Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun by Karisma
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Our Rating
8.2
9.1
Star Rating
5.0
5.0
Room Count
146
257
Restaurants
4
10
Pools
4
5
Year Opened
2020
2013
Year Renovated
2020
2013
Features
Metric
Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun by Karisma
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
All-Inclusive
Yes
Yes
Adults Only
No
Yes
Beach Access
Yes
Yes
Spa
Yes
Yes
Kids Club
Yes
No
Dining Comparison
Metric
Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun by Karisma
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Total Venues
12
18
Included
12
17
Extra Charge
0
1
Room Comparison
Metric
Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun by Karisma
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Room Categories
10
10
Suite Categories
8
6
Activities Comparison
Metric
Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun by Karisma
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Total Activities
19
25
Included
12
22
Extra Charge
7
3
Pros & Cons
Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun by Karisma
Pros
At 148 rooms, staff-to-guest ratios allow genuine personal service that the 500-room Margaritaville properties cannot match — guests are recognized by name from the second day
The Gourmet Inclusive program covers all four a la carte restaurants without specialty surcharges — meaningful savings versus properties where specialty dining is extra
Puerto Morelos is one of the calmer small towns on the Riviera Maya — a 10-minute walk from the resort puts guests in a real fishing village rather than a tourist strip
Cons
148 rooms means less activity variety — guests who want multiple pools, multiple entertainment zones, and 10+ restaurants should book a larger Island Reserve property
Water clarity at Puerto Morelos varies with reef proximity and conditions — not the postcard-clear Caribbean water seen at some Riviera Maya properties
The property lacks the scale of kids' programming infrastructure of the larger family resorts — families with young children who need structured entertainment should consider the Wave section at Cap Cana instead
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Pros
Pink Gin Beach is genuinely calm and swimmable — sheltered cove geometry prevents the choppy surf that affects more exposed Caribbean beaches.
Ten restaurants for 257 rooms is a high ratio, resulting in shorter waits and more consistent kitchen quality than larger Sandals properties.
Five-minute airport transfer is among the shortest in the Sandals chain — no long bus rides after a redeye.
SkyPool suites with private infinity plunge pools are architecturally distinctive and not replicated at most other properties.
PADI scuba diving up to two dives/day is included — at $80–100 per dive externally, this adds real value for certified divers.
The property's smaller, quieter personality makes it work well for couples who want intimacy over high-energy activity.
Cons
The Sandals app reservation system is unreliable — restaurants show as fully booked while tables are available, and closures go unannounced.
Summary
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has a higher guest rating, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more restaurants, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa is the larger property, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa has more dining venues, while Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa offers more activities.
"Partial ocean view" and even some "ocean view" rooms deliver disappointing sightlines — verify the specific building and floor before booking.
Butler Elite categories represent a meaningful price jump; the value is clearest for guests who actually use 24-hour room service and prefer to delegate planning.
Beach lounger availability at the South Seas pool requires early claiming (pre-8:30 AM on busy weeks) — not ideal for late risers.
Older sections of the property show maintenance wear relative to the newer Italian village buildings.
