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
Secrets Baby Beach Aruba
Pros
Baby Beach lagoon water is genuinely exceptional — shallow, calm, and clear, with no surf and no seaweed.
Modern 2025 property with design-forward rooms; no aging infrastructure issues common at older all-inclusives.
Ground-level private plunge pool suites deliver actual privacy — not just a larger balcony.
Tierra (South American) and Portofino (Italian) are the standout dinner restaurants and deliver above-average quality for an all-inclusive.
The hydrotherapy circuit's cenote-style reflecting pool is a genuinely distinctive spa element.
Cons
The beach is a 5-minute walk across a service road — not a direct-beachfront property despite the name.
Alcohol cannot be served by resort staff at the public Baby Beach section.
Soundproofing is poor — rooms near the plaza area get event noise clearly at night.
The eastern coast wind is stronger than Aruba's west side — pool and beach comfort can be affected on windy days.
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 Secrets Baby Beach Aruba has more dining venues, while Secrets Baby Beach Aruba offers more activities.
