Mexico - For Cancun Experts . . . Hotel advice please

Found great fares from L.A. and Chicago to Cancun for NYE this year. Now the hotel part. First-timer to Cancun.

After reading Tripadvisor, I was sold on Royal Resorts--Royal Sands, Royal Islander, and Royal Caribbean, and believe I can probably get a Week 52 rental around $200-250/night for a 2BR which is much better than hotel rates at this time.

But searching around, it seems the food prices in these resorts, while reasonable for the hotel zone, is higher than what I'd pay in Chicago--about $20-25 entree, or $80-100 for a family of four for dinner.

So, searched some more and found Avalon Baccara and Beachscape Kin Ha as even more reasonable options, with reports of good food onsite or nearby for much less than hotel zone rates.

If anyone has ever stayed any of these places, and can help inform on the trade-offs between 5-star accommodations (Royal Resorts) and 5-star prices for food vs. 3-star accommodations (Avalon/Beachscape) and 3-star prices, I'd really appreciate it.

We are two families of four with five adults and four children under 12.


Thanks in advance!

We stayed at the Kin Ha many years ago when it was another name. The beach was fantastic then. White sand and plenty of beach. It is still in the Hotel Zone. Plenty of places to eat within walking or a short local bus ride.

Can't really comment on any restaurant on-site since it has been a few years. Try looking here www.cancunmx.com and see if anyone has recent experience.