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
Porto Sani
Pros
Dine Around Programme gives access to 26–27 restaurants including El Puerto (Michelin-starred chef association) across Sani Resort — the dining breadth is exceptional for a European beach hotel
Melissa Crèche (ages 6 months–4 years) run by UK-qualified specialists Worldwide Kids Ltd is a rare facility that makes this property viable for families with infants
The 'Babewatch' 30-minute complimentary beach childcare is a small but genuinely useful feature that parents cite specifically
Chelsea FC Football Academy and Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy offer a quality of coaching not typical at resort sport programs
Cons
Full board plus means food is covered but most drinks, all spa treatments, and most sports academies are charged separately — the all-in cost is significantly higher than the room rate suggests
Advance reservation required for all Porto Sani restaurants and the Crèche during July–August; guests who arrive without pre-booked dinner slots may find preferred restaurants full
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the larger property, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya has more dining venues.
