Grand Riviera Princess
Playa del Carmen
The Grand Riviera Princess and Grand Sunset Princess resorts are located north of Playa Del Carmen in the Riviera Maya Mexico. They offer guests from different parts of the world the chance to spend their holidays in the area.
Since there are numerous resorts to select from, our aim is to assess and demonstrate what all-inclusive resorts are similar to. In case you prefer staying at all-inclusive resorts, the majority of your holiday will probably be spent at the property. Therefore, it is essential to know precisely what a resort resembles, instead of reserving based on cost and images.
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There are two resort properties owned by Princess Hotels & Resorts: Grand Riviera Princess and Grand Sunset Princess. Although there are two names, both resorts are located on the same property and share the same restaurants, pools, beach, and services.
This is a common practice in the hotel industry, where resorts use multiple names to allow travel agencies to book each side of the resort separately or offer packages without creating competition between them. However, there are only minor differences between the two resorts, which will be explained below.
The Grand Riviera Princess and Grand Sunset Princess Resort are situated on a shared property in Riviera Maya, Mexico, just north of Playa del Carmen. Their location is convenient for transportation to and from Cancun airport as well as for local tours (Playa del Carmen does not currently have an international airport). If you want to visit Playa Del Carmen’s famous 5th Avenue, you can take a taxi (not uber) or the resorts’ shuttle for a small fee.
These two Princess resorts feature four main room categories. The room sizes are typical for resorts. You can choose from the following options: family room, luxury, suite, or swim out suite.
The have good air-conditioning and sufficient amenities. They are spacious enough, which is particularly important for a week-long stay. Additionally, the rooms are quite peaceful due to the hotel’s design, good glass, and thicker walls.
The rooms at these older resorts appear outdated in appearance. The TV in our room was an outdated flat screen model that was smaller than what we usually see in hotel rooms. The cable channels provided were basic and had 36 total, with most channels featuring Spanish programming. The Wi-Fi was barely usable for the duration of our stay, which was surprising as our room was not on the far outskirts of the resort where connectivity may be weaker.
These resorts have a variety of pools including ones for kids, peaceful ones, and pools with swim-up bars that are more suited for adults. There are plenty of pools available to guests. Additionally, there are daytime activities by the pool to keep you entertained.
The has a spacious stretch of sand and a considerable area facing it. It is divided from the resort by a small mangrove. Visitors can frequently join in a volleyball game, enjoy the sun on the loungers, grab a drink at the beach bar, and appreciate the stunning tall palm trees.
Guests can visit the shops located under both lobbies, which offer beach supplies, jewelry, and souvenirs. Throughout the day, guests can participate in various activities organized on the resort property, such as dancing by the pool or water aerobics classes. The resort has a well-equipped gym that offers all the equipment available at any big city gym. For a more relaxed experience, guests can visit the spa. Finally, guests can enjoy the beach at the Grand Riviera Princess and Grand Sunset Princess Resorts.
The property has 19 bars and 9 restaurants that are shared with both resorts. Bars are quite abundant but the drink, wine and beer quality is not great in comparison to other resorts in Rivera Maya. For those who are particular about their alcohol, it might be better to stick to beer.
The resorts have numerous buffets and restaurants that showcase international menus and themes. Nonetheless, the quality of the food is connected to the resort’s price point. Given that the Grand Sunset Princess and Grand Riviera Princess resorts are budget-conscious alternatives, one should not anticipate exceptional food options here. The add-on restaurants offer comparable quality to the already included restaurants. We were taken aback as the neighbouring Platinum Yucatan Princess Resort, also a Princess resort, provided far better food.
At the Grand Riviera Princess, there is a full-service spa that provides massages, facials, and body treatments. The Vitality Spa area offers underwater treatments, heat installations, and a water circuit with five water zones, including Turkish baths and Mayan steam baths. Please note that spa services are not included in the all-inclusive rates. Additionally, beauty and hair treatments are also available.
The fitness center is situated in the resort’s spa and offers cardio machines, strength-training equipment, and exercise accessories like medicine balls. Additionally, there is an open-air aerobics room. Guests can utilize the on-site nonmotorized sports equipment, as well as six tennis courts and a multi-use court that accommodates basketball and soccer games.
As previously mentioned, the Grand Riviera Princess and Grand Sunset Princess resorts are located on the same property and share the same amenities such as pools, restaurants, gym, shows, beach, and bars. However, there are some slight differences to note. The Grand Riviera Princess is situated closer to the family play area and has a designated section for family rooms. Additionally, each resort has its own lobby, which makes the check-in and check-out process more efficient. Many visitors opt for the villa upgrade as it provides better options for accommodation and dining.
If you’re deciding between two resorts in the Riviera Maya, it’s important to know that the cheaper option may not necessarily be the better deal. While they may look similar, there can be differences in the price that reflect variations in quality or exclusivity. Before making a decision, think about what you want in a vacation and what each resort offers.
The Grand Rivera Princess and Grand Sunset Princess are affordable options in the Riviera Maya. Although they are not new resorts, they have a loyal customer base. The resorts’ grounds are well-maintained due to their longevity, but the room design and other hotel features may not be the most up-to-date. However, these resorts are great for families and have a welcoming environment.
These resorts have great play areas for young kids and offer family-friendly nightly entertainment. Adults and older children can enjoy various activities like swimming in multiple pools. The beach has palm trees, ample seating, and facilities for guests, making it an ideal place to spend the day.
These resorts are fairly typical. If they fit your budget and you like what you see, they could be a good choice for you. However, if you’re specifically seeking an adults-only vacation, we suggest checking out the Platinum Yucatan Princess Resort next door. It’s a newer, renovated resort with superior dining options.
I recommend these travel resources for Mexico that I personally use:
🏨 Hotels: I have found that Expedia and Booking.com consistently have the best deals on hotels and resorts in Mexico. If you prefer to stay at a vacation rental, check VRBO that is usually cheaper than AirBnB’s added fees!
✈️ Flights: To find the best flight deals to Mexico, I always use Kayak. Remember to subscribe to their price alerts for the travel dates you want. Another great alternative for flight deals is Expedia.
🚗 Rental Cars: I always use and highly recommend Discover Cars because it allows me to compare several car rental companies and view ratings on various factors such as overall value, pick-up procedure, agent efficiency, car condition, and total time taken.
🚙 Cancun Airport Transportation: For the fastest and easiest way to travel, I suggest arranging a private transfer with Cancun Airport Transportation. Honestly, no better way to travel from the airport to your hotel or resort.
🤿 Tours & Activities: For tours and activities in Mexico, I highly recommend using either Viator or GetYourGuide. These websites offer a full refund if you cancel your booking 24 hours before the start of the tour, and they also provide excellent customer service in case of any issues.
🚨 Travel Insurance: I always suggest purchasing travel insurance as a precaution before traveling, especially after a recent accident in a taxi in Mexico. For short trips, I recommend Travel Insurance Master, whereas for digital nomads, Safety Wing is a better option.
📷 Best Camera for your trip: I always carry with me a GoPro, It’s light, compact, takes great video and pictures, and most importantly, it’s waterproof! You just can’t go wrong with one. If you are interested in higher quality video and photography, I always carry with me on my trips and highly recommend the Sony A7IV which I think is the best travel DSLR Camera out there.
☀️ Biodegradable Sunscreen: Remember to include a good sunscreen to protect yourself from the summer sun. I always use and suggest Sun Bum Sunscreen, which is vegan, reef-friendly, and cruelty-free.
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