Centrally located in Cancun’s hotel zone, the Seadust Cancun is a beloved family property that was recently acquired by Playa Resorts. Ripe for a renovation, this resort is undergoing an extensive rebrand will emerge a polished family friendly all-inclusive in Mexico. With all-inclusive family activities leading the way, families will find several infinity pools, a white sand beach with loungers and a lifeguard and activities from a kids club to a water park to a spa. Read on to see if the Seadust Cancun Family Resort for families works for your Mexican getaway.
Seadust Cancun Family Resort for Families
Originally the Great Parnassus resort when it opened, this property has been the Seadust Cancun Family Resort for last 15 years. Located next to the Iberostar Selection Cancun and across the street from its golf course, it is just a 10-minute walk from the famed Cancun sign along the beach. The Mayan Museum of Cancun is located next to the resort and its ruins can be seen from the upper floors on the lagoon side of the property.
Greeting guests, the resort offers an indoor-outdoor lobby space with a gelato bar. Once registered, guests enter the grand avenue, or the Via Veneto, for the majority of the 10 restaurants at the SeaDust Cancun Family Resort. Above, all guest rooms are located in one building.
The resort caters to families though it offers several bars for adults. The second floor offers an adults-only pool and cabana area. For this reason it is a favorite with large family groups.
The main pools are located near the palm tree lined beach. The kid zone is located in the back of the property with a treasure island themed water park, mini golf and the kids club for kids ages 18-months to 12-years-old.
What Works at Seadust Cancun Family Resort for Families
- Lots of pools to explore with a vibrant vibe.
- The pools and beach are close to each other.
- Life guards on duty during the day.
- Separate water park near Kids Club
- Mini golf on property along with sports court.
- Restaurants located close to one another and stroller friendly
- Ice cream available in Lobby.
Keep in Mind
This resort is undergoing a renovation. During my stay, some facilities and restuarants were closed. Though I never saw construction or heard construction noise.
My Suite at the Seadust Cancun Family Resort
During my stay, I enjoyed a Sunset View Suite overlooking the lagoon separating Cancun’s Hotel Zone from the mainland. It offers views of the mangroves down below that protects the native vegetation along with a Mayan ruin at the Mayan Museum and a nearby golf course.
As the name implies, the sunsets are lovely on this side of the hotel and guests can enjoy one from balcony’s sun loungers. Divided into zones, my room felt quite spacious with an expansive bathing and dressing area, the main room room area with a white dressed king bed along with the balcony, perfect for lounging and relaxing.
My room featured a beverage center with complimentary Mexican beer along Pepsi products along with juice and water. For convenience, a drinking water filler is available on each floor. The beverage bar area offered an in-room coffee maker along with glass cocktail glasses and coffee mugs, paired with an ice bucket.
My king-sized bed was dressed with white cotton linens and comfortable. The black headboard went from the floor-to-ceiling and over the bed a ceiling fan kept the air moving.
The room featured a storage console along with a large flat screen TV. Additionally a small table was located on one side with a small table.
Since I work on trips, this was the only space to work and it didn’t feature an outlet next to it. I used the outlets near the bed. The Wifi was consistent in my room and throughout the majority of the resort. It was spotty as the beach itself.
My balcony was quite spacious and featured a small table and chair for morning coffee or cocktails. Though the standout feature was the private jacuzzi tub on the balcony with a waterfall tub filler. My balcony also featured a pair of sun loungers.
My Bathroom at the Seadust Cancun
The marble accented bathroom was quite large in my suite at the Seadust Cancun Family Resort. It offered a double vanity with a marble countertop and a large mirror above provided good lighting for dressing and make-up application.
The room is served by a walk-in shower with a rain shower head. There is a separate water closet for privacy.
The dressing area is located next to the bathing area with a bank of reach-in closets. It offers an iron and board, white bathrobes along with slippers, a hairdryer and in-room safe. With three separate bays if offered a luggage rack along with lots of hangers and shelves for folded clothes.
The dressing area featured a large mirror along with a counter. Though the area lacked chair and some might be added in the upcoming renovation like the renovated model room offered.
What’s New at the Seadust Cancun
The popular Seadust Cancan Family Resort was recently acquired by Playa Resorts and undergoing a rebrand and renovation. This property is a perennial favorite with families for its prime location along Cancun’s hotel zone along with its activities and amenities at a good price point.
The Seadust Cancun Family Resort will emerge from the process with a polished new feel, like renovated guest rooms, new lobby and pool makeovers. In line with its signature feel, Playa Resorts is focusing on native woods and organic textures with pops of tropical color. All elements that are reminiscent of the Yucatan Peninsula as a whole.
The rooms will receive new contemporary furnishings and accents. The adjoining bathrooms will be revitalized with neutral marble. Though the generous dimensions of the rooms remain, each suite exceeds 500-square-feet in guest space. The private Jacuzzi tubs on some balconies will remain as well.
Suites at the Seadust Cancun Family Resort
The rooms at the Seadust all measure more than 500-square feet and as a family resort, each offer enough space for a pack-and-play. All are equipped with standard amenities like resort-wide wifi, large flat screen TV, a hair dryer along with air-conditioning.
The large dressing area and closet includes an iron and board, in-room safe and ample space for hanging and folded clothes.
The Standard Seadust Suites
With a resort view, the rooms are configured with a pair of double beds or a king. Each offers a private, furnished balcony overlooking Cancun’s famed Hotel Zone.
Currently the rooms are accented with black furniture with white linens along midnight blue accents. The Playa Resorts signature color scheme will prevail and the new rooms will emerge in muted native wood tones along with pops of Caribbean blue turquoise.
Family Seadust Suites
With a set of bunk beds along with a trundle below, the Seadust family suites offer sleeping accommodations for five people. The bunk area is located in an alcove off the main room area outfitted with a king-sized bed (or two double beds).
In line with the other suites, the family suites include a spacious bathroom along with a beverage station and a stocked mini fridge. The family suites offers a partial ocean view from its furnished balcony. Additionally there is room for a pack-n-play for babies.
Ocean Front Seadust Suites
With the turquoise waters pulling the eyes to its constant waves, the floor-to-ceiling wall of windows begs to stay open. The Ocean Front Suites are larger than the resort’s standard suites and offer additional upgrades.
The most desirable feature is the Jacuzzi tub on the private balcony. Begging for a bubble bath, the tubs are perfect for two and encourage soaking. Additionally the balconies are furnished with a pair of loungers along with a small table and chair for morning coffee.
A lagoon view version of the suite is also available overlooking the mangrove, nearby golf coarse and Mayan ruins. These suites are above the second floor adults-only area with a private infinity pool along with a pair of large whirlpool tubs and its own separate bar with poolside service.
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Restaurants at the Seadust Cancun Family Resort
The Seadust Cancun Family Resort offers 10 restaurants showcasing international flavors. Each restaurant offers its own hours and days of operation.
Food Gallery
With 11 stations in its open kitchen format, the Food Gallery is the main buffet at Seadust Cancun Family Resort. It offers a selection of hot and cold entrees for breakfast, lunch and dinner with many international dishes, like Mexican, Asian, Italian along with vegetarian and seafood options.
During my stay, I enjoyed the Food Gallery for breakfast and found lots of options from yogurt to little boxes of cereal for the kids to waffles, egg dishes and more. The dining room offered lots of seating from two-top tables to tables for larger groups.
The Food Gallery is open from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. with one-hour breaks between breakfast and lunch, then lunch and dinner. It is located at the end of the Via Veneta.
Lighthouse
With an upscale breakfast buffet in the morning, the Lighthouse offers an assortment of hot and cold menu items from smoked salmon and bagels to hot options like French toast or Chilequiles. Diners also will find a large selection of pastries along with yogurt and fruit.
For lunch, the Lighthouse is open though had a wait during my visit. It offered a salad bar along with hot entrees. As the night fell, the Lighthouse changed its menu to Mediterranean with seafood along with pasta and pizza options.
Located on the Via Veneto with varied hours.
El Maguey
Near the kids club and waterpark, El Maguey is missed by some Seadust Cancun Family Resort guests. Open for lunch only, El Maguey offers traditional flavors of Mexican that many travelers crave, like its guacamole. The Mexican avocados are creamier than ones that are found in other places in North America.
Mexican cuisine draws flavors and ingredients from the Mayan culture, like corn and beans. El Maguey offers pre-Hispanic menu items along with favorites, like tortilla soup, grilled camarones and pollo (shrimp and chicken).
The bar mixes up mainstays like margaritas, though guests might want to try a new-to-them drink, like a roasted pineapple mezcalita. Lunch on vacation calls out for dessert and the tres leches cake (three milk) is a standout.
El Maguey is open from noon to 5 p.m.
Manhattan
During my stay, Manhattan was not open for lunch though in my opinion it needed to be, due to limited options for lunch. It offers American flavors like hamburgers and Missouri BBQ sandwiches.
In addition, the menu offers flavors of Mexico like Baja Shrimp Tacos and a pulled pork quesadilla. Vegetarian options include a grilled vegetable ciabatta sandwich and several salads, one of which is vegan.
Dinner is served from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Manhattan is located along the Via Veneto.
Big Bend Grill House
In a recently renovated venue, the Big Ben Grill offers a chef-created menu with flavors from South America and beyond. The Argentinian empanada is flavored with Chimichurri sauce and olives.
The entrees include regional favorites like Mahi-Mahi and Flank Steak. The smoked pork shanks and beef short ribs are stand-outs as well. A cauliflower steak is available along with traditional cuts of beef, like Ribeyes.
The Big Ben Grill House offers a special chef’s menu, not included in the all inclusive plan. Guests can order a tomahawk, porterhouse cut or lobster tail.
The London-themed restaurant is open for dinner only from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Samurai
Located in the center of the Vin Veneto, the Japanese restaurant, Samurai, is a perennial favorite with sushi and Teppanyaki tables available. The menu offers mainstays like rolls, like California and Tempura Shrimp though find variations like Fried Banana rolls as well.
Miso soup and noodles are available and diners will find both Udon and Soba. The drink menu offers Japanese favorites, like Saki. Guests can finish their meal with Tempura Ice Cream.
Samurai is open for dinner only 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and is a favorite for late-night dining.
Florencia
As one of the newer restaurants, the Florencia offers a strictly Italian menu. Where the Lighthouse offers some Italian entrees in a more casual setting, Florencia offers the traditional favorites, like Tuscan Soup and Capresse Salad.
With a menu showcasing U.S. pork and beef, diners will find pasta and grill entrees. The Seafood Fettuccini with a Pinot Grigio Sauce tempts along with the house-made lasagne, cooked in a wood oven, like the pizzas.
Grilled items range from Salmon to Milanese along with a T-Bone. Diners can top their meal with tiramisu, panacotta or cannoli.
Dinner is served from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and the Florencia is located along the Via Veneto.
La Crêperie
The 24-hour coffee bar serves hot barista made drinks only so no iced versions. A hole in its menu that other Playa Resorts offer so hopeful this will be added soon, especially with the warm temperatures of Cancun.
La Crêperie offers light snacks, like small sandwiches, cookies and baked goods throughout the day. As it located next to the lobby, it is an easy grab-and-go for excursions and transportation to the airport.
From 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., La Crêperie offers a crepe-making station where a cook makes crepes to order. Guests can pick from an assortment of toppings, like chocolate sauce, to customize their crepes.
Located near the lobby, next to the Gelato Bar.
Waves and Big Bondo Bar
Serving the main pool, Waves is the snack bar and grill for the area. It offers traditional grilled items. The Big Bondo is the destination for a frozen drink to compliment the dazzling pool and sun.
It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Room Service and Special Events at Seadust Cancun
Guests can enjoy in-room dinning during their stay. Room Service is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Room service is included in the all-inclusive plan.
For those celebrating a special occasion, a gourmet dinner can be arranged for en-suite dining or in the wine cave. In addition, the staff at Seasdust Cancun Family Resort can cater events for larger groups, like weddings, vow renewals or family reunions. During my trip, we enjoyed a special menu for breakfast and dinner on the decks overlooking the Caribbean.
Early morning dining can be tricky for those guests with an early flight. The best option for shuttle departures leaving before 7 a.m. is the 24-hour La Crêperie.
Places for Cocktails, Light Snacks and More
After dark, the bars become entertainment hubs and some offer mixology classes. Guests should check out the schedule located on the TV in their rooms.
The drinks range from classic cocktails to inventive remakes. Some of the bartenders showcase their talents for bottle juggling and glass tricks while others prefer to use a torch to add smoky flavor to drinks.
Kilimanjaro
As the Lobby Bar, it is the destination for a quick drink, like draft beer or a margarita. It also offers mocktails and it open from 9 a.m. to midnight.
La Barra
With an Italian influence, the La Barra offers happy hour snacks, like cheese and charcuterie meats with cocktails. It is located on the Via Veneta and open from 5:30 p.m. to midnight.
Splash Bar
As the main pool bar, it is the go-to bar for tropical drinks and beer along with sodas. It is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This area can also be used for special events by reservation. During my visit, we had a special dinner at sunset and is perfect for small groups.
Squalo Bar
Located under the Splash Bar on the Pool Level, the Squalo Bar is the beach level bar. It also offers drink service to the loungers along the beach. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This area can also be used for special events by reservation. During my visit, we had a custom breakfast menu and is perfect for memorable meals with families.
Midway Bar
Located in the middle of the Via Veneto, the Midway Bar offers an upscale area close to the Big Bend Steakhouse for cocktails and wine. It is open from 5:30 p.m. to midnight.
During my stay, I attended a mixology class at the Midway Bar and I highly recommend the experience for cocktail drinkers.
Fun Bar and Sports
With its TVs and pool table, the Fun Bar and Sports offers a Sports Bar vibe. It is open from 4 to 11 p.m. during the week and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Sea Bar
Located below the Fun Bar and Sports, the Sea Bar features lighted jelly fish on the ceiling. It features live dance music and talented mixologists for a dance club atmosphere.
It is open from 7 p.m. to midnight with the DJ starting at 10 p.m. nightly.
Club Caribe
Located on the second-floor outdoor adults-only area, tropical cocktails are the bartender’s speciality. With poolside service, guest can enjoy a cocktail in a lounger overlooking the infinity pool and the tropical lagoon beyond.
It is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Activites at the Seadust Cancun Family Resort
Seadust Cancun’s Infinity Pools
The outdoor facilities offer something for most guests. The main pool area is family friendly.
Overlooking the beach, the family pool area offers three stair-stepped infinity pools lined with loungers, some with umbrellas. A separate waiting pool is located in the area and the pools are toy friendly.
Pool-goers will find a snack bar and grill along with the Bongo Bar in the area. During the day, activities are offered in the pool, like fun exercise sessions energetic enough for kids.
Club Caribe
For a quieter adults-only oasis, the second floor offers a separate infinity pool with two large whirlpools. This area is serviced by a separate bar with poolside service overlooking the lagoon side of the Seadust Cancun Family Resort property.
This area offers open cabanas, dressed with large cushions that don’t require a separate reservation. During my stay, this area was less crowded than the main pool area.
Slated for a pool renovation, this area is ripe for a glamorous make-over that Playa Resorts is known.
Treasure Island Water Park
Located in the rear of the property, this is part of the Seadust Cancun Family Resort Kid Zone. With a castle to explore, kids can slide down one of two slides. Next to the castle’s moat, kids will find a treasure ship with several slides.
Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kids Club
The Seadust Cancun Family Resort offers a Kids Club along with a separate area for toddlers and preschoolers. Located next to the waterpark, this area is large and offers a covered outdoor space to play along with indoor spaces (air conditioned).
In addition to the water park, the Kids Club has its own wading pool for younger guests. During my visit, I saw the kids club venture out in the resort, each child wearing a special vest to stay together.
The Kids Club offers several organized activities during the day, like arts and crafts. The kids also hit the pool several times a day.
The Kids Club is for kids 5 to 12-years-old. The Babys Club is for toddlers 18-months to 5-years. The Kids Club is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Beach
The Seadust Cancun Family Resort offers a wide beach in comparison to some nearby resorts. It has room for three rows of loungers in addition to a sand play zone. The seating area was covered by a mixture of umbrellas and palapas. It offers a separate bar with beachside drink service.
With a steady wind during my stay, the waves crested close to shore and fun for older kids and adults who bobbed in the roped off swimming area. With a lifegaurd on-duty duing the day and a flag system for the surf. families played along the beach. During my stay, the sargassum seaweed was present though not bad. A tractor did come by to rack it away.
The colorful Cancun sign is just a ten-minute walk away. It is easy for families to take an picture to remember their vacation to Cancun.
Other Activities at the Seadust Cancun Family Resort
Zip Line and Mini Golf
Along the side of the building, families can find a small zip line that transports kids from one platform to the next. Located over the mini-golf course, it’s part of the fun zone for kids with a few climbing sculptures and a climbing wall. This area is for kids 5 to 12-years-old along with their adults.
For older kids, the Seadust Cancun Family Resort offers a tennis court and sports court. Sports equipment can be checked out as well. The Tennis and Multi Sports Court is located near the Club Caribe area. Also for teens, the Seadust Cancun Family Resort offers a teen club with video games. It is in near the water park though it was under going renovation during my visit.
Seadust Cancun Theater Productions
The Seadust Cancun Family Resort offers a daily theater production, geared towards families. During my visit, I enjoyed a Disney sing along. The next day, it was a magic show. The theater offers popcorn and drinks are allowed in. Stroller parking is outside of the theater. The show starts at 8 p.m.
Fitness Center and Spa
Located down the stairs located off the outdoor lobby area, the Seadust Cancun Family Resort features a fitness center and a spa. This area is quiet since its away from the restaurants and elevators.
The Fitness Center offers a line of equipment from strength training to cardio training. There is also a trainer on staff.
The Spa at Seadust
For those looking for a recharge during their vacation, the spa offers a cloistered escape. With a beauty salon, it caters to events, like weddings.
The spa offers a specially designed couple’s therapy room with a pair of treatment tables along with a separate whirlpool. The spa also features a hydrotheraphy area with a large whirlpool and cold plunge pool.
The Spa at Seadust offers treatments with influences from the Mayan people for an immersive experience. There is also treatments with Asian influences as well.
Spa and Salon services are extra and require an appointment.
Cancun Excursions
When I visit Cancun, I enjoy the cenotes. It makes a unique excursion for water lovers. The cenote tour is available through Discova, the tour operator located in the Seadust Cancun Family Resort.
During my excursion, I went to Zapote Cenote in Puerto Morelos, less than an hour from Cancun’s Hotel Zone. Back in the jungle, thousands of spring-fed pools and underground caves have been discovered. Most have been owned by the same families for generations.
Zapote Cenote offer four cenotes with two open cenotes (you can see the sky) and two in a cave. Both experiences are unique and refreshing way to spend an afternoon. During my visit, we used a cart to reach each pool and the staff moves visitors around so the cenotes don’t get crowded.
All centotes offer stairs to enter slowly (the water might feel cool to some swimmers). One of the pools features a zip line to plunge into the water as well as a jumping platform.
The underground cave experience was unforgetable though the caves sometimes have bats. After my cenote experience, I enjoyed a traditional Mexican lunch with made-to-order tacos.
Zapote Cenote also offers a canopy zip line along with ATVs. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Zapote Cenote adult admission starts at $32.50 USD for adults and $25 for kids 12 and younger.
Tips for Traveling to Cancun
The Seadust Cancun Family Resort is located on the western portion of the Hotel Zone. I used Discova for airport transfers to-and-from the Cancun International Airport. The Cancun International Airport serves over 125 worldwide destinations with nonstop service and offers a large duty-free shopping area.
The U.S. dollar is widely accepted in-and-around Cancun. Though change will be in returned in Mexican Pesos so bring lots of smaller bills for small purchases and tips.
Safety is always important when traveling. I have a cell phone plan that includes Mexico so I have data service. When traveling off the resort, I always know where I am going and use reputable transportation companies.
All vehicles are required to pass through a check point to enter the lobby area. So passengers need to be prepared to give their name to the guard.
For the most-up-to-date information, consult the U.S. State Department.
Disclosure
This article was written after a hosted stay.
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