Hotels & Resorts, Travel

Moon Palace The Grand Cancun, Mexico

February 6, 2025

Planning a family vacation can feel like a balancing act—finding a spot that keeps both kids and adults entertained while offering enough relaxation to truly unwind. But every now and then, you stumble upon a place that checks all the boxes. For us, that magical spot was The Grand at Moon Palace in Cancun, Mexico. Over five sun-soaked days, Megan, our boys Tristan (9) and Charlie (7), and I discovered a resort that blends luxury, fun, and family-friendly vibes in the best way possible. From endless pools and delicious food to sandy beaches and top-notch service, this trip gave us memories that will last long after the sunscreen has faded. Here’s a deep dive into what made our stay at The Grand unforgettable.

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Location and Accessibility

The resort is just a quick 15-minute drive from Cancun International Airport, which means you can go from runway to relaxation in no time. For us, flying out of Dulles Airport in Virginia made things even smoother. We hopped on a nonstop United flight, and in just 3.5 hours, we were trading in our jackets for t-shirts and soaking up that glorious Mexican sunshine.

The proximity to the airport isn’t just convenient—it’s a game changer, especially when you’re traveling with kids like our two energetic boys, Tristan (9) and Charlie (7). No long car rides or “Are we there yet?” chants required. With our reservation, free roundtrip transportation was included with the room, and the Moon Palace shuttle was waiting for us just outside the airport doors.

First Impressions and Check-In Experience

The Moon Palace is huge. It’s actually made up of three connected properties: The Moon Palace Sunrise, The Moon Palace Nizuc, and The Moon Palace The Grand. We stayed at The Grand, which is the newest and largest of the bunch—and it definitely lives up to its name.

When we pulled up to the front, the sheer scale of the building and its furnishings hit us right away. “Grand” doesn’t even begin to cover it! But despite its size, check-in was a breeze. We walked right up to the desk (no lines—score!), got our color-coded wristbands (which double as room keys—how cool is that?), and were all set in no time.

Before we headed out, the staff handed us two glasses of champagne and fruity drinks for the boys—a sweet welcome touch that instantly put us in vacation mode. Then we hopped onto a golf cart with our luggage and were whisked away to our room in Building 88.

One of the first things you notice at The Grand is just how spacious everything feels. The resort is spread out beautifully, so you never feel cramped or crowded. The landscaping is lush and perfectly maintained, and there’s this calming, cohesive music playing softly around every walkway and building. It’s little touches like that that really make you feel like you’re in your own personal paradise.

Room and Accommodation

Our room was on the first floor of Building 88, which had its perks and a few trade-offs. On the plus side, we had super easy access—no stairs or waiting around for elevators—but being on the ground floor did mean a little less privacy than an upper-level room. Still, the convenience totally outweighed that for us.

We stayed in a Grand Deluxe Garden View Room with two double beds, and it felt fresh and spotless when we arrived. The room had two desk/table areas, a large dresser with a TV, and a super spacious walk-in bathroom. We’re talking double vanities, a separate toilet room, and a walk-in shower—plenty of space for a family of four to get ready without bumping elbows. Oh, and the jacuzzi tub? A huge hit with Tristan and Charlie, who turned bubble baths into their nightly ritual.

There were more than enough power outlets, complete with USB connections—because, let’s be honest, keeping all the devices charged is practically a vacation necessity these days. The patio outside was roomy, with a comfy chair perfect for two, ideal for kicking back with a morning coffee or winding down after a day of exploring.

Speaking of drinks, the room had a refrigerator stocked with sodas, water, and juices—all free of charge. Plus, there was a coffee maker, a bottle of wine, and even an alcohol dispenser. (Yes, really!) We also found two cozy robes, slippers, and a programmable safe to keep our valuables secure. Every detail made it feel like we were truly on vacation, with all the comforts of home—but, you know, better.

Dining Options

There is no shortage of places to eat at Moon Palace. One of the best perks of staying at The Grand is that you have access to all the restaurants at the neighboring Nizuc and Sunrise properties too. But for this trip, we stuck to the dining options right at The Grand—and trust me, we were not disappointed.

Since everything is all-inclusive, dining here is a fun, care-free experience. You don’t have to stress about prices or tabs; you just pick what looks good and dig in. The themed restaurants are not only delicious but also really well-designed, adding a little extra flair to each meal. Whether it was a fancy sit-down dinner or a casual bite by the pool, every meal felt like a mini adventure in itself. Below are our top dining experiences this trip:

The Grand Buffet

When it comes to breakfast, The Grand Buffet quickly became our go-to spot. We ate here every morning, and the selection was top-notch. There was something for everyone, whether you’re a picky eater or someone who wants to try a little bit of everything.

Our favorite go-to items? Omelets made-to-order (because who can resist a fresh, fluffy omelet?), crispy bacon, fresh fruit, and a pastry or two—okay, maybe three. The yogurt selection was great, and Tristan and Charlie were all about the donuts and waffles. Seriously, watching them tackle those waffles was a highlight in itself.

And let’s not forget the coffee. There’s just something about fresh Cancun coffee with cream that hits differently—maybe it’s the ocean breeze or just vacation magic, but it was the perfect way to start our mornings.

As the name suggests, this is a buffet-style meal, so you can go back as many times as you like. And believe me, we did. Whether you’re fueling up for a day of exploring or just lounging by the pool, The Grand Buffet makes sure you start the day on the right note.

Tavola

Just past the lobby in the main building is Tavola, the signature Italian restaurant—and let me tell you, it was hands-down my favorite meal of the trip. We had dinner here on our second night, and everything from the atmosphere to the food was spot-on.

The restaurant has this open, inviting, and warm vibe. You can see the kitchen and the brick pizza oven from your table, which adds to the whole experience. High ceilings, comfy chairs, and Italian marble floors give it an authentic feel without being over-the-top fancy.

As soon as we sat down, they brought out a bag full of delicious Italian bread, along with olive oil and parmesan cheese—and yes, we dove right in. I started with the Florentine Salad, which was fresh and flavorful, but the real star of the show was the Spicy Blue pizza. I’m not exaggerating when I say this might be the best pizza I’ve ever had. It had tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, Italian sausage, blue cheese, caramelized onions, and spicy honey. The combination of flavors—the saltiness of the sausage, the sweetness of the onions and honey, and the tangy blue cheese—just worked perfectly together. The crust was spot-on, too, and yes, I ate the entire pizza.

Megan ordered the Tavola pizza, which was great, but we both agreed that the Spicy Blue was the clear winner of the night. I also tried the Spaghetti Carbonara—because why not?—and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I couldn’t finish it, though… had to save room for that incredible pizza!

The boys went with the classic spaghetti and meatballs, and honestly, it looked pretty gourmet for a kids’ dish. To top it all off, we shared the Half Baked Cookie for dessert—gooey, sweet, and absolutely delicious. Let’s just say we definitely ate too much, but when the food’s that good, you kind of have to!

JC Steakhouse

JC Steakhouse is the only restaurant at The Grand that requires reservations—and trust me, it’s for good reason. It’s a solid meal, and everyone wants to dine there. Getting a reservation was a bit of a challenge since you can only book three days out, and you have to be quick. For us, we checked early Saturday morning and managed to snag a reservation for Monday at 6 PM. Score!

The vibe inside the restaurant is classy with a cool twist. Curved wooden beams on the ceiling, guitar-shaped wall dividers, and warm lighting create a sophisticated yet casual atmosphere. Our table was right by the entrance and the kitchen, so not the best spot, but honestly, the food more than made up for it.

I started with the Spinach Salad, which came with peach, pecans, cranberries, goat cheese, and a balsamic gel—a refreshing mix of flavors. We also ordered the crabcake appetizer, perfectly cooked and served with a delicious sauce that I could’ve eaten by the spoonful.

For the main course, Megan and I both went with the Sirloin Filet—a 7oz cut cooked to perfection (medium rare, of course). I added a side of Béarnaise sauce and couldn’t resist ordering sautéed onions, mushrooms, and jalapeños to go with it. We also tacked on creamed corn at the last minute, and man, I’m glad we did—it was packed with flavor and paired perfectly with the steak. We rounded things out with creamed spinach, which was just as tasty.

And then came dessert. I did what I love to do: ordered every option. Three reasons—it doesn’t cost me anything (hello, all-inclusive!), Megan gets super embarrassed (which is always fun), and I get to sample all the delicious options. The standout desserts? Definitely the Bread Pudding and the Chocolate Lava Cake. Both were rich, gooey, and absolutely worth every bite.

Such a great meal—and yep, we definitely ate too much again. But hey, when in Cancun, right?

The Grill

The Grill is an outdoor restaurant right by the pool, and from the moment you walk in, you feel relaxed. The high ceilings and fans pushing cool air down make it a breezy, comfortable spot to grab a bite. This buffet-style restaurant became our go-to lunch spot—we ended up eating here three times during our trip.

They have a large grill where you can order fresh items on the spot. Cheeseburgers and hot dogs were always available, but they also had chicken, salmon, and a few authentic Mexican dishes to mix things up. The French fries were a standout—crispy and just the right amount of salty—and the fresh fruit buffet got a lot of love from us, especially after a morning in the sun.

There were plenty of toppings for the burgers, but my personal favorite move? Scooping up a generous serving of guacamole and plopping it right on top of my burger. Perfection.

The Grill was a solid lunch spot and one of our favorite casual dining experiences at The Grand. It’s the kind of place where you can roll in from the pool, grab a delicious meal, and head right back to lounging—exactly how vacation should be!

Circus

Tucked way back behind the hotel bar, Circus is definitely geared towards kids—which worked out perfectly for us, since we have two! As soon as you walk in, the decorations and décor make you feel like you’ve stepped into a real circus, minus the smell of animals and, well, BO.

They have little shows that happen every 15 minutes or so, and some of the acts were pretty impressive to watch. The kids were glued to their seats (which is always a win), and the atmosphere kept things lively and fun.

The food? Surprisingly decent. Tristan and Charlie both went for the Mac and Cheese—a classic kid favorite—while I had the Refresh Salad, which turned out to be one of my favorite salads at the resort. It had a crisp lettuce mix with mandarin oranges, spicy pumpkin seeds, cranberries, orange vinaigrette, and feta cheese—the perfect mix of sweet, tangy, and crunchy. Megan opted for the Kale Caesar Salad, but she found it a bit on the salty side.

For the second act, I had the Strongman’s Piadina, a flatbread stuffed with mozzarella and cream cheese cremeux, arugula, tomato, roasted garlic, and spicy pepperoni—and it was really good! For the main course, I went with the Ring Master’s Dinner, which was a tender beef short rib, while Megan had the Juggler Shrimp Pasta.

And of course, we couldn’t skip dessert. They have a buffet loaded with small pastries, ice cream, donuts, and more—basically, a sugar lover’s paradise.

Overall, Circus was a fun, lighthearted dining experience that gave the kids a little extra entertainment while we enjoyed a relaxed meal. Definitely worth a visit if you’re traveling with little ones!

Other Options

Since we were only here for 5 days, we did not get a chance to go to every restaurant. Next time we visit, we definitely want to dine at Cusco (Peruvian cuisine), Los Tacos (Mexican tacos), and Le Chateau (French cuisine, adults only). We did eat at Jade (Japanese cuisine) and Casa Mia (contemporary Mexican cuisine), but these were at the bottom of our rating list.

Amenities and Facilities

From pools, to beaches, to games, to bars, to entertainment, the Grand has so much to offer. As I mentioned before, the property is massive, and we tried our best to experience all the hot spots The Grand has to offer.

Pools

The Grand had quite a few pools to choose from, and we visited them all. I should note here that towels were provided at every pool, as was drink/food service to anyone sitting by the pool. Each pool was different and had a unique feeling – here’s a (ranked) breakdown of each one:

1. Cusco Pool

Our favorite pool for relaxing, this long pool towards the upper corner of the resort seemed a bit quieter than the others, and the the two swim-up bars were a nice treat as well. There is an indoor restaurant as well, which would be a good place to beat the heat on those brutal days. There are a couple hot tubs in this pool too, but the water was the same temp as the pool when we were there. There is also a walkway down to the beachfront, which had a really nice area of beach with palm trees (shaded), hammocks, and seating. Our boys really loved playing in the sand down there and I got some good reading in too.

2. The Waterpark

kay, so this isn’t just a pool—it’s a full-on water wonderland! The waterpark at The Grand has something for kids of all ages (and let’s be honest, adults too). There’s a splash pad, aquatic playgrounds, water slides, a surf/boogieboard machine, and even a wave pool. But my personal favorite? The lazy river. Floating along with the sun on your face and not a care in the world—now that’s vacation.

Right in the middle of the waterpark is The Playroom, an indoor kids club, which was a huge hit with Tristan and Charlie. It gave them a chance to burn off even more energy while we kicked back and relaxed. The whole waterpark setup made for some of the best memories of the trip—whether we were racing down slides, riding the waves, or just chilling in the lazy river, it was non-stop fun for the whole family!

3. Los Tacos Pool

This pool had a very relaxing vibe to it – it has a beautiful infinity edge at the back, surrounded by bushes (privacy), and many chairs and cabanas that flank the frontside. There is also a tranquil water feature on the perimeter of the pool, which was very Zen. There is also the Los Tacos restaurant there too, which we did not try this trip (which is a bummer since I love tacos!).

4. The Caribeno Pool

This pool was quieter than most, and had the added bonus of being right next to Joes Deck, which was an outdoor restaurant right on the beach with the best views!

5. The Grill Pool

The pool right outside the Palace Elite center is a great spot to relax during the day. There are actually two pools in this area, and The Grill restaurant surrounds both, which we love. The Grill is an outdoor (covered) restaurant, so you can dine in your bathing suit no problem.

The Adult Pool

Since we had kids in tow, Megan and I could not enjoy the adult pool, but I was there once on a previous trip and can vouch for it. The pool is flanked by two bars, private suites, and plenty of chairs. They have live music and DJ’s during the afternoons, and the vibe is definitely younger and more “party” focused. Not like MTV’s Spring Break 1998, but you get the idea.

Beaches

Before kids, Megan and I rarely set foot on a Cancun beach—the pools were too nice and less windy. But with kids that love sand, we really had no choice. Luckily, The Grand had some great beach areas for our boys to enjoy.

The first beach we visited was right outside Joe’s Deck (by the Caribeno Pool), and it had plenty of seating options right on the sand. Plus, there was The Coco Bar, which served up six different drink options—all in real coconuts. Because who doesn’t love sipping from a coconut while lounging on the beach?

The other beach we enjoyed was right off the Cusco Pool. This beach was smaller but had more shade and a quieter vibe since there wasn’t a restaurant nearby. The boys loved it here, building sandcastles and digging to their hearts’ content.

All the beach areas had lifeguards on duty, so we never felt unsafe letting the kids play while we relaxed. Whether it was the shaded serenity of the Cusco Pool beach or the lively vibe at Joe’s Deck, the beaches were a welcome change of pace and a great way to mix up our poolside routine.

Spa

Situated on the first level of the main building, the Awe Spa at the Grand is massive. You are probably not surprised by this, but when you walk in, you feel like you are at a spa. Tranquil music, high ceilings, Zen vibes – it’s great. Now Megan received a few treatments here, all of which we have no footage or pictures for because hey, I wanted to have her relax and enjoy the experience. She came out of the spa feeling relaxed and energized, and said the service and staff was great. What more can you ask for!?

Experiences

There seems to be no end of things to do while at The Grand, and when you factor in the access to the other two resorts as well, you could spend several weeks here and not repeat any activities. But for the sake of this blog post, I’ll focus on the experiences we enjoyed during our stay at The Grand.

Arcade

The Wired Lounge is right in the main lobby of the hotel, and was a favorite spot for our kids after dinner. The arcade is packed with all kids of games, ranging from the classics like basketball shootouts and air hockey, all the way up to the high-tech games (racing, motorcycles, Minecraft, etc.). All of it is free, so you don’t have to worry about reloading your card with money.

The Dreamery - Bounce Zone

Imagine a hotel ballroom that is one giant bounce house. That’s what The Dreamery is! Tristan and Charlie had such a blast in this, and I actually went in too (I broke a sweat). There are slides, obstacle courses, climbing areas, and wide open areas for you to run and bounce. There was only about 3 other people when we went, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. This would be a great mid-day activity when it’s brutally hot outside. Now I don’t think this attraction is permanent, so it may or may not be there when you visit.

Golf

If you like to golf, you’re in luck – The Moon Palace Resort has it’s own 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course! I was fortunate enough to play all 27 holes on a previous trip, and the course is picturesque on every hole. But beware, if you hit a ball wrong, there is no retrieving it from the thick jungle that surrounds the holes. I lost a few dozen balls when I played!

Other Experiences

We did not have to time for every experience offered, but there are a few that are on our list for next time. The Ninth Pin Bowling Alley is top of the list (reservations required), the Fitness Center (to work off all those carbs), The Library Speakeasy bar (hidden door in the bookshelves on lower level, adults only), and the Kassette Karaoke Bar.

Service and Staff Experience

Overall, our experience with the staff at The Grand was outstanding. Everyone was friendly, professional, and genuinely seemed to enjoy making our stay special. We even shared some laughs with a few of the waiters by the pool—it’s those little moments that make a trip memorable.

The cleaning staff did an excellent job each day, coming twice a day to make sure our room was spotless and stocked with fresh towels. We didn’t encounter any negativity or confrontations during our stay, which made the whole experience even more relaxing.

We had two minor maintenance issues while we were there, but both were resolved promptly without any hassle. It was clear that the staff was committed to making sure everything was just right for their guests.

All in all, we were very pleased with how we were treated throughout our stay at The Grand. The exceptional service and warm hospitality definitely added to the magic of our Cancun getaway.

Value for Money

If you search for hotel rooms in Cancun, you’ll notice that The Grand is definitely not on the low end of the cost spectrum. But like everything in life, you usually get what you pay for—and that’s absolutely the case here.

The Grand offers so much space to enjoy, fantastic food, beautiful pools and beaches, and so many restaurant options, it’s hard to beat. And since it’s all-inclusive, it’s completely stress-free—you just have to focus on relaxing, and the staff at The Grand will take care of the rest.

We feel it’s well worth the money, and that’s why we became Palace Elite members during our stay! When a resort makes you want to come back before you’ve even left, you know it’s a winner.

Pros and Cons

PROS

All-inclusive pricing so you don't have to worry about food or drinks during your stay
Close to the airport for easy arrivals and departures
Family friendly with plenty of activities and experiences for those under 18
The App made it easy to book meal reservations and navigate the property.
Outstanding selection of restaurants - amazing food!
Spacious rooms and suites with large bathrooms and outdoor space.
Multiple pool options to choose from.
An abundance of bars and eateries to ensure you are never hungry or thirsty.
Friendly and attentive staff to help you relax and enjoy your vacation.

CONS

The Kids Club was not a check-in/out service - kids 8+ could enter or leave without a guardian, which meant Megan and I did not feel comfortable leaving them there and going to the adult pool. There is a secured kids club for 2-7 year olds though.
The first two days of our trip were a bit chilly (high of 68) and there were no hot tubs to warm up in.
Our room had two double beds, but it would have been nice to have two queen beds.

Final Recommendation and Who It’s For

We love how relaxing this resort is, and how much there is to do for the entire family. Since it’s all-inclusive, everything was just “easy”. It’s a quick flight from our home in Virginia, which makes it a perfect getaway retreat in those cold winter months. Our family had a blast here and we are excited to come back, as well as explore some of the other Palace Resorts around the world!