HYATT ZILARA RESORT Cancun, Mexico 🇲🇽【4K Resort Tour & Review】Good Resort, Great Location!

Watch this video if you want to know what it’s really like to stay at the five star Hyatt Zilara Resort in Cancun, Mexico. This luxurious adults only all inclusive resort in the heart of Cancun’s hotel zone has a lot to offer- but so do many other hotels. Let this video help you decide if it’s the right choice for you!
🎥 In This Video:
-What is Hyatt Zilara?
-Lobby & Reception
-Oceanview King Room Tour
-Tour of Pools & Beach
-Dinner at Maria Marie
-Lunch at Vista
-Breakfast at Spice
-All other Restaurants & Bars
-Link to All Activities & Entertainment
-All Restaurant Menus
-Cancun Food Ranking
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💸 Rate Paid
Rate Paid: $434.00 USD
Category: Oceanview King Suite
Inclusions: All Inclusive
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⇢ Mexico Hotels & Resorts: • Mexico Hotels & Resorts
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🎶 Background Music in This Video
⇢ “The Mariachi Way” by Latina Fiesta
⇢ “Saturday Night in Afikim” by Marcelo Nami
⇢ “Ocean Fifteen” by Ocean Fifteen
⇢ “Denali at Dawn” by Journey
All music tracks featured in this video are licensed under an Artlist Unlimited License.
↪ Video Chapters ↩
0:00 Intro & Hotel Info
00:55 Arrival & “What is Zilara?”
02:34 Lobby Atrium
03:15 Lobby Bar
03:30 Hotel Pools
03:55 Location Info (Graphic)
04:40 Need to Know FAQs
04:46 Walk Around Pools & Grounds
07:24 Beach & Cabanas
08:24 Liquor Brands on Offer
09:22 Lunch at Vista
10:22 Casa del Cafe
10:44 Oceanview King Room Tour
16:33 Asiana Restaurant
17:08 Dinner at Maria Marie
18:06 In House Bars
18:54 Night Time @ Zilara
20:05 Sunrise Montage
21:17 Spice Restaurant Breakfast Buffet
23:39 Fitness Center & Pool
24:03 The Flip Flop Score
This is NOT a promotional video. I pay for all of my flights and hotels (and I always tell you how much!) so I can be as honest and impartial as possible. I do not receive any special treatment that wouldn’t otherwise be publicly accessible, in fact, the hotels and airlines have no idea about my visit and that's the way I like it!
#hyattzilara #cancun #resortreview

[@georgehoaglin]

My wife and I stayed at The Hyatt Zilara 3 times within the last 18 months....We Absolutely LOVE Everything and Everyone at the resort :)

[@tfft]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@CarmelaO-2023]

How was the a/c in your room?

[@georgehoaglin]

@@CarmelaO-2023 No issues at all. When we had our balcony doors shut, it stayed very cool.

[@howardcobb4656]

Stayed here last year. All inclusive and no kids made it extra nice. I have reached the age where this type of place is more economical and relaxing than cruising. Great video. Can’t wait for next review of hotels in Cancun!! Great video!

[@tfft]

Appreciate that! Lots more to come!

[@tomsoden1738]

Thank you for another great video Kevin. 12:27 I love the idea of the extra details. It would also be nice to know if there are mattress encasements too. Many people have a fear of bed bugs/ stains etc. Although, I appreciate most viewers wouldn't want watch you dismantle the bedding.

[@tfft]

I always check the mattresses (not necessarially for the type of cover, but for the cleanliness and condition) but only mention it when it is an outlier. You can see an example in my Oberoi Udaivilas video what I mean.

[@michaelthomad4376]

Hi thanks for sharing this video, it was quite nostalgic to see this as we stayed there years go when it was The Royal & it was a lovely hotel

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@datvan4570]

I just love your content and look forward to your releases every Thursday and Saturday. Keep up the great work Kevin!!!

[@tfft]

Appreciate that!

[@killerqueen9298]

Great video as usual, Kevin. Fabulous views and sunrise and sunset.🙃🙂

[@tfft]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

[@tboy1236]

Awesome vid Kevin! Love how you keep innovating your format with the "extra bits". 100k is a lock

[@tfft]

Appreciated the feedback!

[@Geoffreyboucher]

Cheers Kevin looks a really tidy hotel to me,,,,,peace and happiness on your travels 😊😊😊😊

[@tfft]

Appreciate that!

[@26markp]

Another excellent review Kevin.

[@tfft]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

[@Lin-Lin2559]

Excellent video!! Exactly all the info I want to know about a resort. Thank you! Keep it up, scores and all!

[@tfft]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

[@nunoalmeidacosta2417]

Great as always! I do appreciate to witness your "evolution", you seem to really highlight what matters!! I really appreciated your comment regarding the HEATED pool. I mean why is it always so difficult to get an official information about this topic which is a definite plus for some of us? Nice touch with the "extra info" in the rooms, I would suggest you to add "noise at night" and "darkness at night" in the bedroom which sometimes ruins the whole expericence.. Regarding this hotel I think room renovations, at least furniture and decor, is in need. But as I do have a proper knowledge about Cancun and Riviera Maya all inclusive options I must say this resort is a good value for what it offers. If you can visit Atelier Playa Mujeres, Secrets Isla Mujeres, Palmaia and Xcaret Arte. Great contenders!

[@tfft]

The noise at night, though you may not notice it, is always "in" my videos. Noisebleed is in a category of "too many things to say in one video so I only mention it if it's an outlier"... So, if I don't mention noisebleed in a video, that is me specifically saying "it's not a problem based on what you'd expect from this type of property"... if there ever are any noisebleed issues I always mention it specifically in the video and attempt to include a recording of it, but that last part isn't always possible. Appreciate the nod to the videos' evolution.

[@natnailsit]

Hi there 👋🏾 going in July and honestly this is thr best review I have seen! Thank you for sharing 😊

[@tfft]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻 Enjoy your trip 🗺️

[@jimmyjames6492]

Thanks for the info + video!

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@noeapantoja]

FINALLY! Thank you Kevin, I've been waiting for this Cancun series! 🤩

[@tfft]

No, thank you for waiting!

[@Yummy_nyammy]

Thanks for the information. I really like that you took a video when people in sleep

[@tfft]

Try my best!

[@dennisrettke]

Wow, this was exciting! Hyatt Zilara in Jamaica was the first All-Inclusive resort I ever stayed in (as they are not common in Australia). And even after subsequently visiting numerous AI resorts in the Caribbean, the Hyatt in Jamaica remains our all-round favourite. Comparing it to this one in Cancun, I would say the Jamaica one has a smaller, private beach, and seems to have nicer rooms and grounds. Also, the restaurants were fantastic. I hope you can review it some time :)

[@mauditebalvenie]

Heh I stayed in the Ziva portion of the property and I loved it.

[@dennisrettke]

@@mauditebalvenie great! Do you mean the one in Cancun or Jamaica?

[@mauditebalvenie]

@@dennisrettke Montego Bay Jamaica

[@dennisrettke]

@@mauditebalvenie great memories 😊

[@tfft]

I'll be at other Zivas/Zilaras this year, but so far, none in Jamaica... maybe next year!

[@raulalvarado5873]

Went when it was The Royal in Cancun in 2010 for honeymoon, we loved it! But we go to Excellence Playa Mujeres now

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@TheMaartian]

One trip to Cancun put me off of Cancun. If you get a chance to visit Acapulco, I recommend the Las Brisas. I used to go there for 10 days each year, arriving on the Friday after Thanksgiving. After the first year learning the resort, I always booked Junior Suite 518 on the top of the mountain on the Pacific side. Better views and NO driving drum beats at 3am from the discos along the bay. 518's private pool is the largest one and faces the sun, so the water in the unheated pool is pleasantly warm. There are some excellent restaurants in Acapulco, so I was happy that it wasn't an all-inclusive. But...there is a "magic box" that hotel staff fills with a hot coffee pot and a basket of pastries each morning. Those are included. I just loved it.

[@tfft]

Acapulco was on my potential list for this year, but I'm waiting for things to calm down a bit there before I go. Perhaps next year!

[@TheMaartian]

@@tfft Between the gangs and the weather, it's been tough. That's a shame. I spent many vacations there and had a fabulous time every time. I hope you make it at some point.

[@rwrae72]

Not on my bucket list of locations but I suppose it is for most people. If I did go and if the Casa del Cafe coffee bar was free -- I would just stay there until they kicked me out. lol As usual, wonderful video!

[@tfft]

I think Cancun is in the same category as cruises. Those who think it's not for them simply haven't found the right hotel/location/cruise yet. The variety on offer in and around Cancun is so diverse, everyone is bound to find something they'd like!

[@ipalermo-xk6ly]

Looking forward to your Mexico series Kevin. Your videos and content keep getting better, Not sure about this resort. Looks as a mid-market resort in the Palm so not really comparable in luxury to properly 5 star resorts in Asia or UAE bur seems like a very good deal being All inclusive. How is the seaweed situation?

[@tfft]

Yup, dollar for dollar you simply cannot compare resorts in the Americas to those in Asia, fairly at least. Seaweed, as I mentioned in the video, wasn’t (and generally isn’t) a major concern in the hotel zone. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@lkhjason]

Great video as usual Kevin 👍🏻 ! Something random which popped up my mind whilst binge watching your videos which I wanted your thoughts/opinion on 🤣 - tipping culture. I’m not American so the whole concept is just really fuzzy, awkward to me. But I wanted to hear what your thoughts are on this practice when travelling within/outside of the US, especially in Asia where it is not common practice. I’ve heard stories from friends where in certain establishments frequented by American tourists (in a bustling city in Asia which I shall not name 😂) they have “spoilt” the market so much so that there is the same expectation of American tourist and when you don’t tip them, they give you the “attitude” 🤣 I bet this topic would also be great for future contents 😅

[@tfft]

Being American and having owned restaurants outside of the US, this is a topic I specifically do not cover in videos lol. But I can answer here. When in a country where it's not the norm, I do not tip for little things, but I do tip for big things. For example, in Vietnam, I likely won't be tipping porters or housekeepers or servers (above the service charge), etc- but if there is one along the way that truly stands out, I may give them a really large tip. In the end, I'm spending the same amount of money, but I'd rather give an incredible server $50 once a week than give out 25 $2 tips which of course money is money, but won't have weight behind it.

[@lkhjason]

@@tfft ☺️ Thanks for your take on this. Yea, over here in Asia, I’m just used to the service tax added on (I know there’s are also pros/cons argument against this). It’s just less stressful for me cause I wouldn’t need to worry abt the % / quantum or even the extent / scope of service that should be tipped to avoid creating an awkward situation. But I agree with you on tipping where it is an exceptional service rendered 😊

[@tommykay7427]

Thanks Kevin, another home run! QUESTION: How long, on average, do you stay on each stop?

[@tfft]

Depends on the size/price of the resort. Usually one night, sometimes more. The number of dinners I show is generally the number of nights I was there.

[@OliKayTravels]

Great review! Crazy how an iPhone and a gimbal stabilizer can make the video look cinematic and expensive!

[@tfft]

And to think I have yet to publish anything filmed on my iP 15 (which I think had a huge jump in quality over the 14) yet lol.

[@RobBread1]

At least you're in the same continent (well sorta) where I watch your videos. I can honestly say I've been to Mexico but I really need to visit once again.

[@tfft]

Sooo much to explore south of (I assume south lol) the border!

[@RobBread1]

@@tfft I'm in PNW so south of the border will be 3 states away. hahaha

[@heatherf753]

Fantastic!!!!

[@tfft]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻

[@llevine6510]

5 years ago I went to secrets the vine hotel, it was amazing, the food the view the room

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@charliebrown5]

Thank You ✈️

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@UtkarshAgrawal-vn8un]

Hi Kevin Great video 🙂 Also, just wanted to check the name of song being played in the Intro section around 00:13 🙂

[@tfft]

The More I Know by Steven Beddall. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@bfish9700]

The in room jacuzzis is why i sm interested in this resort vs others.

[@tfft]

Thanks for watching 🩴

[@rosecolouredglasses]

Yes we need chair lounger report just like beach/sargassum report. The practice of staking loungers with towels was a shock to me when I first came across it in Waikiki.

[@tfft]

Chair reserving exists in every beach location I've ever been to tbh...

[@rosecolouredglasses]

@@tfft i found that kaanapali in maui and kona big island was less cutthroat with the chair staking. Unclaimed loungers were not too difficult to find

[@CarmelaO-2023]

Thank you for sharing your honest review as it’s appreciated. We will be visiting this hotel soon and we are really looking forward to it. Im surprised your food experience wasn’t great as all the reviews I’ve read were excellent. My friends have been here and they were very happy as they raved about the food and service. Like anything, there are hits and misses. Also, everyone has different experiences and preferences. So hopefully my experience will be great one. Food and all. 😊

[@tfft]

Enjoy your trip 🗺️

[@CarmelaO-2023]

Thank you 😊

[@avibarua2560]

Hello Kevin, hope this find you well! always appreciate your detailed and authentic reviews! not related to this hotel review, but wondering if you have any plan to review the upcoming Etihad business class review for A380 from JFK to Abu Dhabi. (from May 2024 I believe) and also any chance to review Rixos Saddiyat Island All inclusive Resort in Abu Dhabi! Sorry too many ask..lol, but would love to have your feedback if you manage to experience these 2 in future. thanks again for your contribution to the community.

[@tfft]

No plans for J in the A380, I have 3 EY 789/X Business Class reviews on the channel already and it's the exact same product, besides the storage bin to the side. As for that resort, I'll take a look!

[@avibarua2560]

@@tfft thank you Kevin.

[@markyrogers2466]

Nice hotel. Property opened in '77 and has always been one of the best regardless of ownership.

[@tfft]

Thanks for sharing ✈️

[@edward88881]

Stayed here last year and won't return. Completely agree with your comments about food and service. My main complaint was the noise level. Was hoping for a quiet relaxing weekend but daily pool games hosted by Hyatt employees with amped up microphones were nerve shattering. I wore ear plugs to lunch one day. Wanted to hear the ocean at night from my room but was drowned out by the hum of the pool bar's industrial refrigerator.

[@tfft]

There was definitely a bit of noise during the day, but while I was there I found most of the noise to be coming from the neighboring resorts with the exception of around an hour when they had the foam party at this hotel. Perhaps different days with different activities. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@miangel958]

Please review the Hyatt Ziva Cancun. I think you would like that resort much more!

[@tfft]

Not in this series but I do have a Ziva coming this year.

[@leneeanderson4848]

I was one of the 39 million who went to cancun in 2023. I gotta say, i felt much safer in cancun and the surrounding area than in, say, milwaukee.

[@tfft]

Yupp, originally I was going to throw in a specific comparisson but left it out as to not offend too many people lol.

[@Johnny847]

I think it is important that people know that Hyatt Zilara and Ziva are Hyatt creations. All those other inclusives were owned by Apple Leisure Group. More to the point, the others are still in the process of becoming more Hyatt like. Which is a boon for Hyatt points hounds. Thanks for the thorough review.

[@tfft]

Yes, but it does seem to me that some of the newer exALG properties- opened after Hyatt bought them- seem to in some cases be nicer than the Ziva/Zilaras

[@Johnny847]

@tfft I think that was the goal of Hyatt buying ALG. Secrets Moches is what I think you are referring to?

[@Scooter4Ever]

We've stayed here twice. First time was nice and we stayed in the "honeymoon" suite at the far end of the resort. However the 2nd time was full of problems. Food quality had decreased significantly. We had a swim up suite. A/C did not work. Random people would jump in our pool and sit on our patio and smoke. Staff would do nothing about it. But the absolute worst is that during our 2nd trip, the resort was being used for a movie set and the resort did not notify guests before they arrived. Sections of the resort and pool were closed at random times for filming. We were yelled at and ordered to stop walking/talking if filming was occurring. Set lights shone into our room at night. Towards the end of our stay, arriving guests weren't even allowed to use the main entrance because they were filming a dance number for two days. Guests had to use a small side service entrance and then take a back hallway to avoid walking through the main lobby. In addition to not notifying guest about this before they arrive, staff would flat out lie to arriving guests when they asked about the weird decorations and rigging set up. Staff would tell guests it was for "fun photos for Facebook/instagram". Yet there were signs all over the resort that said by simply walking into a specific area, you were giving permission to be filmed. Poor food, trashy clientele and a staff that lies and doesn't tell you what really is going on turned us off from all Zilara properties.

[@tfft]

That second experience is worthy of compensation from Hyatt- they should be contacted directly.

[@Scooter4Ever]

@@tfft we met with resort management during our stay and three nights of our 6 night stay were comped. They also offered to move us to Hyatt Ziva. But the fact that the resort didn’t notify any guests of filming before arriving turned us off. You had to “escalate” your complaints to the resort GM to get anything resolved. I came across a couple on their honeymoon and the bride was in tears because at that time half the resort was restricted for filming. I told them what we got and who to talk to

[@ivanvargas6590]

I have planned to visit the new Hyatt Vivid Grand Island hotel, we will see how it is

[@tfft]

Enjoy your trip 🗺️

[@NetworkPIMP]

We just stayed at the Hilton Playa del Carmen ... which used to be the Royal ... let me tell you, the similarities are striking 😎

[@tfft]

Oh I bet haha- I'm not even going to bother mentioning the 'cookie cutter' nature of resorts of a certain age in Cancun in the upcoming videos simply becuase I think everyone's already expecting it haha. The Hilton I'm reviewing next week though definitely does break that mold though.

[@saturntheplanet22]

Eagerly waiting for 2023 favourites video, especially after India series

[@tfft]

Yah probably not gonna happen lol- just don't have the time.

[@saturntheplanet22]

@@tfft Sad to hear! Cant you write a blog or community post at least? 2023 was one of the best years on the channel, we NEED that list

[@tfft]

Yes, if you can please add two more days to February lol. I edit 7 days a week 12 hours a day and always have a dealine when my next trip starts since I don't edit on the road... so, sometimes there's just literally no more time.

[@jimhearsonwriter]

As mediocre as the breakfast may have been, the first aid station made me smile 🍾

[@tfft]

Safety first!

[@no9254me]

the one in dr looks better, is there another family resort you recommend in mexico that is a step above this?

[@tfft]

Agree about DR. Have a total of 10 Cancun (area) videos coming in this series, lots of different options coming over the next couple months.

[@rulhalfelven]

When is your next Thailand series?

[@tfft]

There will be a couple Thailand videos coming out this year, but no full on series.

[@kazaabitboll2026]

Yes! You finally told us if the pool was heated. BUT please take a pool thermometer and tell us the temperature. Please. Having said that, this hotel is daggy.

[@tfft]

That is a step too far lol

[@marioimori]

腹 が 減って は 戦 が できぬ (You can't fight if you're hungry.) No children - this is paradise!

[@tfft]

You could also eat so well that you're too full to fight haha.

[@petek5523]

I kinda get what you’re saying about all inclusive hotels, but if you’re not eating and drinking there every single day/night, are you really getting value for your money or missing out on the “local experience “ for stays longer than a weekend?Nice place though, food did look disappointing 😢

[@tfft]

Depends on the price I think- same could be said for a cruise. In my mind, if I'm having Breakfast + 1 other meal plus a couple drinks per day, it's likely a good deal- or at least acceptable.

[@sydneymcmillian]

Is it all inclusive??

[@tfft]

Explained this in detail in the review lol.

[@get2dachoppa249]

No kids on premises? I know where I’m staying when I’m there next year.

[@tfft]

Enjoy your trip 🗺️

[@DeniseSommerRoque]

Quite baffled by this hotel…first of all it doesn’t feel or look at all like a Hyatt hotel. The hotel looks so random and borderline dishevelled. For me personally the style…ehhh is lacking style, no cohesion. Well, I guess the location makes up for it! Thank you for the review. Looking forward to your all-inclusive content coming up after my disappointing Alila experience 😅

[@tfft]

Yeah this is definitly a location centric choice. When Hyatt first began the agreement with Playa hotels the intention was to buy and refurbish existing properties, which is what happened with the first batch of them.

[@imniclas]

You should try the Zilara in Dominican Republic - 10 times better than Cancun.

[@tfft]

Maybe I will be 😉

[@imniclas]

@@tfft I very much hope so! I was there just after they opened and it was amazing. I bet they have improved even more since then.

[@apl175]

Cold cooked foods aren't just un-appetizing....it can be dangerous to eat.

[@tfft]

Yupp. If you can't reheat food correctly then I'll assume you also don't follow procedure for cooling it down, which is where most of the danger is. Wait until you see my upcoming Barcelo review lol.

[@ulitkabob7567]

Не плохой отель, жаль, что еда была холодной. Это не уважение к гостям. По поводу номера, не знаю как пребывать там по комфорту. Но мне показалось, что там мало места. И джакузи по среди комнаты как, чтото инородное. Как будьто человека поселили в маленькой комнате и там должно быть все для комфорта. А так песок шикарен, гулять там и наслаждаться морским прибоем неверно можно бесконечно. Желаю вам найти ваш идеальный отель

[@tfft]

I see what you mean but I think it's just a strange room layout. The room footprint itself is certainly larger than most, but the position of the bed and tub (and the shape of the bathroom and entry) make it feel more segmented than necessary. A bit of a dated concept. Thanks for watching 🩴

[@ulitkabob7567]

@@tfft 🙏💕

[@parlow69]

“What you pay, is all you’re going to pay”. Hmmm. Apart from tipping, which is an absolute necessity if you want half way decent service at a Mexican All Inclusive resort. Coming from Europe (UK) I foolishly expected everything to actually be included, including paying the staff. People from outside of the US don’t have a stack of low denomination USD notes.

[@tfft]

I simply disagree with the sentiment. Tips are appreciation, not fees- and not required... nor are they expected (or preferred) in USD... in Mexico.

[@pammietime4495]

Uh oh it looked like your facial tissue was empty ):

[@tfft]

Umm, ok lol

[@mypointofview6118]

The worse Hotel we have visited in Cancun

[@tfft]

Hm...

[@pizzaearthpancakesandother2549]

One thing I appreciate about Kev's vids is that he never waffles and flip flops with his opinions on topics. Conversely, I not only waffle, but also pancake 👉🏻 🥞🩴🩴

[@tfft]

I like this one! haha