Should You Visit The Hyatt Ziva Cancun or Hyatt Zilara Cancun?

I recently blogged about my stay at the new Hyatt Ziva Cancun, where I traveled with my husband and two kids under 2. Last year my husband and I visited the Hyatt Zilara Cancun as a couple and also loved it. With both properties being an awesome all-inclusive experience and pricing out at 25,000 points per night, I can understand how it might be difficult to decide between the two, so that rightfully explains why so many readers have contacted me asking for my opinion.

Here are some things to consider:

Are you traveling with kids?

If the answer is yes, then you’ll have to stay at the Ziva Cancun since the Zilara Cancun is an adults-only (age 16+) resort. At the Ziva, it costs an additional 10,000 points for anyone else over the age of 3, so if you’re traveling as a family of 4, it can be pricey in points (45,000 points per night, or about ~$900 if you value Hyatt points at 2 cents each like I do).

Do you want access to nightlife?

If you’re looking to explore the Cancun nightlife scene, then consider the Ziva, since all of the major nightclubs and bars are a short (5 minutes) walk from the resort. This area can get extremely busy between the hours of 10pm-2am and street traffic does get backed up. When we arrived in Cancun on our first night at around midnight, we were stuck in some traffic while passing through this area on our way to the Aloft Cancun. The good news is that you do NOT hear any of the noise back at the Ziva Cancun.

Is staying active and fit important to you?

When we visited the Zilara last year, we were extremely active and fit. I felt that the fitness activities at the Zilara were better and more frequent. There’s literally something every hour whether it be tennis, yoga, bike riding, aerobics – you name it. I especially loved that they had a beautiful Pilates studio! Maybe I will blame us being tied up with the kids at the Ziva, but I did not participate in any of the daily activities (unless marathon eating counts) during our past stay.

Do you like newer grounds and rooms?

The grounds at both resorts are beautiful, but the Ziva is a brand new construction so everything is super new and updated. I really enjoyed how beautiful the property was, and it felt more like a “Hyatt” than a Caribbean resort.

Which resort has better pools and beaches?

All of Cancun’s beaches are amazing with soft white sand and perfectly blue water. What I loved most about the Ziva was that it it was literally surrounded by ocean – everywhere I turned there was sparkly sea. The pools at the Ziva were bigger, nicer, and super warm temperature-wise (like a bath).

Which resort has better food?

While the new Ziva certainly has more variety of food (17 bars and restaurants), I found the food at the Zilara to be better quality. Since the Ziva is so new, there’s still room for them to make improvements, but I really enjoyed the food at the Zilara a bit better (Pelicano’s beach-side restaurant had great seafood and the buffet didn’t disappoint). I also loved that the coffee shop at the Zilara had an abundance of chocolate-covered strawberries 24/7. Which brings me to the next point….

Do you want romance?

Hands down, the Zilara is more romantic. With hot tubs in each room and rose petals on the bed (by request), it’s definitely a nice way to enjoy some quality time with someone special. You can ask concierge to set up in-room dining, draw you a bubble bath with candlelights and the works… all included.

Still can’t decide?

Why not try both? I’ll be the first to say that it’s really tough deciding if I prefer one resort over the other.

Maybe book a few nights at each resort and see what you like about each resort. You can also always take a bike ride or walk to each property from the other to check it out.

Bottom line:

• Have kids? Stay at Ziva
• Want romance? Zilara.
• Like staying fit and active? Zilara.
• Like newer grounds, true to the “Hyatt roots”? Ziva
• Want more beach? Ziva.
• Foodie? Zilara.

What are your thoughts? Which of these two have you visited or plan on visiting?