Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun vs Sandals Montego Bay
Hyatt Ziva vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun | Sandals Montego Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.0 | 8.6 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 438 | 264 |
| Restaurants | 17 | 12 |
| Pools | 9 | 7 |
| Year Opened | 2021 | 1981 |
| Year Renovated | 2021 | 2019 |
Features
| Metric | Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun | Sandals Montego Bay |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun | Sandals Montego Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 18 | 19 |
| Included | 18 | 19 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun | Sandals Montego Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 8 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 8 | 8 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun | Sandals Montego Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 22 | 25 |
| Included | 15 | 20 |
| Extra Charge | 7 | 5 |
Pros & Cons
Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun
Pros
- Diverse and high-quality food, especially at lunch options.
- Exceptional staff known for kindness, helpfulness, and attentive service.
- Spacious, well-appointed rooms often featuring large bathrooms, jacuzzis, and balconies.
- Convenient all-inclusive program covering most vacation needs and amenities.
- Uncrowded oceanfront water park with multiple slides suitable for all ages.
- Numerous sparkling pools, including an ocean-view option for relaxation.
- High standards of cleanliness maintained throughout the resort premises.
- Zen Spa offers a wide range of treatments in a beautiful, Mayan-inspired setting.
Cons
- Isolated location requiring a drive to access nightlife or other towns.
- Potentially rough road leading to the property entrance.
- Long wait times at specialty restaurants, with limited or no reservation options.
- Inconsistent food quality reported for dinner at some specialty venues.
- Noise issues in some rooms from nearby exhaust pipes or resort events.
- Limited poolside service unless a cabana is rented for additional cost.
- Scarcity of natural shade by the pools, making cabanas desirable.
- Narrow beach with common seaweed presence in the water.
- Alcoholic beverages can sometimes be diluted.
Sandals Montego Bay
Pros
- Exceptional and welcoming service from staff.
- Outstanding water views from nearly every vantage point.
- Beautiful and expansive private white-sand beach with loungers, umbrellas, and natural shade.
- Unique overwater bar with hammocks is a guest favorite.
- Wide variety and high quality of 12 dining options, many offering water views (e.g., Oleander, Butch's, Soy, Tokyo Jo's).
- Extensive range of included motorized and non-motorized water sports and land sports.
- The "Stay at 1, Play at 2" privilege with Sandals Royal Caribbean significantly expands amenities.
- Quick and efficient 10-15 minute airport transfers.
- Recently renovated rooms and luxurious oceanfront and swim-up suites.
Summary
Sandals Montego Bay has a higher guest rating, while Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun has more restaurants, while Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun is the larger property, while Sandals Montego Bay has more dining venues, while Sandals Montego Bay offers more activities.