Meliá Cancún Beach and Spa Resort is the most spectacular resort in Cancun. The lobby is a flourishing indoor garden where natural light filtering through the overhead domes illuminates tropical vegetation. Flowing streams and cascades make this atrium one of the most impressive in the Caribbean. Part of Leading Hotels of the World. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Cancun_Mexico/grandmeliacancun/hotel/1912/16/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:28:42 EST Gran Meliá Cancún Hotel faces the sea and has a vanguard architectural style designed by the architect Emile Nadal, inspired in the Mayan culture. Its central pyramid reaches a height of 48 m. The outdoor gardens occupy 40,000 m2 and the indoor gardens cover an area of 6,000 m2. The 9-story pyramidal architecture imitates Mexico's glorious Maya heritage, interpreting it in the form of transparent glass atriums, where the sun illuminates green tropical gardens composed of palms, ferns, hanging plants and bougainvilla. All this is accompanied by the relaxing sound of fountains and waterfalls, creating a masterpiece without equal. It is located only 5 minutes away from the commercial and leisure centers of Cancún, 15 minutes from the International Airport. The hotel has an executive 18-hole par 3 golf course, with rental carts and equipment available, two outdoor swimming pools, and 3 lighted tennis courts. Room service is available at any hour, day or night, excellent service in its restaurants and bars. In addition, guests will find a shopping center along with medical center, boutique area, travel agency and car rental facilities. The hotel's beachfront is 400 meters of fine white sand leading down to a warm turquoise colored ocean. Palapas sprinkled along its length offer a pleasant shelter where you can enjoy a cool drink. What to expect: With its long swimming pools, expansive beach frontage, and large public areas, the Gran Melia Cancun provides plenty of space for both families and couples to enjoy activity or tranquility. Amenity highlights: Two freeform pools combine for 298 meters (326 yards) of swimming space. One features three jetted sections and a swim-up bar, and is paired with a children's pool. The other is a two-level affair. Thatched-roof palapas by the pools shade platform beds large enough for families. Snorkel gear, boogie boards, and parasailing are available for a surcharge. A 9-hole par-3 course is also on site. Insider tip: Across the street from the resort, the AquaWorld marina on Nichupté Lagoon offers myriad water sports, including kayaking, personal watercraft, sailing, and windsurfing. The marina also books fishing trips and scuba-diving and snorkeling excursions. "Leading Hotels of the World" is an exclusive club of the most luxurious and prestigious hotels in the world, complying with the most rigorous quality standards in their services and facilities. The hotel boasts 700 rooms including 67 Junior Suites, and a Presidential, all of them with spacious terraces offering a magnificent view of the Caribbean or beautiful Nichupte Lagoon. Rooms have air conditioning, satellite TV, telephone, well supplied mini-bar, safety deposit box, hair dryer and a complete supply of amenities. Rooms: * 700 Elegantly decorated, comfortable rooms, including 67 Junior Suites, 1 Ambassador Suite, 1 Governor Suite and 1 Presidential Suite * 132 Rooms with Royal Service located in The Royal Pyramid, which figures among the Leading Hotels of the World and offers private check-in and check-out service, pillow menu, daily continental breakfast, coffe and tea all day, cocktails and canapés in the evening, international bar at night, unlimited choice of free newspapers, concičrge desk specialized in secretarial services and butler services * Private terraces with fantastic views of the Carribean Sea or Nichupté lagoon * Completely-equipped bathroom Air-conditioning * Satellite TV * Selection of films (extra charge) * Telephones with direct lines * Internet access * Minibar * Safe * 24-hour room service Leisure: * 2 Fresh water outdoor swimming pools with childrens area, surrounded by giant palapa palms, terraces and beautiful gardens * Free towel service * Extensive program of activities: Water aerobics, volleyball, water polo, table tennis, dancing and * spanish classes * Mini Club with special activities * Health center with gym, spa, sauna, steam bath, massages (up to nighttime, under the stars) * 9-hole golf course * Tennis and paddle tennis court The hotel has five restaurants, three of them are indoors. For dinner, visit "La Cascada," specializing in Mexican cuisine, if you want Italian food try "Prociutto's," and for a delicious breakfast, lunch, or light dinner, our "Cafeteria Quetzal" is open all day long. Two other restaurants are located outdoors for your lunchtime pleasure, La Perla offers fresh fish and seafood, while the "Caribe Spa" serves nutritious light lunches for the diet conscious. * Beach Bar - Cocktails and tropical drinks right on the beach. * Caribe Bar - Authentic swim up bar in the pool La Cascada - Mexican cuisine. Sunday brunch from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Dinner from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. * La Perla - Seafood and prime cut specialties. * La Perla Bar - Located next to the swimming pool. * Lobby Bar - Featuring live music daily * Palapa Caribe - Open terrace restaurant. * Prosciuttos - Fine Italian cuisine, accompanied by piano. * Quetzal - Exquisite breakfast buffet. A la carte service for lunch Type: Resort No. of Rooms: 700 Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Cancun_Mexico/grandmeliacancun/hotel/1912/16/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:28:42 EST