Having read previous reviews about The Elan, I was looking forward to my whole holiday on Cancun. Cancun as a place is everything you expect of it, however, the Elan is not.
During our stay we had 3 rooms, all smelt of sewage, the first room the toilet would not flush, the second room our neighbours, despite less than 20 people being in the hotel, were incredibly noisy, and with thin walls we could hear everything. Our third room still smelt and the balcony door would not lock, but we opted to stay as we were sick of moving.
On at least three separate occasions throughout the stay the resort had no hot water for hours on end, although a cold shower can sometimes be pleasant after a hot day in the Mexican sun.
The staff were very friendly throughout, but as the resort was very quiet, they were sometimes difficult to find, an all inclusive resort where you couldn't always get a drink by the pool as there were no staff around, and on at least three nights all bars were shut by ten o'clock on a night and you had to ask at reception to be allowed a drink, which could take 20 minutes to reach you.
The mini fridge in our room although part of the all inclusive package was only restocked twice during our stay, and only when we asked for this to be done.
The food on the whole was very good, but the resort and our travel agent reported a choice of seven restaurants. A maximum of two were open on any given day, with some days your 'choice' restricted to one restaurant.
The website stated the resort had entertainment, and on one night out of 13 it did.
The Elan was classified as 5 star but would be roughly a 3 star in my opinion. The staff on the whole were very friendly and helpful, with some exceptions, and I know other guests had serious problems with hotel staff.
At one point a senior staff member was overheard saying to another guest that the hotel was renovating and not really ready for guests! We were informed by another senior employee that we should contact our travel agents and ask for a reimbursement.
The resort is very quiet and if you are looking to escape the world in a 3 star environment with friendly staff and on the whole good food you will enjoy this place. However we were expecting so much more from a 5 star Cancun resort and were left disappointed.

Just came back from Elan Resort & Spa in Cancun with a few friends and we had a terrific time. Arriving in Cancun's Hotel zone, we were somewhat weary of the crowd and noise, but Elan is something different: it is on its own private part of the Laguna, so it is isolated from the frenzy going in on elsewhere in Cancun.
The premises are simply fantastic, food was great, and service was very nice. We went there to relax and get a few days of sun and that's exactly what we got.
Be advised that Elan is not directly on the sea, but on the Laguna: this makes for a more peaceful experience, a private beach, and a possibility to go canoing or kayaking in the laguna. However, there are no waves, the beach is more limited and access to the sea is a little bit more complicated. (if you check Elan's location on a map, you'll see what I'm talking about).
On the down note, we had minor difficulties with room service: messages did not always go through and our room was not made on one of the days. We still however had a great time and found the staff friendly.
Simon

When we arrived we were given cold drinks and cold towels that felt great on a warm, summer day. Check in was quick and we were escorted to our room.

Your first glimpses are this beautiful Mexican colonial architecture village, with cobblestone streets, fountains, and bright beatiful flowers and landscaping.

Our room was spacious and the decor was lovely. Our meals at La Palapa and Mare Nostrum were excellent, and the service was outstanding. The staff at The Elan catered to our every need, by bringing us drinks by the pool, serving our meals, and looking after our luggage at arrival and departure. Dining in both restaurants was very nice. The massage was relaxing and the Mayan Sauna looked like an interesting experience for the Winter months.

Both beaches and pool areas were beautiful, and the location of this resort is excellent: about 4 miles from the Convention Center and 5 miles from downtown.

I would definitely recommend this hotel to someone who wants to have a relaxing vacation.

We spent a few days at Elan to celebrate our 25th Anniversary. The resort is lovely. Very different from all the large cookie cutter hotels in Cancun. Elan is a breath of fresh air. You really get the flavor of Mexico. The grounds are beautiful. Attention to detail is important here. The rooms are well appointed, and the staff if very accommodating.

Elan has many options for dining, and the food is excellent. We felt as though we were dining at a fine gourmet restaurant every night. The Spa is lovely. My massage was wonderful. All of the classes at the spa were free, and the instructors were terrific.

Elan is close enough to all the shopping and nightlife. A five minute bus or taxi ride brings you right into all the action.

We would highly recommend The Elan Resort and Spa to anyone looking to enjoy the Mexican culture and relax in the lap of luxury.