This Resort Has Cancun’s Biggest Pool, Paddleboarding, Endless Gelato And All Oceanfront Rooms

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The moment I walked into the massive, sun drenched lobby of the AVA Resort Cancun, I had an incredibly familiar feeling. I could not quite place it at first, but as I looked down the sprawling, multi level central corridor, it finally dawned on me. This place feels exactly like a luxury cruise ship that has been firmly planted on dry land, except the pools are massive and the rooms are drastically bigger.

When you first hear the statistics for the brand new AVA Resort Cancun, a certain level of skepticism is completely natural. With over 1,600 rooms, it is, by any definition, a truly massive property. For seasoned travelers, the word massive is often a code word for long buffet lines, impersonal service, and that dreaded burn and churn hospitality model where you feel more like a reservation number than a valued guest.

I have visited my fair share of mega resorts across the Mexican Caribbean, so I went to check out the property fully expecting to experience some of those classic big resort growing pains. We were completely wrong. The AVA Resort Cancun is that rare hospitality unicorn. It is a mega resort with the intimate soul and vibrant heartbeat of a boutique hotel.

The Secret Is The Promenade

The true genius of the AVA and the secret to its unique vibe can be found entirely on its main level. Everything is located on one magnificent, air conditioned indoor promenade that stretches for over half a mile along the entire length of the resort.

This brilliant design choice completely eliminates the single biggest problem that ruins giant resorts, which is navigation. Gone are the days of deciphering confusing paper maps, getting lost on winding outdoor jungle paths in the dark, or waiting ten minutes for a golf cart just to get to dinner. At AVA, every single restaurant, cocktail bar, high end shop, and activity entrance is located right there on the promenade. It acts as the central nervous system of the resort, making it unbelievably easy to get your bearings on day one.

But the layout is more than just convenient. It creates an incredible, dynamic energy. In the evening, the promenade comes alive. You can casually stroll from a high end cocktail bar to a chic boutique, grab a scoop of authentic gelato, and listen to live music spilling out of the restaurants, all in complete climate controlled bliss. It actively encourages exploration and allows you to seamlessly bar hop without walking miles across the property.

You Will Not Be Bored

While the AVA is conveniently located just ten minutes from the airport, it is purposely built outside of the bustling Hotel Zone. The trade off for this relative isolation is an absolutely staggering array of on site activities that makes it almost impossible to get bored. You could genuinely spend a full week here and not experience everything the resort has to offer indoors.

For the thrill seekers, there is a full scale laser tag arena and a state of the art arcade loaded with racing simulators. For adults looking to unwind, there is a sleek, modern bowling alley that feels more like an exclusive private lounge. For the evening crowd, a stunning professional grade theater hosts high production nightly shows. And if you need anything practical, the promenade features chic clothing shops, a massive sundries market, and a fully stocked pharmacy.

Cancun’s Biggest Pool And A Massive Lagoon

The outdoor space at AVA is just as impressive as the interior, anchored by what is officially Cancun’s biggest pool. This absolutely giant infinity pool stretches across the entire oceanfront length of the property, meaning you are never far from a swim up bar. For anyone who has experienced the dreaded early morning towel game at other resorts, you can officially breathe a sigh of relief. There are literally thousands of comfortable lounge chairs available at all hours of the day.

The true outdoor showstopper, however, is the expansive saltwater lagoon. This is a massive, crystal clear body of water powered by sustainable technology that provides a perfect, protected environment for water sports. You can spend an entire afternoon kayaking and stand up paddleboarding in the calm, turquoise water without worrying about ocean currents or choppy waves. Sitting right in the middle of the lagoon is a huge inflatable obstacle course, and yes, the adults have just as much fun on it as the kids do.

The Familia Dining Experience And Endless Gelato

This is where the AVA truly defies its massive size. You will hear the staff use the word familia a lot, and it is not just a cheap marketing slogan. It is a hospitality philosophy that clearly runs through the veins of the resort. From the bartenders to the concierge, every interaction feels personal and incredibly warm.

The food and beverage program is a massive highlight. With seventeen different restaurants and bars, the quality and variety are exceptional. The Black Iron steakhouse serves up incredible, perfectly cooked ribeyes and New York strips that are fully included in your stay. Service at Veranda, the beautiful Italian restaurant, is flawless. Even the room service breakfast arrives hot, fresh, and exactly on time.

If you have a sweet tooth, you are in for a serious treat. After dinner, stopping at the dedicated gelato shop for one of their endless rotating flavors becomes a mandatory nightly ritual. With so many freshly made options to choose from, grabbing a cone and walking the promenade is the perfect way to cap off the night.

All Oceanfront Rooms

The rooms themselves are spectacular, but the absolute best feature is the architecture. Every single room at the AVA is oceanfront, meaning there is no such thing as a bad view or a disappointing garden upgrade. The beds are huge, the robes are luxuriously soft, and the in room Nespresso machines are restocked daily alongside the premium minibar.

The One Compromise

Is it perfect? In nearly every way, yes. But for the sake of a fully transparent review, we must mention the one single area where the classic Cancun Hotel Zone has an edge, which is the beach itself. The sand at AVA is incredibly soft and the area is meticulously maintained, but due to its geographic location south of the main strip, the water does not have that almost impossibly electric, neon blue color you find further up the coast.

However, the resort’s incredible record breaking pools and the massive, perfectly swimmable lagoon more than make up for it. For an all inclusive resort experience this polished and complete, it is a compromise we would happily make again.

The AVA has its service down to an absolute science. It is a true, luxurious five star all inclusive experience that somehow manages to feel both epic and intimate at the exact same time. It is officially a major new competitor for legacy mega resorts in the region, and that is a very exciting thing for Cancun travelers. Check prices for your dates.