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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 related to the Grand Bahia Principe advanced situated between Tulum and Cancun. Right here’s a firsthand overview.
Sian Ka’an: A Luxurious Adults Solely Resort in Mexico
Sian Ka’an has a get-away-from-it-all vibe with pretty grounds and a jungle setting.
It’s in a roundabout way on the seashore, however visitors have entry to a personal seashore 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 major swimming pools, 4 eating places (together with the buffet), a spa and adjoining golf course.
The actions are infinite. 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’ stage.
That is our expertise and an in-depth overview.
Examine Costs and Availability for Sian Ka’an Resort.
Our Assessment
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 virtually hadn’t chosen to remain right here.
We’d spent days scouring luxurious resort critiques, on the lookout for an adults-only all-inclusive lodge in Mexico at an affordable worth … and these are exhausting 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 critiques fluctuate a lot you may find yourself extra confused than ever.
Hopefully this overview 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 aid you out.
Examine Out These Wonderful Luxurious Adults-Solely All-Inclusives in Mexico.
Why We Virtually 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 wished a big resort with numerous facilities.
On the time I didn’t understand Sian Ka’an was related to the three different Bahia Principe Riviera Maya resorts and that you possibly can use the amenities 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 personal seashore space so it wasn’t an issue.
No Model Recognition
Initially I bypassed Sian Ka’an as a possible decide 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 website, 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 wished to remain for 2 weeks so needed to be worth aware.
Shade and Lush Environment
I understand most individuals go to Mexico for solar.
For me, nonetheless, there’s 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 Environment
I didn’t need a celebration resort.
A number of Issues To Do
As a result of Sian Ka’an is related to the three different Grand Bahia Principe Riviera Maya resorts: Tulum, Luxurious Akumal, and Coba, you may take the trolley all over, use the amenities 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.
Examine In – From Hate to Happiness
We arrived late at evening.
The check-in course of was pleasant and easy, and the open-air foyer was nice and welcoming.
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 particular person … however I am that particular person. Rooms matter to me – I wouldn’t have spent the final 20 years reviewing resorts in the event that they didn’t.
The desk clerk was useful and gave me a distinct room. This one didn’t scent however I hated it, too. It didn’t have the best really feel.
Nicely conscious that ‘not having the best really feel’ isn’t a legitimate criticism, we stayed there that evening, 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 value being sad. Heck, I might be sad at residence.
Kudos to the workers. They have been nonetheless very good, and moved us into a distinct 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’ facet 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 virtually all of the facilities are on the opposite facet.
Please word: 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 air conditioning labored.
The decor wasn’t superb or something, not just like the dreamy fashion of Le Blanc Los Cabos, an unforgettable luxurious resort with a to-die-for spa, however it was clear, fundamental and nice.
My garments smelled musty once I bought residence however I didn’t discover it a lot on the time.
I wanted, nonetheless, there had been a display on the balcony door so we might have gotten extra recent air.
Room Varieties
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 principle 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 outside jacuzzis. How nice would that be for unwinding after a day of exploring cenotes and ruins?
Then again, Mexico is steamy scorching so I’m undecided I might have used it.
Housekeeping and Upkeep
Our room was cleaned every single day, and the mini fridge was stored stocked, although we didn’t use it a lot as a result of we have been virtually all the time on the pool.
I’ve heard combined critiques about housekeeping experiences however ours was wonderful. Cleansing and lugging bedding down three flooring is a tough job and we made positive to tip the housekeeper effectively.
Eating – A Spotlight of Our Trip
Should you’re staying at Sian Ka’an you could have entry to the eating places in all 4 Bahia Principe resorts.
Whereas the meals may not examine to prime tier resorts like Grand Velas Riviera Maya, an all-inclusive resort identified for its wonderful delicacies, Sian Ka’an nonetheless will get wonderful critiques 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 may reserve your eating places on the App. Do it. They will replenish quick.
However individuals additionally cancel so when you’ve missed out, test on the concierge desk to see if one thing opens up. We did this a number of instances.
Exploring Eating Choices
Trying out the varied eating places is an journey and taking the resort’s free open-air trollies is a enjoyable solution to get there.
Journey Tip: At time for dinner 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 critiques the place individuals depart 45 minutes early however that was overly formidable 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 regularly 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 a lot of the desserts ornamental however blah.
Don’t Miss Seafood Night time on the Sian Ka’an Buffet
Every evening the buffet has a distinct theme.
One of the best is Friday evening for seafood. Lobster! We all the time bought there early in case they ran out.
Cenote Snack Bar
Open 24 hours a day, it’s a useful 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 definitely spoiled for selection.
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 ebook their two à la cartes, Alux and Maiko.
The Seashore
Although the resort isn’t beachfront, the trolly service to a personal part of Bahia Principe’s seashore made attending to the seashore fairly simple.
Right here you’ll discover a bar, thatched seashore umbrellas, and loads of loungers. We used the seashore space and swimming pools on the different resorts, too.
Is the Seashore at Bahia Principe Good?
Nicely, it’s not stellar for swimming. Sure areas are nicer than others, and I loved some lengthy seashore walks.
They do a superb job cleansing up the seaweed off the seashore each morning.
The factor is, I bought so hooked on the Exercise Pool at Sian Ka’an I forgot to even go to the seashore after a number of days.
Sian Ka’an Swimming pools
There are a number of swimming pools at Sian Ka’an, however three major ones. If you’d like absolute quiet, head to the pool close to Alux.
The most important pool, situated subsequent to the Cenote Bar, is beautiful. It’s relaxed, amiable and you’ve got your selection of solar or shade.
Now let’s discuss in regards to 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 kind 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 noticed the Exercise Pool was truly fairly entertaining.
Additionally, I didn’t wish to miss AquaFit.
Exercise Pool Expertise
Again to the Exercise Pool we went.
Along with comfy loungers, a congenial ambiance, seashore umbrellas and a poolside bar, the Exercise Pool is the place issues occur.
We met extra individuals right here than wherever else.
I performed pool volleyball twice a day and, I admit, I’m abysmal. The one particular person worse than me was the margarita-loving girl who forgot what facet she was on and floated on over to the opposite group.
Nobody cared. It was hilarious.
In my defence, I did win a bottle of tequila for acing the day by day ping pong championship. (I additionally misplaced as soon as, however we’ll concentrate on 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 feel a few times it was tough to search out one thing however we ultimately did.
As soon as we discovered our most well-liked spot, we did begin throwing our towels down on the best way to breakfast although we didn’t rise up early to do that. We’re far too lazy.
I’ve learn critiques saying others have had issues getting loungers, however it didn’t occur to us.
Grownup-Solely Pool at Akumal
Many visitors rave in regards to the adults-only infinity pool at Akumal that overlooks the ocean, and Sian Ka’an visitors 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 totally different free bike excursions day by day. The bikes are horrid however it’s a great way to get oriented, get some train and meet different visitors.
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 residence.
Should you go the opposite path, you may 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 lodge.
The ruins, perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, are one of many final historical Maya cities constructed and inhabited, and made for an excellent 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 workers at Bahia Principe Sian Ka’an was terrific. As soon as we had a snooty wait staffer at Maiko (undecided why), however there have been many different experiences that have been very good.
We had useful trolley drivers, kindly buffet wait workers – who remembered what number of a whole lot of espresso refills Mark required every morning, and we particularly preferred the energetic exercise workers 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 visitors as a result of the PGA Riviera Maya Golf Membership is subsequent to the lodge.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, it covers 90 hectares of land and affords each 18 gap and 9 gap programs.
PS: The closest I bought to {golfing} was stepping onto the inexperienced to see a little bit 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 visitors who wished to do that.
Leisure at Bahia Principe Riviera Maya
Each evening 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 way of highlights of Mexico’s historical past.
The opposite major present is Blackbird, which has a Beatles theme.
What’s the Hacienda?
The Hacienda Dona Isobel purchasing 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 evening 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 experiences say it takes simply as lengthy to get to Sian Ka’an from Tulum as from Cancun).
Many all-inclusive packages embrace airport transportation. As our flight arrived in Mexico within the night and left early within the morning we opted for a personal switch to avoid wasting time.
Worth for Cash
For the extent of service, facilities, and setting, I felt the resort supplied good worth for the value we paid.
Many critiques, 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 glad 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 sweet for these looking for a mixture of leisure, leafy nature, and luxury within the Riviera Maya.
Its proximity to Tulum additionally makes it a good selection for exploring the realm’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 principally a mature crowd, although there have been some youthful {couples}.
It’s not hip, flashy or notably trendy, and when you’re after wild instances, finest to decide on elsewhere.
For connoisseurs of cutting-edge design and high-end finishings who need the very best of the very best, there are different larger finish resorts within the luxurious class which 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.
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