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
Included access to Royalton Splash's water park next door — this is genuinely free and unlimited, not a token day pass
Post-2024 renovation means all 317 rooms have new finishes — one of the most recently refreshed properties on Bavaro Beach
All rooms are Diamond Club tier, so butler service and lounge access come standard without an upgrade fee
Gourmet Marché buffet draws consistently positive reviews for quality and variety — above average for the brand
23–32 minute airport transfer from PUJ is one of the shorter drives on Bavaro Beach
Cons
Drink service at the buffet is consistently reported as slow — the food quality is praised but drinks often require multiple requests
At 409 sq ft, the entry rooms are smaller than comparable properties at this price point on Bavaro Beach
Vendors have been reported entering hotel grounds — more of an issue near the beach entrance than inland
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a higher guest rating, while Royalton Punta Cana, Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the larger property, while Royalton Punta Cana, Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Maya offers more activities.
