The Sian Ka'an at Grand Tulum

Once just considered a building within the Grand Oasis Tulum property, The Sian Ka'an at Grand Tulum has since become it's own distinct hotel. It still shares features with the Grand Oasis Tulum, but guests here get exclusive access to its the on-site features. Though the hotel bills itself as an upscale and luxurious option, several past guests have commented that it doesn't quite measure up, due to things like few adults-only restaurants, extra charges for non-house wine at dinner, slow service, and maintenance issues. On the plus side, sleek pools, gorgeous rooms, and a calm beach are enough to keep many visitors happy. This resort is primarily frequented by couples. 

Located directly off of Highway 307, just over an hour and 15 minutes by car south of Cancun International Airport, The Sian Ka'an at Grand Tulum is clearly marked by a geometrical turquoise tower. Despite its name, the resort is actually located closer to Akumal, about a 20-minute drive north of the beachside ruins of Tulum. The exit to Playa del Carmen is 30 minutes north. Popular parks such as Xplor, Xel-Ha, and Xcaret dot the freeway between Playa del Carmen and Cancun, and are easy to spot from the road. 

The beach here is fairly small, but gorgeous and full of soft, white sand. Seaweed is a problem in this region of Mexico, but, for the most part, the staff do a good job of keeping the beach clean. Butler service is available, and guests can soak up sun on basic beach loungers under thatched umbrellas or opt for cabana daybeds. Waves are gentle thanks to a reef just offshore, though entry can get rocky. Overall, the atmosphere is calm, with several folks just lounging and listening to the waves roll in. 

The Sian Ka'an has 76 rooms, 25 of which are suites. Outside of just a handful of Sian Ka'an Pool Rooms, all rooms and suites have ocean views. However, a big downside is that only ground-floor units have terraces, aside from Master Suites. Rooms have a lovely, contemporary design with a slightly bland brown and beige color scheme, while suites kick it up a notch with a more sophisticated palette. All guest rooms have polished tile floors, black-wood furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the views -- many rooms offer stellar ocean vistas. Junior Suites have either terraces or in-room whirlpools, while Master Suites have lovely terraces and private pools.

Bathrooms are pretty uniform, consisting of stylish marble, lighted magnifying mirrors, spa showers, and dual sinks. Robes, slippers, and L'Occitane bath products lend an upmarket touch. Other standard room features include AC (though not temperature-adjustable), butler service (though they function more like a personal concierge), daily stocked minibars with drinks and snacks, flat-screen TVs, iPod consoles, and beach bag with towels. 

The all-inclusive plan here covers alcohol, food, activities, and internet (two devices per room). However, the details are a bit fuzzy. House wine is included at dinner, though it's reportedly not very good. Guests have also reported that many bars aren't well-stocked, leaving them with little or no choices. Restaurants require reservations, and a formal dress code is expected (though not always enforced). Room service is available and included 24/7. Daily activities like beach yoga, salsa classes, and water aerobics are included when provided. A free 30-minute rental of snorkeling gear is the only included ocean activity and requires reservations in one of the two daily time slots. Non-motorized water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding are free, while fishing cost extra. 

Guests have access to 12 restaurants, four of which are exclusive to Sian Ka'an guests. Required reservations and an unenforced dress code are pain points for guests, while the food is just above average on the whole. Exclusive dining options include gourmet Mexican fusion, lounge-like seafood and oyster bar, an oceanfront Mediterranean gastro bar, and an oceanfront Caribbean seafood spot. The Grand Tulum's main buffet is a well-regarded for its variety and live cooking stations, and other shared restaurants (warning: there will be kids) include a beachside grill, Italian, Mexican-Japanese fusion, snack bars, and a sushi bar. 

There are also four bars for Sian Ka'an guests only, including a swim-up bar, martini bar with live piano music, a Champagne bar with a beautiful oceanfront terrace, and a Cuban-style cigar lounge. Shared drink spots include a sports bar, pool bars, shared restaurant bars, two coffee cafes, and a tequila bar. 

In addition to the pools shared with the Grand Oasis Tulum complex, The Sian Ka'an has its own exclusive pools. Just behind the lobby, there's a long infinity pool that stretches toward the beach and boasts a swim-up bar. This pool empties down into a quiet fountain pool, and the Sian Ka'an's main pool is just a few steps farther. Here, guests can find a towel kiosk, hydromassage spouts, a fountain, non-heated bubbling whirlpool, a handful of cabanas, lots of loungers, and plenty of garden shade along the edges.

Sian Ka'an guests also have access to the shared pools in the Grand Oasis Tulum complex. 

Sensoria Day Spa is a highlight here and features a treatment menu comprised mostly of daily specials and packages. Statues of Buddha and teak-wood panels give it an upscale East Asian look. Treatment rooms are elegant and some have whirlpool tubs. A steam room, sauna, and traditional temazcal sweat lodge are available. The gym is actually located over in the main complex, and it's just sufficient enough to get in a basic workout. However, there's no AC and some of the equipment is in need of a refresh. 

Guests can also work up a sweat on the tennis courts) or on the multi-use sports court. Non-motorized water sports available down on the beach, including free snorkeling sessions, kayaks, and paddleboards. Daytime entertainment and activities include things like morning beach yoga and interactive demonstrations, and nightly entertainment relies heavily on live music that ends fairly early. 

There's also a small house Smart car available for guests who will just need to pay a small daily insurance fee.