AVA Resort in Cancun Mexico costs around £450 per night which is certainly not cheap, but the all-inclusive resort hotel offers a huge amount to those lucky enough to stay there
Growing up, all-inclusive holidays were a must for my family—not only for the ease of eating at the hotel every night but also for lifting the burden of feeding four children from my parents’ shoulders.
As I’ve moved through life, holidays with friends and partners have become more of a self-catering affair to reduce costs. The encouragement to explore different restaurants while away is also a huge selling point for me—something I didn’t realise could be achieved on an all-inclusive break. That was until I spent five days at the five-star AVA Resort in the sunny city of Cancun, Mexico.
It is unsurprising that the delights on offer here were a world away from the buffets found at package-deal holiday sites across Europe, where I spent many happy times in my youth. Not to knock those—but AVA was on a whole other plane when it came to food and drink service, something I’d never experienced before.
READ MORE: ‘Tormenting’ acts of holidaymakers sees ten Airbnbs shut down in Spanish hotspot
The restaurants on offer include a French dining experience at Chez Moi, Asian cuisine at Bao, and teppanyaki at two other venues in the vast hotel. Mediterranean cuisine is also available, along with a host of fabulous cocktails and more ice cream than you could ever eat.
But what impressed me most about the dining at AVA was that each dinner restaurant was waiter-served and came with a menu. Simply deciding what to eat as you would at any other paying eatery made me forget I was in a hotel at all. Instead, I was met with fine dining options just metres from my hotel room—a fact that came in handy after enjoying the fantastic food devoured each night.
The best of which, for me, was a confit goat starter at Chez Moi that melted onto the plate. This was followed by filet steak paired with a rich, meaty sauce that made you forget you were sitting in a resort and transported you straight to heaven.
Cocktails also went down a treat at The Cocktail Bar a few feet away, with a cosmopolitan giving all the best Sex and the City airs and graces, and a spicy margarita reminding me I was in the vibrant country of Mexico. The pistachio gelato was something I couldn’t resist each time I passed the ice cream stand, which felt like a shop although no payment was needed.
This truly helped me feel as though I was exploring the place I was in, as opposed to being trapped with whatever food and drink I was given. A tip from me would be to cover whatever ice cream flavour you choose with caramel sauce and coconut flakes—because, of course, calories do not count on holiday.
Waiters also served me as I lounged by the pool, with no need to haul myself up from a horizontal position to grab a beverage or lunch of tacos, nachos, or a vibrant salad.
The all-inclusive options were absolutely incredible, but with a price tag of around £450 per night, I would expect nothing less from AVA Resort Cancun.
Book it
Seven nights at the brand new five-star AVA Resort Cancun costs from just £1,651 per person on a premium all-inclusive basis in an Oceanfront King Room with Sea View and Balcony with two-person spa tub. Price is based on two adults sharing on an All-Inclusive Basis and includes direct return flights from London Gatwick to Cancun. Price based on select September 2025 departures. Visit AVA Resort Cancun for rooms.
British Airways flights from London Gatwick to Cancun cost from £498.