Onsite Review: Hyatt Ziva & Zilara—The Two Faces of Hyatt in the Mexican Caribbean

Recommend Standard Image TemplateHyatt Ziva & Zilara: The Two Faces of Hyatt in the Mexican CaribbeanBy Lydia GregoryPlaya Hotels & Resorts, which owns and operates six Hyatt Zilara and Hyatt Ziva all-inclusive luxury properties resorts in Mexico and Montego Bay, Jamaica, recently invited Recommend to experience two of its latest additions: Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya and Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun.Only for Adults Formerly the Capri Secrets, the recently refreshed Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya was a true adults-only oasis I was happy to get to after a long day of travel. And when I say “refreshed,” I mean there’s little left beyond the excellent bones of the former property: the 2-year re-do was meticulous, touched every aspect of the resort and included adding 46 new junior swim-up suites. This created an entirely new category (now 12 in total) and increased the guestroom and suite count to 291. By Riviera Maya beach resort standards, this property is on the smaller side, giving it a more personalized feel. That’s one of their strengths, points out associate director of sales Anat Rosengaus: “There are so many beautiful resorts in this area, but the bond that our team has with our guests is a reason for someone to come back to this property.” She adds Zilara’s intimate size allows them to elevate the quality and service of the all-inclusive to the next level. For example, suites with butler service can expect WhatsApp communications that ensure their expectations are met. The resort is a vision in serene shades of sand, taupe and white punctuated by vibrant greenery. My King Ocean View Terrace room was an extension of that oasis-like feel, sleek and comfortable with nice touches like reading lights, plush bathrobes and slippers, a lighted vanity mirror, rainfall showers and a mini-bar stocked with goodies. My furnished terrace (hello, morning coffee) looked out over the well-appointed pool area to the Caribbean Sea beyond. With the rebrand and the face-lift came new restaurants, bars and lounges—nine total. Here, the higher standard mentioned by Rosengaus was quite evident, from the excellent wine selection to the super fresh grab-and-go pastries and sandwiches served at Coffee Republic (a personal fave). During our stay, we enjoyed a Mediterranean-inspired tasting menu in a glassed-in room off the Capri Grille and another palate-pleasing evening experience on the rooftop of the beachside Lola Beach—both examples of private events that you can book for your clients. The buffet breakfast at El Comedor was delish, but breakfast at Lola Beach for chilaquiles served with a view of the water is highly recommended (by night, it turns into a beachside bar with a live DJ). Other experiences include the sushi bar at Tempest and a mixology class at Social (lobby bar) for fun recipes clients can take home to impress their friends. To keep beach-body ready, Zilara has water and beach sports, a tennis court and the Zen Spa with its full-service gym, classes and treatment menu. With its location in the Riviera Maya, the hotel is close to many area attractions, which the onsite tour company, Discova, can easily help book. During our stay, we visited the seaside ruins of Tulum (closed-toe shoes, please) and had lunch at the Canamayte Ecopark, where we swam in a refreshing open-air cenote and experienced a cleansing ceremony with the local Maya community’s shaman.Recommend Standard Image Template-1685457962Families WelcomeLess than 30 minutes from the airport, the family-friendly Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun is a true playground for young and old. After a massive remodel and rebrand (it was formerly Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun), the resort reopened in late 2021 with 438 very ample suites, including mine, a Junior Suite Pool Walkout. I was more than comfortable with its two queen-sized beds, table and chairs, big bathroom with a giant tub, and a furnished terrace facing the beach across one of the 10 pools that dot the sprawling resort grounds. By the way, the amount of water fun available is off the charts and includes a bonafide water park with slides big enough for adults to join in. Also impressive is the number of eateries and bars (10 and seven, respectively)—parents will be hard-pressed not to find something to please picky little palates. We had a fun dinner at Miyako, where chef Julian showed off his talent at the teppanyaki table (reservations needed), breakfast at the huge buffet at Afthonia (which doubles as a Mediterranean restaurant at night), and a stellar tequila tasting and Mexican menu at Ki. Other choices include Vivace for Italian and Mediterranean and the adults-only Rue de Rivoli. There are two poolside restaurants—La Parrilla, serving grilled meats and burgers, and Balik for seafood, the latter doubling as a stage for fun live tropical music that will inspire poolside dancing. The resort truly does a great job of appealing to everyone on your client list, including adults. For example, the 2-story, 16,000-sq.-ft. Zen Spa has 13 treatment rooms and a gorgeous outdoor hydrotherapy circuit pool with 2-person cabanas. Just behind it, the property has a designated adults-only pool that’s nice and quiet. Have a family group for an onsite wedding? Recommend a takeover of towers 10 and 11, which have about 80 rooms total and their own pool. Ditto for towers 1 and 2, plus they have premium suites. Families will definitely find their place in the sun here. The KidZ Club is nonstop fun, plus there’s the waterpark, pop-up food stations with grab-and-go hot dogs, ice cream and other kid-friendly fare, not to mention babysitting services so parents can go on a date night (extra charge). Contact InformationHyatt Zilara/Ziva: hyatt.com/en-US/info/traveladvisors

COVERDISNEY CRUISE LINETable of ContentsEditor's NotesSANDALSSANDALS SPREADAdvisor Speak: Peer Advice — Selling Destination WeddingsTURKISH AIRLINESIndustry Insights: The Caribbean is on a RollHYATT INCLUSIVE COLLECTIONPALLADIUM SPREADCaribbean/Mexico: Endless Love—Sun, Sand & RomanceCaribbean/Mexico: "Destination I Do"SANDALS SCLA COLECCION SCLA COLECCION ADSAINT LUCIA SCSAINT LUCIA ADOnsite Review: Iberostar Selection Playa Mita—Something for EveryoneOnsite Review: Hyatt Ziva & Zilara—The Two Faces of Hyatt in the Mexican CaribbeanSouth Pacific: Tahiti — New Air & Land Booking OptionsCruise: Sail Away—Cruise Lines Celebrate LoveVIRGIN VOYAGES SCVIRGIN VOYAGES ADOnboard Review: MSC Meraviglia RelocatesRECOMMEND EDU HOUSE AD