We recently stayed at The Grand at Moon Palace as a family of four, including two adults and two children aged 14 and 7. Before booking, we did extensive research and also used The Fives Riviera Maya as a reference point since we’ve stayed there multiple times and really enjoy it.
Overall, we had a very good vacation and appreciated many aspects of The Grand, but we likely would not return. The main reason is that the resort felt too large and too crowded for the type of holiday we prefer. There are many buildings and a very high number of guests, and at times the environment felt chaotic. We also encountered some inconsiderate behavior from other guests in common areas like the pools. That said, this is not a reflection on the staff, who work hard, and minor issues like worn tiles or leftover dishes did not bother us much since the property still has many positives.
We stayed in block 91, which turned out to be a convenient location for us.
Pros:
The grounds are beautiful and very well maintained overall
Golf carts were always available, even with the size of the resort
Food quality exceeded expectations for an all-inclusive
Favorite dining spots included Riviera Maya restaurant at the golf course, JC’s Steakhouse, The Grill for lunch, and Circus for a fun experience for kids
Caribeno area was our favorite due to its quieter atmosphere and calmer buffet, with pizza that the kids really enjoyed
Room service was excellent, especially for our teenager
Evening shows were entertaining
Rooms were spacious and comfortable
Check-in was smooth and efficient
The beach, while not ideal, was still enjoyable for walking
The spa experience stood out as a highlight. The hydrotherapy circuit was very relaxing, and the massage service was excellent and one of the best parts of the stay.
Cons:
The biggest drawback was overcrowding. The pools felt too small for the number of guests, even outside peak season, and we imagine it would be worse during busy periods.
It was also difficult to find a pool atmosphere that matched our preferences. Some areas were very loud, with guests playing their own music and creating a chaotic environment.
Service quality was inconsistent. While some staff were excellent, there was a noticeable expectation around tipping, which became a bit uncomfortable despite us tipping regularly.
We also felt the guest mix may have included more local visitors or families of staff during our stay, which changed the overall atmosphere compared to what we expected.
The waterpark had mixed reactions in our family. Our younger child enjoyed it despite slipping a few times, while our teenager lost interest quickly but enjoyed the arcade and café instead.
Housekeeping was a weak point. Trash was not always removed promptly, and we experienced issues including ants in the room and even a cockroach.
Another downside was an occasional strong sewage smell near parts of the beach, which was unpleasant.
We also found it inconvenient that many kids’ activities were located at the Sunrise section, requiring frequent travel between areas.
Overall, it is still a resort with many amenities, good food, and a lot to offer. However, for our preferences, we realized we prefer smaller, more walkable resorts with a calmer atmosphere and better space-to-guest balance.
For us personally, The Fives Riviera Maya still ranks higher due to its layout, vibe, and overall experience, and we often find ourselves comparing other resorts back to it.
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