© SmartXpat All Rights Reserved 2022
Bahia Principe Grand Tulum
It is always great to visit Mexico and the Riviera Maya as the stunning white sand beaches and high-end resorts make for a perfect holiday location. After reading numerous blogs about the area, it seemed like a piece of paradise on Earth. We finally decided to make it our annual vacation destination and booked a two-week stay in Mexico.
We searched for options along the Mexican coast and ultimately chose to stay in an all-inclusive resort near Tulum. Bahia Principe Grand Tulum was the standout due to its reasonable price and amazing amenities. This post serves as my review of our experience staying there.
The Bahia Principe Grand Tulum is an all-inclusive 5-star resort that has recently undergone renovations and is located in Akumal, which is situated just north of Tulum in the Quintana Roo state of Mexico. This resort is positioned on the Yucatan Peninsula, which is commonly referred to as the Riviera Maya. The Riviera Maya area of Mexico is renowned for its stunning scenery and nature, excellent cuisine, and hot weather all year round.
Being located right on the beach is a major advantage of this resort. The coastline belongs to the Caribbean Sea, offering beaches made of beautiful ivory sand and clear, pleasant and warm water. The hotel has over 700 rooms, three pools, a spa, five restaurants, and seven bars. Bahia Principe Hotels is a renowned hotel group with properties in Spain and the Caribbean, and this particular hotel is one of the four located in Mexico, with the other three being in different parts of Riviera Maya.
In the past, we have experienced staying at all-inclusive resorts that ended up having hidden costs. But we are pleased to see that Bahia Principe Grand’s package truly covers everything, without any unexpected expenses.
Although not a complete list, here are just a few of the many things that are included in the all-inclusive package that we were happy about:
During our trip, we found out that the hotel provides additional services for a fee, which we did not need. These services include premium Wi-Fi, beauty and massage treatments, premium drinks, scuba diving and motorized water sports, as well as babysitting services.
During my stay at the 5-star Bahia Principe Grand Tulum hotel, I found the rooms to be impressive. Our Premium Superior Ocean Front room with a king-size bed was modern, functional, and very spacious. Additionally, we enjoyed watching the news on the flat-screen TV in the seating area while sipping our morning coffee.
The semi-open plan bathroom was great! It had a separate washbasin and vanity mirror from the toilet and shower, which made getting ready for dinner more efficient. The shower had good water pressure and temperature, and it was convenient to have a quality hairdryer and other amenities provided, so I didn’t have to bring my own and take up space in my luggage.
During our stay, the room had all the necessary conveniences to keep us comfortable. The air-conditioning and ceiling fan kept the temperature cool, and the Wi-Fi provided was strong and reliable. We had plenty of storage to keep our luggage, and there was an iron and ironing board provided to straighten out our wrinkled clothes. The mini-bar was also an added bonus, as we enjoyed having a pre-dinner drink on the balcony. The balcony had an incredible view of the unobstructed Caribbean sea, and it was a memorable experience to watch the changing colors of the sky during sunset.
The family in our travel group selected the two-bedroom suite due to traveling with two children. Our children slept in the living area on a comfortable-looking sofa bed and seemed to enjoy the excitement of sleeping in the lounge. The room was very roomy with ample storage and having two bathrooms was a huge advantage for them.
We loved the fact that Bahia Principe Grand Tulum offers a wide range of activities that caters to everyone’s interest. Whether you want to stay active or unwind and simply relax, the resort has something to offer.
The hotel is located on the beachfront, which allowed us to easily access the beach. I spent my time reading on a recliner, while my partner rented a kayak for watersports and others in our group went snorkeling. Additionally, the resort offers guests the opportunity to participate in the Eco-Bahia Foundation activities. One of the special activities includes preparing the beach for nesting sea turtles and releasing hatchlings. We thoroughly enjoyed this distinct activity, which is a cherished memory that we will keep for years to come.
Our favorite spot to unwind at the resort was the lake-style swimming pool. It’s spacious with ample seating available for everyone. The loungers are well-spaced, ensuring that everyone can have their own peaceful space. We appreciated the numerous bamboo straw umbrellas provided, particularly since the Mexican sun can be very intense. Additionally, we enjoyed a daily tradition of afternoon margaritas at the poolside bar.
The hotel offers daily water polo and water aerobics classes for those who prefer a more active outdoor pool experience. Additionally, guests can try scuba gear in the pool, which has been a popular activity.
During our stay, you should try out the spa and were pleasantly surprised. The spa has a peaceful and tropical atmosphere with various amenities such as a sauna, steam bath, foot baths, and outdoor whirlpool. I opted for the Anti-Stress Wellness Package, which consisted of a Caribbean massage and an anti-stress facial. The therapist was skillful, and the treatment left me feeling quite relaxed. Additionally, the salon provided me with the fabulous experience of having my hair washed and styled for our final evening.
Our travel party had children who were also taken care of really well. The kids club had numerous activities such as games, crafts, and workshops that kept the children entertained throughout the day. The friendly and welcoming staff made parents feel at ease when leaving their kids there. Plus, there’s a children’s water park which our group really enjoyed. This helped the adults relax, knowing that their children were also enjoying the vacation just as much as they were.
There is a children’s pool called ‘Splash’ suitable for younger kids to play in safely with their parents. For teenagers traveling with you, they can enjoy the Teens Club and meet peers their age. The Teens Club was usually full of youngsters playing foosball and arcade games, and it was great to see that they had their own space to enjoy.
The resort had entertaining activities available at night, and the atmosphere was lively and family-friendly, which everyone in our group appreciated. Additionally, there were several shows to choose from that had an extra cost but were definitely worth it in our opinion. Our favorite was the ‘Origin’ show, which showcased Mexican cultures and traditions, and it was a unique and special experience to witness it surrounded by such incredible views.
At Bahia Principe Grand Tulum, there are numerous restaurants with a great variety of good food and drink options available. We made sure to try the traditional Mexican cuisine at the Tequila Restaurant which pleased our taste buds. The restaurant serves specialties from different regions of Mexico, making it feel like a food tour within the hotel premises. It is recommended to try one of their mole dishes and save some room for dessert.
During our trip, we went to La Gran Tortuga, a Brazilian restaurant that serves grilled meats tableside. Our kids had a great time and it was a unique way to dine. Another restaurant that surprised us was Thali, an Indian restaurant. We didn’t anticipate finding such authentic Indian flavors in Mexico, but we were blown away by the tasting menu. Our vacation came to a close at Don Pablo, where we had a memorable evening. The oysters were very fresh and the confit beef cheek was exceptional.
We visited the international buffet restaurant several times for a casual dinner. They offered a wide selection of fresh and flavorful dishes. On lazy beach days, the Mexican-style food truck and burger bar were popular choices among our group for a quick lunch.
One of the amazing things of staying at this hotel is that we can dine at its Coba location. I had an exceptional dining experience at their Le Gourmet restaurant, with its high-end French cuisine that made me feel like I was in a Parisian brasserie. The flavors were superb. Additionally, we had dinner at the hotel’s Italian restaurant, where we all loved the fresh and authentic dishes on the menu.
The hotel is absolutely stunning and offers enough attractions and activities to keep you occupied for a fortnight, but if you’re like us and enjoy sightseeing, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s located in Akumal, just north of Tulum, making it convenient to visit all the top spots in the Yucatan Peninsula.
When visiting the Yucatan, it’s a must to see at least one Mayan ruin. Even though Chichen Itza is the most popular one, it’s quite far away, so we opted to visit some of the local ruins instead. Tulum has an amazing site on top of cliffs for a view of the Caribbean sea, so we went there one morning to explore. The front desk staff at our resort can help you organize trips to other ruins that are more difficult to get to, like Nohoch Mul Pyramid, Laguna de Muyil, and Adoratorio Ruinas Chac-hal-al.
We planned to visit a cenote in Mexico as we had heard a lot about these underground freshwater pools. The Yucatan has many cenotes, some of which are difficult to access, while others are made safe for visitors to swim. Scuba diving is possible in some of the deeper ones. We chose to visit Gran Cenote because of its proximity to Tulum and good facilities. After swimming in the clear blue waters, we dried off on the grass and enjoyed a drink in the beautiful warm weather before returning to the resort. We also heard great things about Calavera Cenote and Carwash Cenote. Another guest recommended visiting Sian Ka’an, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, to witness the flora and fauna of Riviera Maya’s natural beauty.
The resort is located in Quintana Roo, and there are many things to do in the area. During our trip, we took a 25-minute taxi ride to Playa del Carmen to explore the city. We enjoyed the vibrant, beachfront city with its excellent bars, restaurants, and shops. Fifth Avenue, which runs parallel to the beach, was a fun place to enjoy some afternoon drinks and tasty tacos.
We had a relaxing morning in Tulum, which is a charming bohemian town. We enjoyed exploring the town and found some great artisanal crafts to bring back as souvenirs. During our next trip to Mexico, we plan to spend an evening in the center of Tulum as we spotted some amazing bars and restaurants during our walk.
If your travel party includes a golf enthusiast, they will be delighted to know about the nearby Riviera Maya Golf Club. This 90+ hectares course was designed by the renowned golf course architect, Robert Trent Jones II. The course is located amidst the stunning natural landscape of Mexico, with its winding path through the Mayan jungle and around beautiful lakes and cenotes. We were informed that hotel guests can avail of a discount at this course.
The resort is closest to Cancun International Airport. It serves both domestic flights from Mexico and international flights from all over the world, so you should be able to find a flight from your location without difficulty.
It takes an hour to drive from the airport to the hotel. You can find official taxis and car rental options at the arrivals terminal. However, it’s recommended to arrange a transfer with the team at Bahia Principe Grand Tulum for easy logistics. We opted for this service and it was flawless.
© SmartXpat All Rights Reserved 2022