Just in case you need a reason to escape to Mexico…

By Holly Rosen Fink, GoGirlfriend Contributor

Ever been to Hyatt Ziva in Cancun? You never know what to expect from chains, but I had a feeling this one wouldn’t disappoint. It may be located in the heart of Cancun, but it’s a stand out. I was welcomed with a refreshing adult beverage and a tour of a property punctuated with turquoise waters throughout. And, because it sits at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, it’s surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. Beautiful.

Beaches, pools & a little pina colada on the side

It didn’t take much convincing to get me to Cancun. As the mom of 2 busy tweens, I was eager to get away for a bit of rest and relaxation. Not knowing what to expect, I set out on an early Monday morning, leaving my daily routine behind.

It’s relatively easy to get to Cancun from New York City. The flight is under 4 hours from JFK, and once you arrive, Hyatt Ziva is a short ride from the airport. The resort’s modern design stretches across white sand beaches connected by a maze of swimming pools. As an all-inclusive resort, there are many culinary options in its 8 unique restaurants and 3 lounges that feature local and international cuisines. For those who enjoy their adult libations, there are 6 bars and 3 lounges, including a microbrewery. And you can’t beat the tequila, so drink a lot of it!

I was especially enamored by the spa, which offers a tranquil, sensorial experience that promises to sweep away the stress, which is what we want from a spa treatment, right? But my favorite part? Lazing on the beach, gazing at the sea and sipping pina coladas.

Sleeping on the beach in Cancun

All 547 rooms at Hyatt Ziva offer beach views and mine offered a view from heaven, complete with a hot tub and sofa, which served as my office during my stay. My room, located on the top floor of the hotel included a rainfall shower, which I loved, complimentary refreshments, room service, feather pillows, cable television, evening turndown service, luxurious toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, complimentary Wifi and more. The hotel also offers individual butler service and swim-up suites for additional fees.

A culinary paradise

The resort offers 9 restaurants from super-casual to very elegant. We enjoyed a Mexican lunch at Habaneros, situated on the beach, where they serve delicious ceviche and fish tacos. At Tradewinds, we enjoyed daily healthy breakfasts and an Argentinian lunch.  At Moongate, which serves Asian cuisine, I noshed on a meal of green curry with tofu, while watching hibachi chefs hard at work. At Lorenzo's, we grazed on Italian fare – pastas, pizzas and yummy cheese as starters. There are other options, as well, including room service, French cuisine, a dessert parlor, food carts, and plenty of bar and lounge options where you can drink endless cocktails.

When not on the beach, margaritas were my drink of choice during my stay – and they were close enough to perfection for me.

Required – a visit to the spa…

Hyatt Ziva’s resort’s spa is designed for rejuvenation of the body and soul. It’s oceanfront, with a massage, holistic body treatments, hydrotherapy, a fitness center, and beach cabanas. The spa features treatments in ocean view rooms and the result is nautical and spiritual at the same time. I opted for a deep cleansing facial, which calmed my skin while transporting my mind to a place of calmness. The scents of the natural creams and my hygienist's holistic approach were transforming. After the treatment, I used the sauna, steam room and whirl pool. Blissful disconnection achieved – perfect.

What to do in Cancun – other than relax

For rest and relaxation, I enjoyed long strolls on the beach, read by the pool, swam in the ocean. My short 2-day stay was windy so I didn’t partake in their water sports but they offer a smorgasbord of options, from stand up paddle-boarding to paddle yoga to kayaking to water basketball and snorkeling. They also offer land activities from bike tours to tours of Mayan ruins. 

In the evenings, they hold a fire show, music, tequila tastings, beer tastings and several lounges for hanging out and chillaxing the night away.

If you decide to visit Hyatt Ziva, take a note from my visit. Go with the flow. After my short visit, I returned home a better mom, a better worker, with more focus. Quick vacations really are a healing balm in a busy, over-full life.

For more information, visit Hyatt Ziva online or catch up with them on social media and join in their conversations: Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Have you visited the Hyatt Ziva in Cancun? We'd love to hear about your experiences. Drop us a comment below or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter!

About Holly Rosen Fink

Holly Rosen Fink ~ @HollyChronicles

Holly Rosen Fink is a Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Branding and Social Media expert with over 15 years’ experience increasing brand awareness and sales at leading publishing houses and media companies. She is the founder of theculturemom.com and is a current contributor to This Girl Travels, Ciao Bambino, Family Vacation Critic, The Broad Side, BlogHer and Women & Hollywood.

Last year she edited Come Closer: How Tourism is Shaping the Future of Nations and associate produced the off-off-Broadway hit The Best of Everything and the NYC production of Listen to Your Mother

Disclosure: Holly was a guest of Hyatt Ziva, but all opinions were her own.