I stayed at an all-inclusive Margaritaville for $350 a night. I left convinced it's the best resort in Mexico — and I'm not even a Jimmy Buffett fan.

Simone PagetJun 15, 2024, 21:04 IST

There are plenty of references to the late Jimmy Buffett throughout the resort. Simone Paget

I'm not really a Jimmy Buffett fan, but Margaritaville Cancún is my favorite all-inclusive resort.
All of the food at the resort, from breakfast to taco boats, was amazing.

I've never really been a fan of Jimmy Buffett's music, and the late musician's Margaritaville hotels and restaurants have always struck me as a little cheesy.

But my recent stay at Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya in Carretera Tulum, Cancún, which opened in January 2023, changed my attitude.

All-inclusive travel is as luxurious and widespread as ever — even major hotel chains like Hyatt and Marriott offer such properties.

I've been to dozens of luxury resorts in Mexico. But, surprisingly, Margaritaville was one of the nicest and least cheesy all-inclusive experiences I've had.

For $1,400, I spent five days and four nights eating, drinking, lounging by the pool, and enjoying some of the hotel's unique amenities. Now, I can't wait to return.

Here's why it was so amazing.

There are references to Buffett throughout the resort.

I caught on to some famous Jimmy Buffett lyrics throughout the trip.Simone Paget

It's an adults-only resort.

I love staying at adults-only resorts. Simone Paget

The rooms are modern, stylish, and luxurious.

Splurging on a swim-up suite might be the way to go. Simone Paget

Little touches make the rooms bright and fun.

There were bright colors everywhere. Simone Paget

The tropical theme was everywhere — no detail was spared.

Even the bedding felt tropical. Simone Paget

I had a ball customizing my minibar.

I could choose which drinks and snacks to fill my minibar with. Simone Paget

Margaritas were available everywhere.

Mango margaritas are my favorite. Simone Paget

The food looked as good as it tasted.

I ate so many tacos at Margaritaville. Simone Paget

Breakfast was next-level great, too.

There were speedboat booths in the breakfast dining room. Simone Paget

The stand-alone restaurants are beautiful.

The resort had a restaurant called Frank and Lola's after the Jimmy Buffett song.Simone Paget

The taco boat is not to be missed.

We ate tacos in a pool — it doesn't get much better than that.Simone Paget

There’s also poolside ceviche.

I could choose from several ceviche options. Simone Paget

The Salted Rim Margarita Bar & Lounge serves delicious craft cocktails.

There's a more upscale bar in the resort lobby. Simone Paget

There’s a pool for every kind of guest.

The quiet pools were relaxing, and the main pool was tons of fun.Simone Paget

You can play pickleball on the roof.

The views from the roof were stunning. Simone Paget

It feels more like a boutique hotel than a large resort.

I still can't get over how good the food was. Simone Paget

You don’t have to be a Parrothead to enjoy Margaritaville.

I'm completely sold on the Margaritaville lifestyle. Simone Paget

The top 10 cities with the most homes under $200,000 all share the same thing: baked-in affordability

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

I stayed at an all-inclusive Margaritaville for $350 a night. I left convinced it's the best resort in Mexico &mdash; and I'm not even a Jimmy Buffett fan.