JW vs. Ritz Cancun
 

Hi everyone!

I need some input - I am booked (cash rate, not points) at both the Ritz and JW in Cancun in a few weeks. The price difference is nominal - so assume cost is equal.

Any tips/suggestion on which I should choose? I am just looking to sit on the beach most of the time, relax, maybe I'll use the pool once or twice.

Any preference on which has better lunch options? I'm assuming I'll just take a taxi to dinner every night. Service? Other interesting amenities or activities?

Thanks!

Updated first post

Will you be spending any $$ at the hotel? RC you only get points for room; JW you get points for all spend.

Cheers.

I will but I don't need to worry about the points. Mostly concerned with experience/quality.

Not bothered about points:eek:

Is this some kind of fake flyertalk thread I've wandered into:D

Also staying there in a few weeks. Decided to book the Ritz because of the upgraded room and was able to use the Club access certificates on a standard rate. Also I'm assuming the JW is more family friendly while the Ritz might be quieter which is what we prefer.

Interested to know what others have to say.

I can't comment on a comparison as I haven't stayed at both, but I just returned from the Ritz a couple of weeks ago and it was wonderful.

I currently at the JWM Marquis in Miami which is an awesome hotel, but the service difference is noticeable between this and a Ritz.

Also, food options at the Ritz and excellent. My wife and I love authentic Mexican food and try to avoid "tourist fare" in Mexico, but one night after a tiring day snorkeling with whale sharks we just wanted to dine at the hotel and The Club Grill was excellent. Some would say it's pricey, but I live in NYC so it seemed in line with what I'm used to. Also, the Ritz breakfast abounds with delicious food including a made to order omelet station where they will essentially cool you whatever you want (eggs Benedict? Sure, no problem!). I think we paid $30pp for that but it was totally worth it.

The hotel seemed very quiet (front desk confirmed 47% occupancy). That was the third week of July.

How was the beach? Service on the beach? Food offerings for lunch? Were the chairs comfortable and were their plenty of umbrellas? Thanks!

The beach was awesome. Beautiful sand and no seaweed at all. We also stayed at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba and both times we've been down there they seem to have a bit of a seaweed problem (which they manage ok).

Beach and pool service was good, but not excellent. Food and drink were fine, but you have to make somewhat of an effort to get attention which shouldn't be necessary at 47% occupancy.

There were a few families there, but it was mostly couples and the families that were there were mostly teenage kids and up.

ETA: I can't comment on beach chair comfort as we spent most of our time in chairs by the pool (the sand gets extremely hot), but there was never an issue getting a beach chair when we went even in the middle of the day. That may not be the case during busier times.

I've stayed at both, but it's been a long time, so my impressions might be out of date. We stayed at the JW first and enjoyed it -- stayed at the Ritz the next time and enjoyed it even more. This was in my pre-loyalty days, so nothing special at either in terms of upgrades, Club, etc. If you're looking for quieter, fewer families (kids), etc, then Ritz seems like the clear choice. There is some food walking distance, or you can cab north to where there are more options. Locations are pretty close to each other, so no real difference there. I don't have anything bad to say about the JW based on my one stay, but for equal money Ritz seems like the way to go.

Many thanks for the info!

Thank you. I think I am going to go with the Ritz.

Both are nice and you can't go wrong. There are a couple of hotels between them on the hotel strip, but the same beach and location overall.

I personally like the JW because of the pools and greater selection of dining options through the connected walkway to the Marriott, but the Ritz is very nice.

If you can get club access to the Ritz, hands down stay there. JW has Club 91, but paid access only as well. Otherwise it's more personal preference based on the type of vacation you want. Ritz is a little smaller and will be more personalized service with JW having a little more activity.

Resurrecting an old thread - in early stages of planning a January 2019 trip - looking at both - but will be with 2 young kids (3 and <1) - we will be at Hyatt Ziva for 5 nights likely and looking at changing for last 2 nights to one of these two... any updates / thoughts since 2016? Of with the wrinkle of family/kids?

This is a rare time that I prefer the JW over the Ritz. The Ritz is slow and quiet and I found it boring. JW with kids would be the way to go. It is not overrun with kids, but I think your kids will find a few to play with. Virtually the same beach so that should not be an issue.