Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa in Cancun, Mexico
Julie Register visited this hotel spa in Cancun's Hotel Zone in September 2002

*I visited Spa del Mar at Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa in the worst storm I had ever been in - Hurricane Isadore. It wasn't the best circumstances to visit a spa, yet it was certainly a nice way to get my mind off the weather.

I found my way to the spa via an underground service tunnel since the normal entrance is outside across the normally lovely grounds. The 15,000 square foot, two story Spa del Mar was quite bright and cheery considering the circumstances. *The upper level houses the well-equipped gym ( the latest cardiovascular machines, strength equipment, spinning and aerobic studio, stretching area, etc.) and its one wall of windows overlooks the pools and the Caribbean Sea. The lower level houses the spacious European-style spa. Lots of windows in the reception / juice bar area flood the area with light. There are complete and separate men's and women's facilities - locker room with vanity area, cold plunge pool, whirlpool, steam room, pitchers of water and other cool drinks, an inhalation room, sauna, showers, and relaxation lounge for after treatments. Co-ed areas include the waiting room, outdoor waterfall whirlpool and juice bar. The 14 treatment rooms (one Galien Jet Shower, one hydrotherapy, three wet, two facial, seven massage) are accessed by the waiting room and both locker rooms.

Spa del Mar offers a full array of body treatments (exfoliations, body masks, body wraps), facial treatments (lifting, deep cleansing, gentlemen's, anti free radical, vitamin C, cellular), hydrotherapy treatments with seaweed, mineral-rich muds, or essential oils, massage (Swedish, aromatherapy, reflexology, shiatsu, deep tissue, hot stone, beach, moonlight)

I checked in and changed in the locker room. I had enough time to enjoy the whirlpool, cold plunge, steam, inhalation room and sauna before heading to the waiting room. As soon as I arrived, my therapist, Artemezia, came to escort me to a massage treatment room. I had a very relaxing aromatherapy massage with massage cream and the essential oils of melisa and romero. Melisa is commonly used in Cancun spas. Just as I now associate the aroma of lemongrass with Thailand, I will now always think of Cancun when I smell melisa.

Le Meridien is family-friendly. Complementary activities (crafts, cooking, games) are provided for children ages 4-12 years. Each of the 213 guest rooms (including 26 suites) has either or both ocean and lagoon views. All guest rooms and suites are decorated luxuriously with marble bathroom and custom designed armoire. Additional features include satellite-access color television with PPV, robes, slippers, iron, iron board, coffee maker, an extensive mini bar, three telephones with a modem plug, in-room safe, alarm clock-radio and 24 hour room service. All suites have VCR, hi-fi and kitchenette with a microwave. Outside, there are three pools connected by cascading waterfalls and a Jacuzzi.

Information and Photos

Contact Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa • Address: Retorno del Rey, Lote 37-1, KM14 Zona Hotelera , Cancun, 77500, Mexico • Phone: Tel: 01152 998 881 2200 • Web Site Related Resources Cancun • Cancun.info	More Spas in and around Cancun • Mexico Spa Directory The Hotel Zone in Cancun • Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa • Ritz-Carlton Cancun • The Royal Sands Puerto Morelos • Ceiba del Mar • Thalasso Center at Paraiso de la Bonita Other • The Salon Spa at the Cancun Airport
Spa Floorplan* Spa Reception Desk Waiting Area Women's Locker Room Women's Vanity Women't Steam Room, Whirlpool, Cold Plunge Pool Inhalation and Sauna Relaxation Area	Wet Treatment Area Hydrotherapy Tub Facial Treatment Room Fitness Reception Desk Spinning Room Spa Cafe Outdoor Whirlpool Outdoor Massage* Pool*
Eyewitness Travel Guide to Mexico	Frommer's Cancun, Cozumel and the Yucatan 2004
Spas and Hot Springs of Mexico: Over 60 Restful Places from World-Class Spas to Simple Hot Springs	Jiffy Phrasebook Spanish
Adventure Guide to the Yucatan, Cancun & Cozumel	Hidden Cancun & the Yucatan

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Photos copyright 2002, Julie Register
except those marked * which have been provided by Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa