One of my favorite parts of Cancun travel is waking up before dawn and having a moment to reflect on the beach as the sun breaks through the water. I've seen more than 100 sunrises in Cancun, but few viewing spots have been as enjoyable as the comfy, overstuffed chair on my expansive terrace at the Grand Residences Riviera Cancun.
For a vacation-home vibe with all the amenities of a luxury resort, the Grand Residences Riviera Cancun offers the perfect combo.
Suites and villas are clustered around a central pool overlooking the Caribbean. The hotel has 144 suites and villas, each of which provides a private, homestyle oasis. Even the most basic room category, the Junior Suite, is equipped with a kitchenette, seating area, private terrace and hydromassage tub.
From there, the suites only get more expansive and luxurious. The 1,798-square-foot Master Suite Luxury one-bedrooms, equipped with one king bed and three Murphy beds, can accommodate up to five guests. The One Bedroom Master Suites measure 3,134 square feet and feature private pools and garden areas.
In July, the property opened the Bicaci Suite, its first indoor wedding and event space. The venue can host groups of up to 60.
Among the resort's dining options, Heaven Beach Bar & Grill is definitely a resort highlight. Tucked into a small section of the resort's beach, the feet-in-the-sand-style restaurant serves delicious, casual snacks such as light salads, ceviche and tacos.
For more upscale dining, the resort's two fine dining restaurants, El Faro Grill and Flor de Canela, are both worth a reservation. El Faro Grill serves fresh seafood, Italian classics and grilled steaks, while Flor de Canela is a Mexican gourmet oasis, decked out with contemporary Mexican art and views of the pool and the sea.
The resort offers special amenities like afternoon tea, complete with a wide selection of gourmet teas and decadent towers of desserts and finger sandwiches. Also available is a chef's cooking class, for which guests gather around an open kitchen counter and learn to prepare recipes from El Faro and enjoy endless sparkling wine. There is also a 24-hour fitness center and yoga and Zumba classes to wipe away any overindulgence guilt (but it's vacation, so indulge away!).
If guests wish to venture off property, the resort is in the small fishing village of Puerto Morelos, which has sleepy shops, cafes and restaurants. At night, the scene livens up with busy but mellow bars that spill out into the small streets.
Rates start at $306 per night. See https://grandresidencesrivieracancun.com.