst with a drink from the minibar, or fuel your day with morning coffee from your in-room Nespresso coffee maker.
While not a large property, choosing accommodations can be overwhelming so we’ve broken them down in detail here. Check the resort map to see where each is located.
Ocean Suites (Adults Only)
The 44 ocean suites next to the main lobby are just steps away from one of the resort’s pools and its two pristine beaches — NIZUC Beach and Reef Beach.
Reserved for adults only (ages 16 and above), Ocean Suites are equipped with a single king-size bed.
Residence Suites (2-4 Guests, Connecting Rooms)
Residence Suites are ideal for families. Designed to accommodate two to four guests, they have indoor and outdoor spaces with comfortable seating, warm décor, and stunning views.
Select suites have private pools and connecting accommodations.
There are eight guest room types: Garden Suites Double, Garden Junior Suites, Garden View Deluxe Junior Suites, Ocean View Deluxe King and Ocean View Deluxe Doubles, Ocean View Junior Suites, Master Suites, and the Penthouse.
Residence Suites have friendly butlers on staff in each building who are there to help with golf cart transportation to the main areas and anything else you might need.
Garden Suites Double
The Garden Suites Double have two queen beds that can accommodate up to four guests and a private terrace with a view of the mangroves.
Garden Junior Suite (Our Room)
These sizable junior suites are one room with a large separate bathroom equaling 825 square feet of indoor space. An unheated, shallow pool awaits outside on a 425 square foot covered patio with lounge chairs and towels. It’s probably a relief in hot summer weather to sit on the floor in the pool but in December, when the weather is still quite nice, it was a bit too cold.
Large sliding glass doors separate the spaces. The Garden Junior Suite can suit up to three guests with a rollaway bed and large bathrooms. It’s a good space for a family of three but it doesn’t receive a lot of natural light.
Garden View Deluxe Junior Suite
Up to three guests can also enjoy the comforts of a Garden View Deluxe Junior Suite. These suites come with a king-sized bed and a separate living area with a sofa (this is the suite I would have booked if it were available).
They have two terraces with glass doors that open off the bedroom and living area and outdoor space with a private plunge pool and view of the mangroves.
It’s 1030 square feet of interior space and 445 square feet of outdoor space located on the ground level and ideal for up to three guests.
Ocean View Deluxe King
The Ocean View Deluxe King suites have spectacular views of the ocean. They are located on the lower five levels of the resort and have a king-sized bed and small seating area.
Ocean View Deluxe Double
Ocean View Deluxe Double rooms have two double beds that can accommodate up to four guests. They connect with the Master Suite, but have their own private terrace with views of the ocean.
Ocean View Junior Suite
Ocean views are a given in the Ocean View Junior Suite. These accommodations have room for up to three guests and a private terrace with a plunge pool. The layout is similar to the Garden Junior Suite.
Master Suite
Master Suites have a bedroom with a king-size bed and a separate living area with a comfortable sofa and dining table with two chairs. Each private terrace has an infinity pool from which you can enjoy panoramic ocean views.
Master Suites are located on the first five levels and can connect to an Ocean View Deluxe Double Suite. They come with butler service for a truly indulgent experience for up to three guests.
Penthouse
When you just adore a penthouse view, reserve this fifth-floor suite with breathtaking views of the Caribbean. The Penthouse’s plunge pool and outdoor nature-inspired shower, and the services of a private butler will leave you feeling pampered and refreshed. The suite can be reserved for up to three guests.
Private Villas at the NIZUC Resort and Spa
For an exclusive holiday experience, check into one of the villas at the NIZUC Resort and Spa. These expansive accommodations have luxurious indoor and outdoor spaces with private gardens, pools, and water features.
You’ll enjoy the attentive service of a personal butler and elite amenities unique to each villa. Children must be ages 5 and older to stay here.
Private Pool Villa
The Private Pool Villa is conveniently located just a short walk from the beaches, but you may never want to leave this private enclave with an infinity pool and waterfall set in a lush tropical garden. The Private Pool Villa can accommodate up to three guests.
Private Pool Pavilion Villa
The Private Pool Pavilion Villa has a secluded lounge pavilion with an infinity pool and waterfall surrounded by lush tropical plants. The pavilion connects to a luxurious bedroom suite with a king-size bed and can be reserved for up to three guests.
NIZUC Villa
This expansive villa is a perfect choice when you want to entertain guests at the resort. With over 5,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, the villa has a patio and entertainment area that includes an infinity pool shaded by tropical plants and a rooftop sun deck. A separate bedroom suite with king-size bed gives you a Zen-like space to unwind at the end of the day.
Presidential Villa
This two-bedroom villa is the most spacious of the resort’s accommodations. A master bedroom with a king-size bed and a second bedroom with two queen-size beds each has its own oversized bathroom with a soaking tub and separate rainfall shower. A private garden patio provides space for everyone to enjoy a meal together or relax by the infinity pool.
NIZUC Cancun Restaurants
Six world-class restaurants make the NIZUC Resort and Spa one of the area’s premier dining destinations. Gourmet cuisine and exceptional service elevates the experience and has resulted in rave reviews for Executive Chef Sylvain Desbois and his staff.
Truthfully, the food is a highlight. Like most Cancun and Riviera Maya hotels, it’s not inexpensive but we felt like we received our money’s worth because the quality in every single restaurant is so high.
Private dinners in secluded settings can be arranged by contacting the concierge.
All restaurants have a resort elegant dress code for dinner. During peak season you’ll need dinner reservations.
Ramona
NIZUC Resort and Spa’s Mexican restaurant is Ramona, which serves a modern interpretation of Yucatán cuisine and craft cocktails overlooking the water.
It’s not a place for burritos and taco stand-style food (in fact, you won’t find this style of Mexican food on the resort at all).
Indochine
Add a little dramatic flair to your dining experience at Indochine, where you’ll find classic Asian dishes from sushi to wok-fried specialties made from fresh ingredients and flavored with traditional spices. The restaurant terrace overlooks a pool that reflects the fire from lanterns arranged along the water’s edge.
Terra Nostra
The menu at Terra Nostra features Italian specialties made from fresh seasonal ingredients. Diners at Terra Nostra have a view of the mangroves and can mingle with other guests over drinks on the large outdoor deck.
Ni
Try a modern take on Peruvian cuisine at Ni, where lunch and dinner items are served in a casual waterfront dining room and terrace.
This is one of the only lunch options so we ate here multiple times (and I took more photos because the light was good). You can come over from the pool or beach with a bathing suit cover-up and shoes to eat on the terrace. Iguanas hang out by the tables here for some extra lunchtime entertainment.
Café de la Playa
Café de la Playa’s international breakfast menu is served in a casual, but elegant setting.
This buffet is the best place to find an assortment of Mexican food favorites that rotate by the day, a Bloody Mary bar, pastries, gluten-free and healthy offerings, made-to-order eggs, and much more.
La Punta Grill & Lounge
The La Punta Grill & Lounge offers steak and seafood selections as well as chef’s specialties and regional favorites for lunch and dinner. Seats at La Punta can be reserved for adults and children over the age of 12.
Our daughter was 11 at the time of our stay and she was fine to sit on the terrace with us while we enjoyed a few cocktails.
In-Room Dining
In-room dining comes from the various restaurants and was also mostly (except for the pizza) delicious, especially the salads and fries.
Spa and Fitness
Treat yourself to a day of pampering at the resort’s gorgeous full-service spa. ESPA offers a variety of beauty and wellness options including the NIZUC Thermal Experience, a guided hydrotherapy circuit. If you book a treatment lasting longer than 50 minutes, your day at the spa includes the Thermal Experience at no additional cost.
Try the spa’s Treatment of the Month or choose from a range of specialized spa experiences for men, women, or couples. In-suite treatments can be scheduled for a $50 per person surcharge.
The Salon’s manicure/pedicure combos, or have your hair cut and styled for a special evening (perhaps with handmade chocolates and champagne). The Salon also offers conditioning treatments, professional makeup applications, and body waxing services.
Five Swimming Pools
In addition to the private pools available with select accommodations, the resort has five pools for the exclusive use of their guests including an adults-only pool, spa pool, and the main pool with a swim-up bar.
Get to the main pool early if you’d like a lounge chair. The pool water is warm so you’ll spend most of your time in it while maybe sipping a margarita or glass of premium Champagne.
NIZUC Beach
This Cancun beach is waveless, making it a good choice for kids. The sand is quite soft and pretty.
NIZUC offers snorkeling gear, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and more complimentary for guest use.
There’s a snorkeling spot at the end of a pier near the tip of the point in the photo above. During our stay, we didn’t see any fish there likely due to choppy water.
As you walk out, seaweed is everywhere but there’s less of it than at other Cancun resorts where it’s an issue. The water is incredibly clear so you can walk around it. Tiny fish swim in it though which kids like to see.
Adults can lounge on an adults-only beach around the corner.
Daily Activities, Water Sports, and Excursions
The resort offers daily scheduled activities and live music performances for their guests. You can try a variety of water sports, or charter the resort’s yacht to cruise the Caribbean with your own private captain and crew.
Back on land, try a sushi-making class, or watch while custom cigars are rolled and boxed for you to take home.
NIZUC’s state-of-the-art fitness center offers a variety of programs that includes personal training, yoga, and stretching sessions, as well as opportunities to golf, play a game of tennis, or learn to dance salsa.
A private events center makes this resort the perfect place to combine business with pleasure. Indoor and outdoor venues can be reserved for meetings, receptions, weddings, and other special occasions. Owned and managed by the Brisas Group, whose mission is creating highly customized vacation experiences.
While most people tend to stay put at NIZUC Resort and Spa, the concierge can organize fantastic Cancun day trips that you should take advantage of.
We opted for a tour to Chichen-Itza and Vallolidad in a comfortable luxury SUV with a driver and private guide. We also stopped to cool off with a quick swim in a cenote.
Other day trip options include Tulum, Coba, Rio Secreta, whale shark diving and much more.
Kids at NIZUC
Many of the well-heeled travelers in residence during our stay had kids of all ages in tow, though it was a school holiday week in the United States.
You’ll see reviews online that suggest the resort isn’t kid-friendly. Families who are not price-sensitive and used to taking kids to luxury resorts may disagree.
Winik’s Kids Club is a state-of-the-art supervised kids’ club with a variety of activities, a dedicated space, and a pool. This means that parents can head to the spa, enjoy the adults-only pool, and some alone time while the kids are having a blast.
The resort elegant dress code and evening fine dining only options can be restrictive to families of young kids. Kids should be on good behavior as many of the main resort areas are quiet and pristine.
The overall vibe is suited more for couples travelers. That being said, my daughter was fine there and I wouldn’t have an issue checking in if she were younger.
Staff members were attentive and warm to travelers of all ages and did not seem to bat an eye if a sandy kid wandered through the lobby (though any mess is promptly cleaned up).
Punta Nizuc Neighborhood
Located on the southern end of the Cancun hotel zone, Punta Nizuc is a bit quieter than its northern neighbors. Beachfront restaurants and grills serve regional and international dishes while local guides offer tours of Mayan ruins and other local attractions.
Scuba divers and snorkelers flock to Punta Nizuc for its coral reef that features an underwater art exhibit curated by MUSA, the Underwater Museum of Art. Kayakers can paddle in the tranquil waters of the Nichupté Lagoon amid manatees and turtles.
Golfers will find five courses within five miles of Punta Nizuc, and families can spend an afternoon at Cancun’s interactive aquarium or arrange to swim with the dolphins at the Atlantida waterpark.
The Best Way to Make NIZUC Resort and Spa Reservations
Book into NIZUC Resort and Spa with Virtuoso amenities that include:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Daily Full breakfast, for two guests per bedroom served in Restaurant
- One-way airport transfer (valid on arrivals only)
- Hydrotherapy session for two, once during stay
- Welcome Amenity in suite
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
Kids ages 12 and under stay free (please search rates with kids 13 and older as adults) when using the room’s existing bedding.
Note that rollaway beds start at $100/night plus tax and that they can only fit in certain rooms. During our winter break stay, rollaway beds were $129/night plus tax.
*You may need to be on the desktop version of Virtuoso.com to search rates and book online. To enable the desktop version of a hotel page from a mobile device, scroll down to the navy blue section at the bottom of the web page and click “Full Site.” When searching rates, do not input children ages 17 and under as they will be priced as adults. I’m notified when you book and will add them when I contact you about your reservation.
Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide, like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai, that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).
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