Family All Inclusive Battle: Hyatt Ziva Cancun VS Finest Playa Mujeres

We compare the Hyatt Ziva Cancun to the Finest Playa Mujeres and look at how they compare for an all inclusive family-friendly vacation in Cancun, Mexico. Specifically we'll talk through:
1:36 - Overview
3:49 - Similarities
5:00 - Property, Design, and Location
9:02 - Food and Dining
11:58 - Beverages and Alcohol
13:01 - Pools and Beaches
16:38 - Childcare and Children's Activities
19:16 - Other Considerations
Finest Playa Mujeres on TripAdvisor: www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...
Hyatt Ziva Cancun on TripAdvisor: www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...
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EXPLORE INFORMED is a travel show where we dig into the details of travel, investigate an interesting topic, or attempt to answer a common question -- all with the goal of hopefully learning something new so that next time we go exploring, we go better informed.
We hope to provide information, advice, and education in the form of travel tips, travel hacks, travel essentials, and even travel warnings or things to watch out for - so you can explore the world a little smarter.
Please Note: Unless otherwise noted, I am NOT being paid or reimbursed to talk about specific travel brands (e.g., airlines, hotel chains, tour operators). My intent is to simply offer my true, honest opinion based on what I know, research, read, etc.

[@adelaquinones516]

Totally awesome video. Thanks for doing this!!

[@azumieikichi]

This man did his work!! Thank you! Your an good dad!!!!

[@teddeadkar4560]

Wow amazing job on this review. This is EXAVTLY what I have been searching up and down for!

[@ExploreInformed]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@MC-yx8hs]

Wonderful review. And great considerations included here. Thank you kindly!!. You helped me decide. I'll go with Ziva in May...

[@monicaroman6843]

Thank you so much for this very thorough review! We just booked our trip and decided to go with Finest. I love the tips especially in regards to kids and strategies to get some alone time with your spouse. Thanks for the great content! I subscribed to get more info on future vacations.

[@ExploreInformed]

Thank you Monica. That is great feedback. Thanks for watching!

[@annadmarquez]

Great thorough review. We are excited about our future stay

[@ExploreInformed]

Thanks for watching

[@teresefrer8199]

Thank you so much for this video! One thing about the Hyatt swim ups - kids have to be 13+ in order to stay in those. I really wanted a swim up room and couldn't figure out why none were showing up while making my plans over a year in advance! And that was it :)

[@adrienneterrell1507]

Oh my gosh. Thank you for this video. I've been agonizing over which resort to take my 7 and 5 year old in June. I had no idea that you could not drop your kids off at kids club and leave. No one mentioned this. Thank you. Great video

[@ExploreInformed]

That's great news. And things may have changed recently with the kids club rules, but pre-covid we could not drop off our young children on more than one visit.

[@drrandall1]

Great video. We love the Ziva because of the dolphins. My kids love to go every year because of them. Thanks!

[@eliezerestrella]

Excellent video!!!! Thanks. I booked the finest to go with my wife and my 1 year old baby girl.

[@ExploreInformed]

That is awesome! Enjoy the trip!

[@jmarti39]

I've looked at both for our family vacation but I really like the Hyatt because of the location and it's so close to the shopping mall and close to some ruins. The finest seems to far for what we want to do if we want to take a day stroll. Thanks for this video it was very informative!

[@ExploreInformed]

Glad I could help Javier! Let me know what you decide and how it goes!

[@EmilyDiaz83]

Great video! We love the Finest Resort and was considering Hyatt up until the Dolphin area. :( Thanks for your thorough review of both!

[@ExploreInformed]

Thanks for watching and commenting Emily! I think they are both great resorts, each with their own set of pros and cons as noted in the video. I wouldn't necessarily let the dolphins totally dissuade you as there's a lot to like about the Hyatt, but I respect your decision.

[@EmilyDiaz83]

@@ExploreInformed Are there any other Family-friendly resorts around the same areas as Finest or Hyatt that would be similar in food quality as the Finest. Cause of course FOOD IS LIFE! HAHA

[@ExploreInformed]

@@EmilyDiaz83 I've only visited those two (in terms of family friendly all inclusives), but see recommendations online for Hotel Xcaret, Royalton Riviera Cancun, and the Grand at Moon Palace...can't personally vouch for them though.

[@rfburchetta]

my head is spinning but keep it up, great review.

[@ExploreInformed]

Ha, sorry (and thanks?!)

[@vanessamanacop4800]

This is exactly the video I was looking for. I originally booked the Finest for our anniversary next year but realized we can get 4 free nights at the Ziva with our rewards. I was unsure about the quality and experience at the Ziva but this video makes me feel comfortable with my decision. Maybe when we plan a family trip with the kiddos we’ll choose Finest.

[@ExploreInformed]

Thanks for watching. And I'd burn the points too if I had four free nights. One advantage of Hyatt and the Ziva.

[@rebeccabarger2310]

Amazing review! I was already considering finest and after hearing all your great info I'm definitely going to book it!! The Ziva seemed nice, but I can't support a place with captive dolphins.. I'm super excited to book family suite with pool at finest!

[@ExploreInformed]

Thanks for the feedback! I understand on the dolphins. if you need any more info on Finest, check out the Facebook group "Fans of Finest Playa Mujeres."

[@mathieuhoule8391]

I saw a lot of people complained about the mosquitos at the Finest, that with the kids they did not even go out of the room after sun down. Any one had this issue? I you have some spay its fine or there just to much? Thanks

[@angelol.5097]

I've been to both hotels multiple times. You can't go wrong with either. Hyatt wins if you want better pools. Finest wins if you appreciate the centrally located and air conditioned lobby area with all the restaurants.

[@christineh3526]

Hello thank you for your review! We have a couple of family members allergic to mosquito bites. Are there a lot of mosquitos at Finest vs. Ziva?

[@cmapperson26]

Which would you recommend for a slightly older kid group (11 & 14)?

[@ashd567]

I am trying to decide on either the Ziva or Finest in the Dominican Republic for this summer - any reviews on those? Or, if you have any tips, just looking for "overall fave all-inclusive vacay" for families (we have a 6yo girl). Would love just your personal opinion on any that you have tried :)

[@ExploreInformed]

I have not been to the Ziva in the DR. I had travel booked there with my family but had to cancel last minute due to COVID unfortunately.

[@adventureswithavants4599]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@ExploreInformed]

Glad it was helpful!

[@travelvfamily]

We just came back from Cancun and we stayed at the finest playa mujeres and Nickelodeon resort riviera Maya. We loved the finest playa mujeres better than Nickelodeon resort. The only think I like was the water park and the decor and design of the Nickelodeon. Definitely Came back to finest playa mujeres again.

[@JuneThao]

Do you recall what the beer offerings are for both resorts?

[@ExploreInformed]

Not off the top of my head, but it's a mix domestic and import...but nothing to exotic usually. Ziva may have the greatest odds of something "crafty" thanks to the sports bar / brewery type restaurant. You can probably find the exact specifics on TripAdvisor or in Facebook groups about each property.

[@dmitryrusakov4151]

Thank you for your amazing review! I have a few questions about "Finest Playa Mujeres": 1. Is it possible to buy diapers somewhere withing a hotel territory? 2. Is it possible to buy a baby formula or cow milk somewhere withing a hotel territory?

[@ExploreInformed]

Finest is a bit out of the way, compared to the Ziva. I'm not sure there's anything within walking distance. I'd try to stop at a grocery on way in from the airport, which shouldn't be a problem as you drive through the city.

[@ML-wj4nb]

Nice review! as far as the dining, are all the restaurants covered in the all inclusive price? food is a big deal for me. what is for an uncharge? also if I go to playa mujeres but want to travel to other locations of Mexico whats our best option?

[@jackappleton4540]

Yes all restaurants included in all inclusive. Literally all food and drink on site is. The only exception is the one restaurant exclusive to the Excellence club, this is still all inclusive however you have to be in the Excellence club to access.

[@ExploreInformed]

I'd also say generally all restaurants are included at many all inclusive properties, unless they are restricted to certain wings/club areas. Far, far less upcharging than on a cruise ship for example.

[@gregrealestate8928]

I'm just concerned about Finest beach. It seems a bit green/seaweed like, while Hyatt has more of the aruba blue beach. Any insight would be awesome!

[@Jay-vs6ih]

Ive been to both and it all depends on if there was a storm out at sea which washes in the seaweed. Finest's beach is crystal clear. This happens all over the world and it can change your perspective on that specific beach but it all depends on the conditions out at sea that bring in this seaweed. Both are geographically on the same coast line and have great beaches.

[@ExploreInformed]

Agree - think it is totally dependent on factors no one can control.

[@shemward4315]

Great video. I’ve read some Yelp reviews that said the food was really horrible. Do you think those reviews are accurate?

[@ExploreInformed]

I don't think all-inclusive food compares to nice restaurants back "home," wherever home may be, but I would never call it horrible. I think "all inclusive food" generally gets a bad rap because of the offerings at lower-cost resorts. Food offerings vary WIDELY across resorts and price levels.

[@hpatel5714]

Finest seems to have a lot of seaweed? Which one is better to go in the waters with a toddler.

[@JuneThao]

I think you might be wrong about not being able to leave your kids and walk away at the Hyatt Ziva. I did some research and online sources say you can leave kids between the ages of 4-12 and they provide you with a pager in case they need you back before your scheduled pick up time. Adult supervision is only required at the kidz club pool.

[@ExploreInformed]

That is certainly possible. I wasn't able to on two visits but it may have been an age thing. It doesn't help that the kids club and kids club pool are kinda one in the same as neither is very big. Finest has about 5x the space. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@JuneThao]

@@ExploreInformed thank you for your info and wonderful review!

[@fabianvela6077]

Another thing to note is if you want to go out at night after kids club is closed, Hyatt doesn't allow you to hire your own babysitter. We have a sitter we use when we go and wanted to go to Coco Bongo so I asked they said she's not allowed on the property.

[@FranqiTown]

Food - Oaxaca is the place to go. No resorts there

[@Abu_____Obaida314]

Free Palestine 🇵🇸

[@playa7768]

Really. 95% less seeing and hearing you talking And 95% more resort videos , pool, beach, etc

[@ExploreInformed]

Ha, I get it. I don't love carrying around a camera and videoing the entire resort. Not my style to do so, but I get a lot of people want those kinds of videos.