173 Room Waldorf Astoria Cancun Resort Opens

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced today the opening of Waldorf Astoria Cancun, the 173-room luxury resort set among the  mangroves of the Yucatan Peninsula. The opening of Waldorf Astoria Cancun marks the 200th hotel in the Caribbean and Latin America for Hilton, as well as the first Waldorf Astoria hotel in the Mexican Caribbean and second in the country.

"The opening of the newly built Waldorf Astoria Cancun marks an important milestone for Hilton, as we continue our rapid expansion in Mexico,” said Danny Hughes, executive vice president and president, Americas, Hilton.  “Over the past year, we’ve landed in the Yucatan Peninsula in a big way, with six new hotels from Tulum to Cancun and are thrilled to have done so with incredible owners and team members in one of the most sought-after destinations.” 

Managed by Hilton and owned by PHH, Waldorf Astoria Cancun is a secluded oceanfront paradise, located just 10 miles from the airport. The property is situated on 100 acres of Mayan coastline 19 miles south of Cancun’s popular Hotel Zone and north of Riviera Maya. Behind a mangrove nature preserve, on a secluded stretch of beach, the luxury hotel offers the perfect blend of Mexican heritage and modern sophistication with an abundance of choices to create an ideal getaway.

“Building on the success of our Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts property on the Pacific coast of Mexico, we’re thrilled to now introduce the brand to the Mexican Caribbean,” said Matt Schuyler, chief brand officer, Hilton. “By bringing luxury hotels to such highly desirable destinations in Mexico, we continue to evolve our offerings to better serve our guests with culinary excellence, elevated wellness experiences, and one-of-a-kind stays.”

“We are honored and excited to extend our successful partnership with Hilton with the opening of Waldorf Astoria Cancun. We believe Mexico’s unique combination of people, culture, gastronomy and natural wonders make it the best global destination for tourism,” said Charles El Mann Fasja, developer of Waldorf Astoria Cancun and Parks Hospitality Holdings CEO.  “We are committed to developing hotels of the future while also sourcing locally, building sustainably and honoring our country's craftsmanship, which is what truly sets us apart.”

Envisioned by world-renowned hospitality design firm, Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), the resort’s interiors offer a unique interpretation of Cancun’s natural wonders, creating an other-worldly sense of place where every element feels symbolic, every design tells a story, and every space has meaning. Textured glass, inlaid pearl shell accents, metal trim, cove lighting, and illuminated crystal are among the details creating a refined luxury haven. A connection to nature is drawn through modern lines, repetitive patterns, and undulating forms that mimic the sea.

Among standout details is the signature Waldorf Astoria Clock, paying homage to the landmark and centerpiece of the lobby at Waldorf Astoria New York. The tradition continues at Waldorf Astoria Cancun, with the clock, designed by HBA and created by Smith of Derby, serving as a focal point and meeting place for guests.

The 173 luxurious rooms and suites combine elegance and refinement with privacy and comfort, featuring private balconies with soaking tubs and breathtaking ocean views. 

Inspired by the dramatic shadows cast by abundant local flora, the guest room palette is fresh, calming and neutral, layered with supple textures and accented with warm metal tones and glowing light features. Upon entering the room, guests are greeted immediately with an elegant art screen, filtering the natural light and vibrant hues of the ocean while also providing an element of privacy to the sleeping area beyond. A welcoming seating area features a rounded sofa reminiscent of the lobby design, and a plush area rug with a calming blue color palate. The bathroom spans the entire length of the room allowing ample natural light to flood the space, which is defined by a dramatic wet vanity standing prominently in front of a blue ombre mosaic wall. Artwork by Victoria Villasana explores the delicate detailing of coral. Surrounded by large book-matched marble slabs, guests can enjoy the rain shower while resting on a natural wood stool and soaking in the world-class view through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Perfect for larger groups, the property’s 34 suites feature ample entertainment spaces including a living area, dining table, and connecting guest rooms, while the oceanfront one-bedroom presidential suite offers a dining area with seating for ten, a pool table, a library and screening room perfect for relaxing, with multiple balconies and two plunge pools. A selection of nine guest rooms and one of the suites also feature unique swim-up patios allowing guests direct access to a private outdoor swimming pool. 

With menus crafted by consummate connoisseurs, guests can indulge and imbibe in a wide variety of dining options across five food and beverage venues. From the chic Peacock Alley Lounge to signature restaurant Malpeque, Waldorf Astoria Cancun has refined dining experiences that span from light fare to expertly prepared regional and global dishes that showcase premier local ingredients.

Malpeque: The resort’s signature restaurant centers on a regal open-flame grill, celebrating the beauty of the sea and the power of fire while showcasing bountiful raw bar presentations. Dedicated to the delicate art of seafood preparation, the entire experience is grounded by an energetic open kitchen where each dish incorporates an element of smoke, char or fire – some subtle, others more overt. Standout dishes from Executive Chef Stuart Roger include ensenada baked scallop in the shell served with a chipotle-vermouth sauce and puff pastry casing, made with seasonally harvested ingredients. 

Peacock Alley Lounge: Borrowing from its New York predecessor, this Cancun iteration celebrates the space’s long and storied heritage as a natural gathering place, but adapted to this light, tropical, and unencumbered setting within the mangroves. 

Chaya: The hotel’s all-day brasserie offers a relaxed, comfortable and revitalizing breakfast and later showcases the beauty of hyper-seasonal ingredients, unique products, and small-scale producers with dishes such as Meyer Lemon Tagliatelle with Black Pepper and Parmesan.   

JA’O: Honoring traditional techniques, recipes and Mexican cantina cooking, this high-energy, vibrant restaurant connects notions of relaxed luxury with timeless al fresco dining. An expansive selection of boutique agave spirits informs the cocktail program, which is complemented with local brews, refreshing wines, and a full bar.  

Pool Bar: Perfect for poolside dining, Waldorf Astoria Cancun’s pool bar serves health-forward, light and flavorful dishes. Inventive cocktails and pressed juices feature fresh fruits, herbs and citrus.

Waldorf Astoria Spa offers a serene destination for holistic well-being. With more than 40,000 square feet, the spa features 21 indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a salon, sauna, extensive thermal area, outdoor spa pool and garden, and exquisite relaxation lounges. The spa design is defined by an indoor-outdoor connection, with a lobby space featuring a circular sunken lounge area leading out to a lush outdoor landscape. 

Combining innovation with the tradition of the Mayan culture, a locally driven spa menu integrates a holistic approach to healing that focuses on both the spiritual and physical aspects of well-being, with a deep understanding of their interconnection. A spiritual menu offers a selection of ancestral ceremonies and therapies based on Mayan traditions carried out by the resort’s Shaman.

With its location convenient to Cancun International Airport, Waldorf Astoria Cancun combines easy access with peace and seclusion. The resort features 68,000+ square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space shared with Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort, including a main and junior ballroom and 12 meeting spaces that span over two floors. Spaces such as the Azul Ballroom can accommodate events and parties of 60 to over 2,000 and for smaller intimate gatherings the Waldorf Astoria Ballroom offers space for 30 to 380 attendees.