Along Cancun’s Caribbean coast are numerous eco-friendly, all-inclusive resorts. What sets the Seadust Cancun Family Resort apart from most is the focus on families. You won’t find rowdy spring break parties here; the resort attracts many local families as well as international visitors. Ranked #11 out of 180 Cancun resorts by TripAdvisor. After a multi-million dollar renovation, the resort has updated rooms and new play areas. And then, of course, there’s the perfect location on the beach.

Disclosure: The writer was hosted.

Why the Seadust Cancun is a Great All-Inclusive Family Resort in Cancun.

1. Ideal Beach Location.
2. New and updated family resort amenities.
3. Quiet Spaces for Adults.
4. Around The Clock and International Dining.
5. Thrilling Cancun Family Excursions.

Upon arrival at the Seadust Cancun Family Resort, the first thing I noticed was all the families. They were playing on the beach, splashing in the pools, and perusing the many dining options. So as a solo traveler on this hosted trip, what did I do at this Cancun all-inclusive resort? I ordered a margarita and went straight to the beach. After a dip in the warm water, I found a spot under a palapa and took in the scene.

1. Ideal Beach Location.

Situated on Cancun’s renowned hotel zone, the resort’s beach is a perfect place to swim and snooze. Complimentary lounge chairs, palapas and bar service enhance a day at the beach. Busy servers deliver burgers, fries, and drinks to families and young couples. Meanwhile, a lifeguard keeps watch as kids duck under waves and play in the silky soft sand.

In a few months, lifeguards will have assistance from a lifeguard drone. In case of emergency, the drone will be deployed via remote control by the lifeguard in charge. Think of it as an extra set of eyes.

2. New and Updated Family Resort Amenities.

As part of the major renovation, all 505 family and adults-only suites were updated. Family suites with partial or full ocean views offer parents and kids privacy. A partial wall separates kids’ bunk beds and their TV, from the parents sleeping/TV area.

My 12th floor adults-only Sunset Suite faced the ocean and lagoon and had a Jacuzzi on my private balcony. I also had a peek-a-boo view of the swim beach. Each evening I enjoyed a glass of the bubbly while watching the sunset from my Jacuzzi.

New additions for all rooms include 50″ Smart TVs include Total Play, a feature that enables you to enjoy HD entertainment and connect to your Netflix account. Mini fridges are refreshed daily with sodas and beer.

And New Family Hospitality Spaces too!

The kids’ areas also underwent a remodel.  Oodles of family fun await at the Treasure Island Water Park. I tagged along at times with a family I met from Colorado. Their two kids, ages 10 and 12, had a blast on the water slides and playing mini golf. There’s also a new pint-sized zip line and climbing wall. In addition, the Baby Club, Kids Club, and Teen Club have been revamped.

Evening entertainment was impressive. We enjoyed watching a Michael Jackson impersonator in the theater. On another evening, we went to the karaoke bar.

The updated Hospitality Room is a place to rest and refresh before check-in or between check-out and airport transfer. It’s ideal for that awkward time when you’ve checked out but still have hours before your flight. The spacious room has couches, TVs, snacks, showers, and restrooms. Until 3 p.m. you have full access to the resort’s restaurants and amenities.

3. Quiet Spaces for Adults.

The Seadust Cancun Family Resort caters to families, but it understands that parents need a time out too. The adult pool with a swim-up bar and whirlpools are located at the back of the resort away from the family pools.

But for true bliss, make an appointment at the spa. The best part of my service was the spa’s signature Harmony Ritual, a leg, and foot massage. The 30-minute foot massage includes a salt mineral exfoliation. Afterward, I had a 50-minute relaxing massage (unfortunately, it didn’t include a neck massage).

4. Around The Clock and International Dining.

No-one goes hungry at all-inclusive Cancun family resorts. At Seadust, there are eight international restaurants and three snack bars. The casual Food Court itself has 11 stations with international cuisine. This seemed popular with families. The only thing is the food must be eaten inside the cafeteria-style room. For ambiance, try one of the eight themed restaurants.

I sampled a few, but especially enjoyed the happy hour offerings at Le Vin et Le Fromage. Open in the late afternoon, it serves platters of gourmet cheeses, crackers, and fruit along with wine and cocktails. A good option for snacks is La Creperie. I had a tasty crepe with mango and nuts.

For adults seeking peace and quiet (or romance), I recommend the Atlantis restaurant for breakfast and dinner. Located on the 10th level, the restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views.

If hunger pangs strike during the night, there’s 24-hour room service.

5. Thrilling Cancun Family Excursions.

While it would be easy to spend your entire family vacation at the resort, I recommend an excursion. After all, Cancun has many eco-friendly attractions and historic sites. Excursions and transportation can be booked at the resort. We were scheduled to swim with whale sharks. But it was just the beginning of the migration season (May- September) and there weren’t any sightings. Plan B was a Turtles & Cenotes Tour with Ocean Tours Mexico.

Swimming with Turtles!

Our driver and guide Jan Paul (JP) picked us up at the hotel for the half-day tour. Along the way, JP discussed turtle species and the importance of protecting reefs and other natural areas. We slathered on reef-safe sunscreen for our first stop – snorkeling in Akumal, which means “place of the turtle” in Mayan. Situated in Riviera Maya, Akumal has reefs that attract marine life including turtles. That day, we saw three.

Jungles and Caves.

Next, we drove to a nearby jungle for lunch and swimming in a cave. The light lunch consisted of empanadas and fruit.

Fortified, we took a walk through the jungle, with JP pointing out various plants and their common uses. It was hot and humid, so we were glad to step through the first cenote. This one was small and dry, but cool nonetheless. Riviera Maya has a network of hundreds of cenotes, each one unique. The second cenote was in stark contrast to the first. We jumped into the cold water and swam through narrow passages. The water was deep since it had recently rained. In fact, JP said the water level was usually about two feet max. On this day it was about 15 feet deep. Swimming a couple of inches below stalactites caused a few jitters among our group. But soon, we swam back to the mouth and climbed out.

Back at the Seadust Cancun Family Resort, there was time for a margarita on the beach before dinner.