The SLS Cancun: A Beachfront Boutique Hotel in the Heart of Puerto Cancun

The SLS Cancun Hotel & Residences is a luxury property located in Puerto Cancun with the sort of gorgeous views and interior that makes it feel worth the prize tag. We used the Aeroplan HotelSavers program to stay in one of their Deluxe Ocean Front One Bedroom King Suites and we couldn’t have been happier.

There are times when I’m looking forward to a packed itinerary that has me moving from place to place and taking in things at a rapid pace - and there are times when I’m looking for just the opposite.

I didn’t use to be very good at staying in one place, to be honest, but I’ve come to realize over the years that there’s immense value in giving yourself time to rest, relax and restore. To catch your breath, if you will.

It was, after all, when I was floating in the waves in the Dominican Republic a couple of years ago that the idea for This Week in Blogging (my popular weekly newsletter for creators) came to me.

It was an indication to me that taking time away from my desk wasn’t optional - it was vital.

When Bri and I heard the news that Aeroplan had launched a new program focused on hotels (aptly named Aeroplan HotelSavers), it was as if the stars were aligning, and we quickly got to work looking at what our points might get us. The answer, as it turns out, was an unforgettable experience at SLS Cancun.

More About SLS Cancun

SLS Cancun is located in the heart of Puerto Cancun.

Puerto Cancun, for those unfamiliar, is an 800 acre upscale development located right next to the ocean. It’s popular because there’s a marina, private canals, a massive shopping area, an IMAX theatre, an 18-hole golf course and, of course, ample hotels and condominiums.

I should note here that SLS Cancun is also called “SLS Cancun Hotel & Residences” because there are folks who call this place home as well (and I now know why they’d be happy to do that!).

There are 45 suites with ocean views and a remarkably sleek yet elegant decor. There are pools for folks who prefer fresh water, and then the ocean for those who want a saltier experience. The water isn’t too deep across their 250 metres or so of beachfront, but is it ever beautiful.

I’ll double click on all this below, but the Beach Club was a highlight for us. There was regularly a DJ spinning tunes there during the day, and it provided a baseline of energy that was fun to tap into. I could read in the sun to tunes, or pop open a cold beverage and move to the beat.

The concept of the hotel emphasizes the interplay between “design & nature” and is the work of Italian designer and architect Piero Lissoni. His “work is known to be sophisticated and elegant, precise in every detail, never overwhelming and always versatile” and he “likes to integrate the many different layers of life into his design.”

Pets are indeed welcome (though typically one per room). Finally, I know I’m not the only one who appreciated this resort this year because it was shortlisted at the Hotel Travel Awards this year.

Let’s look at why that would be, shall we?

What Are the Defining Features of This Boutique Hotel in Cancun?

The beach at SLS Cancun — Walking down to the beach at SLS Cancun.

The Rooms & Suites

You’re not going to make a bad choice when you’re booking because I can attest to the fact that there’s a baseline of quality that permeates SLS Cancun, but let’s run through your options.

Let’s start with the rooms.

Superior King: Up to 645 square feet, 2 TVs and a living room with a day bed. City views.
Superior Ocean View King: Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors, full balcony, partial ocean view. 602 square feet.
Deluxe Ocean Front King: Furnished step out balcony and hammock with some unstoppable Caribbean views. Up to 549 square feet.
Superior Double: Two double SLS beds, with some desk/office space, and a living room (592 feet).

Now, here are the suites that they have available.

Premier Ocean Front One Bedroom Suite: A whopping 1033 square feet of space complete with some epic views.
Deluxe Ocean Front One Bedroom Suite Double: 710 square feet, complete with a to die for rainfall shower that you’ll find in many of the rooms and suites here.
Deluxe Ocean Front One Bedroom Suite King: This is the room that we had the pleasure of staying in, and it was spectacular. The room had luxury written all over it, and the 204 square feet of terrace certainly didn’t hurt either! You can see how we booked this room through HotelSavers (and what it looked like) below.

@travelingmitch #ad So many of you have been asking about how we planned our getaway! The new #HotelSavers platform is so easy to use and full of exclusive discounts and partnerships across different hotel chains. We loved browsing the options for our trip knowing we were booking a beautiful hotel at such a great price point. Head to our link in bio/stories to learn more! #AeroplanPartner @aeroplan @Air Canada ♬ LA LA LAND (Part 1) - Official Sound Studio

Two Bedroom Ocean Front Suite: You’re looking at almost 1500 square feet of space here, and almost 700 feet of terrace. One bedroom features a king, plus you’ve got two double beds in the other bedroom, and the living room with the single daybed.
Presidential Suite: Welcome to the Presidential Suite, a 2820 square foot masterpiece of luxury and comfort with a private wraparound balcony, with views of both the Caribbean Sea and the residential area of Puerto Cancun. If you happen to have a lot of points saved up, this would sure be a way to celebrate an anniversary.

The Ciel Spa

As SLS Cancun says, “Ciel Spa has everything you need to immerse yourself in refined relaxation. Indulge in the relaxation lounge, massage suite, herbal steam rooms with spacious experience showers, custom massage beds…and more.”

The spa treatments are admittedly a touch pricy, but the quality is there. Here’s what’s on offer:

The Spa Thermal Experience: Essentially day access to the facilities
Facial Treatments: Personalized facial, sensitive skin facial, age care facial
Body Treatments: CIEL signature treatment, after sun treatment, body exfoliation
Spa Experiences: Romantic couples massage, perfect spa day for two
Hand and Foot Care: Hand ritual, foot ritual, gel polish on hands or feet

dining @ SLS

There are a couple of main spots where you’re going to be grabbing your meals at SLS Cancun, but also note that you’re close to the action as far as some of Cancun’s top restaurants are concerned. We actually went out to dinner at the absolutely wild (yet delicious) Taboo Cancun.

On the property though, here’s what you’ve got.

The Bungalow Beach Club is likely a place you’ll be spending a lot of time, and they’ve got ample food and drinks on offer. The cocktails here are something to behold (and you will indeed pay for that), but I know Bri loved the “Purple Wave,” which featured gin, red wine liqueur, wild flowers, violet syrup, lime and Campari.

They’ve got a sizeable raw bar if oysters and clams are your thing, but the pizzas are fresh-made and scrumptious if you’re looking for something easy to munch on, and the coconut shrimp tacos were heavenly.

We took many of our meals (particularly breakfast and dinner) at LEYNIA, a concept restaurant from Chef Jose Icardi which aims to meld the flavours of Argentinian grill with Japanese cuisine. You’ll still find many classics though from Mexican cuisine. The service at LEYNIA was stellar, and I don’t think we had a bad meal there the entire time.

You’ve got classic breakfast options such as smoothies, eggs a number of ways, and even a “hangover quesadilla,” but increasingly more complex options as you head towards the dinner menu. Be sure to ask about the catch of the day, as that was always spot on.

Room service is also available, of course.

What Else is Worth Noting About the SLS Cancun Hotel & Residences?

For one, spend some time in the Lobby. It’s beautifully designed and comes with a pool table that I saw many people using throughout our stay. There’s also the Lobby Bar (also designed by Piero Lissoni) that will have what you’re looking for beverage wise.

I also thought the Fitness Centre was a nice escape. It’s fairly sizeable, and I was typically the only person in there, so that served as a nice counterpoint to live the DJ at the Bungalow Beach Club, and offered a little sense of reprieve.

The last thing that I would mention would be its size. It’s quite manageable and easy to get around, which is something I know that Bri and I like, since we’re not in love with the mega resorts where you feel like you’re spending half your time simply getting from place to place.

They’ve done a good job setting up a definite vibe, and I know that we were only too happy to experience it, since it’s a place that we likely wouldn’t have booked if it was strictly a cash transaction, but we were able to because of our stockpile of points - and now we have a treasure trove of memories.

I want to humbly thank Air Canada (and HotelSavers) for hosting me as media. All opinions are completely my own.

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