Nizuc vs Sunrise: A Review of Moon Palace Cancun

Our family recently returned from a visit to Cancun, Mexico, where we stayed at Moon Palace Cancun. Moon Palace Cancun includes access to two properties, Sunrise and Nizuc.

Our family travelled in February with two adults and our 17-year-old daughter and stayed in a deluxe oceanfront room at Moon Palace Nizuc, where we experienced stunning views of the sunrise over the beach every morning.

We loved our stay at this resort and highly recommend it to those looking to get away to a relaxing, luxury, all-inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico. 

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In this hotel review, we will compare Moon Palace Cancun Nizuc vs Sunrise and share our insights and lots of photos from our recent stay. We hope this will give you all the information you need prior to booking your stay at this fantastic resort.

Moon Palace Cancun Overview

Moon Palace Cancun has two sections – Nizuc and Sunrise. Located directly beside Moon Palace Cancun is the larger complex, The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun.

If you are staying at Nizuc or Sunrise, access to The Grand requires a day pass. Guests of The Grand have the ability to frequent all three properties. 

Guests of Nizuc and Sunrise, however, can only use the facilities at The Grand if they have a day pass or are Diamond Elite Members of the Moon Palace Resorts.

As a guest of Moon Palace Cancun, you have access to over 17 dining options, 2 massive pools, tennis and pickleball courts, a full-service spa and fitness centre, a children’s play centre, and a 27-hole golf course. 

As you can see, there are an impressive number of activities at Moon Palace Cancun to keep you busy during your stay!

Nizuc or Sunrise? Which is better?

In all honesty, both properties are excellent, with only minor differences. And no matter where your room may be, you have access to all the amenities of both locations!

Choose Sunrise if: 

• You want a swim-up suite with direct pool access
• You want to be slightly closer to most of the restaurants and bars
• You enjoy a livelier atmosphere, especially at the pool
• You want to be close to the splash pad and heated pool for children
• You require elevators to get to your rooms or have mobility issues

Choose Nizuc if:

• You want an oceanfront room with direct views of the beach and sunrise
• You want a calmer, quieter resort atmosphere
• You want to be close to the pool with the waterslide
• You want to be located in the centre of all three Moon Palace resorts and inbetween The Grand and Sunrise
• You don’t mind walking a little further to some of the restaurants and the evening entertainment options

Both Sunrise and Nizuc have access to the golf course area, Awe Spa, have kids clubs, and offer mini-golf, tennis and basketball courts. 

Ultimately, you will have a great experience, regardless of which resort you stay at.

Should I stay at Nizuc or Sunrise?

Both Nizuc and Sunrise are excellent sections of the Moon Palace Cancun resort. No matter which side you stay on, you have access to all of the Moon Palace amenities, activities, restaurants, and bars found at both resorts.

Budget-wise, the same room would be equivalent at both Nizuc and Sunrise.

Moon Palace Cancun Map

If you have a look at this map of the Moon Palace resorts, you can see how the three properties are divided.

Book Your Stay at Moon Palace Cancun

When you book your stay at Moon Palace Cancun, you could potentially stay at either side of the resort. Both are excellent options, but they each have their own atmosphere and vibe. 

We found our stay at Moon Palace Nizuc to be an excellent choice, as we were able to enjoy all the great amenities of both Nizuc and Sunrise but appreciated the quieter, more relaxed atmosphere of Nizuc. As we were not travelling with small children, this was more suited to our needs at the time. 

We have also stayed at the larger Moon Palace Grand Cancun. While we also really enjoyed our stay at The Grand, it is a much larger resort and comes in at a higher price-point that may not fit everyone’s budget.

Unless you are looking for all the additional amenities and activities of the Grand – such as the waterpark and adults-only pool area – a stay at Nizuc or Sunrise is the perfect option. 

☞ Read More: An Honest Review of the Moon Palace Grand Cancun

Help! Which Resort Do I Book Online?

Yup. This can be a little confusing!

If you are looking to stay specifically at The Grand, make sure that your reservation says Moon Palace The Grand Cancun.

If your reservation is for Moon Palace Cancun, then you could be staying at either Sunrise or Nizuc, although most likely this will be Sunrise (it may depend on who you book through). You also have the option to specifically book Moon Palace Cancun Nizuc.

Moon Palace Cancun Nizuc vs Sunrise

Choosing between Moon Palace Cancun’s two properties, Moon Palace Nizuc or Sunrise, depends largely on what type of vacation atmosphere you prefer. Here’s a comparative look at what each has to offer:

Moon Palace Sunrise Section

Moon Palace Cancun Sunrise is known for its family-oriented atmosphere and includes a playroom for young children and an arcade that is free to play. There is also a splash pad and a heated pool, ideal for young children.

There are slightly more restaurants on the Sunrise side than the Nizuc side. Elevators are also available in all Sunrise buildings. 

The Sunrise pool entertainment staff are high-energy and keep things exciting with activities at the pool, resulting in a more lively and energetic atmosphere. 

Moon Palace Nizuc Section

Nizuc, on the other hand, is the ideal choice for those looking for a more relaxing vacation with a quieter ambiance. Some visitors suggest that Nizuc has slightly larger suites, but these rooms have a smaller balcony and no hammock.

If a view is important to you, Nizuc buildings have slightly better views, particularly those on the waterfront. If you choose a Superior Ocean View Deluxe Room, you will be staying at Nizuc.

It is worth mentioning that almost all of the buildings in Nizuc do not have elevators, which may be challenging for those with mobility limitations.

Top Reasons to Book Your Stay at Moon Palace Cancun

Whether you choose Nizuc or Sunrise, there are some great reasons to book your stay at Moon Palace Cancun.

1. Moon Palace Cancun Costs Less than The Grand

You will see a price difference if you compare Moon Palace Cancun The Grand vs Moon Palace Nizuc or Sunrise. The accommodation options here are much less expensive than at The Grand.

2. Close to Cancun International Airport

You might be wondering just how far Moon Palace is from the Cancun International Airport. A key advantage of this resort is its convenient location close to the Cancun airport. Located less than 15 kilometres away, it offers a very short 15-20 minute drive, allowing travellers to maximize their time at the resort.

3. Moon Palace Cancun Room Options

There are also lots of room options at both Sunrise and Nizuc. Accommodation options include golf course villas, ocean view suites, swim-up suites, family suites, and presidential suites.

Important Note: If you select one of the golf course rooms, your room will be located at the golf course. The golf course is quite a distance from the Nizuc or Sunrise lobby, outdoor pools, and restaurants. You will need to take a golf cart shuttle to get to the main property. This is not convenient. I would only choose this option if your plans are to golf regularly.

Moon Palace Nizuc Rooms

During our visit, we stayed in one of the superior deluxe oceanfront rooms at Nizuc. When I travel I love hotel rooms with a view, and this one did not disappoint! Nizuc is the only Moon Palace property that offers oceanfront rooms. 

Because our daughter stayed with us, we required a room with two queen beds, so I believe this limited us to a room on the ground floor. Rooms on the higher levels have king beds. 

The room also had a small balcony where we pre-ordered room service for breakfast each day as we sat outside to watch the stunning sunrise!

It is my understanding that the rooms at Nizuc are a little smaller than those at The Grand, but slightly larger than those at Sunrise. We found the room to be adequate for the three of us.

Some of the rooms are only available in certain sections of the resort. For example, the swim up suites are only located in Sunrise, while the oceanfront and rooms are only located in Nizuc. If you are particular about staying in Nizuc or Sunrise, then your room selection may impact this decision.

4. Excellent Service 

Moon Palace distinguishes itself with outstanding service for guests. Every staff member, from gardeners to drivers to servers, greets guests warmly and is eager to assist or answer questions. 

Poolside servers are helpful and attentive, creating a comfortable atmosphere where tipping, while appreciated, is never felt as required. 

Staff members are proficient in English, and they always make you feel appreciated. Staff are genuinely committed to resolving any issues and maintaining a friendly rapport with all guests. We found the staff here so friendly and welcoming. It certainly helped improve the quality of our experience.

5. Moon Palace Mobile App

The Moon Palace mobile app is like having a personal event planner in your pocket. The app will give you all the details for making dinner reservations, restocking your room fridge and snacks, or planning each day’s activities and entertainment. 

You can access information on the app prior to your stay and make dinner reservations once you have checked in. The app is where you will truly appreciate the many Moon Palace Cancun activities available to guests. 

6. Moon Palace Cancun Restaurants and Bars

Moon Palace Cancun has 17 different dining options between Nizuc and Sunrise. The choices range from elegant fine dining and extensive buffets to casual snack bars and cozy cafes.

A few of our favourite restaurants include:

• Pepe’s Pizza – Wood oven pizza on the outdoor terrace for lunch or dinner
• Momo for teppanyaki
• Agra for authentic Indian cuisine (our absolute favourite from all three resorts!)

We also found Bugambilias, the buffet at Sunrise, to be our favourite of all the buffets at Moon Palace.

In terms of reservations, some restaurants require a reservation for dinner, while others do not. Our experience making reservations was hassle-free, and we rarely waited more than five minutes at walk-up locations.

There have been some reviews indicating guests had to wait in long lines for dinner at times. This typically occurred when the resort was full or during peak dining times with many guests. The overall quality of the food was impressive, and it was great to have top-shelf liquor served at the resort also. 

24-hour room service is also available at each resort. This is particularly handy for pre-ordering breakfast or for children or teens looking for a late-evening meal. 

7. Moon Palace Nizuc Pool

The Moon Palace Nizuc pool is stunning, with views overlooking the beach. The Nizuc pool stretches across the back of the entire resort and has direct beach access.

There are two swim-up bars at different ends of the pool, a large water slide, and a shallow section perfect for small children. Pool loungers are available around every corner of the pool. 

During our stay, we did not experience any challenges finding pool chairs or loungers. That being said, during another visit, there was a live music festival at Sunrise and we noticed that many of the chairs were reserved by 9 a.m. This was a particularly busy time at the resort, so there may be times when it is more challenging to just wander down to the pool and find a chair!

It is also here at the pool where many events and activities are hosted. In the centre, there is a large screen where they display information or show special events, such as the Super Bowl!

For those that don’t want to leave the pool to eat, there is a great food truck and two different restaurant options beside the pool. You can also order food from the servers, who will deliver it right to your pool chair. 

Ultimately, the Nizuc pool is outstanding. Even though it’s essentially one massive pool, there are lots of different locations around the pool to satisfy any type of ambiance a guest could want.

We did find that the pool at Nizuc was a little quieter and more relaxed overall than the Sunrise pool. It is also smaller than the pool at Sunrise, although it’s still a large pool. There were also fewer children in all areas of the Nizuc pool. 

8. Moon Palace Sunrise Pool

The Moon Palace Sunrise Pool is absolutely stunning! It is the biggest pool in all three properties, and it is connected by a series of bridges and waterways. 

This is actually my favourite pool out of all 9 pools located across the Moon Palace resort. Not only is it a beautiful pool, but you can enjoy different sections, each with their own ambiance and views. 

Everything at the resort is easily accessible within a short distance. You don’t have to walk or travel across the resort to access different pools as you do at The Grand.

The Sunrise pool also has the FlowRider surf simulator and a small waterpark for young children.

Near the activity centre, resort staff run lots of fun activities, including aqua aerobics, aqua spinning, water volleyball, and even line dancing! In this area of the pool, there is also a DJ playing music throughout the day.

Surrounding the pool there are many different food options to choose from, including a poolside pizza oven, a buffet, and a Texan-style BBQ.

9. Moon Palace Cancun Beach

There is direct beach access from Moon Palace, and there are chairs, sun umbrellas, and loungers located on the beach. The sand is that powdery white sand that is excellent for sinking your toes into!

Servers come and take your orders, ensuring you are getting all the refreshments you want while lounging on the beach. The beach is also located directly beside the resort, making it easy to move between the beach and pools. 

One concern with the beach at Moon Palace is the seaweed, also known as sargassum, that appears on the beach in Cancun. This is a problem for all the hotels and resorts in the area, not just Moon Palace. 

The resort does an excellent job raking and collecting the seaweed continuously throughout the day. The water, however, is not that turquoise blue, clear Caribbean Sea that you might expect to find. Instead, some find the water murky and not ideal for swimming. 

The beach is perfect, however, for building sandcastles, watching the sunrise, relaxing in loungers, and taking long walks along the water’s edge. 

During both of our stays in Cancun, we also felt really safe on the beach, and not once were we approached by vendors trying to sell us goods along the beach.

You do also have the option to visit one of the sister resorts if you want to check out some of the nicer beaches in the area.

10. Awe Spa at the Golf Course

One of our favourite activities while on vacation is enjoying the resort’s excellent spa amenities, and those at Moon Palace do not disappoint. While it costs a little extra, it’s a perfect treat for those looking to be pampered on vacation.

Moon Palace Cancun’s Awe Spa is located at the golf course. While not quite as large as the spa accessible for guests at The Grand, it still has a stunning facility with hydrotherapy and a plunge pool. 

Another great feature of this location is the Awe Princess Spa which caters to girls ages 4 to 12.

The only downside to this spa is its location. Because it is located at the golf course, you will need to take a golf cart shuttle over to the spa, and this takes a little more time out of your day.

11. Fitness Center and Activities

For those looking to stay fit on vacation, there are many opportunities to stay active. A popular activity is just running along the beach. There is a paved path that leads all along the beach, and many guests enjoy an early morning run along this path.

There is also a fully-equipped fitness center that holds various classes, including cross training, kickboxing, and various workouts.

At the beach, guests can participate in activities such as yoga for beginners, pilates, and beach volleyball. And as already mentioned, there are also organized water fitness classes each day too!

All of these activities are free for guests. 

12. Sports Facilities

In addition to the fitness centre and activities, there are many excellent sports facilities included in your stay at Moon Palace Cancun. There are several tennis courts, four new pickleball courts, and two basketball courts. 

At the beach, you can take sailing lessons, and there is a fun mini-golf course. There are also bike tours, and bicycles are available to borrow during your stay at Nizuc or Sunrise.

For golfers, there is also the world-class 27-hole golf course located close to Moon Palace Cancun. Just a 5 minute shuttle ride away, golfers can golf 18 holes without having to travel far from the resort.

13. Children’s Playroom and Kids Club

Moon Palace Cancun offers so many activities catered to children and has two children’s playrooms – one at Nizuc and one at Sunrise. I thought the playroom at Sunrise was excellent. It had a movie room, arcade, climber, air hockey and more.

There are also dozens of organized children’s activities throughout the resort, including face-painting, crafts, water gun fights, puppet shows, bingo, mini-karaoke, and more! The timing and details for all of these types of activities are shared in the Moon Palace App.

There are also programs and activities for older kids, including beach volleyball, organized activities at the activity pool, and access to the Wired Lounge.

Moon Palace Cancun Considerations

As much as we loved our stay at this resort, there are some features that may impact your decision.

No “Adults Only” Section

At Moon Palace Cancun, there are no pools that are “adults-only.” The Grand at Moon Palace is the only property with an adults-only pool option. And while there are some adults-only bars at Sunrise and Nizuc, such as The Pub and Night Club, this is not really a resort where you can escape children and teens. 

No Water Park

A standout feature of Moon Palace The Grand Cancun, compared to Sunrise and Nizuc, is its extensive kid-friendly water park featuring large slides and a lazy river. In contrast, Sunrise offers a fun splash pad designed for younger children, but it doesn’t match the scale and appeal of The Grand’s water park.

If you do want to spend the day at the Water Park without booking an entire stay at The Grand, you can purchase or acquire day passes to The Grand. When we were there, a day pass cost $100 per adult and $50 per child.

Moon Palace Membership Tours

As soon as you arrive at any of the Moon Palace Cancun resorts – whether that is The Grand, Sunrise, or Nizuc, you will be invited to attend a 90-minute membership tour. This is not really a tour but rather a sales pitch to purchase a Palace Resorts membership. 

You will be offered an incentive for attending the tour. This could include additional resort credits, spa credits, or perhaps even day passes to The Grand. 

You can, of course, decline this tour and do not need to attend unless you want to get some of the additional incentives.

Music Festivals and Concerts

Several times a year, Moon Palace Cancun hosts multi-day music festivals. We happened to be staying at The Grand during both the Dave Matthews and Phish concert events. I have to admit, we were very glad we were staying at The Grand and not at Sunrise or Nizuc during these events!

While the concerts looked like an absolute blast, if you are not anticipating these festivals, the crowds and music-themed activities may impact your stay. We found the pools to be really crowded at this time, and the traditional evening entertainment had more limited options than at other times of the year.

Before booking, check the online concert schedule to avoid vacation disruptions from these music events.

How much is a day pass to The Grand at Moon Palace?

During our stay, the cost of an adult day pass to The Grand was $100 per person. Children were $50.00. That may sound steep, but it may be worth it if you choose to stay at the more budget-friendly Nizuc or Sunrise.

My recommendation is that if you are willing to go to one of the membership meetings, you can try to negotiate passes to The Grand instead of some of the other freebies they may offer. 

I will also be honest; during our stay at Nizuc, we did get passes to The Grand but we were so busy and enjoying all the activities at Sunrise and Nizuc that we didn’t even make it over to The Grand in the end!

Final Thoughts: Nizuc or Sunrise

If you are looking for an excellent family-friendly all-inclusive luxury resort in Mexico, the Moon Palace Resorts are a great option.

If you are trying to decide between Moon Palace Nizuc or Sunrise, you honestly can’t go wrong with either resort property! Remember, booking your stay at either Sunrise or Nizuc will give you access to both properties. You really get two excellent resorts in one.

We have stayed at both Moon Palace Nizuc and Moon Palace Cancun The Grand and had a fantastic time at both hotels. If you are trying to make a decision between Nizuc vs Sunrise vs The Grand, ready my detailed review of Moon Palace The Grand for all the details.

Ultimately, no matter which of the resorts you choose to book, there are so many things to do at Moon Palace Cancun that I have no doubt you will have an amazing time!