My Honest Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe Review – Is It Worth The Hype?

Looking for an honest review of the Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe?

We spent four days in Cancun, and during our last two days, we stayed at Hilton Mar Caribe. It’s a beautiful all-inclusive beachfront resort that’s a popular accommodation option. Lots of online reviews mention the Hilton Mar Caribe for the relaxing amenities, good food, and solid service. But is it worth the hype?

In this honest Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe review, I’ll give you all the details of our stay at the Mar Caribe, including what we liked and didn’t like.

Just as a heads up, I booked the hotel using a Hilton Friends & Family rate and upgraded to the Enclave experience for an additional $12 per night, which included access to a private check-in area, premium dining, a hydrotherapy session, and exclusive beach cabanas.

For $666 total for two nights, the value was impressive for the level of service and amenities included. If you are considering staying at Hilton Mar Caribe, here is a detailed breakdown of our experience, from the rooms to the dining and overall atmosphere.

Arrival and Check-In

We arrived at Hilton Mar Caribe in the afternoon after visiting the Mayan Museum and Archaeological Site, which, by the way, is so worth a visit! The archeological site is just a short five-minute walk from the hotel, and is a great place to visit if you want some local Mayan ruins, without venturing too far from Cancun. The day before, we had explored Chichen Itza on a bus tour from Cancun, so after that, these ruins felt much more peaceful and less touristy.

If you plan to visit the site, buy your $5 tickets at the museum entrance, as they cover both the museum and the ruins.

Once we entered the resort area, we were immediately directed to the Enclave check-in area, separate from the main lobby. From the moment we arrived, the service was wonderful. We were seated in a private lounge and given refreshing towels and welcome drinks. The lounge had snacks, pastries, cheeses, meats, and unlimited piña coladas, which made for a nice introduction to the all-inclusive experience.

A staff member assisted us with booking our hydrotherapy session at the spa and making dinner reservations for both nights. Everyone was very friendly and made our check-in process a breeze!

Rooms – Spacious with Ocean Views

Our ocean-view suite was larger than expected, with separate seating and dining areas that made it feel more like an apartment than a standard hotel room. The balcony had a full ocean view, and the floor-to-ceiling windows allowed for plenty of natural light.

Waiting for us in the room was a complimentary welcome bag that included:

• Sunscreen
• After-sun care lotion
• Mosquito repellent

But! Be warned: the sunscreen they provide is not that effective if you’re swimming and sunbathing all day. We applied it at least 3 times during our trip, but we still looked like crabs at the end of the day.

The overall design of the room was modern, and the room was clean and well-maintained. Unlike some resorts where the rooms feel worn down, this one felt fresh. The bathroom was spacious, with a rainfall shower and double vanity. It was gorgeous!

Hydrotherapy and Beach Access

One of the standout perks of the Enclave upgrade was the complimentary hydrotherapy session at the hotel’s spa. The facility was quiet, and it felt like we had it to ourselves.

The hydrotherapy session includes a eucalyptus steam room, cold plunge pool, and hydrotherapy circuit with multiple jacuzzis. While the experience was refreshing, I’m not sure if I would have paid extra for it if we didn’t have the Enclave upgrade. I’ve seen better saunas in my day, but I think for a sauna newbie, the spa is pretty cool. I did enjoy the pineapple they gave us during the session though!

Afterward, we went to the private Enclave beach cabanas, which had designated attendants watching over belongings. The water was clear and calm, making it easy to swim without worrying about rough waves.

Dining at Hilton Mar Caribe

The all-inclusive package covers a range of dining options, from buffets to à la carte restaurants. Here’s how the main meals stacked up, in my honest opinion.

Noriki – Asian Restaurant

We had a reservation for Noriki, Hilton Mar Caribe’s Asian restaurant, and were seated for the hibachi show. The experience was fun, but the food itself was average. The sushi and stir-fry were decent, but if you are used to high-quality Asian cuisine (I’m spoiled by the amazing restaurants in Northern Virginia), this won’t stand out. Still, it was enjoyable, more than edible, and the portion sizes were generous.

Flame – Steakhouse

Flame was the best meal of our stay. The ribeye and filet mignon were cooked perfectly, and the sides, including truffle fries, mushrooms, and corn ribs, were well-prepared. The lava cake dessert was also a highlight!

Buffet and Casual Dining

The main buffet had a solid selection, including a ceviche and seafood bar, fresh fruits, traditional Mexican dishes, and classic comfort foods like pizza and wings. It exceeded my expectations for an all-inclusive buffet, honestly. I had read mixed reviews online, but I thought the food was super fresh and there were so many options to choose from, from local Mexican dishes to American fare.

Entertainment and Atmosphere

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort with an active nightlife scene, the Hilton Mar Caribe may not be the best fit. The hotel leans toward a relaxed, family-friendly environment, and most of the entertainment reflects that.

The main event during our stay was Casino Night, where guests were given fake money to gamble at poker, blackjack, and roulette tables. There were no actual prizes beyond small hotel-branded items, but people still took the games seriously, which made it entertaining. We had a good time!

We also checked out the Chala Sky Bar’s evening entertainment, which featured a DJ. But, since there were mostly families around, it wasn’t a party atmosphere. We enjoyed our strawberry daiquiris and watched the kids take over the dancefloor. It was fun, but again, if you’re looking for some crazy clubs, I’d venture outside of the Mar Caribe.

Beach and Pool Experience

We spent most of our last full day at the beach and Enclave pools.

The beach area was clean, with soft sand and plenty of loungers, though finding shade could be difficult later in the day as more people make their way to the beach area. The water was clear and warm though, great for swimming.

The Enclave pool area at Chala Sky Bar was quiet, but I found people-watching from the upper-level pools more interesting than the actual pool experience, actually! There are some incredible views from the Enclave pool area.

At the end of our day in the sun, we both ended up with unexpected sunburns, despite applying the hotel-provided sunscreen. If you are sensitive to the sun, it might be better to bring your own.

Final Morning and Departure

Before heading to the airport, we had breakfast at the buffet one last time. Once again, the food was better than expected! There was lots of fresh yogurt, fruits, eggs, bacon, the works! I had the best passionfruit slice at that breakfast – if you’re going to hit the buffet, I recommend enjoying all of the tropical fruits they have to offer! The quality was fantastic.

After breakfast, we made our way to checkout, which was super quick and efficient!

Final Thoughts – Would I Stay Here Again?

Overall, Hilton Mar Caribe is a great option for travelers looking for a quieter, more relaxed all-inclusive stay in Cancun.

What Stood Out:

• Spacious ocean-view rooms
• Enclave perks like private check-in, hydrotherapy, and beach cabanas
• Good variety of food, with the steakhouse being the best option
• Well-maintained beach with clear water
• Great service, especially for Enclave guests
• Beautiful Mayan ruins just a quick 5-minute walk away

Things to Consider:

• Not a party resort, nightlife is limited
• Asian restaurant was average
• Sun protection is a must, as the provided sunscreen wasn’t very effective

For $666 total for two nights, it was well worth the price, and I would definitely stay here again, especially with the Enclave upgrade. Without the Enclave upgrade, the hotel is still nice, but I think having that Enclave experience made it all the more special. If you can, I recommend splurging and paying extra for Enclave!

Overall, Hilton Mar Caribe is a solid option when staying in Cancun. We enjoyed our relaxing all-inclusive stay, and my only regret is that we couldn’t stay longer!