Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya by Karisma - Adults Only
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Our Rating
8.1
9.1
Star Rating
5.0
5.0
Room Count
355
257
Restaurants
5
10
Pools
3
5
Year Opened
2023
2013
Year Renovated
2020
2013
Features
Metric
Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya by Karisma - Adults Only
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
All-Inclusive
Yes
Yes
Adults Only
Yes
Yes
Beach Access
Yes
Yes
Spa
Yes
Yes
Kids Club
No
No
Dining Comparison
Metric
Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya by Karisma - Adults Only
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Total Venues
12
18
Included
12
17
Extra Charge
0
1
Room Comparison
Metric
Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya by Karisma - Adults Only
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Room Categories
13
10
Suite Categories
9
6
Activities Comparison
Metric
Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya by Karisma - Adults Only
Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa
Total Activities
21
25
Included
19
22
Extra Charge
2
3
Pros & Cons
Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya by Karisma - Adults Only
Pros
The beachfront LandShark Brewery is the only one in Mexico in a beachfront location — house-brewed lager with the Caribbean visible from your barstool is the defining experience
Adults-only (18+) enforcement means the pool and beach maintain an atmosphere suited to relaxed adults rather than active families — the target guest finds this a strong asset
TropRock live music programming gives evening entertainment a specific character that generic adults-only resorts lack
Cons
The TropRock music focus and Baby Boomer demographic skew of the guest mix may not suit adults under 35 seeking a more contemporary vibe
Puerto Morelos beach water clarity varies with reef conditions — not always the postcard-clear Caribbean visible in the marketing photography
At 355 suites, this is larger than boutique but smaller than the mega-resorts — guests who want a specific activity roster (water park, multiple entertainment venues) need a larger property
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 Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya by Karisma - Adults Only 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.
