Club Med is the granddaddy of all-inclusive resort brands. Since its humble beginnings in 1950 (think straw huts on the beach), the portfolio of Club Med resorts (called "villages") now includes ski resorts in Europe, adults-only properties, and many locations that cater almost exclusively to families, such as Club Med Yucatan Cancun.

This 22-acre resort is on the very southern tip of a long stretch of white-sand beach populated with oceanfront properties and known as Cancun's "Hotel Zone." Club Med is isolated at the end of the congested strip, in a prime location surrounded by water on three sides: the calm, clear water of the Caribbean Sea with a wide, pristine beach; the lagoon for water-skiing; and the ocean—with bigger waves—for snorkeling (in a cove with a coral reef), windsurfing, and sailing. Another bonus: It's only a 15-minute shuttle ride to the property from Cancun International Airport. Truly, it's one of the best resort locations in Cancun

Club Med is the granddaddy of all-inclusive resort brands. Since its humble beginnings in 1950 (think straw huts on the beach), the portfolio of Club Med resorts (called "villages") now includes ski resorts in Europe, adults-only properties, and many locations that cater almost exclusively to families, such as Club Med Yucatan Cancun.

This 22-acre resort is on the very southern tip of a long stretch of white-sand beach populated with oceanfront properties and known as Cancun's "Hotel Zone." Club Med is isolated at the end of the congested strip, in a prime location surrounded by water on three sides: the calm, clear water of the Caribbean Sea with a wide, pristine beach; the lagoon for water-skiing; and the ocean—with bigger waves—for snorkeling (in a cove with a coral reef), windsurfing, and sailing. Another bonus: It's only a 15-minute shuttle ride to the property from Cancun International Airport. Truly, it's one of the best resort locations in Cancun proper.

Club Med Yucatan Cancun underwent a huge renovation in 2009 to upgrade its 5 Trident luxury space, or what Club Med terms its "resort within a resort." Here, in the Jade building (all of the accommodation buildings are named after gemstones), deluxe rooms or sea-view suites cost more but afford guests their own concierge, personalized check-in, private infinity swimming pool, and private poolside cabana, among other amenities. Note, however, that there are no multi-bedroom suites for families here; you'll need to book connecting rooms for a family of four to be most comfortable. This luxury space is a longer walk along a paved path to the main pool and restaurants—though door-to-door golf-cart service is available at any time. Otherwise, standard club or deluxe rooms—many in a building right on top of the lagoon—have double beds for families of four. Be prepared for a heavy dose of tropical color. Building hallways are bright kelly green; rooms have walls splashed with bright orange, pink, or purple hues.