Hotel Oasis Viva Cancun

Between the lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean, the Oasis Viva Beach is located on the large and only avenue linking Cancun's city centre (roughly 5 mi from the hotel) to the city's tourist centre. On the seafront, the hotel is located in a hotel zone, a 5-10 minute bus ride (24 hours a day) from the centre. Walk a few feet and you will be at the shopping centre, and another 5 minutes and you will be at ?Coco Bango? or ?The City?, one of the city's trendiest night clubs! From the beach, you can make out the buildings of Isla Mujeres, which protects the bay from the ocean's wrath. Cancun international airport, 14 mi away, can be reached within half an hour.

Couples and families are welcome. What a shame there isn't a children's club. Half the clientele, rather young, is American. When we visited in May 2007, a tower block was being built next to it (the works ended in 2007). It was due to be attached to the hotel so as to offer more luxury rooms. There may be less room on the beach since the tour has been built!

Accommodation tip: Book early, the accommodation rate always being very high!

Built in 1977, this 9-storey hotel proudly rises towards the sky, especially since it was renovated in November 2006. This is when 2 extra floors were added. Compared to the other hotels in the area, the Oasis Viva Beach seems small, or rather, comfortably sized. It is, nevertheless, spacious inside, as the stylish and contemporary lobby proves, bathed in natural light thanks to its large patio doors. The much present black marble is brightened up everywhere with touches of red. Outside, you will find an almost square swimming pool facing the sea and the beach. It is a shame that there is only one lift to take the guests up to the 276 rooms!

With a view of the sea, the 276 rooms, which have an approximate surface area of 431 sq ft, are simply designed with twin beds or a king size bed. More or less renovated, they are equipped with a stocked mini-bar, a safe available for a fee (?4 a day), a telephone, a television with between 30 and 40 channels and air-conditioning. Note that the soundproofing is poor and that only half the rooms have a balcony. The bathrooms are equipped with a bathtub and toilets. The sink is outside the bathroom, surrounded by a large sink unit, with a long mirror above it (a hair-dryer, a great quantity of "Oasis" hospitality products).

With patio doors the length of the buffet hall, you will have a view of the turquoise water while you eat. It serves varied international cuisine. You will particularly enjoy the small outdoor catering area. There are also 4 little bars, including the lounge bar in the reception where music is played from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, the oriental bar which serves sushi (12:00 pm-9:00 pm), the swimming pool bar and the snack bar. Three à la carte restaurants make the Oasis Viva Beach complete. Dos Lunas serves Mediterranean dishes for lunch and Italian cuisine for dinner, upon reservation. Another option, the Mexican restaurant for dinner (upon reservation) and seafood for lunch. Candle-lit dinners can also be reserved.

Calm but busy, the beach stretches in front of the forever peaceful sea, which is so because the bay is protected by a barrier formed by Isla Mujeres in the distance. A line of buoys stops the seaweed from reaching within 33 ft of the seashore. The buoys also stop the sand from being washed away by the sea. Ideal for children, as despite the few rocks on the shore, the beach slopes very gently into the water: an adult will still be able to stand up in the water, even 33 ft in. Beyond the wall of buoys, you will find the depths of the ocean's clear water. Neighbouring hotels offer water sports activities. Kayaking is, however, offered by this hotel, and masks and snorkels are provided.