| | Carretera Federal Cancún-tulum, Zona Costera, Km. 256.3, Akumal, 77710, Mexico
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Overall Community Rating: |   8.7 (based on 5 user reviews) |
 Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya: HOLA - THE BEST TRIP EVER by GREENGROWERBUD |
| Posted 01 September 2008 about a visit in August 2008 | Overall rating: 10.0 |
Ratings| Dining | 10 | | Location | 10 | | Cleanliness | 10 | | Service | 10 | | Rooms | 10 | | Value | 10 | | Facilities | 10 |
Trip was for:
Family
Holiday
Visit again?
Definitely
BEACH FROM BAR |
FINE SNORKELLING JUST OFF BEACH |
DESERTED BEACH SOUTH END OF RESORT |
JOYOUS SIBLINGS ON TOP OF NOHOCH MUL, QUINTANA ROO, COBA |
COCONUTS TO YOU |
BLEACHED CORAL AND WILD COCONUT PALMS |
DID YOU SAY MOJITO? |
GREAT WAITER ... HOLDING A BOTTLE AND MY DAUGHTER ... |
UP TO 3 AT A TIME ... |
IGUANA'S ALMOST SAME SHADE AS CORAL |
OUTSIDE ON THE TERRACE |
NORTH FROM OUR BALCONY |
COBA ARCHWAY |
COBA EDIFICE |
COBA: NOHOCH MUL - >126' - 120 STAIRS |
THEY'RE CLIMBING ... |
ROOM AT TOP OF NOHOCH MUL |
ALL OF US AT THE GRAND CENOTE |
ROBINSON CRUSOE MOMENT |
DESERTED BEACH SOUTH END OF RESORT; SEA TURTLES LAY EGGS HERE .. |
LAZY RIVER - GRAND SIRENIS |
I WANNA GO BACK ... |
NICE ... EH? |
IT DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THIS ... |
LOTS TO EXPLORE |
SNORKELING HERE IS A WHOLE NEW WORLD |
3 WINNERS OF THE THURSDAY AFTERNOON BEAUTY CONTEST (& PRIZES) |
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Monday, September 01, 2008
HOLA!!!
We have just returned from the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya and found it a wonderful experience for my wife, four children (three girls, 17 to 22 and one boy, 24 years of age) and me.
It was the trip of a lifetime for us as we were extremely impressed by the high quality and magnificent standards engendered by the staff and management of the resort. The food, its preparation, presentation and sumptuous variety was of the highest quality and it was changed up daily. All manner of sea-food, beef, chicken, pork, eggs, vegetables, salads, breads, cheeses, fruits, wines, coffees, sauces, soups, marinades and desserts were presented elegantly buffet style or formally at the 7 a la carte restaurants.
The coastline consisted of natural inlets forged into the coral shoreline, interspersed with beaches. Just yards off the shore were magnificent views of fan, brain and stag horn coral; multitudinous fish and in nearby Akumal, the opportunity to swim with giant sea turtles and sting rays. At a secluded area, just south of the main resort, alongside a rugged shoreline of bleached coral, beside a jungle of wild coconut and palm trees, amidst chameleon-like lizards could be found the tracks of giant sea turtles and their enormous nesting excavations. Apparently, late at night, these great reptiles can be heard and seen (flashlight required) performing their primordial, nesting instincts.
A trip to Coba, under the noon-day sun provided an opportunity to explore the ruins and pyramids of an ancient Mayan civilization. Nohoch Mul, a 138’ tall, steep, pyramidal structure loomed pale through the forest as we approached and beckoned to climb its step-like slope. It was challenging and exhausting to scale in the heat of the day’s 100º + temperature; a misstep or loss of balance would send a climber tumbling down the jagged slope. It was a long walk, perhaps a mile, from the parking lot to Nohoch Mul; guides, bicycles and rickshaws were available to the less robust tourist at minimal cost. By the time we returned to the rented, air-conditioned Voyageur, we were bathed in sweat and craving litres of water to staunch the threat of dehydration and loss of electrolytes. Apparently, the symptoms of dehydration somewhat mimic the onset of food and water-borne pathogenic diseases. All four of our kids suffered the consequences of dehydration during our vacation, aided and abetted by their propensity to over-indulge in the fancy, fruity, minty and readily available libations for which all-inclusive resorts are most famous.
Hot, hungry and exhausted, we headed back to the resort for our evening meal (the Grand Sirenis was on the way to Playa Del Carmen). Twenty-five minutes from Coba, ten minutes from Akumal was the Grand Cenote consisting of caverns with deep, cool, clear, fresh water in which you could SCUBA, snorkel or swim. What a respite from the scorching, relentless sun it was to dive into the clean, crisp water! What a treat! What a magnificent way to restore a hot, exhausted body. The caverns were beauty as well.
The cost of renting a van, buying fuel and paying the admission to various sites was about USD 300; that’s about USD 50 per each of us. The excursion, starting at about 0900 HR - swimming with the turtles at Akumal, visiting the archeological sites at Coba, swimming at the Grand Cenote and visiting Walmart in Playa Del Carmen for cheap booze (about the same price as duty-free) - ended at about 2200 HR, when we retired to our suites and ordered room service (a complementary perk) for a snack.
The Staff at the Grand Sirenis were extraordinarily attentive, professional and polite. At the main buffet dining hall (when we were not eating a la carte) it became our routine to dine on the terrace, with a view of the Caribbean and a rooftop display of eerily sculpted orange cubes and spheres. The six of us were served by at least three waiters attending to all manner of want. As we approached the terrace carrying laden plates of the finest delicacies, sumptuous salads, delightful casseroles or local favourites, an attendant would open the door, carry our plates to the table, pull out our chairs and spread our napkins on our laps. Offering red or white wine, glasses of lime-garnished Corona, cocktails or cappuccino, our dear, friendly waiters stood at our elbows replenishing every quaff drunk.
Two hundred USD one-dollar-bills were dispersed discreetly throughout the resort to all the staff who served us, including chamber-maids, waiters, chefs, hostesses, busboys, bartenders, cart and bus drivers, car rental attendants and on-site concierges. It was a pittance compared to the costs of services of a similar nature encountered in Toronto. Consider that the minimum wage in Mexico is 45 pesos (USD 4.50) per day. A guest in any nation with an economy dependant on tourism should be as generous as financially feasible with regard to the sprawling underclass.
Recommendations:
Bring lots of USD small bills; including plenty of ones, fives and tens. Any USD spent returns change in Pesos. The ‘Shopping Mall’ at the Grand Sirenis is half the price of the Cancun airport when buying trinkets and gifts for home (except for duty free).
If renting a vehicle, be careful when filling up at a gas station. Attendants will direct you to ‘their’ pump and open your filler cap to start pumping fuel without resetting the display to zero. It’s easy to end up paying double or triple the actual cost for fuel. BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WHEN NAVIGATING HIGHWAY 307. SPEED BUMPS CROP UP VERY UNEXPECTEDLY!
Bring water shoes!!! There are navigable beaches but it’s really comfortable to wander the coast unencumbered by sharp coral, spine-clad sea urchins and blazing hot sand and pathways. Wear an old shirt (and head covering if possible) when snorkeling, the sun is relentless. Protecting the backs of legs from ultraviolet rays is very difficult.
Bring personal snorkeling gear (including flippers). An underwater, airtight case may be purchased at home for some digital cameras; otherwise, bring disposable underwater equipment.
Electrolytes (Gatorade) can be purchased at the resort. Drinking 3 or 4 litres of bottled water a day will prevent the inevitable dehydration caused by over-indulgence.
Try not to eat or drink off the resort. At least one guest enjoyed an ‘all-you-can-eat’ at Xel-ha, an off-site attraction, resulting in pain and diarrhea for the remainder of his vacation including the flight home.
Bring a flashlight. As mentioned above, sea turtles burying their eggs late at night may be seen at a desolate beach on the south end of the resort. Also, hermit crabs scurry about the surf and coral all night.
Bring a Spanish / English / French / Japanese phrase book. Knowing a little Spanish helps in forging friendly, personal and egalitarian bonds with the Mexicans
For USD 2 (each way), a ‘collectivo’ may be hailed on the main highway from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum. These local transports are the means by which the off-site resort staff travels to and from work.
Share your (relative) wealth with those on whom we depend to provide us with a remarkable, comfortable, friendly, unforgettable and sumptuous experience. Remember, the circumstances of our measly existences have more to do with luck (or lack thereof) than of merit (or lack thereof). We are, all of us, born randomly to our own time and space.
HASTA LA VISTA, BEBÈ … !
This review is the opinion of a diytravel.co.uk user and not of diytravel.co.uk. |
| 2 of 2 users found this review helpful. Did this review help you? |   |
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 Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Reservations |
| Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya: Great Resort and friendly staff by From Canada |
| Posted 06 March 2008 about a visit in February 2008 | Overall rating: 9.7 |
One word AMAZING !
The food, services, cleanliness, friendliness of staff and settings are amazing. 1-1/2 hour from the airport, yet close to major sight seeing sites. Either you are looking to just relax or go on one or more of the many tours they offer this is the place to be.
This review is the opinion of a diytravel.co.uk user and not of diytravel.co.uk. |
| 7 of 7 users found this review helpful. Did this review help you? | |
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| Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Reservations |
| Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya: Definitely disgusted with service by Mike Ricci |
| Posted 29 February 2008 about a visit in February 2008 | Overall rating: 4.7 |
Our room had a offensive smell of mold that actually made us sick. We tried for 7 days to get moved with no success. You had to pre book the restaurants and that process was awful. We were constantly told they were booked up and then we would walk by the facility and see that it was half empty. We even tried money and still were lied to and given the run around. The food was average about a 3 star, the pool and beach were beautiful and the resort location pretty good. The frustrating experience of trying to get honest fair service with regards to our room, restaurant reservations, shuttle service ( for our elderly parents) was so disgusting that we would not go back even if it were for free. We travel often and all over the world and have never experienced such shameful service.
This review is the opinion of a diytravel.co.uk user and not of diytravel.co.uk. |
| 1 of 4 users found this review helpful. Did this review help you? | |
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| Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Reservations |
| Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya: Best experience by Amy Clarke |
| Posted 25 November 2006 about a visit in November 2006 | Overall rating: 9.7 |
We came to this resort nov.6-16, hotel is beautiful, staff are excellent, food was great. I recommend this resort for anyone who wants a nice relaxing vacation :)
This review is the opinion of a diytravel.co.uk user and not of diytravel.co.uk. |
| 6 of 6 users found this review helpful. Did this review help you? | |
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| Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Reservations |
| Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya: Very Modern, very new, with excellent facilities and staff. by William Clarke |
| Posted 22 November 2006 about a visit in November 2006 | Overall rating: 9.3 |
My Family/group of six are aged from 26 to 62 years of age so I believe this mixture and group alone would have put this place through it's paces.
What we all did like was the decor, service, ala cart restaurants, pools and beach. I thought the staff really did go out of their way to be friendly and helpful. The suites themselves were awsome, big rooms, beds, balcony, and showers, you will notice I gave them a rating of 9 and it's because we did have problems with the jacuzzi bath, they tried to fix it but for some reason it was not going to happen while we were there.
Just so you know I cannot fault the service, cleanliness, or the facilities. If you want a down side, then I would say the beach is a little rocky for the first few feet, they had not started to run the lazy river, and in the distance you could hear some construction work in progress.
To me the most annoying thing that happen was after our first few days of going for breakfast, at first we were able to sit by the window and look at the ocean in the distance. Once a conference group arrived, they blocked this area off. After a couple of days I mentioned this to a member of the staff, the next day we were back at the window. If that is my biggest gripe then do I really have one?
Finally through DIY Travel I thought I got a good deal and if I could get that same deal again, I would certainly return or recommend going to anyone.
This review is the opinion of a diytravel.co.uk user and not of diytravel.co.uk. |
| 55 of 60 users found this review helpful. Did this review help you? | |
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| Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Reservations |
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Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Questions | Have you got a question about Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya that you want answered before you book online? If our reviews do not contain the information that you need, ask a question and let other visitors tell you the real story!
 Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya: bathroom windown? |
| 23 Sep 2008 by Katie Bickel |
i have seen pictures of the bathrooms in the rooms. there appears to be a clear glass between the bathrooms and the beds. Is there privacy for the toilets and showers at least?
>> Answer this question | |
| Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya: Bathroom "Window" Issue |
| 22 Jan 2008 by Laura Joyce |
I've noticed in a few traveller's pictures and reviews that there's a huge "window" (just a cut out in the wall, really, without glass, even) between the bedroom and bathroom. As I've already booked, I'm pretty much stuck, but PLEASE someone, tell me that these are just honeymoon rooms or something?!?!! I'm going in March--a single mom with 3 teenaged sons. Heaven help us all! Thanks for any info!
>> Answer this question | | | | >> | Answer 1 by GREENGROWERBUD (08 Sep)
Some rooms have frosted windows dividing the bathroom and others are wide open (except for the shower and toilet doors). You could hang a sheet ...
Regards,
bud
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| Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya: Bathrooms |
| 12 Dec 2007 by Natalie Deacon |
Does anyone know if the bathrooms have a door on the shower??
>> Answer this question | | | | >> | Answer 1 by Monique Gau (16 Jan)
Yes there is a frosted glass door on the shower and the same for the toilet area.
| | | | >> | Answer 2 by Bernice Brown (20 Aug)
Yes the shower has a door. Toilet has door also. Had a brilliant time
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| Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya: distance to cancun |
| 17 May 2007 by Jodi Mccool |
does antyone know the distance from Grand Sirenis Riveria Maya to Cancun?
>> Answer this question | |
| Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya: Is the Bahia Principe Tulum gay and trans friendly? |
| 30 Apr 2007 by Ana Semia |
I'm a transsexual woman considering holidaying at the Bahia Principe Tulum and want to know if it is a trans-positive space.
>> Answer this question | |
Questions and answers are provided by diytravel.co.uk users and do not represent the opinions of diytravel.co.uk. |
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