We spent a week at the Ritz in Cancun. Overall fine, but not one of best properties for Ritz Carlton. Decoration in rooms is a little sparse and room is underfurnished - we had a 2 bedroom suite, about 1,800 sq feet. Wonderful balcony with lounge chairs and space for kids to run, HOWEVER the smell of fried shrimp/hamburguers from the pool restaurant was really everywhere (we were on rooms 4033 and 4032). Even when we dried our swimsuits in the sun our clothes would smell!

The beach is a VERY THIN stripe of sand and water is quite turbulent. Lots of traffic at the beach from walkers from other hotels and also lots of local men trying to sell stuff (jewelry, shells, you name it). Make you extra-vigilant regarding kids safety, even if they only want to build a sand castle. Eventually saw some odd looking people venturing as far as checking out the hotel pool, Not an ideal Caribean trip if clear waters / clear skies / absolute peace is your niche. Also, location is very windy. Very limited shopping at the stores at the hotel.

My kids are young and their favorite part of the trip was the pyramids of Chichen Itza. They found the pools at the Ritz to be quite boring. Food was pretty well prepared but bland. We enjoyed the trip but will go back to a more Island experience, maybe Bahamas (Four seasons at Exuma) or St Barts (Guanahany).

We have stayed at many Ritz Carlton Hotels ,and my husband and I found the Ritz in Cancun to have excellent service, excellent food, excellent amentities and excellent attitudes from the hotel staff. Our oceanfront room, with a balcony , was comfortable and quiet. The staff at the beach were quick to set up chairs and umbrellas for us and were always quickly available when we ordered food and/or beverages. The restaurants all had delicious food . This hotel is certainly worthy of 5 stars.

My wife and I just returned from 5 nights at the Ritz and it is by far the best hotel in Cancun. We have stayed at many of the finest hotels in the world, and many other hotels in Cancun, and the Ritz really impressed.
We stayed in an ocean front suite on the 5th floor. The room was perfect. Clean, great views, etc.
There are 2 pools; one for people with kids and one for people like us without kids. That is what all resorts should do! If you want to hear screaming kids and marcos and polos there is a place for you. But if you are going to relax and be at peace then there is a pool that is just perfect! And it is heated to just the right temperature too!
The beach is small but nice.
A great suprise was that the food was excellent, even at the pool side resturaunt! The one complaint that we usually leave Cancun with is that the food is never good. Well it is at the Ritz (and you pay for it). The pizzas and ceviche at the pool side cafe are excellent. We ate at The Grill one night and it was also very good. The morning buffet breakfast was also exceptional.
The Ritz has well trained and friendly staff, from the maids to the man that greets you upon arival with slushy drinks.
I guess my only complaint is that the prices are rather steep, but just remember the old saying "you get what you pay for!".
If you are going to Cancun and want the best this is where you should stay. I am very pickky and tell it like it is (read my other reviews).

The hotel was great. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful - Each and every staff member!

The morning breakfast buffet was absolutely delicious and kept us going all day long.

Lovely clean room with great amenities and delicious coffee.
Don't believe the bad reviews, people are crazy.

There is only one drawback to this hotel and that is the beach area. It's very small but the real problem is that you can't go in the water on this stretch of the beach. It's so incredibly rough, simply too dangerous.