Bahia Principe Grand Coba vs Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts vs Sandals Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Coba | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.1 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 720 | 257 |
| Restaurants | 14 | 10 |
| Pools | 3 | 5 |
| Year Opened | 2005 | 2013 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2013 |
Features
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Coba | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | Yes |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | No |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Coba | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 22 | 18 |
| Included | 22 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 1 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Coba | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 3 | 10 |
| Suite Categories | 3 | 6 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Bahia Principe Grand Coba | Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 25 | 25 |
| Included | 16 | 22 |
| Extra Charge | 9 | 3 |
Pros & Cons
Bahia Principe Grand Coba
Pros
- PGA Riviera Maya Golf Club with Golf Digest recognition is on-site with guest discounts — the strongest argument for golfers choosing this over other Riviera Maya all-inclusives.
- Cross-complex dining at Grand Tulum and Grand Tequila (18+) significantly expands restaurant variety for stays of 5+ nights.
- The Brazilian Rodizio at Gran Tortuga is consistently the highest-rated specialty dinner in guest reviews across the complex.
- Kids Club cooking classes (pizza-making, etc.) get specifically mentioned in family reviews as one of the best activity programme elements.
- The jungle grounds with bridges and lake-style pools create a more atmospheric setting than the typical flat-terrain Cancún-strip resort.
Cons
- Rooms are dated — worn furniture, cracked tile grout, and occasional maintenance issues appear across recent reviews despite the 'Origen' renovation. Request a recently refurbished room at check-in.
- The beach requires a 5-minute shuttle and has visible erosion with sandbags — this is not a beachfront resort in the conventional sense.
- The resort's size (1,080 rooms) means shuttle dependence for getting anywhere — build wait time into your schedule.
- The remote Akumal location means any off-site excursion requires expensive taxis or organised transfers.
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Pros
- Pink Gin Beach is genuinely calm and swimmable — sheltered cove geometry prevents the choppy surf that affects more exposed Caribbean beaches.
- Ten restaurants for 257 rooms is a high ratio, resulting in shorter waits and more consistent kitchen quality than larger Sandals properties.
- Five-minute airport transfer is among the shortest in the Sandals chain — no long bus rides after a redeye.
- SkyPool suites with private infinity plunge pools are architecturally distinctive and not replicated at most other properties.
- PADI scuba diving up to two dives/day is included — at $80–100 per dive externally, this adds real value for certified divers.
- The property's smaller, quieter personality makes it work well for couples who want intimacy over high-energy activity.
Summary
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has a higher guest rating, while Bahia Principe Grand Coba has more restaurants, while Bahia Principe Grand Coba is the larger property, while Bahia Principe Grand Coba has more dining venues.