Grand Sirenis Cayo Santa María vs Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Grand Sirenis Hotels & Resorts vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Grand Sirenis Cayo Santa María | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| Star Rating | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 633 | 539 |
| Restaurants | 8 | 8 |
| Pools | 4 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 2019 | 2008 |
| Year Renovated | — | 2021 |
Features
| Metric | Grand Sirenis Cayo Santa María | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | Yes | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Grand Sirenis Cayo Santa María | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 19 | 15 |
| Included | 19 | 15 |
| Extra Charge | 0 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Grand Sirenis Cayo Santa María | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 5 | 11 |
| Suite Categories | 3 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Grand Sirenis Cayo Santa María | Grand Velas Riviera Maya |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 23 | 23 |
| Included | 19 | 17 |
| Extra Charge | 4 | 6 |
Pros & Cons
Grand Sirenis Cayo Santa María
Pros
- Las Salinas beach's 2 km of calm shallow water is genuinely one of Cuba's best beaches — the sheltered cay location protects it from wave action
- Beach chairs are consistently available even at peak occupancy — rare for a Caribbean beach
- Catamaran sailing and kayaking conditions at Las Salinas are among the best at any Cuban resort due to the calm bay
- Staff friendliness and warmth are one of the most consistent positives across independent reviews
- Snorkeling from the beach accesses coral reefs without any boat required
Cons
- Biting insects (sandfly-type) at Las Salinas beach are documented across multiple reviews — bug spray is not optional
- U.S. bank credit cards are not accepted anywhere in Cuba — bring cash in Canadian dollars, Euros, or Cuban pesos
- Food variety is limited and supply of some cocktail ingredients can be inconsistent — Cuba's import situation affects drink menus
- Some rooms have been reported with musty smells and dated fixtures — request a recently refreshed room and inspect on arrival
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Pros
- Cocina de Autor is the first all-inclusive restaurant in the world to earn both a MICHELIN star and AAA Five Diamond — included in the rate
- SE Spa with Forbes Five Stars, 90,000+ square feet, and 40+ treatment suites is one of the largest and most awarded resort spas in Mexico
- Three distinct ambiances mean guests in Zen Grand have a completely different resort experience from guests in Grand Class — useful for multi-room group bookings
- Tulum ruins are 15 minutes away and cenote tours are easy half-day excursions from this location
Cons
- Zen Grand suites are three-quarters of a mile from the beach — the shuttle runs frequently but beach access requires active planning
- Cocina de Autor and Piaf book up as far as 6 months in advance in peak season — call before arrival rather than assuming on-arrival booking
- Premium pricing at the top of the Riviera Maya all-inclusive market — the quality justifies it but the commitment is real
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Grand Sirenis Cayo Santa María is the larger property, while Grand Sirenis Cayo Santa María has more dining venues.