This Cancún Resort Might Change Your Mind About Vacation Clubs

28.12.2023 - 03:32 / matadornetwork.com

The moment you enter The Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas & Spa, your eyes dart to the infinity pools and crystal-clear teal waters that await you through the lobby doors. For me, as a first-time traveler to Cancún, this was the moment that the slight chaos of the busy tourist city faded away, and I was able to step into that zen vacation state that we all crave.

While a majority of the hotels in Cancún are all-inclusive resorts, the Westin Lagunamar is a member of The Marriott Vacation Clubs, which gives guests and vacation club owners alike a more flexible experience. To be frank, I never really understood the appeal of vacation ownership before this trip. But after meeting the Westin Lagunamar team and experiencing the villas, entertainment, and ease of access that the resort provided, it’s safe to say I’m a convert.

My biggest takeaway while basking in the size of my room and the service I received was that it’s the ideal alternative to traditional vacation rentals for young families, annual friends’ trips, and general group travel. You get the best of both worlds under one roof and have a place to come back to every year — although you don’t have to.

With The Marriott Vacation Clubs model, points are allocated annually that you can spend anywhere. You can visit places like Costa Rica, Spain, or Hawai’i. However, after talking to some of the families I met during my stay at the Westin Lagunamar, it seems that many travelers find a favorite destination and keep coming back.

Photo: Courtesy of The Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas & Spa

While you can opt for The Marriott Vacation Clubs ownership at the Westin Lagunamar, you can also book the resort as you would any other hotel. Pricing typically starts at $250 per night but can cost $450 or more per night during holidays and school breaks.

The property is spread across 14 buildings and houses 580 “villas” — a luxe moniker for the hotel rooms. Split between studio villas and one-bedroom villas, rooms can also be connected to create two-bedroom villas. As I entered my one-bedroom villa, I was blown away by how large and well-equipped the room was. There was a full kitchen with all the standard appliances, a washer and dryer with detergent, a dining area for six, a living area, an enormous balcony with a seating area, a bedroom with a king bed, and a spacious bathroom with a whirlpool that looks directly out onto the ocean. The kitchen had enough plates, flatware, cookware, and margarita glasses to host a full dinner party — a perk some guests take advantage of as they make friends with other owners who return to the property year after year.

Winding down also comes easily when you stay at the Westin Lagunamar. My ritual at the end of every day was