Tucked between the stunning Caribbean Sea and Nichupté Lagoon, Emporio Hotel & Suites Cancun is perched on a prime stretch of white sand beach in the heart of the hotel area. Pack light on outfits to leave more room for snorkel fins, inflatables and sand buckets – this place is all about the beach and pool scene. Once you’ve set up camp under an oceanfront palapa, it’ll take some serious convincing to talk you into doing much more than lounging and swimming. Back at the resort, go for a swim in the outdoor pool or relax with a cocktail from the poolside bar and the stack of magazines you bought at the airport while the kids splash around in the children’s pool. Let the kids hang out in the children’s center while you treat yourself to a massage at the full-service spa. Good news! The resort has an all-inclusive plan available.

Air-conditioned one- to two-bedroom condos sleep four to eight guests and have full kitchens for easy evenings in. Stop by the on-site convenience store for groceries and grab a coffee at the coffee shop while you’re there. For more variety, there are two grocery stores across the street. Don’t feel like cooking? No problem, there’s an on-site Mexican restaurant and Italian restaurant. Flatscreen TVs with Cable and DVD players provide in-suite entertainment. Bring favorite movies from home, pop some popcorn and call everyone into the living room for family movie night. Before the end of your vacation, take advantage of the on-site laundry facility. Now all you have to do when you get home is unpack.

Curious about local history and culture? You’re just a three-minute walk from the Maya Cancun Museum and San Miguelito Archaeological Site. Got an active crew? You can check out tennis gear, golf clubs, snorkel masks and more at the sports desk. The Cancun Interactive Aquarium is definitely worth a visit. It has over one-thousand aquatic species of fish, marine reptiles, invertebrate, rays and marine mammals. Adults and teens age thirteen and up can interact with sea robins, orange talk triggerfish, shad, and pepper surgeonfish at the Aquarium Trek. Young kids will enjoy the Touch Tank where they can get hands-on with rays, sea urchins, starfish and sea cucumbers. The iPad Zone features fun and interactive apps that teach kids about aquatic species at the aquarium. Luxury Avenue Shopping Mall has everything you need for a day of retail therapy. Get a new handbag at Longchamp, Burberry or Fendi. For apparel check out Carolina Herrera or BCBG. Pandora, Cartier and Swarovski offer high-end jewelry.