Grand Oasis Tulum

Once inside the gates, guests are led down a long driveway -- past the Casa Club, driving range, putting green, and tennis courts. At the end of the road, guests keep straight for Grand Tulum, or turn left for Oasis Tulum (the neighboring, less luxurious sister resort). You can already see the differences between the two properties: the Grand Oasis entrance is, well, grander. It features a semi-circle driveway with covered entrance, black marble steps, waiting porters, and lounge chairs, making the entrance to the Oasis seem like a bit of an afterthought. The Grand's lobby is large with upscale, hip decor found in the polka-dot couches, sleek marble tiles, and chic wood furniture. There's a martini piano bar in the back, and a wall full of glass giving guests a peekaboo glance at the Grand-only infinity pool and swim-up bar. The vibe here is relaxed, quiet, and uncrowded; the premises are modern and clean.
If you've got the money to spare, upgrading to the Grand side of the resort is worth it, if for nothing else than the amazing rooftop Cafe del Mar terrace bar, though the Grand's added serenity found within the exclusive pool, beach, and dining areas is worth every penny for those looking to really relax.

Located directly off of Highway 307, just over an hour and 15

minutes south of Cancun (you’ll need to flip a U-turn to access its northbound entrance), Grand Oasis Tulum is clearly marked by a geometrical turquoise tower. (Note that the sign only reads “Oasis Tulum.") Despite its name, the resort is actually located in Akumal, about 20 minutes north of the beachside ruins of Tulum. The exit to Playa del Carmen is 30 minutes north, but budget

Grand Oasis’ 112 room are divided between three separate

buildings: Tulum, Yaakun, and the uber-luxe Sian Ka’an. While rooms in the garden- and pool-facing Tulum and Yaakun are clean and contemporary, the minimally upscale and slightly hodgepodge decor may be slightly disappointing for this caliber of property. However, Sian Ka’an’s handful of Ocean Front Rooms do not

All rooms have chock-full minibars (with limited free refills),

Grand Oasis Tulum shares a surprisingly small buffet, three snack bars, a sushi lounge, and three a la carte spots with Oasis Tulum, but only Grand Oasis guests are privy to the menus and seats at three additional a la cartes – Terrazza Careyes (serving lunch),

Arrecifes Steak and Buffet, and Careyes (gourmet Mexican). Dinner reservations are needed at Careyes, Al Sur (Mediterranean), Dos Lunas (Italian), and Arrecifes Steak and Buffet -- although, there’s a grill set up outside on the terrace serving up similar fare to both resorts, without reservations or Grand wristbands. Walk-ins are welcome at the Sarapes Mexican on the Oasis side. Dos Lunas is open briefly for breakfast, and there are three snack bars and a sushi bar open for lunch if you aren’t feeling the buffet.

A large selection of bars help ensure that Grand Oasis guests never go thirsty. In addition to the five bars -- Sport Bar, Nori (pool bar),

Arkeru Asian Lounge (beach bar), a lobby bar, and Sarape Bar -- shared with neighboring Oasis guests, there are also several bars open exclusively to Grand Oasis guests: the Beach Bar (swim-up pool bar),

Grand Oasis Tulum guests have the privilege of using their

own exclusive Beach Club area or snagging one of the many loungers on the Oasis side of resort.  Whether nature or

In addition to the pools shared with the Oasis property, Grand Oasis has its own exclusive pools. Just outside the back of the lobby, a long infinity pool stretches toward the beach sands. A few loungers are here as well as Beach Bar, a small swim-up bar with

pool seating. The back end of this pool falls a few feet down into a calm,

The Oasis side’s main pool is a fairly large pool with fountains, swim-up bar, activities, and shallow area for kids or dipping. There are a few cabanas with gauzy white fabric canopies, but mostly blue and white woven vinyl loungers and, near Coffee & Me and the Sarape Bar and Restaurant, rustling palapa huts. Grand Oasis guests also share two small dipping pools by the Asian lounge and a zig-zag pool over by the condos that lacks loungers.

While many people come to Oasis Tulum to relax, especially

by the beach, the resort is well-equipped for active guests as well. On the Oasis property there is a small gym with machines and weights and a stash of push bikes guests can grab and ride up to the Casa Club or sports area. Although guests can use the ping-pong, foosball, and basketball courts for free, it costs extra to partake in a game of tennis or swing at the driving range and putting green (both which are a bit lacking). The Casa Club is also home to an additional pool, Sports Bar, and Wimpy’s snack bar.

Though a small space for servicing two resorts, the spa has a wide selection of body, beauty, and massage treatments, a sauna, and a traditional sweat lodge-style Mayan sauna. Family-friendly features include a decent-size Kids' Club just off of the main pool area on the Oasis side. Kids have a playground area near the gym, an indoor/outdoor activity center with computers, games, and crafts, and a special “kids only” snack spot.
If you’ve forgotten any sundries at home, or want to shop

Parking is free (and a little bit of a hike), though Wi-Fi will cost you.