We'd chatted all the way up on the elevator, but as the bellhop opened my door and maneuvered my bag into the room, we both went quiet. I headed straight for the sliding glass door and outside.
The view, from the eighth floor of the Seadust Cancun Family Resort, was unbelievable. Below me was a beautiful three-level infinity pool. Beyond that was a white sand beach, and then — as far as I could see — the Caribbean glinted in all of its ethereal blues. I'd never seen anything like it, other than in pictures.
The bellhop joined me a moment later, breathing in deeply as he took in the view too.
"Something you never get tired of," he said.
"No," I said. "You certainly wouldn't."
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The view from my room at the Seadust Cancun. |
After he departed, I sat in a chaise lounge drinking in the views and relaxing after a day of travel. When I finally went inside, I was just as impressed by my spacious room — a clean, white space that let the view shine.
The 505-room, 12-floor newly-refurbished Seadust Cancun resort is located on the south end of the Cancun hotel zone, just 15 minutes from the airport. Its unique long and narrow footprint reminded me of being on a cruise ship — but without the motion sickness.
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Inside the Seadust Cancun Family Resort. |
The all-inclusive resort prides itself on its family-friendliness, offering everything from spacious rooms — family suites are even equipped with bunk beds for the kiddos — to a water park called "Treasure Island" (with a pirate ship!) and a miniature golf course, where you'll find a climbing wall and a kid-sized zip line. Want some private time? A nursery, kids club, and teen club can keep your kids safely occupied while you take some relaxing time away.
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Not traveling with kids? The hotel includes an adults-only section and an adults-only pool, complete with a swim-up bar and large hot tub overlooking the Nichupté Lagoon. But I preferred the beautiful family-friendly infinity pool, large enough that I never felt crowded, where I could see the blue of the Caribbean peeking through the palm trees.
Beach access at the Seadust was just a few steps from the pool. Floating in the warm Caribbean, looking up at the sky above me, I felt more relaxed than I have in a long time. I dried off in the sun on a chaise lounge on the beach after, while enjoying a frothy drink from one of the beach bartenders. Another day I took an early morning walk and shared the expanse of beach with only a few feathered friends.
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Memorable dining experiences
Drinks and food are included at this all-inclusive resort, making it easy on the budget. That doesn't mean the resort skimps on the quality of food here — with 10 restaurants and nine bars to choose from, you can eat something different every night.
On our group's first night at Seadust, we enjoyed an authentic French dinner at the Le Maison De Michelle, the only adults-only restaurant at the resort. The escargots with wild mushrooms and bacon were especially memorable. Another night we dined at the Lighthouse, an Italian restaurant with standout seafood (including fresh lobster).
The other restaurants on the property ran the gamut from Japanese to sports bar food. It really seemed that no matter your family's preference, you'd find something for everyone at Seadust.
After dinner? You'll want to head to the karaoke bar or the resort's cinema-style theater, with live entertainment each night included with your stay. We took in a spectacular, colorful, and family-friendly show of traditional Mexican dances. The cowboy showing off his skills with a lasso was especially impressive.
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Two little boys who loved the entertainment! |
During the day, most guests dine at the Food Gallery, a buffet complete with 11 interactive stations that is open for breakfast and lunch. I enjoyed a full plate of sushi there for lunch one afternoon, and a made-to-order omelet and tacos another day. There is plenty of kid-friendly fare here too.
You'll find kid-friendly food over at Treasure Island as well. There, kids seemed to love the buffet that includes foods like hot dogs, nachos, chicken nuggets, and French fries. It's kept full all day long every day — truly a kid paradise!
Indulge at the spa
No resort is complete without a spa, and Seadust didn't disappoint. I chose the 4 Elements Body Ritual, which included an organic salt scrub to remineralize the skin, followed by a massage incorporating various techniques — including a hot stone massage. The treatment finished with a scalp massage. I left in a state of bliss. The spa menu includes a full array of spa services, from manicures to romantic massages for two. There are also babymoon packages and kid services.
Definitely a splurge-worth experiencing!
Off-resort excursion: Experiencing Xenses
The resort's impressive lobby included space for a company that can plan safe off-resort excursions. My group chose a half-day trip to Xenses Park, a mind-bending experience meant to get you in touch with all of your senses. I'd never been to a place like it. My favorite parts of our experience there:
- Walking the street of a Mexican town, where we couldn't tell if we were walking up or down. Talk about a test of balance!
- A pitch-black tunnel that went on and on while we navigated alone through different ecosystems from rainforests to jungles.
- Relaxing in a buoyant salt river where it was impossible to sink, allowing you to let go and free your body and mind.
- A zipline that let us soar through the sky like birds.
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And this was just the start! Xenses was truly a one-of-a-kind memorable experience. Plus, it has a great gift shop, which was the perfect spot to pick up some inexpensive souvenirs for my kids.
When you're traveling with kids you want to keep them entertained and happy, but the adults also want — and deserve! — a chance to feel pampered, taken care of and relaxed. Seadust Cancun Family Resort does all of this, making it a great choice for a family getaway in Cancun.
The author's stay and excursion at Seadust were complimentary for the purposes of this review, but the opinions are her own.
