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Bahia Principe Luxurious Sian Ka’an: An All-inclusive Getaway Close to Tulum
Sian Ka’an is an all-inclusive adults-only resort linked to the Grand Bahia Principe advanced situated between Tulum and Cancun. Right here’s a firsthand evaluate.
Sian Ka’an: A Luxurious Adults Solely Resort in Mexico
Sian Ka’an has a get-away-from-it-all vibe with beautiful grounds and a jungle setting.
It’s indirectly on the seaside, however company have entry to a non-public seaside space in addition to all of the eating places on the different resorts.
You get round by taking the open-air trolleys that make the rounds of the 4 resorts within the advanced.
Facilities
On the Sian Ka’an property there are three fundamental swimming pools, 4 eating places (together with the buffet), a spa and adjoining golf course.
The actions are countless. Poolside bingo, right here we come!
My husband and I spent two weeks right here and loved it immensely, although I wouldn’t say it’s within the prime tier of luxurious resorts. It’s extra on the ‘inexpensive luxurious’ degree.
That is our expertise and an in-depth evaluate.
Verify Costs and Availability for Sian Ka’an Resort.
Our Overview
As I hurried down the trail to the Exercise Pool, anxious to not miss water volleyball (a sport I didn’t know existed till I stayed at Sian Ka’an), a bevy of ferns, palms and hibiscus waved me on.
For a second I paused, grateful to be in these lush environment with the solar glinting off the pool and a day of journey forward.
Particularly as my husband and I nearly hadn’t chosen to remain right here.
We’d spent days scouring luxurious resort opinions, on the lookout for an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Mexico at an inexpensive value … and these are laborious to return by.
Selecting an Adults Solely Resort
Even skilled journey writers like me have a tough time selecting a resort over the Web, and Journey Advisor opinions fluctuate a lot you possibly can find yourself extra confused than ever.
Hopefully this evaluate of our two-week keep at Sian Ka’an, an affordable-luxury adults-only all-inclusive on the Riviera Maya between Cancun and Tulum will enable you out.
Verify Out These Superb Luxurious Adults-Solely All-Inclusives in Mexico.
Why We Nearly Didn’t Select Bahia Principe Sian Ka’an
Sian Ka’an is a Boutique Property
I’d seen Sian Ka’an marketed as a boutique property however I needed a big resort with numerous facilities.
On the time I didn’t notice Sian Ka’an was linked to the three different Bahia Principe Riviera Maya resorts and that you might use the services in any respect of them. Better of each worlds.
It’s Not on the Seashore
The resort is throughout the freeway in a jungle-y setting. The resort trolley takes you on a devoted overpass to Sian Ka’an’s non-public seaside space so it wasn’t an issue.
No Model Recognition
Initially I bypassed Sian Ka’an as a possible choose as a result of I used to be confused by the identify. It didn’t give me an preliminary imaginative and prescient of the resort.
What Does Sian Ka’an Imply?
I’ve since discovered Sian Ka’an is known as for the close by UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere web site, the biggest protected space within the Yucatan. Now it makes excellent sense.
Within the Mayan language Sian Ka’an means Origin of the Sky.
Why We Ended Up Selecting Luxurious Sian Ka’an
Value
It’s extra inexpensive than the opposite luxurious adults solely all inclusives I’ve been to, and we needed to remain for 2 weeks so needed to be value acutely aware.
Shade and Lush Environment
I notice most individuals go to Mexico for solar.
For me, nevertheless, there may be nothing higher than mendacity below a shady tree in a deck chair whereas the solar blazes round me and a swimming pool beckons.
Sian Ka’an has a terrific mixture of solar and leafy shade.
Peaceable Ambiance
I didn’t need a get together resort.
Numerous Issues To Do
As a result of Sian Ka’an is linked to the three different Grand Bahia Principe Riviera Maya resorts: Tulum, Luxurious Akumal, and Coba, you possibly can take the trolley far and wide, use the services on the different resorts and eat at an enormous number of eating places.
There are additionally a lot of actions and excursions within the area.
Verify In – From Hate to Happiness
We arrived late at night time.
The check-in course of was pleasant and simple, and the open-air foyer was nice and alluring.
The draw back? I hated the room we got. It smelled of mildew.
In two minutes I used to be again on the desk. I hate being that individual … however I am that individual. Rooms matter to me – I wouldn’t have spent the final twenty years reviewing resorts in the event that they didn’t.
The desk clerk was useful and gave me a special room. This one didn’t scent however I hated it, too. It didn’t have the correct really feel.
Effectively conscious that ‘not having the correct really feel’ isn’t a legitimate criticism, we stayed there that night time, however I used to be again on the entrance desk within the morning.
Altering Rooms
It was embarrassing, however this was my trip, I reasoned. It was our hard-earned cash, and it wasn’t price being sad. Heck, I could possibly be sad at dwelling.
Kudos to the employees. They have been nonetheless very good, and moved us into a special part of the resort.
This made all of the distinction and I felt like Goldilocks saying, This one is simply proper.”
What You Must Know In regards to the Resort Sections
There’s a ‘quiet’ aspect to the resort. In my books that is code for boring. Let’s name it the Land of the Shunned.
To me it felt like an overflow part. I didn’t discover it as properly landscaped and nearly all of the facilities are on the opposite aspect.
Please be aware: I’m choosy. Many appear completely proud of it.
Sian Ka’an Rooms & Lodging
Our new room was on the third flooring close to the Exercise Pool. It had no elevator, so if stairs are a difficulty, go for a floor flooring room.
It had a balcony, a king mattress, not quite a lot of space for storing, a sitting space and a stocked mini fridge. The aircon labored.
The decor wasn’t wonderful or something, not just like the dreamy type of Le Blanc Los Cabos, an unforgettable luxurious resort with a to-die-for spa, but it surely was clear, primary and nice.
My garments smelled musty once I obtained dwelling however I didn’t discover it a lot on the time.
I wanted, nevertheless, there had been a display on the balcony door so we might have gotten extra recent air.
Room Sorts
There are 4 room sorts at Sian Ka’an:
- Junior Suite
- Junior Suite Superior
- Junior Suite Superior Backyard
- Junior Suite Superior Penthouse
So far as I can inform the primary distinction between the Junior Suite and the Junior Suite Superior is that the common Junior Suites are situated within the Land of the Shunned.
Each the Superior Backyard and Superior Penthouse Junior Suites have out of doors jacuzzis. How nice would that be for unwinding after a day of exploring cenotes and ruins?
Alternatively, Mexico is steamy sizzling so I’m unsure I might have used it.
Housekeeping and Upkeep
Our room was cleaned day by day, and the mini fridge was saved stocked, although we didn’t use it a lot as a result of we have been nearly all the time on the pool.
I’ve heard combined opinions about housekeeping experiences however ours was positive. Cleansing and lugging bedding down three flooring is a tough job and we made positive to tip the housekeeper nicely.
Eating – A Spotlight of Our Trip
If you happen to’re staying at Sian Ka’an you’ve entry to the eating places in all 4 Bahia Principe resorts.
Whereas the meals won’t examine to prime tier resorts like Grand Velas Riviera Maya, an all-inclusive resort identified for its positive delicacies, Sian Ka’an nonetheless will get wonderful opinions for its meals, and we loved our forays out to the varied à la carte eating places.
E-book Eating places Early – Severely
Ten days earlier than you arrive you possibly can reserve your eating places on the App. Do it. They’ll replenish quick.
However folks additionally cancel so should you’ve missed out, examine on the concierge desk to see if one thing opens up. We did this a number of occasions.
Exploring Eating Choices
Testing the varied eating places is an journey and taking the resort’s free open-air trollies is a enjoyable method to get there.
Journey Tip: At meal time there is usually a little bit of a scrum for the trolleys. Give your self a good bit of time to get to your vacation spot.
We normally left about half-hour early if we have been consuming at Akumal, Coba or Tulum. I’ve seen opinions the place folks depart 45 minutes early however that was overly bold for us.
Finest Restaurant is Alux
Our favorite restaurant was Alux. Positioned at Sian Ka’an, it’s high-end French gourmand eating. We ate there thrice.
(Full confession: We frequently went to the buffet after dinner for a dessert prime up. We’re piggies.)
Sian Ka’an Buffet
The buffet is intensive. I all the time beelined for the gazpacho station; the nacho, cheese sauce and guacamole part; and, oddly sufficient, the jello. Mark zeroed in on the grilled meat.
I discovered many of the desserts ornamental however blah.
Don’t Miss Seafood Evening on the Sian Ka’an Buffet
Every night time the buffet has a special theme.
One of the best is Friday night time for seafood. Lobster! We all the time obtained there early in case they ran out.
Cenote Snack Bar
Open 24 hours a day, it’s a helpful place for burgers, breakfast or informal meals and is conveniently situated poolside.
Different Eating places at Grand Bahia Principe
I didn’t adore each meal at each restaurant, however we have been actually spoiled for alternative.
We opted for gourmand eating at Don Pablo, skipped the Mexican-focused Tequila (since we have been consuming a lot Mexican on the lunch buffet), couldn’t get a reservation at Katok, which focuses on grilled meat; loved Indian at Thali, Japanese at Mikado and Maiko, and didn’t love the seafood at Frutos del Mer.
Sian Ka’an is named having the highest eating places within the advanced so undoubtedly e-book their two à la cartes, Alux and Maiko.
The Seashore
Although the resort isn’t beachfront, the trolly service to a non-public part of Bahia Principe’s seaside made attending to the seaside fairly straightforward.
Right here you’ll discover a bar, thatched seaside umbrellas, and loads of loungers. We used the seaside space and swimming pools on the different resorts, too.
Is the Seashore at Bahia Principe Good?
Effectively, it’s not stellar for swimming. Sure areas are nicer than others, and I loved some lengthy seaside walks.
They do a superb job cleansing up the seaweed off the seaside each morning.
The factor is, I obtained so hooked on the Exercise Pool at Sian Ka’an I forgot to even go to the seaside after a number of days.
Sian Ka’an Swimming pools
There are a number of swimming pools at Sian Ka’an, however three fundamental ones. If you need absolute quiet, head to the pool close to Alux.
The biggest pool, situated subsequent to the Cenote Bar, is beautiful. It’s relaxed, amiable and you’ve got your alternative of solar or shade.
Now let’s discuss concerning the Exercise Pool.
Right here’s the humorous factor about it: For the primary 24 hours I hated the Exercise Pool much more than I hated the Land of the Shunned.
It appeared noisy and probably too party-ish, nothing just like the elegant sort of romantic trip I’d had in thoughts once I booked an adults solely resort, so I made a decision I might keep away from it in any respect prices.
Then, the following day, as we have been mendacity by a blissfully serene quiet pool with birdsong and butterflies, I spotted the Exercise Pool was really fairly entertaining.
Additionally, I didn’t wish to miss AquaFit.
Exercise Pool Expertise
Again to the Exercise Pool we went.
Along with snug loungers, a congenial ambiance, seaside umbrellas and a poolside bar, the Exercise Pool is the place issues occur.
We met extra folks right here than anyplace else.
I performed pool volleyball twice a day and, I admit, I’m abysmal. The one individual worse than me was the margarita-loving girl who forgot what aspect she was on and floated on over to the opposite workforce.
Nobody cared. It was hilarious.
In my defence, I did win a bottle of tequila for acing the each day ping pong championship. (I additionally misplaced as soon as, however we’ll give attention to the constructive, we could?)
Deck Chairs at Sian Ka’an Pool
We by no means needed to battle for lounge chairs in both the shade or solar. I believe a couple of times it was difficult to search out one thing however we ultimately did.
As soon as we discovered our most popular spot, we did begin throwing our towels down on the way in which to breakfast although we didn’t rise up early to do that. We’re far too lazy.
I’ve learn opinions saying others have had issues getting loungers, but it surely didn’t occur to us.
Grownup-Solely Pool at Akumal
Many company rave concerning the adults-only infinity pool at Akumal that overlooks the ocean, and Sian Ka’an company have entry to it.
I went as soon as however there wasn’t sufficient shade.
Test it out and see which you favor.
Excursions, Actions and Excursions
There are two completely different free bike excursions each day. The bikes are horrid but it surely’s a great way to get oriented, get some train and meet different company.
It’s Potential to Go to Tulum or Playa del Carmen by Colectivo
One afternoon Mark and I took the colectivo, a van-sized bus into Tulum. It’s less expensive than a taxi. As soon as on the town, we shopped round, had a drink and got here dwelling.
If you happen to go the opposite course, you possibly can go to Playa del Carmen.
To get the bus from the resort, ask the trolly driver to allow you to off close to the freeway. The bus cease for Tulum is on the freeway to the left.
You’d have to go over the overpass for Playa del Carmen.
Getting back from Tulum, the colectivos have been crowded, and it took awhile to get an area.
Tulum Ruins
We’ve explored the Riviera Maya earlier than so we solely did one organized tour. That was to the Mayan ruins of Tulum. We booked it on the tour desk on the resort.
The ruins, perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, are one of many final historical Maya cities constructed and inhabited, and made for a super afternoon tour.
Journey Tip: The Tulum Ruins are near the resort so that you’re not sitting in a van all day.
Different Issues to Do from Bahia Principe Riviera Maya
You are able to do cenote excursions; tour magnificent ruins like Coba, Chichen Itza or Ek’ Balam; or head to close by Xel-ha, a pure water theme park.
Service and Workers
The employees at Bahia Principe Sian Ka’an was terrific. As soon as we had a snooty wait staffer at Maiko (unsure why), however there have been many different experiences that have been very good.
We had useful trolley drivers, kindly buffet wait employees – who remembered what number of a whole lot of espresso refills Mark required every morning, and we particularly preferred the energetic exercise employees who by no means made me really feel like a loser as a result of I’m so terrible at pool volleyball.
Different Facilities
Golf
Golf is a well-liked exercise for Sian Ka’an company as a result of the PGA Riviera Maya Golf Membership is subsequent to the resort.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, it covers 90 hectares of land and gives each 18 gap and 9 gap programs.
PS: The closest I obtained to {golfing} was stepping onto the inexperienced to see just a little cenote throughout our bike tour.
Please Don’t Do a Dolphin Encounter
It’s not good for the animals. Bahia Principe Tulum has a dolphin present. I want they wouldn’t. I didn’t meet any company who needed to do that.
Leisure
Each night time there was some sort of modest present at Sian Ka’an within the open air foyer space, normally a band, however leisure wasn’t an enormous a part of my keep.
The large factor is the Origin present at one of many theatres, which takes you on a journey by highlights of Mexico’s historical past.
The opposite fundamental present is Blackbird, which has a Beatles theme.
What’s the Hacienda?
The Hacienda Dona Isobel procuring and leisure centre is a cutesy market plaza situated between the resorts, and is a central cease on the trollies. There are small shops, memento distributors, a pharmacy and physician.
At night time it’s a centre for leisure, with reveals and a nightclub open till 2 a.m.
Location and Environment
Bahia Principe Luxurious Sian Ka’an is about 93 km from Cancun airport, and 64 from the brand new Tulum airport (although studies say it takes simply as lengthy to get to Sian Ka’an from Tulum as from Cancun).
Many all-inclusive packages embody airport transportation. As our flight arrived in Mexico within the night and left early within the morning we opted for a non-public switch to save lots of time.
Worth for Cash
For the extent of service, facilities, and setting, I felt the resort supplied good worth for the worth we paid.
Many opinions, and I wouldn’t essentially disagree, say that it’s extra of a 4-star expertise than a 5-star.
General Expertise
Whereas I wasn’t blown away by the decor and design, the resort grew on me and I hated to depart.
The tropical setting, coupled with entry to Bahia Principe’s bigger resort advanced, meant there was all the time one thing to do, however the peace and quiet of Sian Ka’an made it really feel like a real escape.
We have been all the time pleased to return to the calm of Sian Ka’an after spending time outdoors the resort.
Would I Advocate Sian Ka’an?
Bahia Principe Luxurious Sian Ka’an is nice for these looking for a mix of leisure, leafy nature, and luxury within the Riviera Maya.
Its proximity to Tulum additionally makes it a sensible choice for exploring the world’s cultural and pure areas.
It’s a superb chance for {couples} or different adults on the lookout for a reasonably refined however laidback and pleasant getaway. It’s largely a mature crowd, although there have been some youthful {couples}.
It’s not hip, flashy or significantly trendy, and should you’re after wild occasions, finest to decide on elsewhere.
For connoisseurs of cutting-edge design and high-end finishings who need the perfect of the perfect, there are different larger finish resorts within the luxurious class that may go well with them higher.
Would we return? Sure. Completely. Due to the number of actions, the variety of eating places, the calm of all of it and the luscious topical setting, we ended up having numerous enjoyable.
Abstract of Traveler Evaluations
To get a way of how different company felt about their keep at Bahia Principe Luxurious Sian Ka’an, I explored numerous traveler opinions.
Whereas I’m not a fan of AI, I needed to see how my expertise tallied with others, and that is what it got here up with.
It comes fairly near my expertise, although nobody appeared as involved as I used to be about discovering sufficient shade!
Constructive Highlights:
- Serene Adults-Solely Ambiance: Many vacationers appreciated the peaceable, adults-only setting, noting the way it supplied a much-needed break from life’s hustle and bustle (ie kids lol).
- Attentive and Pleasant Workers: A recurring theme in lots of opinions was the distinctive service. Visitors incessantly commented on how the employees went out of their method to make their keep fulfilling, whether or not by customized service on the eating places or small gestures, like remembering particular events.
- Glorious Eating Choices: The range and high quality of meals, particularly on the à la carte eating places, was extremely praised.
- Stunning Grounds and Swimming pools: Many guests have been impressed by the well-maintained grounds, with lush gardens and stylish swimming pools that created a chilled, tropical setting.
- Spa and Golf: Each the spa and golf course obtained excessive marks, with guests highlighting the stress-free therapies and the great thing about the golf course amidst the pure environment. (We by no means tried the spa.)
Areas for Enchancment:
- Seashore Entry: Some company talked about the resort not being instantly on the seaside as a slight draw back. Whereas the shuttle service was fast and handy, a number of guests most popular the concept of being nearer to the shoreline.
- Night Leisure: Whereas the resort gives nightly leisure, some company felt that the choices could possibly be extra assorted.
- In-Room Facilities: A handful of reviewers famous that some rooms might use upgrades when it comes to furnishings or in-room know-how, although this didn’t considerably have an effect on their general expertise.
General Traveler Sentiment:
Most vacationers agreed that Bahia Principe Luxurious Sian Ka’an gives an opulent, quiet retreat, particularly well-suited for {couples} and adults on the lookout for leisure. Whereas there are minor areas for enchancment, the constructive elements of the resort, significantly the service and eating, far outweigh any negatives.
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