A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the Grand Residences Riviera Cancun is located just south of Puerto Morelos next to Now Jade resort and the local marina.  Vacationers who enjoy a more quiet, intimate resort with luxury amenities and a good beach will find the perfect fit at the Grand Residences.  Even when at full capacity with its 144 rooms, the resort layout provides more than enough space for guests to spread out without feeling overcrowded; claiming poolside or beach loungers is rarely a hassle, while the suites are spacious and well-equipped enough to make it difficult for travelers to leave their comfortable surroundings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since the resort has an optional all-inclusive meal plan, guests must be sure to book the All-In Grand Experience meal plan if they wish to pay in advance for their drinks and food.  All but Jr. Suites have full size refrigerators and stoves/ovens, so there is the opportunity and the space for independent meal preparation if one chooses.  An onsite market will aid both the all-inclusive and European meal plan vacationer who has forgotten anything whether it be sunscreen, snacks, alcohol, or clothing.  All suites include two types of coffee makers, signature bedding, Jacuzzi tub, balcony/terrace, wet sink, kitchenware, microwave, fresh flowers, a small bottle of tequila, snacks and selected fruits, Bvlgari bath products, and complimentary insect repellent.  Larger families or groups traveling together will appreciate the 1-3 bedroom Master Suites or the four bedroom Presidential Suite; Murphy beds also make it feasible for families to stay together in one suite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another highlight of the Grand Residences is the pool area with a separate lap pool, a children’s pool, an adults-only infinity edge pool with swim-up bar and built-in Jacuzzi, and a family pool which is divided into a shallow baby/toddler section and deeper area closer to the beach.  Shade umbrellas and loungers surround all pools, while pool butlers bring Evian misters, popsicles, and fresh fruit around to guests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The beach is only steps away from the family pool and is groomed several times each day by resort staff.  Loungers and shade umbrellas sit well back from the waters’ edge while minimal natural shade is available.  The ocean is swimmable, a marina is just to the north for boating/snorkeling adventures, and for those wanting to swim with dolphins, Delphinus Puerto Morelos is just a few minutes’ walk north of the resort adjacent to the actual marina.  Guests wanting long beach walks can head south.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grand Residences recently renovated its buffet (El Faro Grill) for breakfast, lunch, and a la carte dinner options, while the Heaven Beach Bar serves lunch–drinks are served from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The resort also added a Mexican restaurant, while BBQ cookouts are offered several times a week.  Guests can hire an onsite private chef to come into their Master or Presidential suite to prepare a gourmet feast for an extra charge.  Room service is included in the optional all-inclusive plan with a rather extensive menu and quick service.

Although this resort is on the small side, it offers significant amenities such as a fully equipped spa, fitness center, beauty salon, tennis courts, bicycle tour into Puerto Morelos, and a Kid’s Club for ages 4-12 and a Teen Club for ages 13-17.  Guests can access motorized water sports over at Now Jade or Marina El Cid resort’s beaches, both of which are a quick stroll north of Grand Residences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a wonderful resort for multi-generational family trips or groups of friends traveling together.  Family reunions, girls’ trips, destination weddings, as well as couples or families are all welcome here.  What makes this resort even more attractive to families is the fact that children under the age of 12 stay free of charge.

Type of Resort:  Family-friendly, all-inclusive optional

Pro:  Large guest rooms, free WiFi, lounger availability, free airport shuttle transportation, onsite market

Con:  Limited dining options, bars not open late, no evening entertainment

Best Suited For:  Large and small families, family reunions, couples, those who desire a smaller and more quiet resort

No. of Rooms:  144

Room Amenities:  King or two dbl beds, A/C, balcony/terrace, desk and two chairs, bed benches, fresh flowers, assorted fruits, small bottle of tequila, mini-bar or full size refrigerator, digital safe, flat screen TV, DVD player, telephone, Nespresso and regular coffee makers, microwave, toaster, kitchenware/flatware, bar sink, iron/ironing board, robe and slippers, radio alarm clock with iPod dock, hair dryer, dbl vessel sinks, Jacuzzi tub, separate shower with rainforest and hand held showerheads, Bvlgari toiletries, handmade soap, insect repellent, complimentary WiFi, and complimentary 24-hr. room service with the optional all-inclusive meal plan.  Here is a brief rundown of guest room categories:

• Jr. Suite:  King bed, Murphy bed, small sofa, and kitchenette.  Resort, ocean, or beachfront view.
• Jr. Suite with Balcony Jacuzzi:  Two dbl beds, dresser, kitchenette, and terrace Jacuzzi.  Parking lot view; some suites on the south side have a partial ocean view.
• One Bedroom Master Suite:  Separate bedroom with king bed, small sofa, Murphy bed, two footstools, flat screen TV, and walk-in closet, combined living and dining room area with large and small sofas, two armchairs, coffee table, flat screen TV, and two single Murphy beds, dining area with table and eight chairs, hutch, adjoining gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, full refrigerator, dbl sink, dishwasher, oven, stovetop, small flat screen TV, laundry room (washer only), large bathroom with separate his ‘n her sinks, vanity area, full length mirror, additional half-bathroom, and balcony Jacuzzi.  Resort, ocean, or beachfront view.
• One Bedroom Master Suite with Private Pool:  Separate bedroom with king bed, small sofa, Murphy bed, two footstools, flat screen TV, and walk-in closet, combined living and dining room area with a large and small sofa, two armchairs, coffee table, flat screen TV, and two single Murphy beds, dining area with table and eight chairs, hutch, adjoining gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, full refrigerator, dbl sink, dishwasher, oven, stovetop, small flat screen TV, laundry room (washer only), large bathroom with separate his ‘n her sinks, vanity area, full length mirror, additional half-bathroom, terrace infinity plunge pool, Jacuzzi, two full loungers, table and six chairs.  Resort, ocean, or beachfront view.
• Two Bedroom Master Suite:  Two separate bedrooms each with a king bed, flat screen TV, and its own single Murphy bed, two full bathrooms, additional half-bathroom, combined living and dining room area with a large and small sofa, two armchairs, coffee table, two single Murphy beds, and flat screen TV, dining area with table and eight chairs, hutch, adjoining gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, full refrigerator, dbl sink, dishwasher, oven, stovetop, small flat screen TV, laundry room (washer only), balcony with Jacuzzi, table and chairs, and two full loungers.  Ocean or beachfront view.
• Three Bedroom Master Suite:  Three separate bedrooms (two have a king bed and single Murphy bed, while the third is an adjoining Jr. Suite with two dbl beds and a balcony Jacuzzi), additional half-bathroom, spacious living and dining area with a large and small sofa, two armchairs, coffee table, flat screen TV, and two single Murphy beds, dining area with table and eight chairs, hutch, adjoining gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, full refrigerator, dbl sink, dishwasher, oven, stovetop, small flat screen TV, laundry room (washer only), balcony with Jacuzzi, table and chairs, and two full loungers.  Ocean or beachfront view.
• Presidential Penthouse Four Bedroom Suite:  Four separate bedrooms (three have a king bed and single Murphy bed, while the fourth is an adjoining Jr. Suite with two dbl beds and a balcony Jacuzzi), additional half-bathroom, spacious living and dining area with a large and small sofa, two armchairs, coffee table, flat screen TV, and two single Murphy beds, dining area with table and eight chairs, hutch, adjoining gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, full refrigerator, dbl sink, dishwasher, oven, stovetop, small flat screen TV, laundry room (washer only), balcony with infinity plunge pool, Jacuzzi, table and chairs, two full loungers, and BBQ grill area.  Ocean view.

Physically Challenged Rooms:  Available

Resort Amenities:  Four pools (separate lap pool, children’s pool, adults-only pool with swim-up bar and built-in Jacuzzi, and family pool with shallow toddler section), spa, beauty salon, fitness center, tennis courts, bicycle tour to Puerto Morelos, pool and beach butler service, beach massage, Kid’s Club (ages 4-12), Teen Club (ages 13-17), complimentary roundtrip airport shuttle transportation, Gourmet Food Market, concierge, tour desk, car rental, and medical service.

Restaurants/Bars:  There is one buffet for breakfast and lunch (El Faro Grill–a la carte for dinner, reservations requested), and one Mexican a la carte (Flor de Canela–reservations requested), while the Heaven Beach Bar serves lunch and drinks poolside.  Occasional BBQ lunches round out the standard dining venues; guests may also request a chef to cook a private dinner in their suite for an extra cost.  This resort offers a poolside bar, swim-up bar, and lobby bar.  Afternoon tea is served in the lobby.

Entertainment:  While the resort offers daytime activities, there is no nightly entertainment.

Website:  http://grandresidencesrivieracancun.com/