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
Occidental Sharjah Grand
Pros
Staff quality is a consistent highlight — attentive, friendly, and frequently cited as the best aspect of a stay
Complimentary shuttle to Dubai Mall and Sharjah City significantly extends what you can do without a rental car
Heated pool means year-round swimming in comfort — valuable during the November–March cool season
Breakfast buffet is genuinely well-regarded — fresh, varied, and reliably good
Direct Persian Gulf beach access with included sunloungers and umbrellas at a price point well below equivalent Dubai beach hotels
Cons
This is a dry hotel — no alcohol served anywhere on property, including the 'sports bar'
Stray cats on the beach and loungers, with occasional cleanliness issues on the sand
City-view rooms affected by nearby construction noise and dust — ask specifically for sea-view rooms
Dinner buffet inconsistency — some nights good, others over-spiced or misaligned with the announced theme
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more dining venues.
