Are "Club Level" Rooms Worth the Upgrade In Cancun? A Traveler's Checklist To Make The Choice

You’ve found the perfect all-inclusive resort in Cancun, you’ve picked your dates, and you’re just about to hit “Book Now.” That’s when you see it: a tempting little box offering an upgrade to the “Club Level” for an extra couple hundred dollars a day.

Your mind starts racing. The pictures show a swanky private lounge and fancy-looking snacks. It seems luxurious, exclusive… but is it actually worth it? Or is it the oldest trick in the book to get you to spend more money on things you’ll never use?

Club Level: Is The Upgrade Worth It For You?

Answer three quick questions about your travel style to get a personalized recommendation.

Are you okay with potentially waiting in line to check in and out?

Are you a “top-shelf” liquor drinker, or happy with the standard bar offerings?

Do you need a quiet place to escape the main resort crowds?

Verdict: It’s Probably Worth It!

Based on your answers, you’re the kind of traveler who values convenience, premium drinks, and a quiet escape. The Club Level perks are a great fit for your travel style.

Verdict: You Can Probably Skip It.

Based on your answers, you might not get the full value out of the Club Level upgrade. You’re better off saving your money for amazing excursions or a fantastic dinner out!

It’s the great vacation debate. The honest answer? It depends entirely on your travel style. For some people, it’s a game-changing upgrade that elevates their entire trip. For others, it’s a complete waste of money. To help you make the right call, we at The Cancun Sun have broken down what you actually get and created a simple checklist to see if it’s the right move for you.

Are Club Level Rooms Worth the Upgrade In Cancun A Traveler's Checklist To Make The Choice

First, What Exactly IS “Club Level”?

Before you can decide, you need to know what you’re buying. “Club Level” is essentially a “hotel within a hotel” experience. Every major resort brand has its own name for it—Hyatt calls it the “Regency Club,” Secrets has the “Preferred Club,” and Marriott has the “M Club”—but the concept is the same. It’s an exclusive tier of service that comes with a specific set of perks not available to standard guests.

While the exact offerings change from resort to resort, here are the most common perks you can expect:

A Private Lounge: This is the centerpiece of the experience. It’s an exclusive, often beautifully designed lounge that serves as a quiet escape from the main resort.
Upgraded Food & Drinks: The lounge typically offers a complimentary continental breakfast in the morning, snacks and soft drinks throughout the day, and evening hors d’oeuvres with top-shelf liquor and wine before dinner.
Private Check-In/Check-Out: Skip the main lobby lines and check in at a private, seated desk inside the lounge.
A Dedicated Concierge: You get access to a special concierge who can handle dinner reservations and tour bookings just for club guests.
Better Room Location: Club Level rooms are often on higher floors with better ocean views.
Exclusive Access: This is a big one. Many resorts offer Club Level guests access to a private, less-crowded pool or a reserved section of the beach.

Overview of a large all-inclusive Cancun resort with pool

The Traveler’s Checklist: Is It Worth It For You?

This is where you get honest with yourself. Run through these five questions to find your answer.

1. How much time will you actually spend at the resort? If you have excursions booked every single day to see Chichen Itza and swim in cenotes, you’ll never be around to use the private lounge for its fancy snacks and cocktails. The value of Club Level drops dramatically if you’re not there to take advantage of it.

2. Are you a “top-shelf” drinker? The standard all-inclusive bars serve good, local brand liquor. If you’re perfectly happy with that, the “premium bar” in the club lounge won’t mean much to you. However, if you’re the kind of person who wants Grey Goose in your cocktail or a better glass of wine in the evening, the value of the upgrade skyrockets. Do the math: would you spend more than the upgrade cost on premium drinks anyway?

3. Do you hate fighting for pool chairs? This might be the single biggest selling point. The main pools at big Cancun resorts can be a chaotic scene by 10 AM. The promise of a quiet, exclusive pool or a reserved beach area where you can always find a peaceful spot can be worth the entire price of admission for travelers who value serenity over a party scene.

4. Are you traveling as a couple or with kids? For a romantic anniversary trip, the quiet lounge and adults-only pool can feel like a godsend. However, some lounges have restricted hours for children. If you’re traveling with your family, make sure the perks (like easy access to snacks and drinks) outweigh any potential restrictions.

5. Can you put a price on convenience? Look at the per-day cost of the upgrade. If it’s $150, ask yourself: would we spend that much on premium cocktails and evening appetizers alone? The breakfast in the lounge isn’t about saving money—it’s about the luxury of avoiding the often-crowded main buffet. If the cost of the premium drinks and appetizers alone comes close to the upgrade price, then you’re essentially getting the convenience of a quiet breakfast, the private pool, and better service for free.

There’s no single right answer. The key is to get honest about your travel style and do a quick check of the specific perks offered at your chosen resort. By using this checklist, you can cut through the marketing hype and confidently decide if the upgrade is a game-changer or just a waste of money. Happy Travels!

And if you’re still trying to decide which resort is the right home base for your trip, we’ve made that part easy too. Check out our Cancun resort finder that matches you with the perfect hotel for you!