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
Sani Dunes
Pros
The Dine Around program across 26 Sani Resort restaurants is a genuine differentiator — most resorts in Greece don't offer this kind of culinary range within the plan.
The 3,500 sq m heated lagoon pool is the largest in Greece and doesn't feel crowded outside of peak July-August weeks.
Branded activity academies (Rafa Nadal Tennis, Chelsea FC Football) are rare additions to a beach resort and have real coaching pedigree.
Beach service quality is high — 4m of spacing per umbrella, refreshment delivery, and the Babewatch childcare option are premium touches.
The Kassandra Peninsula location offers quieter, forested surroundings compared to busier Greek island party destinations.
Cons
Families with children under 4 will need to pay extra for crèche services — and this resort overall skews adult/teen rather than young-family focused.
The Dine Around program has nuance: some à la carte selections require a meal allowance top-up beyond what Half Board covers.
Branded academies, most water sports, and cultural classes all add meaningfully to the total trip cost — the base rate doesn't reflect what most guests actually spend.
Summary
Sani Dunes 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, while Sani Dunes offers more activities.
