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Bahia Principe Luxury Sian Ka’an: An All-inclusive Getaway Near Tulum
Sian Ka’an is an all-inclusive adults-only resort connected to the Grand Bahia Principe complex located between Tulum and Cancun. Here’s a firsthand review.
Sian Ka’an: A Luxury Adults Only Resort in Mexico
Sian Ka’an has a get-away-from-it-all vibe with lovely grounds and a jungle setting.
It’s not directly on the beach, but guests have access to a private beach area as well as all the restaurants at the other resorts.
You get around by taking the open-air trolleys that make the rounds of the four resorts in the complex.
Amenities
On the Sian Ka’an property there are three main pools, four restaurants (including the buffet), a spa and adjacent golf course.
The activities are endless. Poolside bingo, here we come!
My husband and I spent two weeks here and enjoyed it immensely, though I wouldn’t say it’s in the top tier of luxury resorts. It’s more on the ‘affordable luxury’ level.
This is our experience and an in-depth review.
Check Prices and Availability for Sian Ka’an Resort.
Our Review
As I hurried down the path to the Activity Pool, anxious not to miss water volleyball (a sport I didn’t know existed until I stayed at Sian Ka’an), a bevy of ferns, palms and hibiscus waved me on.
For a moment I paused, grateful to be in these lush surroundings with the sun glinting off the pool and a day of adventure ahead.
Especially as my husband and I almost hadn’t chosen to stay here.
We’d spent days scouring luxury resort reviews, looking for an adults-only all-inclusive hotel in Mexico at a reasonable price … and these are hard to come by.
Choosing an Adults Only Resort
Even experienced travel writers like me have a hard time choosing a resort over the Internet, and Trip Advisor reviews vary so much you can end up more confused than ever.
Hopefully this review of our two-week stay at Sian Ka’an, an affordable-luxury adults-only all-inclusive on the Riviera Maya between Cancun and Tulum will help you out.
Check Out These Amazing Luxury Adults-Only All-Inclusives in Mexico.
Why We Almost Didn’t Choose Bahia Principe Sian Ka’an
Sian Ka’an is a Boutique Property
I’d seen Sian Ka’an advertised as a boutique property but I wanted a large resort with a lot of amenities.
At the time I didn’t realize Sian Ka’an was connected to the three other Bahia Principe Riviera Maya resorts and that you could use the facilities at all of them. Best of both worlds.
It’s Not on the Beach
The resort is across the highway in a jungle-y setting. The resort trolley takes you on a dedicated overpass to Sian Ka’an’s private beach area so it wasn’t a problem.
No Brand Recognition
Initially I bypassed Sian Ka’an as a potential pick because I was confused by the name. It didn’t give me an initial vision of the resort.
What Does Sian Ka’an Mean?
I’ve since learned Sian Ka’an is named for the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere site, the largest protected area in the Yucatan. Now it makes perfect sense.
In the Mayan language Sian Ka’an means Origin of the Sky.
Why We Ended Up Choosing Luxury Sian Ka’an
Price
It’s more affordable than the other luxury adults only all inclusives I’ve been to, and we wanted to stay for two weeks so had to be price conscious.
Shade and Lush Surroundings
I realize most people go to Mexico for sun.
For me, however, there is nothing better than lying under a shady tree in a deck chair while the sun blazes around me and a swimming pool beckons.
Sian Ka’an has a terrific mix of sun and leafy shade.
Peaceful Atmosphere
I didn’t want a party resort.
Lots of Things To Do
Because Sian Ka’an is connected to the three other Grand Bahia Principe Riviera Maya resorts: Tulum, Luxury Akumal, and Coba, you can take the trolley all over the place, use the facilities at the other resorts and eat at a huge variety of restaurants.
There are also a number of activities and excursions in the region.
Check In – From Hate to Happiness
We arrived late at night.
The check-in process was friendly and straightforward, and the open-air lobby was pleasant and inviting.
The downside? I hated the room we were given. It smelled of mildew.
In two minutes I was back at the desk. I hate being that person … but I am that person. Rooms matter to me – I wouldn’t have spent the last two decades reviewing hotels if they didn’t.
The desk clerk was helpful and gave me a different room. This one didn’t smell but I hated it, too. It didn’t have the right feel.
Well aware that ‘not having the right feel’ isn’t a valid complaint, we stayed there that night, but I was back at the front desk in the morning.
Changing Rooms
It was embarrassing, but this was my vacation, I reasoned. It was our hard earned money, and it wasn’t worth being unhappy. Heck, I could be unhappy at home.
Kudos to the staff. They were still very nice, and moved us into a different section of the resort.
This made all the difference and I felt like Goldilocks saying, This one is just right.”
What You Need to Know About the Resort Sections
There is a ‘quiet’ side to the resort. In my books this is code for boring. Let’s call it the Land of the Shunned.
To me it felt like an overflow section. I didn’t find it as nicely landscaped and almost all the amenities are on the other side.
Please note: I am picky. Many seem perfectly happy with it.
Sian Ka’an Rooms & Accommodation
Our new room was on the third floor near the Activity Pool. It had no elevator, so if stairs are an issue, opt for a ground floor room.
It had a balcony, a king bed, not a great deal of storage space, a sitting area and a stocked mini fridge. The air con worked.
The decor wasn’t amazing or anything, not like the dreamy style of Le Blanc Los Cabos, an unforgettable luxury resort with a to-die-for spa, but it was clean, basic and pleasant.
My clothes smelled musty when I got home but I didn’t notice it so much at the time.
I wished, however, there had been a screen on the balcony door so we could have gotten more fresh air.
Room Types
There are four room types at Sian Ka’an:
- Junior Suite
- Junior Suite Superior
- Junior Suite Superior Garden
- Junior Suite Superior Penthouse
As far as I can tell the main difference between the Junior Suite and the Junior Suite Superior is that the regular Junior Suites are located in the Land of the Shunned.
Both the Superior Garden and Superior Penthouse Junior Suites have outdoor jacuzzis. How great would that be for unwinding after a day of exploring cenotes and ruins?
On the other hand, Mexico is steamy hot so I’m not sure I would have used it.
Housekeeping and Maintenance
Our room was cleaned every day, and the mini fridge was kept stocked, though we didn’t use it much because we were almost always at the pool.
I’ve heard mixed reviews about housekeeping experiences but ours was fine. Cleaning and lugging bedding down three floors is a hard job and we made sure to tip the housekeeper well.
Dining – A Highlight of Our Vacation
If you’re staying at Sian Ka’an you have access to the restaurants in all four Bahia Principe resorts.
While the food might not compare to top tier resorts like Grand Velas Riviera Maya, an all-inclusive resort known for its fine cuisine, Sian Ka’an still gets excellent reviews for its food, and we enjoyed our forays out to the various à la carte restaurants.
Book Restaurants Early – Seriously
Ten days before you arrive you can reserve your restaurants on the App. Do it. They can fill up fast.
But people also cancel so if you’ve missed out, check at the concierge desk to see if something opens up. We did this several times.
Exploring Dining Options
Checking out the various restaurants is an adventure and taking the resort’s free open-air trollies is a fun way to get there.
Travel Tip: At dinner time there can be a bit of a scrum for the trolleys. Give yourself a fair bit of time to get to your destination.
We usually left about 30 minutes early if we were eating at Akumal, Coba or Tulum. I’ve seen reviews where people leave 45 minutes early but that was overly ambitious for us.
Best Restaurant is Alux
Our favourite restaurant was Alux. Located at Sian Ka’an, it’s high-end French gourmet dining. We ate there three times.
(Full confession: We often went to the buffet after dinner for a dessert top up. We are piggies.)
Sian Ka’an Buffet
The buffet is extensive. I always beelined for the gazpacho station; the nacho, cheese sauce and guacamole section; and, oddly enough, the jello. Mark zeroed in on the grilled meat.
I found most of the desserts decorative but blah.
Don’t Miss Seafood Night at the Sian Ka’an Buffet
Each night the buffet has a different theme.
The best is Friday night for seafood. Lobster! We always got there early in case they ran out.
Cenote Snack Bar
Open 24 hours a day, it’s a handy place for burgers, breakfast or casual meals and is conveniently located poolside.
Other Restaurants at Grand Bahia Principe
I didn’t adore every meal at every restaurant, but we were certainly spoiled for choice.
We opted for gourmet dining at Don Pablo, skipped the Mexican-focused Tequila (since we were eating so much Mexican at the lunch buffet), couldn’t get a reservation at Katok, which focuses on grilled meat; enjoyed Indian at Thali, Japanese at Mikado and Maiko, and didn’t love the seafood at Frutos del Mer.
Sian Ka’an is known as having the top restaurants in the complex so definitely book their two à la cartes, Alux and Maiko.
The Beach
Though the resort isn’t beachfront, the trolly service to a private section of Bahia Principe’s beach made getting to the beach pretty easy.
Here you’ll find a bar, thatched beach umbrellas, and plenty of loungers. We used the beach area and pools at the other resorts, too.
Is the Beach at Bahia Principe Good?
Well, it’s not stellar for swimming. Certain areas are nicer than others, and I enjoyed some long beach walks.
They do a good job cleaning up the seaweed off the beach every morning.
The thing is, I got so addicted to the Activity Pool at Sian Ka’an I forgot to even go to the beach after a few days.
Sian Ka’an Pools
There are several pools at Sian Ka’an, but three main ones. If you want absolute quiet, head to the pool near Alux.
The largest pool, located next to the Cenote Bar, is gorgeous. It’s relaxed, amiable and you have your choice of sun or shade.
Now let’s talk about the Activity Pool.
Here’s the funny thing about it: For the first 24 hours I hated the Activity Pool even more than I hated the Land of the Shunned.
It seemed noisy and potentially too party-ish, nothing like the elegant type of romantic vacation I’d had in mind when I booked an adults only resort, so I decided I would avoid it at all costs.
Then, the next day, as we were lying by a blissfully serene quiet pool with birdsong and butterflies, I realized the Activity Pool was actually pretty entertaining.
Also, I didn’t want to miss AquaFit.
Activity Pool Experience
Back to the Activity Pool we went.
In addition to comfortable loungers, a congenial atmosphere, beach umbrellas and a poolside bar, the Activity Pool is where things happen.
We met more people here than anywhere else.
I played pool volleyball twice a day and, I admit, I’m abysmal. The only person worse than me was the margarita-loving woman who forgot what side she was on and floated on over to the other team.
No one cared. It was hilarious.
In my defence, I did win a bottle of tequila for acing the daily ping pong championship. (I also lost once, but we’ll focus on the positive, shall we?)
Deck Chairs at Sian Ka’an Pool
We never had to fight for lounge chairs in either the shade or sun. I think once or twice it was tricky to find something but we eventually did.
Once we found our preferred spot, we did start throwing our towels down on the way to breakfast though we didn’t get up early to do this. We’re far too lazy.
I’ve read reviews saying others have had problems getting loungers, but it didn’t happen to us.
Adult-Only Pool at Akumal
Many guests rave about the adults-only infinity pool at Akumal that overlooks the ocean, and Sian Ka’an guests have access to it.
I went once but there wasn’t enough shade.
Check it out and see which you prefer.
Tours, Activities and Excursions
There are two different free bike tours daily. The bikes are horrid but it’s a good way to get oriented, get some exercise and meet other guests.
It’s Possible to Visit Tulum or Playa del Carmen by Colectivo
One afternoon Mark and I took the colectivo, a van-sized bus into Tulum. It’s much cheaper than a taxi. Once in town, we shopped around, had a drink and came home.
If you go the other direction, you can visit Playa del Carmen.
To get the bus from the resort, ask the trolly driver to let you off near the highway. The bus stop for Tulum is on the highway to the left.
You’d need to go over the overpass for Playa del Carmen.
Coming back from Tulum, the colectivos were crowded, and it took awhile to get a space.
Tulum Ruins
We’ve explored the Riviera Maya before so we only did one organized excursion. That was to the Mayan ruins of Tulum. We booked it at the tour desk at the hotel.
The ruins, perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, are one of the last ancient Maya cities built and inhabited, and made for an ideal afternoon excursion.
Travel Tip: The Tulum Ruins are close to the resort so you’re not sitting in a van all day.
Other Things to Do from Bahia Principe Riviera Maya
You can do cenote excursions; tour magnificent ruins like Coba, Chichen Itza or Ek’ Balam; or head to nearby Xel-ha, a natural water theme park.
Service and Staff
The staff at Bahia Principe Sian Ka’an was terrific. Once we had a snooty wait staffer at Maiko (not sure why), but there were many other experiences that were superb.
We had helpful trolley drivers, kindly buffet wait staff – who remembered how many hundreds of coffee refills Mark required each morning, and we especially liked the energetic activity staff who never made me feel like a loser because I’m so awful at pool volleyball.
Other Amenities
Golf
Golf is a popular activity for Sian Ka’an guests because the PGA Riviera Maya Golf Club is next to the hotel.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones II, it covers 90 hectares of land and offers both 18 hole and 9 hole courses.
PS: The closest I got to golfing was stepping onto the green to see a little cenote during our bike tour.
Please Don’t Do a Dolphin Encounter
It’s not good for the animals. Bahia Principe Tulum has a dolphin show. I wish they wouldn’t. I didn’t meet any guests who wanted to do this.
Entertainment
Every night there was some kind of modest show at Sian Ka’an in the open air lobby area, usually a band, but entertainment wasn’t a huge part of my stay.
The big thing is the Origin show at one of the theatres, which takes you on a journey through highlights of Mexico’s history.
The other main show is Blackbird, which has a Beatles theme.
What is the Hacienda?
The Hacienda Dona Isobel shopping and leisure centre is a cutesy market plaza located between the resorts, and is a central stop on the trollies. There are small stores, souvenir vendors, a pharmacy and doctor.
At night it’s a centre for entertainment, with shows and a nightclub open until 2 a.m.
Location and Surroundings
Bahia Principe Luxury Sian Ka’an is about 93 km from Cancun airport, and 64 from the new Tulum airport (though reports say it takes just as long to get to Sian Ka’an from Tulum as from Cancun).
Many all-inclusive packages include airport transportation. As our flight arrived in Mexico in the evening and left early in the morning we opted for a private transfer to save time.
Value for Money
For the level of service, amenities, and setting, I felt the resort offered good value for the price we paid.
Many reviews, and I wouldn’t necessarily disagree, say that it’s more of a 4-star experience than a 5-star.
Overall Experience
While I wasn’t blown away by the decor and design, the resort grew on me and I hated to leave.
The tropical setting, coupled with access to Bahia Principe’s larger resort complex, meant there was always something to do, but the peace and quiet of Sian Ka’an made it feel like a true escape.
We were always happy to return to the calm of Sian Ka’an after spending time outside the resort.
Would I Recommend Sian Ka’an?
Bahia Principe Luxury Sian Ka’an is good for those seeking a combination of relaxation, leafy nature, and comfort in the Riviera Maya.
Its proximity to Tulum also makes it a good choice for exploring the area’s cultural and natural areas.
It’s a good possibility for couples or other adults looking for a fairly refined but laidback and friendly getaway. It’s mostly a mature crowd, though there were some younger couples.
It’s not hip, flashy or particularly fashionable, and if you’re after wild times, best to choose elsewhere.
For connoisseurs of cutting-edge design and high-end finishings who want the best of the best, there are other higher end resorts in the luxury category that might suit them better.
Would we return? Yes. Absolutely. Because of the variety of activities, the number of restaurants, the calm of it all and the luscious topical setting, we ended up having a lot of fun.
Summary of Traveler Reviews
To get a sense of how other guests felt about their stay at Bahia Principe Luxury Sian Ka’an, I explored various traveler reviews.
While I’m not a fan of AI, I wanted to see how my experience tallied with others, and this is what it came up with.
It comes pretty close to my experience, though no one seemed as concerned as I was about finding enough shade!
Positive Highlights:
- Serene Adults-Only Atmosphere: Many travelers appreciated the peaceful, adults-only environment, noting how it provided a much-needed break from life’s hustle and bustle (ie children lol).
- Attentive and Friendly Staff: A recurring theme in many reviews was the exceptional service. Guests frequently commented on how the staff went out of their way to make their stay enjoyable, whether through personalized service at the restaurants or small gestures, like remembering special occasions.
- Excellent Dining Options: The variety and quality of food, especially at the à la carte restaurants, was highly praised.
- Beautiful Grounds and Pools: Many visitors were impressed by the well-maintained grounds, with lush gardens and elegant pools that created a calming, tropical setting.
- Spa and Golf: Both the spa and golf course received high marks, with visitors highlighting the relaxing treatments and the beauty of the golf course amidst the natural surroundings. (We never tried the spa.)
Areas for Improvement:
- Beach Access: Some guests mentioned the resort not being directly on the beach as a slight downside. While the shuttle service was quick and convenient, a few visitors preferred the idea of being closer to the shoreline.
- Evening Entertainment: While the resort offers nightly entertainment, some guests felt that the options could be more varied.
- In-Room Amenities: A handful of reviewers noted that some rooms could use upgrades in terms of furniture or in-room technology, though this did not significantly affect their overall experience.
Overall Traveler Sentiment:
Most travelers agreed that Bahia Principe Luxury Sian Ka’an offers a luxurious, quiet retreat, especially well-suited for couples and adults looking for relaxation. While there are minor areas for improvement, the positive aspects of the resort, particularly the service and dining, far outweigh any negatives.
F
