Intercontinental Presidente Cancun Resort By IHG
A 300-room beachfront resort set slightly outside the bustling Hotel Zone on a quiet strip of white-sand beach.
The verdict
Pick a traveller type to re-weight the scores and re-rank the rooms around what you actually care about.
Intercontinental Presidente Cancun Resort offers a compact, navigable alternative to Cancun mega-resorts, situated right on a prime beachfront strip. Guests appreciate the attentive service from staff, ocean views, and easy walking access to Maya Fair Plaza. However, dining at the on-site restaurants is frequently criticized as average and overpriced, and some lower-level rooms show their age. 116154
Every line below traces back to something a traveler actually wrote — open a line to read the original sentence and follow it to the source.
What travelers noticed
- The resort sits on a standout beachfront spot that provides scenic views of the Caribbean Sea. 1513
- Staff members throughout the property, particularly at the restaurants and bars, deliver attentive and helpful service. 114
- The 300-room layout makes navigating the grounds much easier than at sprawling mega-resorts in the area. 6
- The location offers a quieter setting while remaining within walking distance of restaurants at Maya Fair Plaza. 6
The catch
- While some guests praise the breakfast buffet for fresh juices and custom made omelettes, others find the morning spread underwhelming and overpriced. 412
- Several visitors describe the beds as plush and comfortable, but others report rock-hard mattresses and older bathrooms on lower floors. 8
- Some travelers enjoy a quiet stay, whereas others cite disruptive noise levels from the main pool area and street traffic on the lagoon side. 116
Who it's for
- — Travelers wanting a compact beachfront resort layout
- — Guests planning to dine off-property at Maya Fair Plaza
- — Visitors prioritizing attentive bar and restaurant service
Skip it if
- — Vacationers seeking budget-friendly on-site dining
- — Light sleepers sensitive to pool entertainment or street noise
- — Anyone expecting fully modernized rooms across all floors
Seen on camera
2 moments · 1 video · Intercontinental Presidente Cancun Resort By IHG
Each moment is pulled at the second a cited reviewer said the words. Play it here, or open the original video at that timestamp.
“when we arrived at the resort we asked the front desk if we could get upgraded room and for $25 extra a night we got a r…”
youtube.com0:18“we were able to buy a few groceries from the local supermarket in town and we ate breakfast in our room and ordered coff…”
youtube.com1:00Frames are citations: each one links to its second in the source video, attributed to the creator who filmed it. Nothing here is supplied by the hotel. Creators who want a moment removed can ask and we take it down.
Booking direct costs no more here and keeps IHG One Rewards points, elite nights and eligible benefits.
Placeholder pricing. No live rate source is connected yet, so these figures are mocked and are not a quote — the booking site shows the real rate for your dates.
This sits inside our estimated range for this hotel.
Confidence: low · modelled estimate, not a live quote. Check the supplier for the real rate on your dates.
Score breakdown
How the 86/100 is built, category by category — each one with the strongest thing travelers actually said, and the source it came from.
Bathroom
90Location
92- “The two nights that I stayed here were top-notch, and I would recommend this property to anyone looking for a nice hotel in the heart of Mexico City. It's located in a really nice area just off of Paseo de la Reforma, so getting around is very easy.” 13
- “Like Lars below, the location is really great - not only in a position to avoid seaweed, but because it's one of the last hotels in the hotel zone, the beach is very quiet (and wide).” 12
Room
84- “My first impressions of the room were really good, thanks in large part to the huge window which provided a stunning view of the city below.” 13
- “I am especially impressed by the black out curtains. They are roller type shades. The first set is opaque while the second set is complete black out. There is even a bar along the sides of the window to make sure no light sneaks in where the shades meet the wall.” 18
Service
87- “First of all, the hotel was staffed with friendly, helpful people wherever you turned. They were always happy to help you with whatever you needed.” 4
- “From the moment we checked into the hotel until our checkout the service was top notch. Every employee that we encountered wanted to ensure that we were having a wonderful stay.” 4
Bed & Sleep
87- “The rooms have always been nice with a comfortable bed, nice bathroom” 8
Value
83- “The pretty pool area with its white lounge chairs and blue umbrellas also garners rave reviews, as do the InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort's three restaurants (though guests say that food and drinks can be a bit expensive).” 20
- “Regarding food, depends what you're used to and what you're expecting, but we live in Manhattan and we were quite pleased with the food/prices there.” 10
Where it is, how to reach it
Details checked 2026-09-01
Where it sits
Intercontinental Presidente Cancun Resort By IHG and the 10 other hotels we cover in Cancun. Hover a marker for the hotel; click to open it.
Stay value
How this property reads against the hotels we cover alongside it. Measured on review evidence, not on a nightly rate.
On par with what $$ usually buys
Scores 2 points below the mid-range median of 88, across 321 hotels in the same bracket. In Cancun it sits 4 points below the local median of 90.
- This hotel
- 86
- Bracket median
- 88
- Index median
- 89
Based on 321 comparable hotels.
Which room to ask for
What reviewers say about where to sleep inside this building — by room number where one is named, and otherwise by floor, wing, aspect and position. Every line opens onto the quotes behind it.
Nothing is yet praised often enough to recommend.
- 1 mention
Where travelers agree — and don’t
The topics reviewers split on most. A wide bar means your experience depends on which room you get — or whose opinion you trust.
View the 57 things travelers said behind this verdict▾
Quotes run exactly as travelers wrote them — spelling and all. We trim for length, never for tidiness.
- “A recurring point of contention for some visitors to the InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort by IHG is the food quality and variety at the on-site restaurants, with several guests finding it to be average or overpriced for the experience.” 11
- “The food was good, but overall the restaurant seemed overpriced.” 18
- “we were able to buy a few groceries from the local supermarket in town and we ate breakfast in our room and ordered coffee for room service daily which was quite affordable” On camera141:00
- “The breakfast buffet was pretty underwhelming.” 12
- “The breakfast buffet was perfect for me. I eat a 99% gluten and dairy free diet. Every morning I was able to find just what I needed. From fresh juices and fruit to custom made omelettes, it was just what I needed without having to ask for speical adjustments to a menu.” 4
- “The food quality at the various dining outlets is often described as good to very good, with specific mentions of fresh seafood and diverse breakfast options.” 11
- “Dining options in the hotel were decent.” 13
- “The food in the club was very good--morning and evening only, no lunch or access in the afternoon for beverages.” 10
- “The property is very nice and the beach is great, but the food is just ok.” 12
- “I opted for room service again on the second night, and once again, I was not disappointed.” 13
- “Only complaints is the food at the hotel restaurants - mostly ok but we did have a few bad meals there over the years. We usually go out to eat at other restaurants in the hotel zone.” 8
- “The resort's central location means it can be lively, and the food, while decent, may not satisfy gourmands looking for exceptional culinary experiences.” 11
- “With 300 rooms and a reasonably compact layout, the Presidente is more easily navigable than some of Cancun's mega-resorts, and those looking to explore restaurants outside the resort won't mind that the rates aren't all-inclusive. Just note that the open-air restaurants lack AC.” 6
- “The pretty pool area with its white lounge chairs and blue umbrellas also garners rave reviews, as do the InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort's three restaurants (though guests say that food and drinks can be a bit expensive).” 20
- “Like Lars below, the location is really great - not only in a position to avoid seaweed, but because it's one of the last hotels in the hotel zone, the beach is very quiet (and wide).” 12
- “Check local reports if this is a dealbreaker. Its Hotel Zone location makes getting around easy. The public bus system runs frequently along the main avenue, offering an inexpensive way to reach attractions north and south of the resort, including downtown Cancun.” 11
- “Guests consistently highlight the resort's prime location, with many praising its direct access to a beautiful stretch of beach.” 11
- “The two nights that I stayed here were top-notch, and I would recommend this property to anyone looking for a nice hotel in the heart of Mexico City. It's located in a really nice area just off of Paseo de la Reforma, so getting around is very easy.” 13
- “The location is a bit outside the heart of the Hotel Zone and slightly quieter, but still walking distance to the restaurants in Maya Fair Plaza.” 6
- “Presidente InterContinental Cancun is conveniently located on the nicest strip of beach in Cancun, 25 minutes from Cancun International Airport (CUN).” 15
- “Opened in 1975 (and fully renovated in 2014), the Intercontinental Presidente Cancun resort is one of Cancun's oldest properties with a great location.” 16
- “Location: Great, beach front spot.” 12
- “The resort's dining options are frequently mentioned as being average in quality and potentially overpriced, which is a common trade-off for non-all-inclusive resorts in prime locations.” 11
- “Regarding food, depends what you're used to and what you're expecting, but we live in Manhattan and we were quite pleased with the food/prices there.” 10
- “Good price for a beachside property” 12
- “The pretty pool area with its white lounge chairs and blue umbrellas also garners rave reviews, as do the InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort's three restaurants (though guests say that food and drinks can be a bit expensive).” 20
- “The food was good, but overall the restaurant seemed overpriced.” 18
- “A recurring point of contention for some visitors to the InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort by IHG is the food quality and variety at the on-site restaurants, with several guests finding it to be average or overpriced for the experience.” 11
- “I'll have to keep this on my list because we love going places around the Christmas holidays. It was so pretty and quiet for a Cancun resort.” 4
- “Lagoon-side rooms on lower floors sometimes get street noise” 6
- “Noise levels, particularly from the main pool area and surrounding entertainment, are sometimes cited as disruptive for those seeking a quiet retreat.” 11
- “The attentive service from staff, particularly those at the bars and restaurants, receives frequent commendation.” 11
- “Restaurants, staff and pool areas are all very nice. No complaints about that.” 8
- “First of all, the hotel was staffed with friendly, helpful people wherever you turned. They were always happy to help you with whatever you needed.” 4
- “Yes, InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort by IHG is generally worth booking if you prioritize a central Hotel Zone location, comfortable rooms, and reliable service.” 11
- “We really like the IC for this reason - it's a bit of a hike to the airport (not as close as other hotel zone properties), but always very quiet with plenty of loungers and good service.” 12
- “From the moment we checked into the hotel until our checkout the service was top notch. Every employee that we encountered wanted to ensure that we were having a wonderful stay.” 4
- “Relax in the spa in a peaceful environment while your children have fun in ther kids club overlooked by a professional staff.” 15
- “Service: 82 - A bit hit and miss. We've visited twice, and had both very good and very questionable service experiences.” 16
- “Comfortable room (and a nice upgrade to a room with a great view of the ocean)” 12
- “Once I pulled myself away from the view, I took notice of the rest of the room. It wasn't large by any means, but it was very well designed and very comfortable looking.” 13
- “For 171 a night, which includes 50 of resort credit I would say it is just OK. It's a bottom floor room and is decent size, bed is rock hard, shower/tub is old and somewhat groddy. Definitely a case of lipstick on a pig, old rooms that have a superficial remodel.” 8
- “Yes, we are here right now. Paid $70 a night to upgrade. We are glad we did it for the great balcony room.” 10
- “For 171 a night, which includes 50 of resort credit I would say it is just OK. It's a bottom floor room and is decent size, bed is rock hard, shower/tub is old and somewhat groddy.” 8
- “I am especially impressed by the black out curtains. They are roller type shades. The first set is opaque while the second set is complete black out. There is even a bar along the sides of the window to make sure no light sneaks in where the shades meet the wall.” 18
- “With 300 rooms and a reasonably compact layout, the Presidente is more easily navigable than some of Cancun's mega-resorts, and those looking to explore restaurants outside the resort won't mind that the rates aren't all-inclusive.” 6
- “My first impressions of the room were really good, thanks in large part to the huge window which provided a stunning view of the city below.” 13
- “There are several room types and suites available at the hotel. We stayed in one of the King Club Level rooms which had a view of the grounds and the ocean. The room was very spacious and the deck had two chairs and a table so that you could sit and enjoy the view and the breeze.” 4
- “The rooms have always been nice with a comfortable bed, nice bathroom” 8
- “Room Design: 76 - The design is dated, but still very functional and in good shape.There are very limited rooms with terraces, and some of them do not offer any views.” 16
- “The 300 rooms at Presidente InterContinental are modern if a bit chain-like, with veneer zebra wood furniture and black and white photos of Mayan ruins decorating the walls.” 6
- “when we arrived at the resort we asked the front desk if we could get upgraded room and for $25 extra a night we got a room overlooking the ocean which was totally worth it in my opinion so it doesn't hurt to ask” On camera140:18
- “Overall the room feels very much like a standard business hotel. There are some nice modern touches like a backlit headboard and recessed lighting.” 18
- “The rooms have always been nice with a comfortable bed, nice bathroom” 8
What we still don't know
What we can’t tell you yet, said plainly. These close as we read more coverage of this hotel.
- No reviewer has named an individual room number here yet.
- Nothing reliable said about room types.
- Nothing reliable said about building or wing.
- Nothing reliable said about which side it faces.
- Nothing reliable said about view.
- Nothing reliable said about position on the floor.
- 14 sources carry no publication date, so we cannot tell how current they are.
Ask about Intercontinental Presidente Cancun Resort By IHG
Answered only from the coverage cited on this page. If nobody has written about your question, it will say so rather than guess.
How much we read
Deep coverage · 19/100We read 0 sources for this property, covering 0 traveler mentions, boiled down to 0 traveler insights worth knowing. Last checked 2026-09-01.
Watch this hotel
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Sources
Everything quoted on this page, grouped by traveler insights, outlets, and video & podcast. Counts beside each group show everything we’ve read of that kind; no one kind can carry the score on its own.
7 of 7 summary lines above are traced to specific quotes. The rest summarise the read as a whole rather than any single document.
View all 20 cited sources▾
Everything quoted on this page.
- 16Review : Intercontinental Presidente Cancun Resortweleavetoday.comReview site2025-04-03Recent4 quotes used
“Cleanliness/Maintenance: 86 - Very clean, and well maintenance for an older hotel.”
Read originalweleavetoday.com - 6Presidente InterContinental Cancun Resort Reviewoyster.comReview site2024-08-08Ageing5 quotes used
“Lagoon-side rooms on lower floors sometimes get street noise”
Read originaloyster.com - 12InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort Bottom Line ...frequentmiler.comReview site2023-10-15Ageing9 quotes used
“Like Lars below, the location is really great - not only in a position to avoid seaweed, but because it's one of the last hotels in the hotel zone, the beach is very quiet (and wide).”
Read originalfrequentmiler.com - 4Intercontinental Presidente Cancun Resort Review, A ...sasforshort.comReview site2023-06-01Ageing7 quotes used
“I'll have to keep this on my list because we love going places around the Christmas holidays. It was so pretty and quiet for a Cancun resort.”
Read originalsasforshort.com - 8InterContinental Presidente Resort review : r/cancunreddit.comForum thread2022-06-22Ageing9 quotes used
“Restaurants, staff and pool areas are all very nice. No complaints about that.”
Read originalreddit.com - 18InterContinental Presidente Cancun Review - SingleFlyersingleflyer.comReview site2017-08-24Ageing5 quotes used
“The food was good, but overall the restaurant seemed overpriced.”
Read originalsingleflyer.com
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