Grand Oasis Cancun spreads more than 1,200 rooms and suites across a stepped-pyramid tower and low-rise wings on Boulevard Kukulcan, and the property is built around a quarter-mile pool that runs almost the full length of the grounds. Ten everyday restaurants cover the basics, from the Tun Kul buffet and Le Buffet to Hacienda Sarape's Mexican kitchen, Il Forno and La Trattoria for Italian, Makitaco for tacos and Hippie Chic out by the sand. Eight specialty venues sit alongside them, including Benazuza, Careyes, Sakura and The White Box. Sensoria Spa handles treatments and the Kin-Ha Beach Club adds a second stretch of loungers.

Entertainment is the reason most guests pick this address. Kinky Night Club and Coyote Loco run late, the Oasis Arena stages full-scale shows, the Red Casino sits on property, and the Oasis Beach Club keeps the daytime party on the sand. The beach faces the open Caribbean along the Hotel Zone's eastern shore. Playa Delfines and its CANCUN letters are a few minutes north, the El Rey ruins sit across the boulevard, and the Isla Mujeres ferry, Museo Maya and San Miguelito are all short drives. Cancun International Airport is roughly 20 minutes away.