We recently stayed at the Cancun Live Aqua for a week, mostly because we moved their Playa property. If you're thinking about booking, here's what you need to know:

Booking: We booked through Costco and got a GREAT deal - much cheaper than anywhere else and it included a daily credit to be used on wine, spa or cabanas. Get a cabana (unless you booked a suite where its included) - nothing beats a shaded home base near the pool or ocean.

Rooms: smaller than the PDC location but a better bathroom with a dual vanity and giant shower room with rainfall shower head. We had a "garden" view room that came with a great view of the ocean and a nice terrace so don't feel like you need to upgrade. Minibars are well stocked with beer and drinks, plus there's a snack drawer. Everything was spotless.

Food: for an AI, it ranged from "very good" to "excellent". Really there wasn't anything I'd call "bad" at all. You can have 24 hour room service, pool service or eat Italian, International, Asian, sushi or Mexican. There's even a steakhouse at no extra cost, plus pop up food like tacos, paella, crepes and grilled favorites. You will not be going hungry, amigos. People really dig MB (the fancy place) but IMO the food at Hidden Garden and Siete were the best.

Drinks: no matter what you want they probably have it. Beer (mostly Mexican lagers, perfect for drinking in the pool), wine (house wine totally fine and I should know because I drank it pretty much all day), and of course any and all crazy concoctions from the bar. The AKA & Egos bars make some pretty interesting craft cocktails and each restaurant has a specialty drink menu. Challenge yourself and try them all - as the staff will remind you "you're not driving".

Facilities: there's a gym, a spa and plenty of nice relaxing spaces indoors and out. You're here for the incredible pools (7, all heated differently) and the beautiful stretch of very clean beach. They have activities daily but it's SUPER low key - most folks are here to chill/relax. It's not a place for broskis looking to party, more for couples and groups of friends. There's not really nightlife, and most of the partying happens at the swim up bar which plays untz-untz music. Easy to avoid if you want that. Also worth noting - adults only. Not in a swinger way, just in a no-kids way.

Service: we were blown away by the personal service at the PDC location and that carried over here. By day 2, staff was beginning to recognize us and by the end of the week we were really sad to be leaving all the kind folks that had taken care of us. Shout out to Ruben, John, Rossy, Gabriel, Monica, Jesus, Jose, Ignacio (who might serenade you!), Mariana, Ale and Dulce. Our main man this trip was Oscar who remembered everything we liked after one day & took care of us like family.

COVID: impressed. Staff was 110% in mask compliance and were constantly cleaning/sanitizing. Even at the breakfast buffet, every single thing was portioned and wrapped so no one had to touch things. The hotel will take care of your COVID reentry test and the $4/day insurance covers quarantine if you test positive. No reason not to go!

In conclusion, we talked to a lot of other guests and most told us it was their 5th/8th/10th trip. That they had been to many AI's and would never stay anywhere else - and I can completely understand why. Our group agreed we'll be back, soon - and I'm pretty sure than Oscar will remember that I love salsa verde and have it waiting for me!

Just an all around great stay. A million dollar view bar none! But what made my stay an outstanding vacation was the the Mexican restaurant SIETE! Chef Angel was absolutely the greatest. He made a special agua chile for me and my wife and it was the most tastiest and we'll balanced agua chile I have ever had in my entire 45 years of eating it. Also his tomohawk stake was on point as well as the many dishes Chef Angel prepared for me.

I do have to mention the staff, Miguel Adrian, Omar and all the others that made my day just by going in to Restaurant SIETE of Live Aqua Hotel! Come to Live Aqua Hotel just to come and say hello to the staff and mention this review and they will definitely make your stay memorable.

Really, go check it out and ask the Chefs toake you any Mexican dish and they'll go head over heels to please you. It was one of the best experiences I have had. The staffade me feel as if I was a billionaire.

I've been to many all inclusive resorts in Mexico and Live Aqua is THE BEST hands down. From the moment we arrived to when we left we were fully taken care of every day. The quality of the staff, food, drinks, pools, beach, spa, everything, was GREAT! Buy a cabana and you will not be disappointed. Roosevelt and Andres will take great care of you. Get a massage the team there did great work for myself and girlfriend. All the wait staff everywhere is top notch. A++ Will go again!