The Grand Sirenis Mayan Beach and the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya are two hotels in one – with different but connected lobbies and dining rooms. Other amenities such as beaches, pools, and spa are common areas.

Immediately, the guest is struck by the immensity of the place and the creative use of rock, tile, glass, and wood in the architecture. Wherever you look, there are sculptures and fountains. Even the benches are sculptural.

What sets apart these hotels from other Mexican Riviera Mayan establishments is their very own Mayan ruin, a watchtower perched on coral rocks in the center of the bay. Other landscape features have been saved, too. There are at least three cenotes on site. Two have been turned into fountains. The other is the centerpiece of a small complex of shops and apartments. A Mayan motif is carried out in the very contemporary architecture.

Both hotels have been designed and constructed with environmental and ecological sensitivity. For example, there are motion detectors in each room for lighting and air conditioning. When the room is vacated, the systems go into saving mode.

There are several pools (two with swim-up bars), a lazy river to float, a kids’ club, a theater with nightly entertainment, a disco, a chapel, a dive center, and lots of chickees on the beach.

Each room comes stocked with cold waters, sodas, and cervezas. There are two full beds (somehow management thinks if you push them together, they become one king bed), a living area with desk and entertainment center with a large television. The washroom has a jacuzzi and a multifaceted shower as well as the usual fixtures

As an all-inclusive, the Sirenis chefs are exceptional. The buffets are open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are three theme nights – Mexican, Italian, and Japanese. In addition, there are a-la-carte restaurants – Brazilian, Cajun, French (extra charge), Japanese, Mediterranean, Mexican, and Western. The Western restaurant doubles as a snack bar for one of the pools. There’s another snack bar (build your own taco) on the beach and a healthy juice bar at the quiet pool.

Speaking of juices, the bartenders are amazing, too. There are bars in the lower level of each hotel lobby, in the restaurants, in or by the pools, on the beach. . . . We acquired a new favorite cocktail, the mulata. Originally from Cuba, it’s made with golden rum, dark creme de cacao, and lime juice.

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Sirenis Beach Panorama