TravelPulse on Scene: AVA Resort Cancun

by Marsha Mowers
Last updated: 5:45 PM ET, Tue September 17, 2024

AIC Hotel Group may be already known for their upscale properties, but they’re taking things to “the next level” with the brand-new AVA Resort Cancun, the site of the AIC Showstopper Awards this week.

Officially opening in October 2024, it’s currently in soft-launch mode, having opened just this past June. By then, the finishing touches will be complete and all the stores, nightclub and all 1600 suites in the resort’s 13 room categories will be complete.

It’s a new brand for the company and its sustainability component could well likely start to set a benchmark for the future of the resort industry.

“AVA Cancun is the next level of all-inclusive,” VP, Sales and Marketing, AIC Hotel Group, told a packed room of 250 Showstopper attendees Tuesday morning. “We believe the next level for us is to really look at sustainability because it’s super important. First it was integrating solar and trying to reduce the carbon footprint. Now, we’re bringing sustainability to the next level using the newest technology available.”

One element of that technology is AVA Bay, a massive, 2.7 acres saltwater pool that runs the span of the resort and is powered by Crystal Lagoons. That technology was born in Chile, and it’s only in 180 countries around the world. It uses biodegradable chemicals, though much less than traditional pools. It involves the use of a robot – nicknamed Wally by AIC-that monitors the water via a series of sensors to become self-cleaning and ultimately preserving more water and reduces the carbon footprint, because it doesn’t have to be drained and refilled like normal resort pools.

“One of the things that we want to let everybody know is that despite the size of this property, we have a very low carbon footprint.” Fernando Garcia, GM told the group. “We have 3600 solar panels on our roof that provide 40% of the energy we use daily. But we also store that energy on property via Tesla batteries and can run for days without electricity without being connected to the city’s power grid.

In fact, once we are fully operational, we're going to be also delivering electricity back to the city.”

AVA Resort Cancun also has its own water treatment plant, and 95% of the water waste is reused. Even the flooring is sustainable - all the rugs are made from recycled material and the floors require less water to clean. The new state of the art air conditioning system uses new chemicals that don’t contribute to global warming.

“We all know how hard and how expensive it is to invest in all these things, but this company is doing it because we are looking into the future,” Maria Bernal, Sales Manager, AVA Resort Cancun told the crowd. “We want properties to be as sustainable as possible, and as eco-friendly as possible, without cutting back on the luxury services that you're used to.”

Technology aspects aside, the resort itself is very beautifully designed. Estefani Cruz, Executive Sales Assistant at AVA Resort Cancun gave us a tour upon our arrival Monday morning. She explained the design of the resort resembles of a cruise ship, with a north to south promenade that contains all the restaurants and shops with offshoot connections to the 60,000 sq ft spa and activities such as the kids and teen clubs. It's easier to navigate than some of the other properties in the group. (It is still a large property however, and that’s something that agents should keep in mind when booking clients who may have mobility issues).

Every single room in the resort’s 13 categories is oceanfront and divided between two towers (north and south). Rooms are spacious and well-designed in a modern sleek vibe, and for perspective, could be compared to AIC’s UNICO 20°87°brand, but larger and for families.

“We were looking to elevate our all-inclusive concept,” explains Natalie Perez, PR Account Executive, Media Relations, AIC Hotel Group. “Hard Rock for example already offers a luxury product, but we wanted to go even beyond that with AVA Cancun. We have activities like the waterpark area and bowling for kids, but we also have an adults-only pool and two restaurants that are strictly for adults. It’s a great place for all to have their best vacation.”

Located only 10 mins from the airport in the start of the hotel zone, its easy and quick access will surely be a big driver, as will its wedding offerings. The property already has a healthy start with 15 booked in the remainder of 2024 and 40 so far for the 2025 season. The beach at AVA Cancun is narrow, so wedding ceremonies are held instead on a terrace overlooking the ocean.

Amenities are like other AIC Hotel Group brands; there is 24-hour room service included, a mini bar stocked with beer and soft drinks, in-room Nespresso machine, rainfall showerheads, and water activities such as kayaking on AVA Bay are included. There are 7 specialty restaurants, all which need reservations: Veranda Italian, Black Iron Meat cuts (steakhouse), KitaTeppanyaki Grill, Copal Mexican, Livo Mediterraneo, Bao Asiatico (Adults only) and Chez Moi Grances (Adults only). There are also 27 bars and cafes on site. Still under construction are a kids and teens club, as and a nightclub.

“We're making a change in terms of what the future of this company is providing,” says Garcia. “This beautiful property has so much, so much to offer.”

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