The Den ended up being one of my favorite places at Hyatt Ziva Cancún -- not just because of the…read morecocktails, but because of the people.
I had the pleasure of meeting Eduardo, who I'm assuming manages The Den. He recommended that rather than continuing to order individual drinks, I purchase a bottle that I could keep there and enjoy at my convenience throughout the stay. For us, it ended up being a much better value. More importantly, Eduardo was incredibly down to earth and genuinely seemed to take ownership of the experience at The Den. He made sure we were comfortable, taken care of, and enjoying our time there.
That was actually what stood out most to me about this place. The cocktails are excellent, but I probably enjoyed the conversations with the staff even more. Eduardo shared his perspective on the differences between Cancún and the area near Mexico City where his family is from. I also had a great conversation with Jorge, who is from Oaxaca, and with the gentleman who made my cocktails throughout the stay -- unfortunately, I can't remember his name, but he did an excellent job.
The Den itself has a completely different feel from the busier areas of the resort. It's quiet, comfortable, and a great place to get away for a little while. There's something nice about sitting down, having a well-made cocktail, and actually being able to have a conversation with the people behind the bar.
It's also a perfect stop before dinner. Come down a little early, have a cocktail, relax, and then head to your reservation. If you're heading back to the pool, they'll even put your drink in a plastic cup so you can take it with you.
Definitely a 5-star experience for me. Great cocktails, a relaxed atmosphere, and, most importantly, genuinely great people. Eduardo and the team made The Den feel less like another resort bar and more like a place you actually wanted to come back to.
Strongly recommend stopping in during your stay.