Cancun Hotel Zone, United States
Located directly on the beach in the Hotel Zone
Some rooms have balconies with hot tubs facing the sea
Big pool with swim-up bar, waterfall, and daily activities
Good selection of food and drinks; 24-hour room service
Kids' club contains an awesome water park
Gym, spa, beauty salon, and meeting rooms
Private marina with water sports across the road
Free dinner at off-site chain Senor Frogs
Purified water throughout the resort
Free parking
Hotel interiors feel a bit dated
Fee for Wi-Fi (and can be slow)
Front desk/lobby area can get congested
Not many places to lounge on the beach
The 300-room, Mexican-owned Royal Solaris is an upper-middle-range property with a ton of resort features, including a water park in the kids club. However, many guests feel the property, built in the late '80s, is in need of a facelift -- especially the guest rooms, which are a bit basic. Highlights of the hotel include the pool area complete with a swim-up bar, waterfalls, and in-water tile loungers, and small, but sufficient spa area. This resort is best-suited to families on a budget, while next-door the more upscale GR Caribe (remodeled in 2010) is better suited to couples.
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Scene
Slightly dated property can easily feel full
With only so much space filled with so many features and people, its no wonder that Royal Solaris can feel full at times. Exacerbating the issue is the fact that guests from the GR Caribe next door have non-reciprocal access to the features here. Most people hang outside by the pool during the day, so this space gets filled quickly, and it's best to grab a spot earlier in the morning rather than later. It's also a good idea to show up early to restaurants, as they tend to fill up during prime meal times. The Royal Solaris proudly bills itself as a family resort, and most of the guests are families, so there isn't the same party vibe as at some other all-inclusives in Cancun. It also doesn't feel particularly romantic (couples will probably prefer the next-door GR Caribe). While singles and couples may think the resort feels busy, families may not even notice.
Location
In the Hotel Zone, next door to sister property GR Caribe
Royal Solaris is located around KM 20.5 about 15 minutes into Cancun's busy Hotel Zone, just after sister property GR Caribe. The hotel rests on the beachfront side of the strip, giving guests direct access to the Caribbean Sea. The resort isn't within walking distance to anything but the Luxury Boutique Mall and La Isla Shopping Village. Central Cancun -- where the highest concentration of bars, clubs, and restaurants (and Convention Center) can be found -- is only about a five-minute drive up the road. The ancient beachside ruins of Tulum can be reached in just under two of hours driving, while Coba and Chichen Itza are just over 2.5 hours by car. Cancun Airport is just a 15-minute drive from Royal Solaris.
Rooms
Rooms with basic tropical style may cause disappointment
The 300 rooms within Royal Solaris are fairly large, but feel somewhat sparse due to the decor. Generic, beige ceramic tile floors are topped with polished wood furniture that resembles what can be found in updated chain motels. Closets with sliding wooden doors, the cheap machine stucco wall treatment, and small motel-style travertine bathrooms are the most outdated elements. The old-fashioned telephones and drapes also detract from the aesthetic. However, there are thoughtful and updated touches like towels folded in imaginative ways, flat-screen LCD TVs, and contemporary bedding (with attractive patterned sage bed runners). Upgrades can get you balconies, or even better, whirlpool tubs on the balconies. All room come with basic toiletries, ironing boards, satellite TV channels, and coffeemakers. Minibars and mini-fridges are available upon request in most rooms.
Features
Lots of features in a small space with a great kids' club water park
Royal Solaris is right on the sands of the Caribbean and has a great outdoor pool; guests can usually be found by one of these bodies of water during the day. The main pool is fairly large for the size of the resort and includes multiple levels, a dipping pool with a waterfall, kids pool area, fountain, and a few little walking bridges. Oh, and a small, but booze-slinging pool bar. The beach, shared with GR Caribe next door, surprisingly doesn't have that many loungers, giving it a private vibe.Boasting itself as a resort for families, Royal Solaris doesn't drop the ball when it comes to the kids' club. After following a set of tiny colorful footprints, kids are led up a small set of stairs toward an animal-themed water park, full of slides, fountains, and adventure courses. If they ever leave the water, there is also an indoor area with activities for most kids up to 12. Adults have their own entertainment in the form of nightly shows, water sports at the marina, spa and beauty treatments, and shopping. There are also an on-site fitness center and set of oceanfront hot tubs. The daily flaming Mexican coffee happy hour just outside the shops on the lobby level is definitely for adults only. Here a staff member will spike and set fire to a nice cup of joe before serving it. While parking is free, Wi-Fi will cost you. Finding a place to grab a bite or beverage is not a problem as everywhere you turn, Royal Solaris seems to have some kind of food or drink available. In addition to the swim-up bar, there are a fast food-style snack bar, pizza place, and daily buffet-style snacks by the pool. Restaurants include the seaside buffet-style Rosmarinus, indoor Mexican buffet Las Fuentas, and international a la carte Marco Polo. Reservations are not needed for any of the restaurants. If you aren't by the pool, you can grab a drink and a seat at the Lobby Bar. The hotel's meal plan also includes a free dinner off-site at the popular Mexican chain Senor Frogs.