This was our second all-inclusive resort experience from Secrets (we were impressed by the Secrets BahÃa Real Resort & Spa (review) in the Canary Islands). Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres is an Adults Only – All-Inclusive 5-star beachfront resort in Mexico (link).
The hotel provides complimentary catamaran transfers from Cancun Marina to Isla Mujeres, but ground transportation from Cancun airport to the marina is NOT included. They recommend a 4-hour gap between flight arrivals and marina catamaran departures to ensure adequate time for immigration and taxi transfers. There is also a main island ferry that operates hourly in case the catamaran rides are cancelled due to high winds.
Resort Location
Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres is built higher up (three flights of stairs must be climbed to get to reception) in a busy section of the oceanfront area. The front of the hotel has a dock for catamaran transfers along with several areas of deck with sun-beds and umbrellas (see images below).
Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres Booking
I used 192K Hyatt points to book 4 nights at this CAT-F all-inclusive resort.
Can you use the Hyatt Suite Upgrade Awards at this property?
AMR’s all-inclusive properties are usually excluded from the use of Suite Upgrade Awards (SUA’s) and calling the Globalist traditional line will be of no help! However, you can use your SUA to book a Junior Suite King Ocean View by calling your Globalist Concierge number in the same way you can use a CAT1-7 certificate to book some of the lower priced all-inclusive properties (link). AMR is no longer releasing the suite availability calendar to Hyatt Concierge and you should ask them to call the property to inquire and apply for the SUA. Many concierge agents are not aware of this issue and I was able to politely request that they call the property while placing me on hold (make sure to call concierge during Mexico working hours).
Room upgrade bidding emails from the hotel
Close to the dates of your hotel stay, you will receive several emails from the hotel about bidding for a room upgrade (see images below). I did not bother with the bidding process and wanted to see if I could get a free Globalist upgrade.
Our Flights from Orlando to Cancun
We used our JetBlue points to book return trip flights from MCO to CUN and there was a significant amount of tax as is usual with the JetBlue-Mexico route (see image below).
JetBlue flights from Orlando to Cancun depart from the brand new terminal C at Orlando airport. We took a short train from terminal A & B after completing our stay at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport Hotel (review). We relaxed at the Plaza Premium Lounge in terminal C before boarding the flight.
Cancun Airport to Marina Taxi
Impression Isla Mujeres Hotel recommends booking ground transportation with Land Savvy, but I found their prepaid service quote to be more expensive (see image below) compared to the other companies.
I ended up using a company called USA Transfers (link) and paid $95 for round trip transportation from the airport to the marina. As per my research, USA Transfers provides excellent customer service via chat, phone and email along with an easy to use smartphone app.
Cancun International airport immigration line was longer than expected and it took us about 45 minutes to get our passports stamped. We exited the customs area and walked outside to find the USA Transfers representative and waited another 20 minutes for the ride to arrive.
It took us around 30 minutes to arrive at the marina and then we waited an hour for the 4pm catamaran to arrive. Secrets maintains a small open hut at the marina with several chairs and the staff provide soft drinks, wine and snacks (see images below).
Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres Check-in
The check-in process was completed at the marina before the arrival of the catamaran. The agent recognized my Globalist status and informed us that our room was upgraded to a Signature Junior Suite King Ocean Front w/ Hot Tub. I was expecting a single level room upgrade to an ocean view and it was a pleasant surprise to receive the oceanfront upgrade. Had I opted to bid on the email room upgrade offer, the room was priced at $460 per night and I was glad to have received a free ocean-front suite upgrade despite a busy weekend at the hotel with a wedding.
Catamaran Ride
You must remove your footwear when boarding the catamaran and it would be easy if you wear Slip-Ons. Catamaran took around 45 minutes to reach Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres dock. We were greeted by our butler and received our welcome drink. All the luggage was transported by the staff and we climbed three flights of stairs to reach the main lobby. Our butler collected the keys from the front desk and took us to our room after explaining the amenities.
Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres Lobby
The hotel lobby was beautifully designed with an open concept without any air conditioning (including the hallways). There are 3 pools (one on each level) and the top level pool has the best infinity view of the ocean and Cancun city.
Signature Junior Suite King Ocean Front w/ Hot Tub
The design, decoration and color combinations of the suite are beautiful and classic for the Secret group properties. The king mattress was very comfortable with large pillows and there was a cute sectional sofa with a refrigerator section. There was a large LG TV with space designed in the bottom to place the carry-on luggage. Air conditioning was perfect with a nice ceiling fan to cool down fast. It is a single long room (764-square-foot) with a narrow terrace with a sitting area and the ability to attach a hammock. Dual sinks and dual rain showers in the bathroom are well designed and the toilet paper was of a high quality.
Our Signature Junior Suite King Ocean Front room (1421) unfortunately had a sewage smell coming from the drains and they relocated us to another room promptly upon informing them.
WiFi Speed at the property
I am happy to report that the WiFi connection speed is blazing, and uploading and downloading high resolution pictures was a breeze.
Fitness Center
I loved the size and design of the fitness center at this all-inclusive property, since most such places don’t spend enough money on fitness centers. It can accommodate several people without feeling congested and has every type of machine you can think of along with plenty of water bottles and some fruits.
Room Service
Restaurants & Bars
There are several restaurants at this property and all of them require reservations for dinner. They all require a dress code (shirt with a collar, NO shorts and flip flops). However, I was able to wear my jeans, collared T-shirt with the covered bath slippers (provided with robes in the room) without any issues.
Rooftop Views
As far as I can tell, this is the only all-inclusive property with breathtakingly beautiful high rooftop views. The rooftop also contains a unique bar (swinging seats and a massive TV screen) and a restaurant called “UNIK The Kitchen”, which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Temple Terrace Bar
Temple Terrace Bar is a unique structure with unbelievable views of the ocean which are especially captivating at night (see images below).
Cacao Parisian Cafe
The cafe is open 24/7 and filled with several tasty desserts, hot drinks and sandwiches.
UNIK the Kitchen
We enjoyed breakfast here for 3 days during our stay and everything was delicious and all our food requests were promptly fulfilled.
La Vista International Cuisine
This is another great place to enjoy breakfast and lunch with excellent views.
What happens during a hurricane?
We experienced Hurricane Milton passing by Cancun during our stay and noticed the following:
- Catamaran transfers will cease due to high winds.
- Port closure times will be announced for ferry transfers and based on flight schedules, guests may have to leave the night before.
- Most guests will be transported to the mainland (another Secrets resort) the day before a major hurricane (power outages are frequent).
- A special nightly price (USD $475 per person) will be charged if the ferries are cancelled and you need to stay for additional days at the hotel. There is no option to pay with a lower amount of points per night.
- Most of the restaurants will be consolidated into one single place for all three meals during the day due to under-staffing.
- We were able to stay since Hurricane Milton did not directly affect the area except for high winds.
Best things I observed during my stay
- Breathtaking ocean views (you can stare at the colorful ocean for several hours, even during a hurricane).
- Beautifully designed rooms and suites.
- Butlers respond within seconds to all your requests and manage everything from booking restaurants to catamaran transfers and late checkouts
- Wonderful, friendly, helpful staff members with smiley faces.
- Wonderful, inviting fitness center to burn calories while staying at this all-inclusive resort.
- No sales pitch from anyone to sign up for memberships etc., (I read some negative reviews in the past).
- The food in the restaurants is very good. It is hard to please everyone to say “excellent”.
- The mixed drinks (e.g., Mojito) are very good. The house wines (included free with the meal) could be better.
- Great lobby restrooms with a nice fragrance.
Notable Negative Points
Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres has very few negative points and I summarized them below;
- The property is located in a busy area of Isla Mujeres, away from the long stretches of beach you see with other properties in Mexico (no way to go for a long walk or run next to the ocean).
- The property has only two small elevators, which can get slow and congested during peak season.
- No air conditioning in the elevators and hallways (you will feel the heat the moment you step out of the room).
- Swimming pools are not heated for the whole year (only in winter months).
- No sauna or indoor swimming pool.
- Spa prices are expensive and the $200 spa credit is split into multiple smaller credits.
- Hot water not consistent in showers.
- Salt & pepper shakers are not provided for each table and they barely worked when they brought them.
Conclusion
Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres should be visited by Hyatt enthusiasts who are looking for ways to spend their hard-earned points at aspiring properties. I encourage globalists with SUA’s to call the concierge (preferably a year in advance) and book an Ocean View Suite, which has the potential to be further upgraded to an Ocean Front Suite at the time of check-in.