Spa Days & Ocean Waves at JW Marriott Cancun

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If your dream Caribbean vacation involves a mix of moving, lounging, drinking and dining, JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa delivers on all fronts. Located in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, this beachfront property is ideal for travelers craving a balance of fitness, wellness, culture and culinary indulgence.

I recently spent three days immersed in a curated wellness itinerary at JW Marriott Cancun and left wanting more — especially since I only managed to try two of the resort’s 150 specialty-crafted margaritas.

Rise and shine with seaside stretches

I started my stay at JW Marriott Cancun with a sunrise yoga class in the spinning room by the spa. Normally, yoga is held in the gardens, but a light rain moved us indoors. I worked up a sweat stretching and finished the class ready for the omelet station and a fresh-squeezed OJ at Bravio.

Fitness classes offered throughout the week include:

Abs class
Basic yoga
Box
Cross training
Functional training
Legs, bums and tums
Pilates

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Sunrise over the Caribbean Sea. Photo credit: Heidi Gollub

Gym with indoor pool and health bar

The JW Marriott Cancun fitness center feels like one you’d find on a cruise ship, with view in every direction. In a large, bright room with floor-to-ceiling windows, you can run or spin while watching the waves.

TechnoGym equipment includes:

Ellipticals
Exercise bikes
Rowing machine
Stair climbers
Treadmills
Weights

You can also work with a personal trainer. Or, if you’re more of a swimmer, you can do laps in the spa’s heated indoor pool. Post workout, relax in the sauna and steam room. Then grab a detox smoothie at the gym’s Health Bar.

Indoor lap pool in a room with floor to ceiling windows — Indoor pool with panoramic views of the sea. Photo credit: Heidi Gollub

Learn to play pickleball, at last

I may be the only middle-aged woman in America who hasn’t tried pickleball yet, but the urge to learn is strong. Fortunately, JW Marriott has tennis and pickleball courts you can reserve to give it a try.

Reservations include complimentary use of:

Tennis rackets
Tennis balls
Pickleball paddles
Wiffle balls

You’ll have to provide the cute outfit. And you may want to buy travel insurance, since a lot of people seem to hurt themselves playing pickleball. But if you’re serious about learning, tennis and pickleball lessons are available.

Spa, glorious spa

If you’re flying to Mexico for a wellness retreat, you should book multiple spa treatments. That just makes good financial sense.

Here are a few dreamy options:

Hunab Ku Mayan Massage
Ichtaca The Secret of Mayan Treatment
Massage on the Beach
Platinum Luxury Anti-Age Treatment
Stress Victim’s Spa Cure

The spa cure is a massage and facial combo, which all of us stress victims need. Arrive early for your treatment(s) so you have time to try the hydrotherapy circuit, which includes a steam room, dry sauna, hot tub and cold plunge pool.

Palapa with two massage tables and a view of the sea through the window — Beachside Zen Palapa is available for outdoor massages. Photo credit: Heidi Gollub

Palm trees, palapas and pools

The pools and beach at JW Marriott Cancun were not at all crowded when I visited in June. I opted for padded loungers by the pool, but you might prefer to rent a cabana or Bali bed.

Pools and beach options:

Adults-only pool with Caribbean Sea views
Family-friendly infinity pool
Outdoor hot tub
Heated indoor lap pool and large jacuzzi
Direct beach access

Palm trees and palapas by the pool — This beachside infinity pool is so large, it could be three pools. Photo credit: Heidi Gollub

Treat yourself to tostadas and churros

I ate my way across JW Marriott Cancun each day, from breakfast tostadas with green juice in the morning to giant churros late at night.

On-site dining options include:

Bravio Spanish Cuisine: Spanish cuisine with tapas on the menu — order one of the four paellas on the menu and the server will ring a bell
Gustino Italian Grill: Fresh pasta made onsite — I recommend the homemade lasagne
Sasi Thai: Al fresco dining to the sound of crashing waves — everything here is delicious and beautifully plated

Spots to grab a drink:

Beachwalk: Casual poolside snacks and cocktails
JW Lobby Bar: Home of the 150 types of margaritas, with flavors ranging from classic to exotic
LA 16 Speakeasy: This cozy “secret” bar requires a Spanish password to enter, but there are clues to help you guess

Club 91 guests also receive exclusive access to a private lounge with all-day gourmet offerings.

Fresh pasta dries on racks — Homemade pasta at Gustino Italian Grill. Photo credit: Heidi Gollub

Cooking classes by special request

If you’ll be visiting with a group, call ahead to see what specialty classes you can book.

Available cooking classes might include:

Guacamole
Pasta
Salsa
Sushi

My group tried a sushi-making class and it was a blast. The sushi I hand rolled and cut looked a bit rough, but it still tasted great.

Cultural wellness day trips

JW Marriott Cancun is conveniently for taking mini adventures away from the resort. I took a day trip to Cenote Sol y Luna for a Mystical Mayan Excursion, which included:

A traditional Mayan ceremony with a local shaman
Swimming in a sacred cenote
A regional Yucatecan meal of salbutes in the jungle

I ate my weight in chicken salbutes, heavenly bites of puffed, deep-fried tortillas. They sure did hit the spot after swimming in the cenote and resting in a shaded hammock.

Man in ceremonial Mayan outfit playing a flute — Mayan ceremony at Cenote Sol y Luna. Photo credit: Heidi Gollub

Plan your next wellness getaway

When planning a trip to Cancun, consider working around sargassum season (April to August) and hurricane season (June to November). You’ll get the best weather December through April.

Read our full review of JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa for a more in-depth look at the guest rooms and restaurants.

Blue green Caribbean Sea and waves on the beach — Waves on the Caribbean Sea beach. Photo credit: Heidi Gollub

FAQ

Does JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa have a fitness center on-site?

Yes, the resort has a large fitness center filled with TechnoGym equipment for guests aged 16 and up. Its floor-to-ceiling windows provide sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. Gym-goers can also use the indoor lap pool and jacuzzi at no charge, as well as the steam room and sauna for a fee.

What spa facilities are available at JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa?

The Sens-Yah Spa facilities include a hydrotherapy circuit with a steam room, a dry sauna and hot and cold whirlpools. The spa is indoors, but you can also book a massage on the beach.

Are there any wellness packages or treatments offered at the spa?

Yes, Sens-Yah Spa treatments include body scrubs and wraps, facials and massages. You can also book makeup and nail services.

What are the operating hours of the fitness center and spa?

The fitness center is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Spa hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Is there a coed pool or jacuzzi available at the spa?

Yes, there is a coed heated lap pool and jacuzzi near the spa check-in desk. You can use these facilities without a spa appointment, provided you are at least 16 years old.