About this property
Accommodation category
Complexe hôtelier
Renovated beachfront all-inclusive resort on the Caribbean, just 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen.
The Grand Riviera Princess is a five-star all-inclusive resort located on the Riviera Maya, a few miles south of the lively downtown area of Playa del Carmen. The vibe here is classic mega-resort: multiple pools, a private beach, themed dining, and a crowd largely made up of families and couples. You are well removed from the heavy foot traffic and shops of Quinta Avenida, which is a major perk for some and a drawback for others.
Location and beach access
The property sits directly on the Caribbean Sea, offering a white-sand beach accessible right from the grounds. The area is well-maintained with plenty of loungers. Keep in mind that the distance to downtown Playa del Carmen makes spontaneous outings tricky without a taxi or shuttle. Factor this in if you plan on spending significant time exploring the city outside of the resort gates.
Rooms and comfort
The rooms are spacious and well-equipped for an all-inclusive stay in this category: air conditioning, a minibar restocked daily, and decent bedding. Higher room tiers offer sea views or access to premium services. Guest feedback points to generally reliable maintenance, though the finishes reflect the style of a large-scale resort rather than a boutique hotel.
Services and dining
The strength of this resort lies in the variety of restaurants included in your package: a main buffet, various themed options (ranging from Mexican to Italian or Asian depending on the season), and poolside bars. Service is typically described as attentive. Evening entertainment is well-suited for families with children. For those who enjoy a spa day, a wellness area is available on-site for an extra fee.
Who it is for
The pros
- Private beach on the Caribbean Sea with direct access
- All-inclusive plan featuring multiple themed restaurants
- Large resort layout well-suited for families and couples
- Multiple pools and on-site entertainment
Things to know before booking
- Distance from downtown Playa del Carmen requires a taxi to leave the property
- Large-scale resort feel is not ideal for those seeking total quiet or seclusion
- Spa and specific activities are not included in the base rate
Friendly tip: If you plan on exploring Tulum, Cobá, or the local cenotes, check with the front desk upon arrival to coordinate your trips. Independent operators outside the hotel gates often offer the same tours at better prices than the internal concierge desk.
Front desk hours
Property services and amenities
Room services and amenities
*Prices and information are indicative and subject to change.
With toddlers, it is great. If you want to move around a bit, see the country, it would probably be a shame to pay for all these all-inclusive services without having the time to enjoy them.
I really liked the meals (both the buffets and the a la carte restaurants are good quality), the friendliness of the staff, the kids' pool (with games, slides, the big tipping water bucket...), the pools and rivers that run alongside the rooms or follow a whole course through the center, and finally meeting the iguanas.
I will also add the spa (massage plus hydrotherapy), but that was a service we had to pay extra for.
The rooms are very spacious and comfortable, the AC is a bit noisy but I found it effective (the humidity seems to clear up), and the bathroom offered a walk-in shower and jacuzzi, very nice. Note that some rooms have direct pool access from the terrace.
As mentioned above, the walk from the entrance to the beach can be long, but there is a "little train" that runs every 15 minutes.
What I liked less: the beach is a bit dirty, a lot of plastic floats in the water. The jacuzzi wasn't very clean when we arrived.
If I had to compare it to the Iberostar (another all-inclusive hotel located south of Playa del Carmen), I would say that the rooms at the Princess are better, the food is better, and the kids' pool is nicer. The spa option is also a plus. On the other hand, I loved the fact that the Iberostar is set up like a kind of animal park.