Riviera Maya all Inclusive resort recommendations?

[ksantilli]

Hi all,
we are a family of 5. Kids are 14, 11 and 8. Each year we go to WDW for our big family vacation. This year we have decided to go somewhere different and go to the Riviera Maya in Mexico. My problem is this-there are so many options!!!

Please share a resort that you did or did not love!

Thanks so much!!

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

We really loved our stay at the Occidental Grand Xcaret

http://www.occidentalhotels.com/resort/occidental-grand-xcaret

Reasons for loving it:
1. Over 10 restaurant choices
2. Family friendly inlet to the ocean so it was safe
3. Resort is next to the Xcaret park where we swam with the dolphins, saw a very cool theater show, and did other things that resembled a Sea World type of place. http://www.xcaret.com/
4. Nighttime entertainment, water aerobics, volleyball and bocce ball for the kids, easy accessibility to drinks and snacks throughout the day, hammocks on the beach, and an even mix of things to keep busy with or things to do that were just relaxing.
5. A few pools onsite to choose from

 

[shoney]

Some things to think about....
Do you want a la carte dinners every night? some resorts only give say 3 for a weeks stay and then you have to eat at a buffet
Do you mind making dinner reservations? some resorts require you to make reservations other you do not
Do you need perfect crystal clear blue water? we have found that the clarity of the water can differ greatly depending on location. The sand is super soft but if near perfect water conditions are needed that will limit you
Do you want a large resort? small? in the middle?
How far from the airport are you willing to travel?

For a mid sized resort, with ok water clarity, great food, kids and teen clubs, great service, lots of pools, new and modern, I would suggest Royalton Riviera Cancun.

 

[YachtClubWoman]

Palladium Grand - I prefer the White Sands section but I only have stayed in Mayan suites - I am not certain on room types for families- the resort has many sections

I did not like Iberostar Tucan - beds were on concrete bases and the buffet was open air (no air conditioning)

I prefer Secrets resorts since I don't have children but you might want to check out a Dreams resort as they are the "Secrets for families "

 

[Wishing on a star]

We have only stayed at Cancun and at Secrets Maroma-Adults Only.

But, I have done a LOT of travel planning and research.
The Grand Palladium complex would be one that I would consider.
We would probably prefer the Kantenah or Colonial. Closer to the sandy beach. etc.
The restaurants do not require reservations, and are not really limited.
Lots to offer a family.

Close to that one I would consider the Barcelo, the nicest, Palace, section.
At the Barcelo, it does make a difference which section you book. Palace being the best, and offers the most.
Palace would be the nicest rooms, restaurant, etc. So, I would def. want to book that.
Since the Barcelo Complex is not all run-of-the-house, like the Palladium.

There are some differences between the vibe and the way these two resorts operate, so do a little research to compare them.

Tripadvisor is a GREAT resource!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Also, if we can assume that the beach is one of your priorities... The beaches at many of these resorts on the Riviera Maya are not created equal.
Many are not what I would consider 'nice'... rocky, darker water, etc.

Resorts right at Playa del Carmen / PlayaCar will be on a nice stretch of beach.
Many resorts there for you to consider.

So, in addition to ala carte dining, the beach at each resort is another big thing to look at.

 

[bcwife76]

We love Mexico, have gone 6 times already and are planning trip #7 for later in 2017. Our last trip to the Riviera Maya we stayed at Now Jade, fantastic resort!!! No wrist bands, several amazing restaurants, gorgeous rooms, several bars, gorgeous property, kids clubs are amazing. We would stay there again in a heartbeat. In fact now whereever we go in Mexico we only stay in Now/Dreams resorts, the service, food hospitality, etc just can't be beat.

 

[Jafar30]

I'm going back with a large group to the Barcelo Maya Palace over Easter. It's our third time there. I highly recommend it. I've stayed at the Riu's a few times and their nice too. And then it's a little further but the Grand Bahia Príncipe is a really nice resort.

 

[ronandannette]

Palladium Grand - I prefer the White Sands section but I only have stayed in Mayan suites - I am not certain on room types for families- the resort has many sections

I did not like Iberostar Tucan - beds were on concrete bases and the buffet was open air (no air conditioning)

I prefer Secrets resorts since I don't have children but you might want to check out a Dreams resort as they are the "Secrets for families "

We're booked into one of those bungalow-type units facing onto the canal in the Royal Suites section for the end of March. We've never been to an AI of any kind; is Palladium a good one? Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.

 

[shoney]

We've taken the kids with us 4 times:

Dreams Riviera Cancun: wonderful, small resort, excellent food and service,no reservations, kids club geared for little ones, beach nice sand but water clarity wasn't the greatest. Nothing for teens. We liked it so much we went back without the kids!

Barcelo Maya Palace: beautiful resort, fantastic beach, food was good, service lacking, reservations needed for dinner, no food outside of restaurants, great kids club for the under 12's.

Iberostar tucan: you get what you pay for (lower end = lower experience), amazing grounds and wildlife, awesome beach, only 3 a la carte dinners, things like yogurt and peanut butter were served in big communtity bowls instead of individual packets, little to no air conditioning, great coffee (best we've had in Mexico), great beach service

Royalton Riviera Cancun: new, no reservations, fantastic food and service, water clarity at the beach not the best, lots of pools, kids and teen club, ***our kids favorite resort and up there at the top for us too!

 

[nkereina]

I've not been to Riviera Maya, but my favorite all inclusive chain is RIU. I've stayed at RIU resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas and have had a great experience at all of them. They're very similar in terms of quality and amenities, so you know what you're getting. Their price point is typically middle of the road, but they have a high end feel. Sometimes RIU has multiple hotels in one area and you are permitted to use the amenities between the other properties as well.

 

[YachtClubWoman]

We're books into one of those bungalow-type units facing onto the canal in the Royal Suites section for the end of March. We've never been to an AI of any kind; is Palladium a good one? Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.

The bungalows are the Mayan Suites in that section - It has been 5 years since I have been there since now we go to Secrets since we don't travel with kids and prefer adult only. It was the first AI we went to when in first opened 12 yrs ago and it is where we realized we enjoyed that type of vacation. At that point it was only the Colonial and Kantenah sections. We thought the food was good and enjoyed all of the options. be sure to walk the resort and see everything. The spa was awesome and I really liked the hydro therapy areas. There is also a trolley to take you around the resort. If you are in the Royal Suites they will have a golf cart take you wherever you want which was nice. That section also has a private restaurant that people in the other parts of the resort could not use. Hope that helps.

 

[scoutie]

You can't go wrong with the Dreams or Iberostar resorts.

 

[sunlover13]

I've stayed at several resorts in Mexico which were in Cancun, Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen. My absolute favorite was Iberostar Tucan in Playa Del Carmen. I can't say enough great things about this resort. Check reviews on trip advisor. My kids do not want to go to another resort after Iberostar Tucan. We had monkeys on our balcony everyday, one with a newborn attached to her. The food was excellent, beach was beautiful and the entertainment staff was the best. Check trip advisor for the resorts you are interested in. It's a great resource.

 

[MuppetFan418]

Check out the Grand Velas Riviera Maya. It is on the pricier side but it really can't be beat (it is one of just seven resorts in all of Quintana Roo to have earned AAA's Five Diamond award for 2016). Stay away from the Zen part of the resort--rooms in that section require a shuttle ride to the beach. Stick with the Ambassador Family section.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

We, also, are fans of the Occidental Grand Xcaret. We have been there many times. Having the Xcaret Park right next door is a huge plus.

 

[goofinoff]

RIU Palace Riviera Maya. Top notch! Gorgeous beach.