Opened in late 2024, AVA Resort Cancun is a sleek, five-star, all-inclusive resort with serious family-friendly appeal. It spans a massive 70 acres, with about 1,600 all-ocean-view rooms, six stunning pools (including a 2.8-acre saltwater lagoon), and nearly 30 places to eat and drink. The resort is designed to entertain every age, from the DIY piñata making at the kids’ club to extra activities like laser tag and an on-site escape room. Add in 24/7 room service, elevated global dining (no soggy buffet trays here), and rooms with modern finishes, and AVA lives up to its promise to be a next-gen resort for the modern family.

Stunning Views from Every Room

One of the standout features at AVA Resort Cancun is that every room is ocean-facing, which means no matter your budget or room category, you’ll wake up to a stunning view. That alone sets this resort apart from many others in the area. The rooms are sleek and modern with a calming neutral palette, plenty of space to spread out, and thoughtful touches like wristbands with the room key so you don't have to look for it after a long day.

Rooms come in several layouts, depending on your crew size. There are standard king or two‑queen rooms with sofa beds, oceanfront friends and family suites with daybeds, and even multi-bedroom suites and villas. Each room also has a private terrace featuring a jet spa tub, a nice bonus after a long beach day. 

If you have a big family or multiple families vacationing together, opt for a family suite or splurge on the villa. These can accommodate from 6-12 guests and include kitchenettes, living spaces, multiple bedrooms, and private terraces. 

Food: Where AVA Really Stands Out

When it comes to food, AVA Resort truly overdelivers. From poolside snacks (the shrimp ceviche was next level) to full sit-down dinners, everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The variety, quality, and attention to detail easily make this a 5-star food experience, which isn’t something I say lightly as a parent who's been to a lot of all-inclusive resorts and hotels. 

The best part about all of these food options at the resort is that they are all included. A mocha cappuccino in the morning, poolside ceviche, dinner at Black Iron, gelato cones any time of day, and even room service: all day, every day, it's all included.

Buffet (2 locations)

The resort is huge, with a North and a South side, so it makes sense to have buffets on either side. I go into buffets with low expectations (especially with kids in tow), but both of AVA’s buffet restaurants were solid wins. The breakfast spread had all the basics like omelets and crepe stations made to order, fresh fruit, and so many pastries, but also plenty of options for kids who just want cereal or pancakes. At lunch and dinner, the buffets rotate themes and have a mix of local Mexican dishes, grilled meats, pastas, and salads. My recommendation is to hit the buffet for breakfast and lunch, then make a dinner reservation at one of the restaurants.

Dinner Spots

I didn’t get to try every restaurant (there are seven total), but the ones I did get to, Livo, Copal, and Veranda, are all fantastic and feature Mediterranean-style dishes, authentic Mexican food, and Italian food, respectively. There is also a Benihana-style restaurant, Kita that kids love. 

The one place I couldn’t get into because it books up fast was Black Iron, the steakhouse. It’s probably the most popular non-buffet option, so if you’re heading to AVA, I’d highly recommend making a reservation for it as soon as you check in (or sooner if possible). 

Snacks, Treats & Caffeine Fixes

Between meals, I hit Aroma Café & Bakery more than once a day for fabulous coffee, pastries, and grab-and-go options.  The taco stand (Copal) is delicious, and your kids will stop off at Konos, the frozen yogurt and gelato shop, as many times a day as you allow. There are also several bars on the property with fantastic cocktails (not watered down and creatively delicious!) and mocktails. 

Challenge yourself on the obstacle course in the pool with a view of the ocean!

Pools: Lively, Splashing, or Adults-Only

If your family is a pool-first vacation crew, AVA Resort Cancun doesn’t disappoint. There are six pools total, including a lively family pool (with shallow areas and a swim-up bar), a splash-pad waterpark just for kids with slides and a splash bucket, and two pools set within the 2.8‑acre saltwater lagoon where you can go paddleboarding, canoeing, or even try out the inflatable obstacle course!

For a quieter moment (or cocktail), there’s one adults-only pool, a sleek infinity-edge space with panoramic ocean views and full lounge service, if you happen to have a kid-free moment.

Poolside snacks and drinks are plentiful and convenient, so you don’t have to leave the pool to refuel. 

The Kid Zone keeps kids busy indoors.

My Favorite Part: Kids are VIPs

At AVA, it’s clear that children and teens aren’t an afterthought and are treated like important guests with their own dedicated spaces and schedules. The Kids Club (ages 4–10) runs daily and is packed with supervised activities like arts and crafts, nature walks, marine-life discovery, trampolines, indoor slides, and interactive digital games. The water-themed Aquatico waterpark is a hit daily, and there were daily drop-in activities like pizza making and glass painting. These are all free activities included in the all-inclusive rate. 

Teens (11–17) get their own hangout zone, The Lounge, for free as well, where they can play basketball, ping-pong, and video games or just chill with snacks away from the littles and parents. 

Evening included (free) activities include the Digit Bar, where you can hear karaoke one night, BINGO the next, and even a poker night with fake money that can be turned in for prizes. The Acto Live Show is held in the grand theater and puts on shows like Mariachi Night, comedy, and more. There is a kids' show at 7pm.

What's not included? There are several paid extras that kids and parents can enjoy together. Bowling, laser tag, an escape room (with a Scooby Doo theme!), racing on the Forza driving simulator, and an arcade where you can play skee-ball all night all incur an additional cost that is not included in the all-inclusive resort rate. Prices range from inexpensive game cards for the arcade to $45 per person for the Escape Room. 

Spa & Fitness Center

The spa at AVA is absolutely beautiful, and super luxe. At 66,000 square feet, it offers 55 treatment rooms (singles, doubles, and VIP suites) packed into a tranquil setting with hydrotherapy circuits, steam rooms, saunas, and calming lounges. I tried the hydrotherapy circuit that included the sauna and steam room session, followed by a cold plunge, jacuzzi with all sorts of jets, and a signature massage that left me wanting to nap the rest of the day. While I highly recommend the hydrotherapy and a spa treatment at the Spa, spa services are not included in the resort rate. 

Adjacent to the spa is the FIIT Wellness Center, an 11,400 sq‑ft, two‑floor gym (with TechnoGym, spin, Pilates, yoga, TRX, and group fitness like HIIT and cycling). The fitness classes and use of the fitness center are all included in the resort rate, and it's one of the best resort gyms I've ever seen. 

FAQ for Parents: The TL;DR

1. It's Like a Cruise On Land
AVA is tucked into a protected mangrove area just north of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, which makes for a beautiful and quiet setting, but also means it’s not the kind of place you can easily pop in and out of. The drive from the airport takes about 30-40 minutes, and once you’re there, it feels like its own little world. Think of it like a cruise on land: all the food, fun, and activities are already here, so it’s best to settle in and enjoy everything on-site.

If you want to explore and shop off-property, this might not be for you. If you want a relaxing getaway all in one spot with plenty to do, this is family vacation Nirvana.

2. Planning is Key (Especially for Dining)
There are over a dozen restaurants to choose from, but only a few require reservations and some of the most popular (like Black Iron, the steakhouse) book up fast. Luckily, the two buffets are open all day and don’t require reservations, which makes dining with kids more flexible.

3. All-Inclusive is Almost-All-Inclusive
The AVA Kids Club is included and packed with creative things like DIY piñatas and the incredible playroom with a glowing ball pit and tube slide. There’s also a teen lounge and the Digit Bar, which is free for guests. However, activities like laser tag, escape rooms, and VR stations come with an extra charge, so it's a good idea to budget a little extra if you think your older kids will want to take part in those bonus activities.

4. The Vibe is Casual & Family-Friendly
AVA nails the sweet spot between luxury and family-friendly. The design is gorgeous (think sand-toned interiors and ocean views everywhere) without being stuffy or formal. You can walk into most restaurants in resort casual clothing, and families are clearly welcome throughout the property. 

5. Plan (Yep, So Nice I'm Saying it Twice)
Because there’s so much to do, especially if you’re trying to balance pool time, spa visits, dining, and kid activities, it’s easy to miss something. I’d recommend taking a little time on your first day to check out the daily schedule, which is available on the TV in the room, stop by the concierge desk, and make any necessary bookings. That way, you won't go home with FOMO.

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Photos by the author