This past weekend Mike, Mazzy, Harlow and I had the awesome opportunity to spend a long weekend at the all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva Cancun resort for their grand opening.
If you told me six years ago that blogging incessantly about my nine-month old’s sleep and poop habits would eventually get me a free family vacation in Cancun, I would have thought you had lost your mind… but MY GOD, I feel pretty lucky I had the foresight to overshare diaper changes.
Mike and I have been to Mexico a couple of times before but neither of us had been to Cancun. I thought of it primarily as a Spring Break location, so honestly it never even entered our consideration set as a vacation destination.
Well, that proved to be a huge mistake.
You see, there is a reason that Cancun is so popular and that reason is because the beaches are INSANE. And by insane, I mean stunningly gorgeous. Bright white soft sand and water in all directions in every shade of blue and green.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun is located on the tip of Punta Cancun so there is ocean on almost all sides. When you arrive into the grand lobby, you are met with an impressive main pool with two tiers and the ocean behind it.
The beach feels private and exclusive to Hyatt Ziva Cancun since the tip of the Peninsula puts you around the corner from the main Cancun hotel strip. When it wasn’t windy, the waves on this stretch of beach were tame and the water was pretty shallow.
This was the first beach I have been to where I wasn’t afraid for Mazzy and Harlow to play in the surf while I sat and watched. On Long Island, I am always afraid a big wave will come and whisk them away if I’m not holding their hands. In Jamaica and Turks & Caicos, there seemed to be more of a current and steep drops in the ocean floor when you didn’t expect them.
It also helped that the sand was soft and white and you could see exactly what you were stepping into.
I do not know if all of Cancun is like this. I imagine a lot of the mildness came from where the hotel was situated.
But just like at any beach, Mazzy and Harlow spent a large amount of time covering my legs with sand.
From our hotel room, we faced the beach on the opposite side of the peninsula. Equally beautiful but not much bigger in scale with other hotels lining the distance.
Down on the beach, there is a little dam built with big blocks of concrete. There is ocean on one side and a little pool of sea water creeping through the rocks on the other.
I spotted it from our window and it proved to be an excellent place to play in the water for kids.
Harlow loved it there in particular.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun property is truly spectacular. And I say this as someone who was really spoiled travel wise back when I worked in advertising. Every area is designed impeccably from the lobby to the restaurants to the coffee shop to random seating areas throughout the hotel.
Clearly, someone thought very long and hard about how to deck out the space in a way that would blow an Instagrammer’s mind. There were so many cool backdrops to photograph, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself. Every time we turned a corner or entered a bathroom, I was like— Ooooooooooooh. What I could do with that yellow patterned wall behind the sinks…..
Mazzy noticed the design too which was pretty cool. She would point out interesting chairs and choices of color, asking me to take a picture of things she found interesting.
In Lorenzo’s the Italian restaurant, she asked to come over to the fancy tables in the back to take a picture of her.
“It so pretty, Mommy. You should put this on Snapchat.”
The decor prompted a long conversation about how there are different ways for artists to earn a living— you can paint pictures, but you can also decorate a room or design a piece of furniture.
Our room was very comfortable with cozy white beds, modern bathrooms and furnishings.
The highlight being the view, course.
I’m not sure if all the bathrooms are the same but ours only had a shower so something to consider if you are thinking of bringing kids. I actually relished the opportunity to force the girls into the shower with me— it’s so much easier and I feel like they get so much cleaner!
The KidZ Club is another huge selling point. It’s for kids four and up which used to piss me off when Mazzy was younger but now I totally understand. In order for the older kids to want to go, it has to be geared towards them.
The KidZ Club is designed beautifully so it doesn’t feel like you are throwing your kids in daycare while you have fun at the beach.
Plus (and this is the most genius part), the KidZ Club has it’s own little water park that kids only have access to if they are staying in the club.
This meant that Mazzy ASKED TO GO. When we picked her up for lunch, she was sad to leave and even though we were planning on spending the afternoon with her, she asked to go back. This was HUGE considering she totally rejected the kid’s club in Jamaica.
The staff at the KidZ Club is lovely and they hand out beepers to alert you if your kid is having an issue and wants you to pick them up, which is pretty great for peace of mind.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun is all-inclusive which means all food and drinks were included and unlimited. Mike and I aren’t really all-inclusive hotel people because to us, this usually means the food is not that great, but the Hyatt really has their restaurant situation figured out.
Our favorite was Moongate which is their Asian fusion restaurant. There is a hibachi grill set up on one side, there are dumplings delivered by carts and there is a Thai menu at the regular tables. We went twice to try both menus and everything was great.
Also, the hibachi chef had way more tricks up his sleeve than I have ever seen at Benihana. The kids were incredibly impressed.
Chevy’s was great for kid-friendly hamburgers and hotdogs, not to mention the restaurant centerpiece— a convertible with a booth inside. Very Pulp Fiction.
Mazzy and Harlow loved the breakfast buffet obviously (as many bread products as they could eat!) and Mike had fun teaching them his famous breakfast buffet strategy.
We also loved all the snack options during the day. Mike and I got coffee religiously at their impeccably designed coffee shop (with really good coffee!) and could count on a place called 24 hours for extra pancakes in the morning and chicken nuggets during the day.
Also, much to Mazzy and Harlow’s appreciation, there were various pastries and dinner rolls available for the taking all over the hotel.
Pastelles is the Hyatt Ziva Cancun’s dessert bar with assorted candy, cookies, chocolate fountains for fondue, gelato and cotton candy.
Let’s just say we visited Pastelles a few times and might have lied to Mazzy and Harlow about how much candy and cookies we were allowed to consume.
At 8pm each night, they have a show in the main lobby by the pool. On the last night, we were treated to some circus performers which was really fun. We mainly kept the kids out late but the first night, when the kids were dead tired, we used their babysitting service which worked out great.
In the mornings we watched the sunrise and ordered room service (when we weren’t at the buffet).
Harlow approved of the waffles.
During the day, we played at the beach and swam with the kids in the pool.
The girls could have spent all day in there if we let them, especially since they could swim up to the pool bar for free virgin strawberry daiquiris.
I also got a massage at the Spa Zen which was out of this world. The relaxation room alone is worth the price of admission.
Meanwhile, Mike spent a lot of time going for runs and taking advantage of their sizeable and brand new fitness center. (I have no pictures of the fitness center because I only glanced in briefly, said “wow,” and never went back once.)
In the afternoons, Mike or I would walk Harlow around in her stroller until she fell asleep.
On the rare moments that Harlow was asleep and Mazzy was in the KidZ club, I actually was able to sit and read a book.
Do you know how long it’s been since a read a book?
That alone was worth the trip.
Thank you Hyatt All Inclusive Resorts for inviting my family to your grand opening of Hyatt Ziva Cancun. We wish you so much success with your beautiful hotel on one of the nicest stretches of beach I’ve ever seen.
And now… for the really exciting part!
In partnership with hyatt all inclusive, I”m giving away a four day stay at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun (airfare not included)!
All you need to do is subscribe to my daily or weekly email to enter. Then leave a comment below telling me what part of Hyatt Ziva Cancun you are most excited about it. Tough choice with the free alcohol, KidZ Club water park and the ocean views! If you follow me on Instagram, you can leave a second comment on my Instagram photo for a second entry.
I’ll pick one winner on February 1st! Read the full rules here.
See? You didn’t think I’d go to Cancun and come back without a souvenir, did you? Just don’t tell Grammy. We didn’t bring her anything.
Hyatt All Inclusive Promotion:
All Hyatt Inclusive properties are currently up to 55% off plus a 5th night free. The offer is valid when booking from now until February 29, 2016 for travel anytime from now until December 23, 2016. Just make sure to book through the Hyatt All Inclusive site and look for the offer tab after you input your travel dates.
Winner Update:
Congratulations to Brittany Laws who won the most coveted giveaway in Mommy Shorts history! Please contact pam@mommyshorts.com to claim your prize.
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This post was sponsored by Hyatt All Inclusive, but my love of our stay there is 100% my own!
What a beautiful vacation! I would love the views, pool, salty warm sea.. And to share it all with my family!
My daughter would absolutely love all of the fun kiddo activities and her birthday is February 4th! I can’t think of a better gift for her! ????????
I would be most excited to spend some time away with my hubby and 3 kiddos on those beautiful beaches! Loved your description of the sand and the way the surf seems calmer. When the girls used the sand on snapchat as “lotion” I was cracking up. Totally something my 3 would think would be fun too!
Love the idea of an all inclusive kid friendly resort! I have a 2.5 year old and a two week old and would love to sit on the beach and not think about meals and entertainment!!
Without a doubt, the sun, powder looking sand and free alcohol!!
I would be most excited to have a relaxing few days with my new husband at the beach and pool! We were married in May and have yet to take our honeymoon. This looks like it would be a PERFECT trip for us! And obviously, free alcohol never hurts 😉
The beautiful views, the pools and sandy beaches!
The aqua ocean water for sure!
I think what my son and I would enjoy the most is making memories at a place like that. The views, exploring the area, food to try and swimming..(he’s obsessed with swimming). My sons my best friend and I couldn’t imagine traveling to a more beautiful and child friendly place then this.
All of it really, but #1 would be the beautiful beach!
The ocean!!! It looks amazing!
my husband and i LOVE Cancun, we’ve been hesitant to take our almost 3 year old, but this looks like a great place to try! love the beach and crystal clear water!
Looks awesome- I love the convertible booths- so retro. My question- what activities do they have geared towards Tweens and teens? This looks like a great trip, one I’ll never be to take my kids on, but I can admire the views you shared.
The blue water and sand is calling! It all looks so amazing!
Would love to treat my girls to their first view of the ocean and I think they would love it! Especially the Kidz Club!
Getting out of the -20 degree windchill in MN and time to relax in the warm weather with my daughter and husband! ????☀️☀️
Um, Kids Club all the way!
I just want to sit in the warm sun & soft sand!
Margaritas!!!
That view would be amazing but not going to lie, I am all about the candy shop! A grand majority of my time might be spend there!
Goodness, everything looks great! My kids would go for the kids zone, and I would go to the pool, beach, restaurants and spa. Haha!
Looks like you guys had a great time! I would be most excited for the delicious food, beautiful views and the opportunity for my boyfriend and I to go on our first vacation together!
I’m not going to lie–Pastelles looks like my favorite spot 🙂
The beautiful ocean and pools!!
Oh my! Everything looks so fabulous! I would LOVE being able to relax in the sun! ????????????????
#thatbeachthough!! My husband and I would love to hang out on the gorgeous beach! The swings instead of stools at the swim up bar would be a high lite of the trip as well! How fun!!
The VIEW!!!
My kids have not experienced many places outside their sheltered Minnesotan lives, so I look forward to the opportunity to travel with them somewhere very exciting, interesting, and beautiful. Plus, my husband and I rarely go anywhere together with the kids in tow; I work 1st shift and he works 2nd shift, so we have limited family time. To top it off, I spent way too many years in graduate school only to get a job where I’m underpaid, so the likelihood of us affording such a trip anytime in this millennium is at an all-time low!!
My girls are dying to go to cancun. They love the beach.
I’m most excited about the Kids Club, now that my son is old enough to attend.
I would be most excited about the ocean view every morning while sipping some coffee and the awesome quality time with my hubs, 3 year old and 7 month old boys!
That beautiful beach! Utilizing kidz club with different kids at different times so my husband and I could spend one on one time with each kiddo would be nice too!
The breakfast buffet!! And the pools!
Oh my gosh, the beaches, the views, the room service, the quiet…I want it ALL please! lol
the beach and the drinks!
The chevy & milkshakes (followed by the fitness center, no doubt) – would be a major hit with my husband. And I think the dammed up part of the beach is a brilliant idea- my adventurous 2.5 yr old daughter would (safely!) enjoy.
I’m a first time mom & haven’t gone on a real vacation in over 7 years… so I’m not fussy! The beautiful beach/pools & food/buffet would be just an added bonus though!
The warm sun providing much relief to my whole family during this dreary winter!
The beautiful beach!
after following your trip through snap it reminded me of vacations i spent when i was little with my sister and my mom! i would be most excited to spend the weekend at the beach with my mom!
Holy cow! I think my favorite parts would be the free alcohol, the gorgeous views, the kids zone, and all the yummy food…lol. Basically all of it.
The beach!!! My children would love the surf and I would love to just lay there and watch them not have to lift a finger 🙂
A honeymoon, since we never had one, would be what I would be most excited for. 3 under 3 is exhausting! A vacation just hubby & I would be dreamy.
The Beach and pools!
The free alcohol for sure!! I’ve been pregnant for what feels like two years in a row now… Mama needs a drink!
I am most excited for room service breakfast with a view 🙂
The view! Most definitely the view!!!
We’ve never been to an all-inclusive resort before. You’ve definitely sold me on the whole concept through your post and pictures – having everything at your fingertips to enjoy an easy-going family vacation! Your vacation looked amazing!
The family atmosphere and that gorgeous beach! We have never taken a vacation as a new little family and this place seems perfect!
Dessert bar. I need that in my life. Wow.
I’d be excited to enjoy the warmth and beautiful beach!
The beautiful ocean and spa! 🙂
I think Mexico is such a beautiful place. The views and ocean far exceeds any other reason to be there. The chance to relax and be pampered? Bring it!!
I think my favorite part would be getting out of this Chicago grey and sitting on that gorgeous beach! I’ll trade snow drifts for sand dunes anyday!
I would love the views and the all inclusive food options!!
OMG, the food! Someone please do all the cooking!
The beach!!!
Views! And someone else cooking!
Wow! This place looks spectacular and your descriptions (plus all your snapchats and Instagram pictures) are making this super hard! The beach has always been my favorite part of any trip and your descriptions and photos of this one just make me want to go so badly! Hell, I will probably look into it anyways 🙂 thank you!
You had me at all inclusive!
Our passports are ready!! ????????
Oh man! The spa and time to read a book would be out of this world!
I would love to see that gorgeous beach! The all inclusive food/drink/DESSERT sounds awesome too!
The beaches for sure!! So lovely and a perfect little area for kiddo’s to splash!
Those amazing views, the turquoise water, family friendly vibe with something for everyone!
The beach!! I’d love to take my kids to the beach. Gorgeous pictures!
The kids club and babysitting service!
The ocean, the sand, and a book in my hand = perfection
I would be most excited about some quality family time away. Both my husband and I work full time so a string of days with just us and the kids would mean the world. You also can’t beat a few warm beach days in the middle of NYC winter 🙂
I am in love with their beautiful beaches! I love that there is something for everyone in my family at this resort.
The beaches! So pretty!
My husband and I stayed at a Couples Only Resort for our honeymoon in Cancun. This looks great for brining family! I’d be most excited about the swing at the swim up bar.
The pools, the beach, and the spa. Perfect combination for relaxation.
Oh everything! The beach looks amazing!
Kids club, kids club, kids club!!!! 🙂
The beaches ????
That beach tho!!! Pick me, pick me!
The ocean view and time with my family!
I’m excited about the all inclusive food and drink! This girl LOVES to eat!
The BEACH!
Sun and sand!!
The beach especially looks AMAZING!
I’m looking forward to the tropical temperatures despite it being 5F outside right now! I’m also looking forward to winning a vacation and hoping the odds are slightly better than the $1.5billion Powerball!
Pick me!!!!!!!!
The beautiful water, the beaches, the kids club! My children have never seen blue water like that!
The sun and warmth! And my son is seriously obsessed with water slides and the ocean!
The beach, the spa, drinks, I’ll take any of it! It’s cold in TN!
The beach and pool look amazing! The kids club also looks like tons of fun for my 2 little ones. The quality time with my fam is definitely what I’d look forward to most, though. Thanks for sharing your amazing adventure with us!
I was super excited about the soft scrumptious sand and the beautiful ocean….but that amazing dessert bar looks sooooo incredible!!! The whole resort looks to die for, your pictures are wonderful!!
I would love to see the beautiful beach!
That beach tho!! Pick me, pick me!
As a new mom, so I am most excited about that relaxing beach where I can finally get a nap!
I would love the Kidz Club. With four kids getting some alone time with hubbie would be a dream!!!
This place looks amazing! My husband has never been to Mexico. I keep telling him how much he would love it. I think the best part of this all inclusive would be the KidZ Club! Our kids would be able to have some extra fun while my husband and I could have some quiet time together! The best of both worlds! Family vacation with some bonus time to ourselves!! Thank you Hyatt!
Just being able to spend time with my sister,niece and daughter. We all have busy schedules so being able to be somewhere together would be awesome.
All of the beautiful scenery to photograph! Also the food and drinks!
I would love to check out the swim-up bar and the bar with swings. And a massage would be amazing!!!
Omg the beach! The pool! The relaxation room! It all looks ahhhmazing.
The kid-friendly beach. And the included food and drinks doesn’t hurt either. We just went to Hawaii recently and while the resort was not all-inclusive, kids under 5 could order for free off the kids menu. Which, when you have a two year old is pretty amazing. I’m so tired of modifying my order just so it’s something I can share with her so that I don’t have to shell out 15 bucks for a grilled cheese and fries that she may or may not eat anyway.
Oh falling asleep to the sound of the ocean… It doesn’t get much better than that.
We would love the warm weather! ????☀️
Booze. Booze. Booze. Totally kidding, I’d love to experience all the amenities Hyatt has to offer!