A small haven sandwiched between the Presidente Intercontinental and the Hotel Riu Palace, this hotel is situated on a popular strip of Cancun’s Hotel Zone. Housed in five four-story white buildings with attractive arched balconies and tall palm trees, Beachscape is easy to find on the main road and has secure free parking out front. A marble-tiled lobby is expansive and offers clusters of wooden armchairs and sofas, but the space lacks decorative touches and can feel generic. The reception area is well-staffed and service appears to be hands-off (i.e. there if you need it but otherwise silent). The pool, lounge area, and beach are located in the back of the hotel along with the a la carte restaurant, La Palapa, which sits directly on the beach and has beautiful views. The hotel has ample security -- there are day and night security guards in the front of the property as well as by the pool and beach, making the hotel feel safe. Guests comprise a mix of families, young couples, and retired folks, and many of them have been going back for years.

Cancun’s Hotel Zone is shaped like a “7,” and Beachscape is located near the top of the zone, around the bend. The beaches up here are calmer and less wavy than properties located down the main strip, making swimming ideal for kids.

As it's located in the heart of the Hotel Zone, Beachscape is near plenty of other hotels, restaurants, and shops. The Cancun Center is a 10-minute walk and the lively area around Coco Bongo, a popular nightclub, is a 13-minute walk. Taxis are always available in front of the hotel and plenty of buses run up and down the Hotel Zone. The resort is a 20-minute drive from downtown Cancun.

• 10-minute walk to the heart of the Hotel Zone
• 28-minute drive to Cancun International Airport
• 42-minute drive to Puerto Morelos, with quiet beaches and great snorkeling spots
• 60-minute drive to Playa del Carmen, a bustling town with great shopping and a well-heeled crowd
• 1-hour-45 minute drive to Tulum ruins
• 2-hour-20-minute drive to Chichen Itza ruins
• 2-hour-20-minute drive to Coba ruins    

Size is the guest rooms' best feature. Starting at 473 square feet for the Standard Room, they're quite spacious. In terms of decor, rooms are minimal and nothing special, with beige tile floors, bright accent pillows, and wicker chairs. Some of the furnishings are showing their age. Amenities include a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, and coffeemaker. The bathrooms are small and somewhat dated, with glass shower doors and beige tile. Rooms also include balconies, but some only offer views of the parking lot.

The one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites and villas are also spacious at 775 to 1,895 square feet. Decor in the suites is dated, with old dark brown cabinets, white countertops, and a glass dining table with gaudy, fabric-covered chairs. The living rooms either have wicker furniture with colorful cushions or dated couches in orange or brown. The suites do have full kitchens, however, with stoves, refrigerators, microwaves, small appliances, silverware, and dishes, making them a convenient option for longer stays or for budget-conscious families.

The beach is the key feature at Beachscape -- it’s wide and spacious with a large swath of sand facing the deep-blue ocean. The water is calm and clear, a bonus for families with kids or guest that don't consider themselves strong swimmers. Cobalt-blue lounge chairs are located under straw umbrellas near the back. Due to the popularity of the beach, empty lounge chairs can be hard to find in the afternoon during high season, and some guests report there's a lot of towels draped in an attempt to call dibs. However, due to the spaciousness of the beach, the chairs are not on top of each other, and overall, the area is quiet, relaxing, and incredibly scenic. 

Beachscape has a large angular pool located outside of the lobby as well. The pool is clean and inviting but the area isn’t terribly attractive -- it's surrounded by concrete and there's little landscaping. But one grassy nook dotted with palm trees gives a slightly more welcoming spot to loll in the striped loungers.

The hotel has two restaurants: Albufera, a buffet, that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; and La Palapa, which offers waterside dining and is also open for all meals.

A sizable, bright fitness center is outfitted with treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, balance balls, and weight machines. The hotel also has free Wi-Fi throughout the property, free parking, coin-operated washing machines, a children’s play area, and a small spa with massages.