The Presidente InterContinental Cancun Resort & Spa is fresh from a $20 million head-to-toe renovation. That’s just one of several reasons why you may want to put the resort on top of your clients’ “must” lists. For starters, the fact that it’s a European Plan (EP) property means your clients can enjoy dining at local restaurants without suffering from “all-inclusive guilt.” Also, the resort is set in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, and features a huge, stunning beach with gentle wave action.

Most Common Accommodations

The 366-square-foot Deluxe Rooms make up the bulk of the resort’s 300 guestrooms. These accommodations, though, are anything but basic, blending modern design and marble floors with such hi-tech features as iHome docking stations and LED flat-screen TVs. All guestrooms have free WiFi, citrusy Agraria bathroom amenities and gorgeous black-and-white images depicting the Maya world, which were commissioned to represent the InterContinental brand’s “sense of place.”

Deluxe Ocean Suites are equipped with glass-wall showers so guests don’t miss out on the view, and the shower area includes a sliding wood “cover” for privacy. Guests accommodated in Deluxe Ocean Suites also have access to the Club Lounge.

Fanciest Accommodations

If your clients want fancy, the 2,150-squarefoot Presidential Suite with its amazing views of the Caribbean Sea fits that bill. The ample terrace has a dining area, sunbeds and a private pool. Inside, there’s a master bedroom, large living and dining area, kitchen and an oversized bathroom with a giant jetted tub.

What’s Included

Although the InterContinental’s EP plan means food and beverage is not included in the rates, guests receive coffee and two bottles of water in guestrooms, with free refills daily. WiFi and the 24-hour gym are also fee-free.

One of the best inclusions, however, is that wonderful stretch of sandy beach with kid-friendly waves and limited accessibility to the wandering public.

The hotel also allows kids 12 and under to stay free when sharing a room with adults.

Best Entertainment

Kids will be entertained building sandcastles and playing in the new ChiquiClub treehouse, while parents will be entertained by cocktails at the adults-only pool, and couples by the privacy offered in the new beachfront huts that can be rented for the day. Off-site, of course, guests will find entertainment options with a capital “E”!

What’s For Dinner?

Epicentro, the new hotspot in the lobby, serves local and international cuisine, plus cocktails and barista services are available from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Club Lounge (only for Club floor members) offers breakfast and afternoon cocktails. The new Café Urbano serves à la carte and buffet breakfast plus lunch and dinner with an international and Mexican flair. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are also served at the Caribbean and Mexican-infused El Caribeño. The Mediterranean-flavored Le Cap Beach Club is open for lunch and dinner.

Who Books This Resort?

The property is geared toward families and couples with incomes of $75,000 and up looking to experience Cancun beyond the limitations of an all-inclusive.

Insider Booking Tips

If the Presidential Suite is full, there are plenty of other options for demanding clients, as the renovation definitely upped the “fancy” quotient with five new Luxury Suites; seven Club Suites with rain showers and ocean views; two 1,600-square-foot Signature Suites; and one 1,150-square-foot Ambassador Suite. Also, all double rooms now feature queen-sized beds.

Clients looking for good value may want to upgrade to a Club-level room with a balcony, on the sixth floor. These accommodations offer free access to the Club Lounge with free breakfast every morning and evening cocktails with hors d’oeuvres.

While the hotel is far enough from the nightclub area to allow for a quieter atmosphere, guests wanting supreme levels of quiet will want to avoid booking rooms on the lagoon side, which overlooks the busy street.

Key Selling Points

The resort’s location and gorgeous beach are strong selling points. The resort is under a 10-minute walk to nearby restaurants and about a 20-minute walk to some of the hottest nightclubs. Plus, there’s a bus stop right in front of the resort to take guests deeper into the Hotel Zone. The buses are safe and the drivers are very helpful.

Best Spot For a Relaxing Cocktail

Nothing beats a drink sitting in one of the swings at the bar by the beach.

Best Spot to Catch Some Rays

The property’s beach serves up rays all day long – which isn’t the case with some of its neighboring resorts. If shade is needed, the hotel has loungers located under the mature palm trees and palapas – in addition to the rentable beach huts.

JUST THE FACTS

Resort Name: Presidente InterContinental Cancun Resort & Spa

Size: 300 rooms and suites Year Opened: 2009; fully renovated 2016

Facilities: 650-plus yards of beach, two pools (one adults-only), whirlpools, four restaurants and bars, full-service spa, business center, meetings facilities, gym, concierge desk, tour desk, kids club, gift shop and watersports facility

Price: Rates during high season begin at approximately $250 per room per night for a deluxe room to $1,395 for the Presidential Suite with IHG Rewards Club Advance Purchase.