Family Vacation Destination- Riviera Cancun

Going on vacation is supposed to be the most relaxing, least stressful time.  HA! That’s the biggest joke when it comes to traveling with multiple children.

I should probably start by saying I’ve traveled many times throughout my life.  I’ve been everywhere from Bora Bora to Bahamas.  I’m experienced in traveling internationally and have stayed at multiple different resorts.

I have been to Cancun a few times prior, however never with kids.  I wanted this trip to be fun and easy which I knew was going to require a lot of planning on my part.  I sat down and made a packing list; a long list.  I’m traveling with a 4-year-old, 2-year-old, and 11-month-old.

While creating my packing list, I came across some lifesaving items every parent needs to have during their travels.  If you’re going to the beach, consider getting a baby moov.  It is small and lightweight so I could throw it into my suit case and then grab it when we headed to the beach/pool.  Open it up and instantly create a place where your baby can play, nap, eat, etc.  There’s a canopy to keep the sun off the baby and a net to keep bugs out.  It’s an instant safe place for the baby to do their thing so you can still enjoy beach time.  The other three items I wouldn’t travel without are disposable bibs, place mats, and sippy cups.  I pulled a new sippy cup out each day for our 2-year-old and didn’t have to worry about the mess he may make from cups without lids or breaking one.  They were super handy on the plane too!

My second to-do item was find a place that would fit the needs of my family:

1. Family friendly– needs to have things for kids to do, not a party scene (which Cancun is known for), and people there can expect to see kids around so I don’t feel like we’re intruding on their relaxing vacation
2. Space– we were traveling with my whole family so we needed multiple rooms and bathrooms with enough beds for everyone. If you only need one room they have that as well
3. Beautiful beach and pool– there’s nothing worse than getting somewhere just to find the beach is dirty or the pool is small and lackluster
4. All Inclusive– this is a must with a family! The last thing I want to do is worry about how much we’re spending on food and drinks while I’m on vacation.  Plus, every mom and dad needs endless drinks ready and available at all times!  The feeling of freedom when my child ordered something but didn’t eat it all or wanted to change to something else was the best.  So, he didn’t like the dessert one day, no big deal we’ll just order something else
5. Transportation– transportation from the airport to the hotel can get pricey fast. We wanted to find a place that provided us with transportation and preferably car seats for the little ones

During my many searches, I kept coming across the same few places.  This is when I found the town of Puerto Morelos which is located 20 minutes outside Cancun and 20 minutes from Playa Del Carmen.  It’s got white beautiful beaches, quiet but easily accessible and the best part…brand new!

After looking over reviews I chose the Grand Residences Riviera Cancun.  I didn’t know what to expect and even had feelings of anxiousness because I didn’t know if this was going to be the best place for our big family.

Everything about Grand Residences is amazing!  I seriously cannot say enough.  If you are looking for a place to fit all the needs above and more than this is the place for you.  The moment we stepped off the plane, we were catered to and instantly felt like the most important people.  They met us with two decked out Suburbans complete with two car seats and a booster for my kids and fresh cool towels to clean our hands and sweat rolling from our humidity induced foreheads.  Our driver was very knowledgeable and gave us all kinds of information about the town and things to do.  He even had margaritas and fruit juice (for the kids) waiting at the resort as soon as we got out of the car.

The resort literally took care of everything.  There was no waiting at all, our rooms were ready and check-in was done in our suite.  We had three bedrooms, complete with 8 beds (including murphy beds), 3 bathrooms, a fully stocked kitchen, living room, laundry room, and foyer.  I had a little one on a bottle still so having the dishwasher was a lifesaver!  I was also able to go home complete with clean clothes and stain free kids shirts.  They had my room ready with a pack n’ play, diaper genie, baby bath, and they even had toys for the kids.  We had two anniversaries in the coming week, so they had a cake made and waiting in the kitchen along with amazing tequila and cute little cookies for each of the kids.

The food was the best I’ve had at an all-inclusive.  I dined on lobster, Rib Eye steak, Oysters, Tiger shrimp, molten chocolate cake, tacos, and so much more.  The kid’s menu was extensive allowing each of my kids to get what they wanted every night.  The room service was just as amazing!  We had breakfast delivered one morning and the resort delivered it warm and in style.  Everything we would’ve gotten at the restaurant they brought to our room.

There were a few pools (lap, adult and family).  We stayed at the family pool which had an area that’s about 2.5 feet deep, perfect for my two boys, and then another area 5 feet deep with a large baja area that the kids could play on.  I never had to worry about the kids in the pool.

Want to know the best part…there was no running down at 5 am to reserve your pool chairs for the day!  Yep, you reserve your spot the evening prior with the activity staff and they hold them for you the next day.  Oh and that’s not all…they gave each chair 3 towels.  Yea, that’s unheard of!  I had multiple towels at my disposal and I didn’t have to check them in or out ever!  That right there makes this place worth it!

I could go on and on about this resort!  This will definitely be one we return to and am now looking at other sister resorts around the world.  My son had a slip the last day in the pool and busted his chin open.  The staff was there instantly to help clean him up, assist with the situation and ensure our needs were met.  My son was having way too much fun to worry about his chin.  The first things out of his mouth to my husband was “can I still go to the kid’s camp today!?”

If you’re looking for somewhere to take the family, don’t look any further than this resort, it will not disappoint!  Make sure and check with the resort for their best rates.  I was able to get a smoking deal through them instead of going through a second party company.

Disclaimer- I am in no way being paid by this resort to promote it.  This is completely a review done on my personal experiences and honest opinions