TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

This was our fourth stay at the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya, although our most recent visit previous to this month was eleven years ago. Nevertheless, our generally very fond memories of previous visits wer...e largely renewed this time. The resort itself is stunningly beautiful. The architecture, with its resonance to Mayan design traditions, is magnificent. There is nothing cookie cutter about this resort. No faux tropical or neo-colonial structures. The volume of space in the principal buildings creates a sense of spaciousness almost to the extent of being ethereal. In previous visits the soundtrack from Orff’s “O Fortuna” added to this sense of wonder. I’ll admit, I missed that. Beyond the structures the environment of the entire resort carries through on this sense of spaciousness. The grounds are impeccably maintained and the many circuitous paths allow visitors to experience much of the natural environment. Though one was aware of the very large number of visitors on the site at any one time, it was easy to find a secluded and quiet spot on the grounds and feel at one with the environment. Staff were uniformly helpful and welcoming. Though it’s a bit unfair to single out a few I can’t help but mention our housekeeper in Ixchel, Pedro; servers Freddy and Gonzalez (at Butchers) and Santos (Pueblito Lindo); and cycle tour guide Cecilio, who was both knowledgeable and eminently entertaining. The food was excellent throughout the resort, offering a wide range of options for every taste. I marveled at the quality of the food preparation served in such vast quantities at the buffets. We were especially impressed with the fresh food and charcuterie options of a very high quality. There were a few disappointments which I can’t help but mention. I recognize that the majority of guests have joined the zombie apocalypse and now live lives glued to cell phones and other “devices.” It was disheartening for an old curmudgeon like myself to see so many people apparently immune to the beauty of the surroundings so addicted were they to their tiny screens. But for those who envision a vacation as an opportunity to untether themselves from their devices (or more radically have taken the conscious decision to live without cell phones), Grand Sirenis makes it very difficult to enjoy the resort to the fullest. Hard copies of site maps are not made available; activities schedules are accessible on the web-site, but have been programmed to be read only by scrolling devices (not standard laptops); à la carte restaurants encourage menu access by QR codes (print copies are available but in limited supply); and when invited by a quite excellent server at one of the restaurants to provide a comment, the form could only be accessed via a QR code. Furthermore, the ubiquity with which the “app” has been implemented has had the result that many of the staff, including front desk and concierge staff, were unable to answer simple questions, replying in every instance “you can find that on the app.” As mentioned above, the food was of a very high calibre with considerable variety of choices, sophisticated presentation, and a very high standard of cuisine. This was true in the buffets, but particularly in the ala carte restaurants. Of those we sampled Butcher and Casa Alma were exceptional; Oishii was entertaining. The one disappointment was Carnal which was marketed as “fashion cuisine” whatever that means. The food was absolutely outstanding, superior to anything else on offer at the resort (already a high standard): innovative, refined, exquisitely presented. But the meal was ruined by the bizarre environment created in the restaurant. The decor could be described generously as surreal; the lighting was seizure-inducing; the desired effect appeared to be “circus-in-hell.” But it was the music – live and canned – that was excruciating. It was loud ... obscenely loud .. stomach-churning loud, so much so that we had to leave without finishing our meals, all the more regrettable since they were clearly the best meals we’d been served on site. Though it’s difficult for me to imagine, the environment at Carnal might suit others’ tastes, but I can’t fathom why a resort which is notable for its fine attention to aesthetic matters would pair its most elegant cuisine with its most eccentric environment.

Alfredo Vasquez and Alejandro are the best bartenders at the resort! They are so friendly. You must get the “Alfredo signature” as a drink. They made our experience awesome ! Thank you so much. You can usu...ally find them at the sky or lobby bars.

I just want to give a accurate review from people that have been to over 20 all inclusive resorts. Pros Food was absolutely the best we have ever had. Beyond 5 Star Service and restaurants throughout th...e resort was very good. Geni on the beach was an exceptional server!! Cons: Zero A/C in the rooms. We tried 2. On the 2nd room, after calling about the hot room, I watched the maintenance guy drain water out of a line and that was it for any repair to the cooling system. That's all they can do. The rooms and restaurants are cooled with water, not freon A/C. If you are a person that needs to cool down once or twice a day (especially when sleeping!)...very sorry to say, but look elsewhere. If you get a room that has not been renovated you may want to change.

Shorten this to 400 characters: Unforgettable experience! The combination of an amazing live show and exceptional food made for a magical evening. The appetizers — especially the tuna and beef tartare — we...re perfectly prepared, and the mains, including the steak and mushroom tartlet, were absolutely delicious. We topped it off with crème brûlée and carrot cake, both divine. A special shoutout to our server, Angel, who was welcoming, friendly, attentive, and had spot-on recommendations. He truly made it the highlight of our stay. Can’t wait to return!

Our youngest daughter who is 7 was obsessed with the kids club. We have allowed her to go to kids clubs in other countries but this one beats the rest hands down. The staff are amazing, Litsy, Yaniz and Mo...nse. Our daughter made pizza, had pool parties, had lunch out with other friends from the kids club and also took part in the Lion Ling show with the amazing kids club staff. Thanks for being amazing.