CANCUN — The former Marriott Cancun Resort will reopen in early 2024 as an all-inclusive renamed Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort.

The resort will become the first Marriott-branded all-inclusive resort in the world.

The former Marriott Cancun Resort closed its doors in March to undergo an extensive renovation for the conversion.

The announcement came the same day that competitor Hyatt Hotels Corporation revealed its own big Cancun news: Hyatt Vivid Grand Island, an adults-only resort, and right next door, the family-friendly 616-room luxury resort Dreams Grand Island, will also open in early 2024 in Cancun.

It’s also the latest step in Marriott International’s quest to grow its all-inclusive footprint. In 2019 Marriott International announced it planned to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in all-inclusive resort product.

Marriott and its competitors may be relative newcomers to an all-inclusive market already dominated in Mexico and the Caribbean by Spain-based hotel conglomerates, and other dominant players including Sandals Resorts. But they’re making up for lost time in a hurry.

“A VERY EXCITING REOPENING”

Marriott International says the former Marriott Cancun Resort has been Marriott International’s legacy property in the Yucatan Peninsula for several decades.

“Travellers will be relieved to discover that they will not be bidding their beloved Marriott Cancun Resort a permanent goodbye, but instead, expecting a very exciting reopening with a more modern product, as the property is being reimagined by Marriott, and utilizing the space to offer a sophisticated twist to the traditional all-inclusive concept,” said Alex Fiz, Area Vice President Caribbean & Managing Director All-Inclusive for Marriott International.

Since 2019 Marriott has grown its All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy portfolio to 31 resorts. The company reports that a “vast number” of its 180 million Marriott Bonvoy members have expressed interest in taking an all-inclusive vacation.

Marriott says the renewed Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort will redefine what it means to be ‘all-inclusive’.

“It’s wonderful to be at the forefront of something as groundbreaking as this,” said Christopher Calabrese, GM and VP of Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort and JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa. “Over my extensive tenure with the Marriott brand, I’ve maintained that we can only grow in collaboration with our valued guests, consistently honouring their needs and desires. To be the first all-inclusive Marriott branded property, not only in Mexico, but in the world, is a true testament to the dedication of our staff, who are the heart and soul of our operation here, and our guests, who continue to visit year after year. We are anxious to welcome everyone back next year.”

Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort will debut newly redesigned rooms, suites, lobby, meeting spaces, and public areas, including new restaurant concepts, expansive pools, and a lazy river and waterpark.

The resort began renovations in March 2023. Meanwhile the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa sister resort is open and fully operating.