I feel fortunate enough to have stayed at the Grand Bliss Maya Riviera with my sister and brother-in-law, as well as my husband. I am truly excited to share more about what we loved and what we really enjoyed about the resort.
We always appreciate how affordable and easy it is to get a direct flight from Denver to Cancun, as part of our stay at Vidanta central lobby, with a shared shuttle bus included from the Cancun airport. We were traveling from Colorado.
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After landing, we avoided all the salespeople in the Cancun airport and went straight outside to find ground transportation in the area, bypassing the shuttle that went directly from the resort to the airport.
Oh no! My husband and I didn’t have any luxuries on the shuttle, but my sister said they got free non-alcoholic drinks.
Upon arrival at the Grand Bliss lobby, we proceeded to transfer to the central lobby of Vidanta using a different mode of transportation. In all other areas, we simply walked; however, when we needed to quickly travel between the main lobby or reach a destination promptly, the on-site shuttles at the resort resembled spacious golf carts.
The Grand Bliss Riviera Maya Resort Review
Are there all the eateries, swimming pools, and attractions, as well as pedestrian paths leading to them? The Vidanta app will provide you with a map displaying their locations. I highly suggest downloading the app, as it contains abundant useful information and resources about the resort. The size of this place is truly remarkable! This isn’t an exaggeration; you might have come across similar comments in other reviews of the Grand Bliss or Vidanta.
If you find something too far to walk, or simply prefer to take a different route, you can go to the nearest shuttle stop where a staff member will be available to assist you in reaching your desired destination.
If you’re someone who is squeamish about critters and lizards, you might not be wholeheartedly into Mexico. Honestly, there are tons of little lizards, not-so-little iguanas, coatis, shorebirds, turtles, and owls around, which means that there is lots of other wildlife to enjoy. However, I still love and enjoy the jungle, even though it is still present. We explored everywhere around the resort and it was absolutely clean and beautiful.
The beach and pools at Grand Bliss Riviera Maya
The additional charge wasn’t justified since we opted against visiting Jungala. Additionally, there is the Jungala aquatic park. None of these areas ever seemed overly congested, which was fantastic as the Grand Bliss boasts multiple pool sections spread throughout.
All day long, enjoying a swim in the sea, we passed our time there because – when in Mexico, correct? And it was ideal, there were covered recliners right by the shore so we spent most of our time right there on the beach.
Throughout the day, our servers were constantly running around and back to ensure our satisfaction. We made sure to leave a little extra cash as a tip, but what made it even better was the fact that the tip was split among all the cooks, kitchen staff, and service staff. The staff explained that the tip was already included in our bills, so even though it was a small amount, it was still included in the cost of our food and drinks. The beach was the cherry on top of our vacation, and the staff at Bliss Grand were amazing at serving us food and drinks. Another huge perk was the staff who would come down to serve us.
The reviewer was discussing what we loved about the beach, and I’m really not sure. I found a review that claimed the ocean at Grand Bliss was not swimmable or easily accessible.
The coastline of the Riviera Maya is characterized by rocky areas near the coast, which is commonly referred to as the ocean. It is highly recommended to wear sandals or water shoes when going into the water, as the shoreline is relatively calm and the sandy beach is interspersed with rocky sections.
Have a great time and venture outside, as you may even catch a glimpse of some sea turtles! There is an abundance of varied fauna to observe; the beach and ocean are stunning, except for the rough terrain.
We enjoyed the pools at the Beach Club. This is a smaller pool area by the beach, with plenty of chairs, cabanas, umbrellas, and a bar serving food and daily drink specials.
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Experiment with the swim-up bars at the Main Pool, we also had to, of course. Beautiful was the Main Pool, but truthfully, such a spacious space it was, I was anxious to leave our bags on chairs that we wouldn’t be extremely near to the whole time. Compact enough I felt like I was near enough to our bags and chairs that I wasn’t concerned about them, whereas the Beach Club pool area was.
The remaining parts of the resort property are just as beautiful as the Sanctuary Pool and Infinity Pool areas, although I’m certain there were two additional pool areas that we didn’t have the chance to discover!
The restaurants at the Grand Bliss
We also have the option of having groceries delivered or ordering room service. At the Bliss Grand resort, there are plenty of different restaurants to choose from. We had a good experience here and enjoyed our meals every time.
The Vidanta app will provide you with the extension to call for room service. Additionally, it allows you to order grocery delivery. It also shows you the locations and hours of the restaurants. I strongly suggest downloading the Vidanta app once more.
There was plenty of affordable outdoor seating right near the beach. Salum, which is a small cluster of restaurants, had lots of options, so we ate most of our meals there.
If you have a fondness for seafood, I highly suggest trying the ceviche at Havana Moon. Both of these establishments were delightful, as we had the opportunity to experience dining at Havana Moon and Quinto. Additionally, there are numerous other sophisticated indoor dining choices available.
Restaurants often require reservations to ensure that hotels ask for. We were always able to make reservations while we were there. It might be an extra step you need to take, but some restaurants also had a dress code! This was to prevent people from coming in their swimsuits right off the beach, but it was nothing crazy.
I have never stayed anywhere in Mexico that provides 5-gallon water bottles on a dispenser, without any additional charges. This was unusual for me, especially because they don’t provide drinking water in the rooms or kitchen. During our weeklong stay, we found it super convenient to utilize grocery delivery a couple of times.
Rather than carrying them up from the store on our own, it was pleasant to have the option to request water, alcoholic beverages, and a few snacks and have them brought to our room. The biggest containers they offered were possibly 1.5 gallon bottles, which didn’t last long for a group of four grown-ups. Consequently, I was taken aback that the Grand Bliss does not possess a comparable arrangement and that you are indeed required to buy water from the store.
If you’re looking to actually cook any meals in the room, I recommend going to the store yourself to see what they have. The resort actually has a lot more in their store than what is listed on the app or at the Market. But if you want to grab a good baked or muffin/sandwich, there is a small cafe and they have a little sandwich counter.
The menus and restaurants all had a small Mexican influence, maybe even Americanized. The only disappointing thing was that there was no authentic traditional Mexican food.
Excursions from the Grand Bliss
Exploring Akumal and snorkeling in Half-moon Bay, engaging in SCUBA diving alongside sea turtles, taking a dip in Cenotes, exploring Coba, exploring Tulum, and I’ve already had fantastic experiences in Mexico on numerous occasions as I may have been slightly partial in my judgment.
At 10:00 pm, I didn’t return until pretty late at night. I am asking about the timing for many excursions that leave at 7:00 am, especially because the resort is very close to them. I wanted to try going to the market because there are many options for excursions offered by Bliss Grand. I wasn’t super hyped up about the many options since I had already done them, but at least once they are absolutely worth doing and all those places are amazing – trust me.
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So, all of your dreams and aspirations about Mexico and how you would like to travel there depend on what you want to see and experience while you are on vacation.
We were not very enthusiastic about spending a whole day with our group, so we signed up for a tour promoted by Bliss Grand, an outside vendor, who ultimately ran it at Cancun Bay and took us to Tulum.
This is when things became chaotic.
We were informed by the sales agent at Bliss Grand that we would go on a guided tour to Tulum before returning to the resort at 12:00 noon. The tour, called “Express,” did not include any extras such as lunch, snacks, or drinks.
We secured our reservation and made the payment. This way, we could enjoy the remaining part of the day unwinding at the shoreline. We had planned to visit Tulum first, and we were really looking forward to it! We were excited about the prospect, as it sounded amazing!
Prior to 7:00 am, it was advised that we depart from the Grand Bliss at 6:30 am, ensuring that all excursions and transportation outside the premises commence from the Central Lobby of the Vidanta.
We have been waiting at the shuttle stop for a long time – we didn’t know this would be our first time. They don’t run on a regular 24/7 schedule, so if you need to request the shuttle from the front desk staff during early morning ‘off hours’ on the property, here’s a helpful tip.
We were late or absent as if our group’s name was called off the bus, someone finally arrived after we waited for a long time. It was a different tour for us, as our bus was not there. We were informed by the Vidanta staff that the bus tour we were supposed to take was at the Central Lobby, so we headed there.
We waited for about 2 hours to transfer to a different bus and then waited in line to check in where we were at Carmen Del Playa. Instead of taking us to Tulum, the bus driver drove us to their business hub, unbeknownst to us.
Find great guided tours of Mayan Ruins on GetYourGuide
We had a lovely guided tour of Tulum, driving around the great ruins and enjoying some extra free time to wander.
We were informed that the tour would return by 4:00 pm, so after we got back to Grand Bliss at noon, we were told that we would be dropped off at other major resorts in the Maya Riviera before going directly back to Vidanta. However, to our surprise, our transportation bus did not go back to Vidanta directly, but instead, we shared a shuttle with other passengers.
The lengthiest “Express” Excursion in Mexico (and it was not what the Vidanta sales team had promised us) was departing at 6:30 am and wouldn’t come back until after 4:00 pm.
Frightening due to the increased time sensitivity of flights, our shuttle ride back to the airport following our hotel stay encountered comparable disorder and lack of clear communication. Additionally, we…
Meet the tour guide at the designated area and reserve your personal sightseeing experiences. When moving from one location to another, you can either hail a taxi or arrange for your exclusive private shuttles. It is strongly advised not to book any excursions or transportation through Vidanta/The Grand Bliss. In conclusion, once everything is completed.
Is Vida Vacations the same as Vidanta?
Vidanta Grupo or Vidanta is a Mexican conglomerate involved in the maintenance and operation, financing, construction, and design of cruises, resorts, hotels, and other properties. I can see that Vidanta Grupo or Vidanta is not just limited to the Grand Bliss, but also has many other resorts, hotels, and properties involved in their conglomerate.
This is important – The company that sells timeshares in Mexico is licensed and it is a Mexican company. Vacations Vida was founded in 2010 by Vidanta Grupo. Vacations Vida is the vacation membership company that holds timeshares for Vidanta properties.
Start with a humble standard to establish, which are even more unfriendly towards consumers compared to laws in the US, Mexican timeshare laws, as far as I comprehend.
Please make sure to read these things before agreeing to speak with any representatives from Vida Vacations, I implore you.
The Grand Bliss Suite Review
The suite was truly stunning, providing an immaculate and ideal space for our family. With separate bedrooms, the suite featured a cozy kitchen and living room. As there were four of us, two couples, we opted to stay in a two-bedroom suite.
Each bedroom featured its own spacious California king bed, along with double sinks, a luxurious soaking tub, a rainfall showerhead, and a fully equipped bathroom. Additionally, there was a separate sitting area in each bedroom.
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When the temperature rises excessively, there is a refreshing cold immersion pool available for a dip, along with multiple seating options on a spacious veranda that provide access to each of the three sections within the suite. Additionally, each section within the suite is equipped with its own temperature controls and air conditioner.
The service provided was exceptionally exceptional, as it was also a nightly turn-down service. The housekeeping staff was amazing and they even cleaned our dishes every day, ensuring a full and satisfying experience.
To schedule a meeting with you, the sales team for timeshares will contact you daily, at any time of the day or night (such as 9:00 pm or 7:00 am), so make sure to disconnect the landline phones in your room/suite. Expert tip:
How much does it cost to stay at Vidanta?
If you’re on a budget and looking to save money, you can definitely get a tour of Tulum for around $50 per person. I think the resort we stayed at was quite generous, as we spent about $500 per person on meals at the restaurants there for the week. We also paid a $700 resort fee and ended up booking the two-bedroom suite at Vidanta by transferring Wyndham timeshare points.
We needed to reserve a minimum of one Sunday to Sunday stay in the room. When we stayed, the price for the two-bedroom suite was at least $1,310 per night, and this is the current rate for non-listed Vidanta members as of the time of writing.
Since we divided the suite and resort fee among 4 individuals, let’s perform some calculations:
$1,3010 multiplied by 7 nights equals $9,170 for the suite.
$9,170 plus a $700 resort fee equals $9,870.
$9,870 divided by 4 people equals $2,467.50 per person for accommodation.
$2,467.50 + $500 for food/drinks = $2,967.50 per individual for accommodation and meals for a period of 7 days.
A superior exclusive rate, or you might gain entry to prices that will vary over time. Bear in mind that this does not encompass any additional features you may desire such as tours, external transportation, or mementos.
No, I strongly advise against considering buying timeshares as it can have a significant impact on mental health. I promise you that it is not worth it! If you decide to stay, be cautious as the front staff may offer you some form of cashback or discounted deal – be wary of their intentions. Do not attend the sales pitch from Vacations Vida if you want to avoid falling into this trap.
Kindly guarantee me that you will refrain from acquiring a timeshare or relinquishing any part of your precious holiday period to Vida Vacations.
Is The Grand Bliss all-inclusive?
It was surprising how little the room cost, considering the reserve. Every little thing is an additional charge. There is nothing included. The Bliss Grand is definitely not all-inclusive! Surprisingly, it doesn’t include me!
How much is the resort fee at the Grand Bliss Riviera Maya?
LOL, we never received complimentary drinks upon arrival or Wi-Fi at the resort. The one-way transportation from the airport to the resort was not included, despite what we gathered. It was never clear what was included or covered, and the resort fee at Bliss Grand was $700 when we stayed there.
In order to ensure that you don’t miss any important information, it would be beneficial to reach out to them and clarify the resort fee, as well as verify what is included.
Does the Grand Bliss have wifi?
Keep something in mind. Therefore, the wifi in Mexico is generally unreliable, but we didn’t actually experience any issues with the wifi while we were there. The majority of the properties, restaurants, and lodges at Bliss Grand do offer wifi.
Grand Bliss Riviera Maya Review
If you’re not constrained by a limited budget and are able to exercise restraint with regards to timeshares, you should be able to avoid encountering any problems. If you’re seeking a lavish beach vacation near Cancun, I suggest considering a visit to the Grand Bliss when all is said and done.