Those familiar with Cancun all-inclusives have either heard of Le Blanc, stayed at Le Blanc, or have it on their vacation “bucket list”.  It is synonymous with luxury, service, and often recommended by travel agents to vacationers searching for the best in spa, destination wedding, or honeymoon resorts.  Regardless of the reason for choosing Le Blanc, being pampered is the order of the day; staff-to-guest ratio is nearly one-to-one.  Floor butlers are available to assist with packing and unpacking, drawing your in-room double Jacuzzi, ironing garments, arranging tours, or making spa reservations.  The poolside concierge will help locate lounge chairs, provide reading material, fresh fruit, and misters to maximize your enjoyment outdoors.  Individualized service is even provided at check-in where new guests register at small work stations–no more wasting important vacation time waiting in long lines just to get a room key.  The aim of Le Blanc is to make everyone feel as if they are VIP’s in a serene, romantic setting, and based on reviews and awards received (AAA Five Diamond, #1 on Trip Advisor, Condé Nast Traveler Gold List), it appears they have done a very good job in achieving that goal.

Many guests make at least one visit to the spa while staying at Le Blanc.  Offering 19 treatment rooms, multiple suites including the Golden Spa Suite (couples can have their spa experience together in this suite), a plethora of spa treatment options, and a complimentary hydrotherapy circuit for all guests, the spa at Le Blanc is a quiet and soothing sanctuary devoted to relaxation and well-being.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When not at the spa, guests can typically be found at one of the three pools or sitting in the bubbling beachfront Jacuzzi.  Since the main resort building adjoins the third floor terrace pool and is close to the main infinity pool, both of these pools get morning sun but experience afternoon shade.  The pool at the front of the property facing Nichupté Lagoon has morning shade but afternoon sun; this results in guests changing pool locations during the day.  Both the main infinity pool and lagoon pool have a swim-up bar in addition to padded loungers and shade umbrellas on their sundecks, but the third floor pool area lacks sufficient shade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few steps down from the pool area is a beautiful wide stretch of beach with white sand and the turquoise Caribbean Sea for which Cancun is famous.  Ocean entry is smooth and water shoes aren’t necessary, but at times the waves and rip currents can be strong.  In this area of the Hotel Zone, long beach walks in either direction are possible; those who enjoy tanning can do so on the loungers provided.  There are shade umbrellas, sparse natural shade, and Bali beds (an extra cost, but one can use Palace Resort credits), while cushioned seating areas are positioned closer to the pool wall.

After a day spent on the beach or by the pools, guests can relax in their own private in-room double Jacuzzi while enjoying a cocktail from their own mini-bar or liquor dispensers.  While all rooms have a sitting area, double shower with body sprays, and comfortable beds, not all rooms include a sizeable balcony.  The top floor (9th floor) offers the most overall balcony space, while a majority of guest rooms on floors below include French balconies.

Guests of Le Blanc are free to visit Beach Palace, Cozumel Palace, Isla Mujeres Palace, Moon Palace, Playacar Palace, and Sun Palace.  Although transportation is not included, guests can take the local bus for USD $1 and travel south just a short distance to Beach Palace and Sun Palace.

Palace Resorts is continuing to offer resort credits from USD $500 to $1,500, depending on length of stay.  These credits can be applied towards tours, golfing at Moon Palace, spa treatments, and certain items bought at the resort’s stores.  Credits can no longer be used for room upgrades; unused credits can now be saved and applied towards the next Palace Resort vacation or “gifted” to friends/family for their future Palace Resort vacation.  Resort credit usage is subject to 16% tax of the item’s purchase price, so this means using resort credits typically amounts to an out-of-pocket expense.

Type of Resort:  Adults-only

Pro:  Service, spa, three pools, free WiFi

Con:  Too sedate for some, small bathroom, most rooms don’t have a balcony, pricey

Best Suited For:  Honeymooners, couples celebrating special occasions, destination wedding

No. of Rooms:  260

Room Amenities:  King or two dbl beds, A/C, in-room dbl Jacuzzi, small sitting area with table and two chairs, ceiling fan, mini-bar and liquor dispensers, in-room safe, flat screen TV, DVD, two telephones (complimentary long-distance calls to the USA and Canada), espresso coffee maker, radio alarm clock with iPod dock and Bluetooth connection, robe and slippers, iron/ironing board, umbrella, beach bag, hair dryer, Chi hair straightener, dbl shower with body sprays, toiletries, 24-hr. room service, and free WiFi.  All rooms also include a welcome bottle of red wine, pillow menu, aromatherapy options, and the services of a floor butler.  Here is a brief rundown of guest room categories:

• Royale Deluxe:  King or two dbl beds, French balcony.  Partial ocean or lagoon view.
• Royale Honeymoon Suite:  King bed, sunken sitting room area with dbl Jacuzzi which has a good ocean view, French balcony.  Ocean view.
• Royale Jr. Suite:  King bed, sunken sitting room area with loveseat and coffee table, dbl Jacuzzi tub is in the bathroom with a view, two French balconies.  Lagoon, partial ocean or ocean view.
• Royale Governor:  King bed, armchair and ottoman, armoire, living room area with loveseat, coffee table, entertainment center, two flat screen TV’s, dbl Jacuzzi tub is in the bathroom with a view, dbl bathroom sinks, two balconies–one is a French balcony with ocean view while the other is a full balcony with two loungers, table and two chairs.  Ocean view.
• Royale Presidential Suite:  Located on the 9th floor, this 1,434 sq. foot suite includes a bedroom with king bed, armchair and ottoman, dbl Jacuzzi tub next to the dbl shower, separate living room with sofa, loveseat, coffee table, flat screen TV, dining room area with table and six chairs, breakfast bar with two seats, a half bathroom, two separate balconies–the balcony off the living/dining room has two full loungers and a table and four chairs, while the balcony off the bedroom has a table and two chairs.  Ocean view.  (This room category is often reserved for Palace Resort members).
• NOTE:  For better ocean views, request rooms above the third floor.

Physically Challenged Rooms:  Available

Resort Amenities:  Three pools (main infinity pool with swim-up bar, lagoon pool with swim-up bar, and third floor terrace pool), beachfront Jacuzzi, spa, complimentary hydrotherapy circuit for all guests, beauty salon, fitness center, yoga classes in lagoon gazebo, aqua spin, pool and beach wait service, beach concierge service, butler service, DVD library, tour desk, gift shop, car rental, business center, and ATM.

Restaurants/Bars:  This resort includes four separate restaurants including one breakfast and lunch buffet (Blancinternational–there is no dinner buffet offered), Italian (Blancitalia), Oriental (Blancorient–no teppanyaki show tables), and French fusion (Lumiere); a Mexican a la carte and steakhouse are also offered at Blancinternational.  Reservations are required at Lumiere.  A sommelier is on hand to aid guests in choosing the perfect dinner wine.  Paella is served poolside once per week, a BBQ is offered during the Fire Show, snacks and wood-fired pizza are also available.  Bars include two swim-up and poolside bars, a lobby bar, and the Blanc Stage Lounge.

Entertainment:  This is a more serene, laid back resort, so entertainment options are more limited here.  Le Blanc does offer some live music in the evenings (cellist, pianist), weekly magic shows, casino nights, fire show, and theme parties.  There is no poolside “animation team” at this resort.

Website:  http://www.leblancsparesort.com/