Hyatt Zilara Cancun

I’ve spent most of my career traveling and have eaten in plenty of upscale restaurants around the world, so I tend to know what’s worth recommending and what isn’t. This review because while the restaurant had several strengths, there were also a few issues worth pointing out—one from the kitchen, and one from the guests themselves.

Ambiance and Staff The atmosphere was solid. Clean design, well kept décor, and a layout that made it clear the restaurant is supposed to be one of the premium options on the property. Lighting was appropriate, staff was professional, and overall the place presents itself as a high end steakhouse. No complaints there.

Food I was upsold on their tomahawk steak. I don’t usually take the bait on upsells, but I was on vacation, so I went for it. Presentation was excellent—no question about that. The flavor, however, was just okay. Not bad, not great. I wouldn’t order it again, and I wouldn’t recommend it. My wife ordered a standard steak off the menu, and that was actually better. Great flavor, cooked correctly, no nonsense. If I were to go back, I’d stick with that option.

The Incident There was one issue that seriously disrupted the atmosphere. The couple seated next to us spent half their dinner arguing about how underdressed the man was. There’s no written dress code, but it was clear that most people understood the environment. The men were wearing at least sports coats, and the women looked exceptionally put together. It wasn’t a formal event, but it was an upscale setting, and people respected that. Except this one guy. He showed up in a golf shirt and seemed annoyed that anyone cared. His attitude was the real problem. He didn’t care about the atmosphere, didn’t care about the experience of the people around him, and his partner looked genuinely embarrassed. Watching their back and forth was uncomfortable, and frankly, it took away from what should have been a smooth, quiet dinner.

Bottom Line The restaurant itself is good. The staff is excellent. The ambiance is solid. But the tomahawk steak doesn’t justify the upsell, and some guests seem to think resort casual applies everywhere—even when it clearly doesn’t match the environment. I’m leaving this review because the restaurant does a lot of things right, but experiences like the one I witnessed make it clear that setting expectations—especially around attire and behavior—would help maintain the atmosphere they’re trying to create.

The renovation of this hotel is spectacular—it looks EXACTLY like the photos! I didn't think it was possible, but Hyatt Zilara completely exceeded our expectations. My husband and I stayed with another couple over Labor Day weekend, and we had an incredible time from start to finish.

The resort is stunning, and the service is a true 10/10. Everyone went out of their way to deliver exceptional service and make us feel genuinely welcome. The poolside service in particular was top-notch—my Piña Coladas were constantly refreshed before they even had a chance to melt.

I loved the daily scheduled activities—they were fun and engaging without being intrusive if you simply wanted to relax. The foam party was an absolute highlight of the trip! Another standout feature for me was the morning Reformer Pilates classes. I’ve rarely seen reformers offered at a resort, and starting my day with those sessions was fantastic. My only suggestion would be to add pilates to the schedule everyday.

The beach is gorgeous, and we spent plenty of time swimming. I had heard sargassum could be an issue in Cancun, but the resort team did an incredible job clearing the shoreline every morning. The dining was equally impressive across all restaurants, and we were especially impressed by the quality and selection at the breakfast and lunch buffets.

As for the accommodations, every room offers an ocean view. While higher floors (like our room on the 8th floor) provide a slightly more expansive backdrop, you really can’t go wrong anywhere. The room layout is modern and brilliant—the sliding bathroom doors allow you to open up the space for a massive feel or close them for privacy. On top of that, housekeeping came at least twice daily, leaving the room spotless.

We originally planned to try a new resort next September, but realized nothing could top our experience at Zilara. We will absolutely be back!