About this property
Accommodation category
Resort
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 on the Riviera Maya, a few kilometers south of the lively center of Playa del Carmen. The feel here is that of a big beach-resort complex: several pools, a private beach, themed restaurants, and a crowd that is mostly families and couples. You're a long way from Quinta Avenida and its shops, which is a plus for some travelers and a drawback for others.
Location and beach access
The resort sits right on the Caribbean Sea, with a white-sand beach reached directly from the property. The grounds are well kept and the loungers are nicely laid out. On the other hand, downtown Playa del Carmen is far enough away that spur-of-the-moment outings are impractical without a taxi or shuttle. Factor that in if you want to explore the city beyond the resort.
Rooms and comfort
The rooms are spacious and well equipped for an all-inclusive stay in this category: air conditioning, a minibar restocked daily, decent bedding. Higher room categories add an ocean view or access to premium services. Guest reviews point to generally satisfactory upkeep, though the level of finish is that of a large mass-market resort rather than a boutique hotel.
Services and dining
The resort's strongest card is the variety of restaurants included in the package: a main buffet, themed restaurants (Mexican, Italian, and Asian depending on the season), and poolside bars. Service is generally described as attentive. The evening entertainment suits families with kids. If you're a spa person, a wellness area is available on site, at an extra charge.
Who it's for
The highlights
- Private beach on the Caribbean Sea, directly accessible
- All-inclusive package with several themed restaurants
- Large resort suited to families and couples
- Multiple pools and on-site entertainment
Know before you book
- Far from downtown Playa del Carmen: you'll need a taxi to get out
- Big, mass-market resort, not ideal if you want peace and quiet or intimacy
- Spa and some activities cost extra on top of the all-inclusive rate
Friendly tip: If you plan to explore Tulum, Cobá, or the region's cenotes, ask at the front desk as soon as you arrive to arrange excursions. Independent operators outside the hotel often offer the same tours at better prices than the in-house concierge.
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.