A jewel-box in the heart of Cancun’s hotel zone, the 213-room Sandos Cancun Lifestyle Resort offers an all-inclusive experience tailored for those who want a luxurious getaway with plenty of action. More intimate than most all-inclusives, the resort feels compact yet uncrowded; upscale yet informal. Among the amenities are three interconnecting infinity pools that cascade down towards the turquoise Caribbean Sea, five restaurants and four bars that serve up a tasty variety of food and drink, and a world-class spa with 13 treatment rooms.
During my stay at Sandos Cancun, I loved having the amenities of an all-inclusive within the personalized environment of a boutique hotel. “Being a boutique hotel means that our guests are going to get special attention,” says Xavier Ulloa Gispert, marketing director, Mexico, Sandos Hotels & Resorts. He also references the resort’s cosmopolitan flair that appeals to “sophisticated young guests who come to Cancun for a beach vacation, shopping, and nightlife.”
Although the resort has an active vibe, clients have plenty of space to chill out in canopied sun beds that line the beach and pool areas. “While located in the hustle and bustle of Cancun’s hotel zone, Sandos has a serene feel that allows guests to relax on property before venturing off site,” notes Carrie Schoeberl, a Kansas City-based travel agent with Love to Travel. “The pools are open 24/7, which is a key selling point for my clients who want the freedom to take a dip at any time day or night. I also recommend Sandos Cancun for weddings—there’s a large rooftop terrace that provides a gorgeous space for ceremonies and receptions.”
For clients who have “been there, done that,” the Sandos concierge can arrange unforgettable activities through tour operator Seek & Go. Visiting in August, I had a bucket-list experience snorkeling with whale sharks, gentle giants who migrate to the warm waters of the Mexican Caribbean in the summer months to feed on plankton and mate. The largest fish in the sea, these mysterious creatures reach lengths of more than 40 ft. Swimming near the surface, they open their gigantic jaws to filter everything in their path. Carefully regulated excursions on motorboats go to the waters where the whale sharks are feeding, then allow two people at a time to jump in with a guide for a close-up look. Advise your clients to take seasickness meds even if they don’t typically need them—the rocking motion of the motorboat brings on queasiness. We had several opportunities to swim with the whale sharks, then motored to a beautiful beach on Isla Mujeres for guacamole and ceviche.
The Rhythm Experience
A resort day at Sandos Cancun offers clients a mix of kickback relaxation with onsite partying. Starting with the copious breakfast buffet—where I couldn’t resist the freshly made tostadas—the food here is fresh and delicious. I had a quick workout in the large, well-equipped fitness area before retreating to the resort’s spacious spa. The signature body treatment here allows clients to select their personalized rub from a range of organic products, then let the rub penetrate with steam, sauna, and hydrotherapy. Heads up: The facilities are co-ed and a bathing suit is required. Traditional treatments including massages and facials are also available (my relaxing massage was excellent).
Poolside afternoons at Sandos Cancun are animated by a new activity called The Rhythm Experience, with a DJ playing a different musical genre daily and an expanded theme event on Saturday. “Our Millennial clientele are very into music, so we created something special for them,” says Gispert. Indeed, guests had a great time during a Saturday Champagne and Sparkles event that included a lively conga line, dancing in a pool full of bubbles, and specialty nibbles and cocktails. Clients who choose not to participate can observe
the action from the comfort of a canopied sun bed.
Smart Agent Portal
Also new from Sandos is the Smart Agent Portal, “launched specifically to help travel agents become brand experts,” says Gispert. “You are going to be getting lots of
questions from your clients, and this is where you can get answers about all of our Sandos properties.”
Schoeberl touts the Smart Agent Portal as “an invaluable resource for training and marketing materials. The portal makes it incredibly easy to register my bookings and redeem points for complimentary nights, allowing me to experience the resorts and better recommend them to my clients. It is one of the best travel agent rewards programs in the industry!”
Contact Information
Sandos Cancun Lifestyle Resort:
sandos.com/sandos-smart-agents
