Iberostar Cancun resort is the newest all-inclusive on the Yucatan Peninsula

CANCUN, Mexico -- The 426-room Iberostar Cancun resort is the newest all-inclusive experience in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The former Hilton opened as an Iberostar property in December 2011 after closing for several months for extensive renovations.

Just 15 minutes from the Cancun Airport, the property complements the bigger Iberostar Playa Paraiso about 45 minutes away in Riviera Maya. This rebranded resort sits right on a beautiful beach adjacent to Iberostar Cancun Golf Club.

The 6,734-yard golf course winds through the jungle between the Caribbean Sea and the Nichupte Lagoon. Cross winds off the water make the course play tougher than the generous slope and rating imply. Crocodiles, known to be more aggressive than alligators, tend to nest along the fairways and inhabit the ponds, so don't bother looking for that stray shot.

The resort delivers all of the spoils of the Iberostar brand, notably the five-star buffet and four restaurants (including Japanese and American steakhouses and a Mexican restaurant). Guests can relax by the pool, enjoy water sports at the beach (some like parasailing cost extra) and pack the theater at night for a variety of shows. It's all paid for upfront -- the no. 1 selling point of an all-inclusive -- so you might as well spoil yourself silly.

Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,100 courses and written about golf destinations in 25 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and Twitter at @WorldGolfer.
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Iberostar Cancun resort is the newest all-inclusive on the Yucatan Peninsula