Grand Residences Riviera Cancun

Boutique resort with beautiful pools and beach. Food was excellent at every meal including buffet and menu offerings. Staff was friendly and attentive. The master suite accommodations were exceptional with large living room, kitchen and bathroom. Very large balcony with table and chairs and well as lounge chairs. Everything you could ever want!

After allowing myself several days to reflect on my recent stay at this hotel, I am providing an objective assessment of the experience. As a member of this hotel chain since 2022 and a previous paying guest, I had fond memories of my earlier visit. For this occasion, I brought my family and opted for the all-inclusive package, which was new to me. I anticipated high-quality gourmet food as advertised and looked forward to revisiting what I remembered as an excellent facility. The following are the most notable aspects of my stay: *Food:* The dining experience unfortunately did not live up to expectations. Gourmet cuisine should feature refined preparation and visually appealing, balanced meals with several contrasting courses; however, Gran Residences did not meet this standard. Although breakfast offered both a buffet and à la carte options, the best items were the fresh fruit rather than any chef-prepared dishes. The quesadillas served were cold and tough, and the scrambled eggs were overwhelmed by an intense butter flavor—my son noted his meal tasted mostly like butter. Ordering a freshly-made omelet did enhance our breakfast. Lunch included a simple pool menu and restaurant selections; of the tuna tartare, ceviche, and shrimp or chicken tacos, only the chicken tacos stood out. Dinner at El Faro and Flor de Canela was similarly unremarkable, with elaborate dish names but underwhelming flavors or overly strong sauces. The only night we were truly satisfied was during the Mexican dinner by the pool featuring authentic tacos al pastor. On our second night, I ate aguachiles and developed stomach issues within four hours, resulting in frequent trips to the bathroom for the next 48 hours. I ate exclusively at the hotel and was the only one in our group who experienced this, leading me to believe the aguachiles were the cause. Given Mexico’s rich culinary traditions, the overall quality of food was disappointing and did not reflect the price. Previous reviews have also noted food issues. It may be beneficial for the hotel to bring in specialized consultants for each cuisine to improve the dining experience. At present, their food remains their Achilles' heel. *Accommodations:* The rooms are exceptionally spacious and furnished in a solid, traditional Hacienda style, though some may find the décor bulky or dark. The pool is well-maintained, heated, and inviting; while the jacuzzi is small, it suffices due to the hotel’s relatively intimate size. The beach is superior to that of their Playa del Carmen property (Royal Haciendas). The smaller scale of the property fosters a more welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, especially for children participating in the kids club. *Reservations:* The reservation systems for restaurants and beach chairs could use improvement. Prior to arrival, our concierge did not inform us about the process of reserving pool and beach chairs—a privilege extended to members upon arrival. This resulted in daily struggles to secure seating, suggesting that there may be insufficient chairs for the number of guests. A rotating system might ensure fair access for all. Restaurant reservations also require advance bookings; otherwise, available times are either very early or late, which is inconvenient for families with children. Although we were usually accommodated by arriving at our preferred time, the reservation system caused unnecessary stress. A first-come, first-served policy could simplify matters. *Kids Club:* My children had a very positive experience at the kids club. The smaller guest population allowed for closer interactions between children, fostering a welcoming and communal environment. *Staff:* Experiences with the staff varied; while some servers were courteous and engaging, others appeared indifferent or even rude. Service times in both the restaurant and pool areas were slow—typically 30 to 45 minutes—which may be attributed to understaffing, an issue noted by other guests as well. This level of service does not align with expectations for a five-star hotel. *Summary:* This hotel is an excellent choice for relaxation and family fun in well-kept facilities, featuring average food, a pleasant beach, and a premium price. However, if you value high-quality cuisine and were attracted by advertisements promising gourmet fare at a five-star property, this location may not meet your expectations.

Everything was really good. Relaxed atmosphere but with attention to detail. The suites are very nice and comfortable.

We have been to this resort many times in the past. The experience this trip was not as good as in the past - doesn't seem to be the 5-star resort it has been. Changes since Holiday Inn took over appear to have impacted staffing and service.

Our villa at Grand Residences was spacious and well equipped. Having the three separate rooms meant there was plenty of space for our whole family. The pools are beautiful and grounds very well kept. It was helpful to have a lap pool in addition to the adult pool and family pool The staff is very attentive. The food is good but not outstanding and there are options. The beach is narrow and a little hard to navigate with the brain coral at the edge. However, the life guards were very helpful in pointing out where to enter. It is a lovely facility with attentive staff