Best Family Resort

02-24-2005

My family just came back from the Grand Xcaret and had a great time, however I was wondering if there is another resort that may be better. I am looking for a resort that is family oriented and preferably all-inclusive.

**Shammy** · 02-24-2005

Oooo, there's quite a few wonderful family friendly resorts. Depending on how much you wanted to spend might determine which one to pick but here's a few:

My personal favorites:

Palladium
Barcelo Maya
Bahia Principe Akumal/Tulum
Iberostar Quetzal/Tucan
Iberostar Paraiso Lindo

Others to look at:

Gala Resort Playacar
Iberostar Pariaso Del Mar/Beach

02-24-2005

Thanks for the info. I know it's early but I'm ready to start looking at resorts for next year already.

I was curious if anyone has stayed at the Gran Porto Real. The Royal Porto Real looks very nice...and very expensive.

Beachaddict · 02-24-2005

Stayed at the Porto Real in 2002 on a great deal all inclusive. I would not pay really high prices for this resort though we did really like it. Advantages are it's close to Playa Del Carmen if that matters to you and the junior suite rooms are a good size. There are so many deciding factors to consider for a family resort to suit your family. Proximity to Playa Del Carmen? Large resort? Small resort? Price? What are your prioritites? Can't go wrong with the Iberostars in my opinion. We are taking our boys to Riu Tequila for spring break. It had absolutely the best price during this high season. It's not on the beach, but gets good reviews for the pool and food - and we don't mind a walk to the beach.

tbasson · 02-24-2005

If your kids like the pools - check out the Lindo. A little more $ than others, but you will certainly see the upscale is certainly worth it - particularly the food, pools, atmosphere, rooms + + +
/Tony

02-24-2005

Thanks Tony, I will check it out.

btodd · 02-26-2005

Hi everybody, just back a couple of hours ago!!! We enjoyed a week at the Gala resort, and believe me if you are looking for a family resort, it is a family resort!! I do have some reservations about giving it a whole hearted thumbs up!! i will give more details is the next few days, need to unpack and get back to reality for the next little while!!!

Heller109 · 02-27-2005

Ready

We have been to both the BM and the Lindo with our sons (now 4 & 7 yrs old). Our first trip was 3 years ago to the BM. It was very nice, but HUGE. Make sure you bring a stroller if you have a little one as it is a lot of walking. The beach is great for kids as it is very calm and they have a pier where you can feed the fish. We stayed there twice.

On our 3rd year we felt that the BM had slipped a bit and needed a bit of touch ups. For example the towels were threadbare, the lounges needed repairs, etc. Nothing major but we felt for that amount of $ we shoulld get more.

So we decided to try the Lindo which was newer. We all LOVED it!! The wave pool is really cool. They offer more restaurants than the BM did. We especially liked the Japanese restaurant next door. THe beach wasn't nearly as nice, but it still was beautiful. Definitely worth it . In fact we are going back in June.

PM me if you have any questions!
Jenn

Heller109 · 02-27-2005

Another thing... USE SHAMMY !! She's the best. My husband nearly had me committed last year when I told him I was using a travel agent I met on the internet. But Shammy got us better rates than we could find anywhere plus she is ALWAYS available! Doesn''t this woman sleep?

TAPPY · 02-27-2005

I am also trying to decide if we will go back to the Barcelo this year....

I know the Lindo is $$$$, but may be worth it to go this year and splurge.
Also looking at Palladium and Bahia...maybe even Club Mavea !!!
Also looking at Gala !!!! HELP !!!!!!!!!!!

It is so hard to decide !!!!!

And yes use Shammy....I will 2nd that !!!!!

OkieB · 02-27-2005

Went to the Barcelo last year also - but booked the Palladium this year - June 8 -14. I already know the beach is not as nice, but when I told my husband they had A/C in the buffets (at least that's what I hear, hope that's true) - he said book it. He was miserable last year eating at the buffets. We also looked at CMT, ABR and will probably do one of those next year.

TAPPY · 02-27-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by OkieB

Went to the Barcelo last year also - but booked the Palladium this year - June 8 -14. I already know the beach is not as nice, but when I told my husband they had A/C in the buffets (at least that's what I hear, hope that's true) - he said book it. He was miserable last year eating at the buffets. We also looked at CMT, ABR and will probably do one of those next year.

That is one of the reason we are looking at Palladium and CMT (the A/C in the Buffets). It was really hot in the buffets for dinner !!!

I would love to do ABR (for the snorkeling) - but I am a little timid because I heard it is really no frills (and some of the rooms are kinda old/worn)...I like a little frill on my vacation !!! :p

K and P · 02-27-2005

Tappy, not sure if you would be happy with the Gala if you love Barcelo like we do. We saw the resorts in Playa while staying at the RIU Tequila and they are all right beside each other, like a big strip of resorts. They are all lovely but...I dont know just putting my 2 cents in. If I ever did Playacar again it would be the Iberostar Tucan, we did a tour of it and its nice, not as nicely spread out as Barcelo but nice. The resorts there just dont have the room, but some like smaller layed out resorts, I just prefer area to roam. So anyways were ever you go we want pictures and a review. I would love to try the Palladium, any Iberostar and CMT. Hopefully one year after next because back to Barcelo next year, then head to one of the others. I will let you now how Cuba was in 6 weeks

Talk later Tappy

btodd · 02-27-2005

We stayed at the Barcelo two years ago without kids, and returned yesterday from the Gala, this time we took the kids. Of course I was constantly comparing the two, much to my husband's annoyance. Would I return to the Gala?? Probably not, but I did enjoy the Playacar area, loved my power walks every morning towards town. I did feel isolated at the Barcelo. It was fun to be able to walk to the Playacar shopping mall with the kids.

The food selection was better at the Barcelo, no shell fish at the Gala. I picked the Gala because it was a smaller resort but I did feel crowded much of the time. The resort was booked to capacity, the towel game was on in full force, no problem with that at the Barcelo.

I am still getting organized and will report more findings later in the week, gotta get these kids back on routine, they missed a week of school, so this week should be interesting!!!!

**Shammy** · 02-28-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heller109

Doesn''t this woman sleep?

*time check* 1:11AM

Uh, not really!

02-24-2005	#1 (permalink)
Ready4AVacation Guest Posts: n/a	Best Family Resort My family just came back from the Grand Xcaret and had a great time, however I was wondering if there is another resort that may be better. I am looking for a resort that is family oriented and preferably all-inclusive.

02-24-2005	#2 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,492	Oooo, there's quite a few wonderful family friendly resorts. Depending on how much you wanted to spend might determine which one to pick but here's a few: My personal favorites: Palladium Barcelo Maya Bahia Principe Akumal/Tulum Iberostar Quetzal/Tucan Iberostar Paraiso Lindo Others to look at: Gala Resort Playacar Iberostar Pariaso Del Mar/Beach

02-24-2005	#3 (permalink)
Ready4AVacation Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for the info. I know it's early but I'm ready to start looking at resorts for next year already. I was curious if anyone has stayed at the Gran Porto Real. The Royal Porto Real looks very nice...and very expensive.

02-24-2005	#4 (permalink)
Beachaddict toe in water Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 42	Stayed at the Porto Real in 2002 on a great deal all inclusive. I would not pay really high prices for this resort though we did really like it. Advantages are it's close to Playa Del Carmen if that matters to you and the junior suite rooms are a good size. There are so many deciding factors to consider for a family resort to suit your family. Proximity to Playa Del Carmen? Large resort? Small resort? Price? What are your prioritites? Can't go wrong with the Iberostars in my opinion. We are taking our boys to Riu Tequila for spring break. It had absolutely the best price during this high season. It's not on the beach, but gets good reviews for the pool and food - and we don't mind a walk to the beach.

02-24-2005	#5 (permalink)
tbasson into ruins Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 74	If your kids like the pools - check out the Lindo. A little more $ than others, but you will certainly see the upscale is certainly worth it - particularly the food, pools, atmosphere, rooms + + + /Tony

02-24-2005	#6 (permalink)
Ready4AVacation Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks Tony, I will check it out.

02-26-2005	#7 (permalink)
btodd reposado Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Posts: 1,327	Hi everybody, just back a couple of hours ago!!! We enjoyed a week at the Gala resort, and believe me if you are looking for a family resort, it is a family resort!! I do have some reservations about giving it a whole hearted thumbs up!! i will give more details is the next few days, need to unpack and get back to reality for the next little while!!!

02-27-2005	#8 (permalink)
Heller109 toe in water Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 54	Ready We have been to both the BM and the Lindo with our sons (now 4 & 7 yrs old). Our first trip was 3 years ago to the BM. It was very nice, but HUGE. Make sure you bring a stroller if you have a little one as it is a lot of walking. The beach is great for kids as it is very calm and they have a pier where you can feed the fish. We stayed there twice. On our 3rd year we felt that the BM had slipped a bit and needed a bit of touch ups. For example the towels were threadbare, the lounges needed repairs, etc. Nothing major but we felt for that amount of $ we shoulld get more. So we decided to try the Lindo which was newer. We all LOVED it!! The wave pool is really cool. They offer more restaurants than the BM did. We especially liked the Japanese restaurant next door. THe beach wasn't nearly as nice, but it still was beautiful. Definitely worth it . In fact we are going back in June. PM me if you have any questions! Jenn

02-27-2005	#9 (permalink)
Heller109 toe in water Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 54	Another thing... USE SHAMMY !! She's the best. My husband nearly had me committed last year when I told him I was using a travel agent I met on the internet. But Shammy got us better rates than we could find anywhere plus she is ALWAYS available! Doesn''t this woman sleep?

02-27-2005	#10 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 15,109	I am also trying to decide if we will go back to the Barcelo this year.... I know the Lindo is $$$$, but may be worth it to go this year and splurge. Also looking at Palladium and Bahia...maybe even Club Mavea !!! Also looking at Gala !!!! HELP !!!!!!!!!!! It is so hard to decide !!!!! And yes use Shammy....I will 2nd that !!!!!

02-27-2005	#11 (permalink)
OkieB toe in water Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 40	Went to the Barcelo last year also - but booked the Palladium this year - June 8 -14. I already know the beach is not as nice, but when I told my husband they had A/C in the buffets (at least that's what I hear, hope that's true) - he said book it. He was miserable last year eating at the buffets. We also looked at CMT, ABR and will probably do one of those next year.

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02-27-2005	#13 (permalink)
K and P beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 343	Tappy, not sure if you would be happy with the Gala if you love Barcelo like we do. We saw the resorts in Playa while staying at the RIU Tequila and they are all right beside each other, like a big strip of resorts. They are all lovely but...I dont know just putting my 2 cents in. If I ever did Playacar again it would be the Iberostar Tucan, we did a tour of it and its nice, not as nicely spread out as Barcelo but nice. The resorts there just dont have the room, but some like smaller layed out resorts, I just prefer area to roam. So anyways were ever you go we want pictures and a review. I would love to try the Palladium, any Iberostar and CMT. Hopefully one year after next because back to Barcelo next year, then head to one of the others. I will let you now how Cuba was in 6 weeks Talk later Tappy

02-27-2005	#14 (permalink)
btodd reposado Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Posts: 1,327	We stayed at the Barcelo two years ago without kids, and returned yesterday from the Gala, this time we took the kids. Of course I was constantly comparing the two, much to my husband's annoyance. Would I return to the Gala?? Probably not, but I did enjoy the Playacar area, loved my power walks every morning towards town. I did feel isolated at the Barcelo. It was fun to be able to walk to the Playacar shopping mall with the kids. The food selection was better at the Barcelo, no shell fish at the Gala. I picked the Gala because it was a smaller resort but I did feel crowded much of the time. The resort was booked to capacity, the towel game was on in full force, no problem with that at the Barcelo. I am still getting organized and will report more findings later in the week, gotta get these kids back on routine, they missed a week of school, so this week should be interesting!!!!