As more resorts open doors along the coastline south of Cancun, hospitality brands are taking luxury even further, and guests are benefiting from the extra pampering. Grand Residences Riviera Cancun is no exception. Located in Puerto Morelos, the new 103-suite resort offers exceptional food and service — which is what guests might expect from a property affiliated with The Leading Hotels of the World.
On a recent visit, a welcome drink and personal in-room check-in kicked off my Grand Residences experience. I was also given a tour of the sprawling master suite I’d be calling home for the next few days. Designed as a private residence, the suite’s balcony Jacuzzi with a pool view was the first thing that caught my eye, followed by the discreetly elegant furniture, the full kitchen and the laundry room. The suite had another Jacuzzi in the oversize bathroom, along with a pair of sinks and a shower. Vases of white orchids and Bulgari soaps and toiletries in the bathroom added more chic touches to the residence.
The next morning, I watched guests take their pick from yoga, tennis and Zumba classes; a bike tour; a snorkel trip; and pool- or beachside lounging. Others signed up for the resort’s sunset champagne catamaran tour. I headed to the 24-hour gym to meet Mari, a personal trainer.
Come lunchtime, I made my way to El Faro Grill, the gourmet restaurant headed by French executive chef Yann Cozic, who whips up steak and seafood dishes with Mediterranean flair. Guests might also opt for in-suite dining or a private cooking lesson. Any home cooks who want to prepare their own meals can shop for staples at the hotel’s organic market. Within a year, the hotel will open a Mexican restaurant.
Tea lovers like myself can dive into the beverage’s history during a resort workshop with German tea sommelier Christian Horn, who has prepared tea for celebrities such as Prince Charles. Horn shared his expertise on how to choose tea, boil water and slurp rather than sip. If the workshop piques guests’ interest, they’re sure to find the daily afternoon tea served in the lobby a pleasure.
Like the amenities, resort accommodations range. Clients may choose from junior suites, master suites and three-bedroom suites with either ocean or beachfront views. A master suite and two junior suites are grouped together with their own private elevator, and all units come with extra-spacious balconies and either private pools, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis or gardens. Rates begin at $382 per night for junior suites with double occupancy.
Tech services at the resort are trendy but practical. For example, my electronic smart bracelet eliminated the need to carry a purse. It opened the door to my suite, operated the elevator and could be used as a charge card to pay for extras.
The hotel also offers complimentary tablets to parents who have children using the kids’ or teens’ club; the device can be used to monitor children via webcam. Prior to arrival, future guests can work with a virtual concierge through the Grand Residences app, helpful for making a restaurant reservation, preordering groceries from the market or booking a treatment at the on-site spa, where massages, body wraps, facials and more can be enjoyed.
And the final stroke of pampering genius? Boxed lunches are provided to guests on departure if their flights coincide with mealtime. Little touches such as this ensure that clients have a luxurious stay from start to finish.
The Details
Grand Residences Riviera Cancunwww.grandresidencesrivieracancun.com
