Sensira Resort Has Its Own Zipline, 5 Pools and a 10-Course Chef's Tasting Experience in Mexico's Riviera Maya

Sensira Resort, a luxury getaway in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, is effectively elevating all-inclusive stays for couples, families and group getaways alike.

Last updated: December 2022

In Mexico’s Riviera Maya – the stunning slic e of Mexican Caribbean coastline stretching from famed Cancun all the way through bohemian Tulum – there’s no lack of beautiful resorts from which to achieve serious vacation goals. Here, pristine white sand beaches, glistening infinity pools and rooms-with-a-view are par for the course. But how about a resort with its own zipline? Or a 10-course chef’s tasting menu paired with premium, regional wines? Not to mention a world class spa, climbing wall, 24-hour room service, mini-golf and 5 pools ranging from family-friendly to adults-only.

Tucked away on an idyllic bay just 20 minutes south of Cancun Airport you’ll find the region’s newest arrival boasting all of the above: Sensira Resort & Spa. Opening quietly in 2021, the luxury hideaway is effectively elevating all-inclusive stays for couples, families and group getaways alike. It’s easy to see why, between a bevy of all-age amenities ranging from luxurious to restorative to adventurous, a compact, easy to navigate property layout (no need to wait around for shuttles here) and welcoming staff who go above and beyond to ensure an unforgettable stay. Combined with an affordable luxury price point – rooms start around $400+ per night, based on double occupancy – Sensira is an easy choice for those looking for a blissful all-inclusive escape in the Mexican Caribbean.

Here, we’ve got your insider intel on what you can expect during your stay at Sensira Resort & Spa in the Riviera Maya, from rooms and restaurants to pools and beach bumming, spa life to activities galore. Plus! Hot tips you won’t find anywhere else.

Don’t just take our word for it. Seeing is believing and you can take a closer look in our Sensira Reel on IG!

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The Riviera Maya’s Newest Luxury Resort Has Its Own Zipline, 5 Pools and a 10-Course Chef's Tasting Menu / Twell Magazine / www.twellmagazine.com — Photo by Twell Magazine

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Location

Situated on quiet Petembich Bay 20 minutes from Cancun Airport, Sensira Resort benefits from close proximity while feeling worlds away. The water here is calm, lagoon-like and swimmable, where gently lapping waves sparkle in shades of seafoam and cerulean blue. Sunset beach strolls to either side of the property will lead you past nothing but swaying palms, wistful wooden docks and a smattering of private beach homes.

When to visit

What time of year you choose to visit Sensira Resort – and the Riviera Maya in general – can have a significant impact on your experience. Visit during the dry season from December through March and you’ll enjoy the most beautiful weather of the year, little to no rain and the lowest chance of sargasso (seaweed). Note that dry season = high season, so expect both prices and crowds to be at their peak during this time. April/May is shoulder season, which in my opinion is a great time to visit. You’ll miss the peak crowds, enjoy slightly lower prices and have minimal risk of heavy rain. The only exception to this is Easter – known here as Semana Santa – when the region is slammed (and pricey).

June through September is rainy (low) season, when temperatures, humidity and chance of rain are at their highest. You’ll also more than likely be facing the reality of sargasso, a not-so-pleasant seaweed that has increasingly been washing ashore not just in the Riviera Maya but also throughout the greater Caribbean, and even Florida, in recent years. What does sargasso mean for your trip? At best it means the beach may not look it’s prettiest. At worst it means the water may not even be swimmable…and the beach may have an unpleasant smell. Note that Sensira – as well as other resorts in the region – do as much as they can to minimize the impact of sargasso through meticulous and tireless beach cleaning. However, there is only so much anyone can do when combatting mother nature. The benefit of traveling during rainy season and taking the risk? You’ll enjoy the lowest rates and fewest crowds out of the year.

What about October/November? Another shoulder season, you can expect cooler weather (as far as the tropics go, of course) and low sargasso, but be warned – this is also hurricane season when weather is at its riskiest.

Getting oriented

One of the things we really love about Sensira is how compact and easy to navigate the property is. Rather than follow the traditional, sprawling resort layout with everything on ground level, many of Sensira’s restaurants, bars and activities are spread across different floors of the main building. You won’t find shuttles here and you won’t need them, as the smart design means you can walk literally everywhere in mere minutes. This said, we did find many of Sensira’s offerings to be somewhat hidden if you don’t know where to look. The tennis court, for example? Floor 3. Adults-only Amber Lounge? Floor 4. The Tea House coffee shop? Hidden in a quiet corner on the pool level. It’s less about stumbling across things here and more about knowing where you’re going, so you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the property upon arrival to maximize your stay.

HOT TIP: There is a magical barcode you can scan upon arrival at check-in. If you don’t see it, ask for it because you’ll definitely want to scan this. A webpage will pop up housing a detailed property map in addition to a list of all restaurants, bars and activities with opening and closing times. You’ll also find restaurant menus, the room service menu, spa menu and bonus: an aromatherapy and pillow menu. You’re welcome.

Guess what else folks – no tacky wristbands! You will be delighted to know you are free of the usual all-inclusive staple here.

Rooms

Sensira Resort offers 359 rooms & suites total spread across 7 categories. All rooms have balconies; some feature luxurious jacuzzi tubs, butler service and ocean views. The aesthetic can best be described as contemporary tropical, where modern furnishings are met with pops of jewel tones, patterned motifs and sustainable natural wood. We stayed in the Amber Room, which, for the in-room jacuzzi and on-call butler service, we feel is worth the small price difference to upgrade from the starting Agatha Room.

Honeymooners will no doubt go for the Ruby Suite, boasting a wraparound terrace, jacuzzi tub and double sinks – all with a spectacular ocean view. Large families or groups can opt to adjoin select Agatha Rooms, or even better – stay together in the Sapphire Room or sprawling Jade Suite. Both accommodate up to 7 guests across 2 bedrooms. For those really looking to splurge? The 2,700+ square foot Diamond Suite awaits. This palatial room features 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a full kitchen, pool table and private sundeck complete with swimming pool and jacuzzi.

All room types feature a plethora of home-away-from-home comforts, including waffle knit robes and slippers, pillow and aromatherapy menus, daily stocked minibars, 24-hour room service, nightly turndown service and of course – free wifi. We also love Sensira’s commitment to sustainability as well as supporting local. Bath and shower amenities like shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion are all locally sourced in Mexico, featuring natural ingredients like agave nectar and dispensed in reusable amber glass containers. Espresso capsules are compostable and feature 100% Mexico-produced coffee from different regions across the country, while all minibar snacks & sweets (plus turndown treats) are made preservative-free by local families in the Yucatán Peninsula.

HOT TIP: As mentioned above, we feel the price difference between the starting Agatha Room and the Amber Room is absolutely worth it. Soaking in the jetted jacuzzi tub was a dream, and we found the on-call butler service (via WhatsApp) incredibly convenient for making dinner reservations, spa appointments and utilizing the pillow and aromatherapy menus. Plus! Our Amber Room came with the unexpected bonus of an oceanfront view. Not all Amber Rooms offer an ocean view (some face the adults-only pool), but it’s absolutely worth putting in the request during your reservation.

Pools

For such a compact property Sensira really packs a punch when it comes to pool goals. Five, to be exact, offering something for everyone: a kids aquapark complete with waterslides, ethereal infinity pool running into another pool directly below it, oceanfront family and activities pool and an oceanfront, adults-only pool complete with heated jacuzzi. All pools are lined with plenty of loungers, while the adults-only pool further features cabana-style daybeds. All pools are serviced by the central, palapa-covered Coral Beach Bar.

Beach

A beautiful strip of pristine white sand awaits on Sensira’s beachfront, dotted with breezy palm trees, covered daybeds and plenty of loungers. Located on a bay, the water here is more lagoon-like than roaring ocean. Gently lapping waves are calm and swimmable, sparkling under the sun in shades of seafoam green, emerald and azure. You can also enjoy service here from the aforementioned Coral Beach Bar.

HOT TIP: If you’ve been dreaming of postcard-perfect, Mexican Caribbean water, your best bet to experience it is to visit during dry season: December through March. This is when temperatures are at their coolest, meaning the lowest chance of sargasso (seaweed). If you visit during the hottest months of the year (June – August) the chance of sargasso is high which unfortunately, can have an adverse affect on your beach experience. It’s also important to note that sargasso conditions can change significantly by the day. During our visit mid-August for example, we experienced a range of conditions from murky water to crystal clear in the span of a few days. Mother nature is a wild one.

Activities

This resort offers so many activities it’s truly mind-boggling. There is literally something to do for guests of all ages at every second of the day. To the enjoyment of kids and relief of parents alike, a Baby Explorer Club (ages 1-3) and Adventure Club (ages 4-12) are open daily from 9am – 9pm. There’s even an Emoji Teen Club (teens age 12-17) open from 11am – 10pm, plus babysitting services upon request.

A myriad of active and entertainment options are offered for the whole family, counting mini-golf, a trampoline park, climbing wall, movie theater, tennis court, multipurpose court and a game room with foosball and air hockey. Daily rotating activities further include water basketball, beach soccer, bocce ball, beach volleyball, dance lessons, art classes, even ping pong and bingo tournaments. Did we mention a zipline that runs right through the property?

HOT TIP: Close-toed shoes are required for the zipline. Trust me, they will not bend the rules for you. (I arrived open-toed and ended up strapping on my husband’s two size-too big sneakers in order to ride the zipline.) If you too want to fly high during your Sensira getaway, don’t forget to pack a pair of close-toed sneakers, tennis shoes or heck, even crocs.

HOTTER TIP: Remember that everything in Sensira is spread out between the ground floor and multiple higher floors. The chances that you are going to naturally walk by and notice everything are slim to none. For example, you wouldn’t ever stumble across the mini-golf course, tucked away on a quiet section of the 4th floor. We highly encourage you to review the property map and activity listing from the aforementioned barcode to take advantage of everything Sensira has to offer.

Off-Resort Excursions

With so many activities offered on-site at Sensira, you may not even have time to plan an off-resort adventure. If you can make the time however, we highly recommend it. This region is bursting with incredible and unforgettable things to do, from swimming in otherworldly cenotes to exploring ancient Maya archaeological sites to visiting uninhabited islands. The concierge at Sensira can get you set up on any number of half or full day excursions, or plan ahead with our recs here!

*Off-resort excursions are not included in the nightly room rate and come at an additional charge.

Spa & Wellness

Whether you’re a spa savant or spa novice, no trip to Sensira is complete without a visit to the property’s stunning, world-class Inspiration Spa. Prices are reasonable – think $140.00 for a Hydrating Facial, $180.00 for an 80-minute Hot Stone Massage or $240.00 for a 120-minute, vitamin C-infused Royal Citrus Experience for face and body. Plus! Just about all spa treatments include Sensira’s signature, adults-only hydrotherapy circuit: a blissful 1-hour experience involving a heated hydromassage pool, Finnish sauna, steam room, and jacuzzi room with invigorating cold plunge pool.

While there are separate changing rooms (complete with lockers, bathrooms, showers and plush robes) for men and women, the hydrotherapy circuit is coed – meaning you can enjoy the experience with any of your adult traveling companions. Not interested in or don’t have time for a full spa treatment? You can enjoy Sensira’s hydrotherapy offerings for just $35.00 (up to 1 hour), making the therapeutic experience a no-brainer during your getaway – if not more than once.

I personally booked the aforementioned 80-minute Hot Stone Massage which was absolutely divine. I arrived to the spa 1 hour ahead of my appointment time to relax and enjoy the hydrotherapy circuit, then was whisked away to a dimly lit relaxation room prior to my massage. Here, I was treated to a heated, muscle-melting neck pillow and hand massage. Making the experience all the more memorable is the wonderful service I received from all of the spa staff. Especially Myrna, who will patiently guide you through the hydrotherapy rooms, explain each and alleviate any fears of steam room claustrophobia (am I the only one)?

HOT TIP (literally): For those who typically avoid saunas and steam rooms due to claustrophobia and/or the intense heat, it’s worth nothing that – at least compared to some of the intense European spa experiences I’ve had in the past – the heat here is relatively mild and dare I say, pleasant.

The spa further offers mens treatments, couples treatments and a full service beauty salon counting hair, nail and waxing services. Young spa goers have their own dedicated kids spa and for those exchanging destination I do’s – a spacious bridal salon.

Spa aside, Sensira boasts several additional wellness offerings including their fully equipped gym, yoga classes, guided meditation, water yoga and water aerobics. Starting this month, the resort will even feature a special Guest Trainer every week to teach varying fitness classes.

*Services at Inspiration Spa are not included in the nightly room rate and come at an additional charge.

Food & Restaurants

Let’s be honest. You never know with all-inclusive food, but – with few exceptions – Sensira consistently nails it. The property offers 8 restaurants total, running the gamut from buffet-style to all day snacks to adults-only fine dining. Plus, complimentary 24-hour room service.

For breakfast you’ve got a few options. The primary one is La Pérgola, offering a truly impressive breakfast buffet covering savory to sweet; plant-based to meat-based. Not a big breakfast person? Head to The Tea House instead, somewhat hidden in a quiet corner on the pool level and absolutely worth the discovery. Here you can pair a selection of to-go pastries and charcuterie sandwiches with any number of caffeine-infused concoctions, like a non-alcoholic carajillo. Typically a double espresso with a shot of Licor 43 shaken over ice, here they substitute the latter with a shot of flavored syrup like hazelnut, caramel or toasted marshmallow. Prefer a real carajillo? You’ll find them perfectly shaken at the adults-only Amber Lounge, where you can sip one (or more, we don’t judge) alongside tapas-style breakfast bites like fruit platters, pastries and mini-quiches – all with a breathtaking ocean view on the outdoor terrace. Of course, you can always enjoy the time honored luxury of breakfast-in-bed by taking advantage of Sensira’s complimentary room service.

HOT TIP: Need to work on-the-go? The Amber Lounge is an excellent place to plug-in and log some laptop hours. Situated unassumingly on the 4th floor, this contemporary lounge offers premium bar service and finger foods all day long, which you can enjoy indoors or outside on the oceanfront terrace. Sensira does have a dedicated Business Center near the Spa, however if you’re like us and prefer your emails with a side of sparkling ocean view – not to mention coffee, cocktails and tapas-style bites at the ready – than this is your spot.

La Pérgola reopens for excellent buffet-style lunch, or you can graze poolside at Las Brisas Beach Shack. Centrally located on the pool level, you can peruse the seafood-focused buffet options or order a freshly grilled hamburger or hot dog. As much as I wanted to love Las Brisas given the poolside proximity, I have to say we found the food options here to be a bit underwhelming. Call it post-Covid trauma or just unresolved OCD, but something about seafood sitting outdoors in a buffet setting for hours just doesn’t seem appetizing. I opted for a freshly grilled hamburger instead which was just OK, although my husband did love the wings. Personally, I preferred to alleviate poolside cravings by walking the few minutes over to The Tea House and ordering a to-go sandwich. I literally could have eaten their ciabatta-charcuterie paninis all day. (Oh wait, I did.) While you’re there – you’ll also want to grab a few scoops of creamy gelato or order an affogato pick-me-up.

For dinner, you have four options: La Tentazione (Italian), La Finca de Ana (Mexican), Rodeo Grill (Steakhouse) and adults-only Galerie Des Sens (Chef’s Tasting). Reservations are recommended for all; required at Galerie Des Sens. At La Tentazione, the burrata was creamy, carbonara perfectly al dente and the tiramisu popsicle worth the calories. Rodeo Grill is popular and for good reason. This lively spot churns out delicious steaks and sides, plus live entertainment in the form of guests taking a spin on the mechanical bull. A great idea for kids…not so much for day-drinking adults. The T-bone and brisket were both impressively tender and I’m still dreaming about the truffle mashed potatoes, truffle butter and blue cheese steak sauce (literally gravy with melted blue cheese). Skip the man n’ cheese. Given we live in Mexico and eat Mexican food on a daily basis, you might not be surprised to learn we didn’t try La Finca de Ana – though I was seriously tempted just for the bone marrow tacos I spotted on the menu.

The real culinary star however is Galerie Des Sens, an adults-only fine-dining experience led by Mexican chef John Bertrand. The Nayarit native earned his chops (literally and figuratively) in such prestigious kitchens as Petrossian, Tintoretto and an apprenticeship under Michelin star chef Martin Berasategui in San Sebastián, Spain, all before giving all-inclusive dining a serious upgrade at Sensira. Here, guests are taken on a 10-course culinary journey blending local and international flavors with innovative, molecular flair. Plus, pairings with premium Mexican wines – that you won’t find at other restaurants here – sourced from regions like famed Valle de Guadalupe and up-and-coming Querétaro. The chef’s tasting experience is exclusively adults-only, offering a single seating and just 12 tables per night. The best part? Unlike many all-inclusive resorts which charge for such a premium dining experience, Chef Bertrand’s tasting menu at Sensira is fully included in all stays.

HOT TIP: Reservations at Galerie Des Sens book up weeks, if not months, in advance. Do NOT wait until arrival to try to make a reservation here. Contact Sensira immediately after booking your stay to ensure your fine-dining experience!

Late-night cravings? You can head to Kiosko Snack Bar right by the lobby, open from 10pm – 2am. Or, order in room service and run that jetted jacuzzi tub while you wait.

Bars & Nighttime Entertainment

From the all-day Lobby Bar to the adults-only S Nightclub to the all-age Foro entertainment theater, there’s something for everyone at Sensira before, and after, the sun goes down.

The property’s pools and beachfront are all serviced by the central Coral Beach Bar, where hardworking staff will bring expertly shaken margaritas, virgin piña coladas and ice-cold cerveza right to your lounge chair or covered cabana.

At Serendipity Bar you can catch a game on the big screen plus play any number of off-screen games. The family-friendly locale offers everything from jenga, board games and video games to pool and foosball, even live entertainment like musical performances and magic shows.

Is aperitivo a thing in Mexico? It is at Sensira, specifically at the adults-only Amber Lounge. We loved coming here for a pre-dinner sunset drink and bite on the oceanfront terrace, where individually plated cheese & charcuterie plates, bruschetta and sweets pair perfectly with the bar’s extensive libations. This is a great spot to try premium tequilas, mezcals and even some fun made-in-Mexico finds like Condesa Gin. No need to be shy here – simply ask and the bartender will be happy to offer you a tasting. An excellent spot for a nightcap too, we took ours out on the terrace under the stars.

At the adults-only Knights English Pub, premium cocktails pair with tufted leather chairs, pool tables and big screens, plus jenga and decks of cards waiting to be dealt. Once a week the sleek space hosts a Casino Night, where perhaps you’ll enjoy a dose of beginner’s luck at the Texas Hold ’em table like I did…before losing it all later on Roulette. Don’t worry – you’re playing with fake money so you’ve literally (and luckily) got nothing to lose.

The Verdict

In sum? Sensira Resort & Spa is an excellent option for guests of all ages, especially at the refreshingly accessible price point. Close proximity to Cancun Airport means easy arrival and departure, while feeling worlds away on a peaceful, picturesque bay. Plus, exceptionally welcoming and accommodating staff who will go above and beyond to ensure you have an unforgettable stay.

For families in particular, this all-age getaway is a no-brainer. Endless activities for parents and kids alike, babysitting services, an easy to navigate property layout and a range of multi-guest accommodation options – from adjoining rooms to 2-bedroom suites sleeping up to 7 – make this a tropical escape the entire family can truly enjoy.

Couples will love the ocean view rooms with jacuzzi tubs, the luxurious spa and dedicated adults-only spaces like the oceanfront pool, Amber Lounge, Knights Pub and spectacular gourmet dining at Galerie Des Sens. Unless you’re looking for an adults-only resort, Sensira is a strong choice for a relaxing and romantic Mexican Caribbean getaway.

Book your escape at Sensira Resort & Spa here.