GalaPlayacar or Barcelo Maya??

mjks · 11-27-2005

Which of these would you stay at? We are a family of 4.We have 2 boys who will be 11 and 14. We plan on goung in late January. THANKS!!!!!

cuffedlinks · 11-27-2005

Sandos Gala Playacar has recently changed hands and the Sandos is supposed to "kick it up a notch"...I guess they have a good kids program...haven't heard nearly as much on the Gala Playacar (especially since it became a part of Sandos) as from the Barcelo Maya perspective...

...unless there's a MAJOR price difference, I'd go with the Barcelo Maya. Soild and proven reputation, good kids activities, and a fabulous beach area.

K and P · 11-27-2005

Silly question,go to Barcelo.................No comparison
We saw the Gala resort while staying at the RIU Tequila and please go to Barcelo. Nothing wrong with the Gala but Barcelo is so much more, take my word for it.
I would even spend more money to go to Barcelo with out a question.

**Shammy** · 11-27-2005

Barcelo gets my vote too...no doubt about it.

flyingpig11 · 11-27-2005

Havent been to to Barcelo.

Going back to Gala in four weeks. It is not particularly fancy, but had everything we needed, inlcuding the best beach of the AI's in Playacar. Plus it was undeveloped next door, so there was never a feeling of being crowded. Pesonally, I liked that it was smaller in size, like half of what someof the other resorts.

Did nt see a ton of teens there, but we were there during school.

As long as I am down there, I will be happy anywhere.

Banzoomba · 11-27-2005

Barcelo vote from me to......I really loved it there

aquavitgal · 11-28-2005

My family was at the Barcelo March 2005, children 17 and 19 and one extra friend 19 yrs. Perfect area, beautiful, the resort has plenty to do, but easy to take a taxi or collectivo to PDC. Also an easy trip to Akumal via taxi or collectivo. Accross the hwy are cenotoes (SP?) to visit.
We are going back in Dec, with my husbands siblings and their family's, with kids ranging 3 yrs to 20 yrs. It is a great place for all ages, safe and easy.

Silver Starfish · 11-28-2005

We went in 2/2005 to Gala and are going back in 2006. My son is 9 and he loved it there. This was our first AI so I don't have any comparison but it was a great resort. I liked that it was not a huge sprawling property, i.e. from a parent's perspective I loved that you could allow your child to be more independent but not worry they are going to get lost. We went in February so there was a wide range of kid's ages. We did not use the kids club but my son loved the tennis lessons, the beach soccer and homerun derby on the beach. They also have catamaran lessons and free usage of these and boogie boards. Not included in the all inclusive rate is a water trampoline, snorkeling, jet skis, parasailing all right on the beach.

Playacar is just a bike ride or cab ride away. I did consider looking at the Iberstar Lindo (because we never vacation at the same destination twice and because it always got rave reviews on this site) but it was more expensive and no ocean views. I love that Gala is right on the ocean. So we are breaking our rule of not visiting the same place twice and are headed there in a few months. Can't wait!!!

If you have ?s just let me know.

btodd · 11-28-2005

Hi, I have been to both resorts. We were at the Barcelo without our kids and at the Gala with them. Where would I stay? I think the Barcelo, it was a much larger resort which is why I chose the Gala to go with the kids, but after staying at the smaller resort, we found it a bit confining.

There was never any probelm finding chairs at the pool or at the beach at the BArcelo, and it was a probelm at the Gala.

The food was more varied at the Barcelo and contained more shellfish choices.

I thought being closer to town would be a huge advantage, but we only went in once, bascially to say we did.

My girls were 7 and 9 when we were at the Gala this past February, they participated in many of tthe kids activities.

The beaches were great at both resorts, but much calmer at the Barcelo and we enjoyed looking off the dock at the fish.
Price might be a consideration and of course, the Gala has changed hands but there is my two cents worth!

paraiso10 · 11-28-2005

I would say it all depends on what you are looking for. I have never stayed at Barcelo, but some very good friends have and they said it was HUGE, over 1000 rooms, and very family oriented. I have been to Gala(I actually stayed next door at Iberostar) and it probably has one of the, if not the best beach in all of Playa Del Carmen. Gala was kind of small without a lot of foliage...kind of looked boring if you ask me. This is just my opinion though, I way prefer Iberostar resorts. If you haven't book yet, look at Iberostar Quetzal or Iberostar Tucan, they are about 50 yards down the beach from Gala and I don't think anyone in the family would be dissappointed here. You can read the forum here or go to tripadvisor.com and read reviews while viewing user photos, probably 100 per resort.

All three are about the same price.

nosnerk · 12-17-2005

Gala is closer to PDC if you want to visit the town. We used to go several times during our past stays and it's a $5 cab ride vs. ??? for Barcelo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjks

Which of these would you stay at? We are a family of 4.We have 2 boys who will be 11 and 14. We plan on goung in late January. THANKS!!!!!

RAINDOGG · 12-17-2005

Went to the Barcelo w/o kids and My wife and I found it to be very boring. They do have a great beach at the Barcelo but the beach in playacar has much better water...The Barcelo does have 2 great big pools and good service. We did not like the buffet at the Barcelo. We have stayed at the Riu Tequila and found it to be a superior resort to the Barcelo.

K and P · 12-17-2005

I have to say, see how people differ in there opinions. See we were the opposite. We loved the Barcelo and Hated the RIU Tequila. Prefered the food at the BArcelo too. The large tropical layout, calm 2km private beach makes Barcelo a beauty. We found the Tequila very crowded, the rooms very cold atmosphere, and the water in Playa was too rough to swim in when we went.
We ended up taking a taxi back to Barcelo for one expensive night to feel like we were on vacation again, the Tequila was just too busy for us.
Anyways just different opinions.
The snorkling right of the the Barcelo beach is also a plus.

Peggy3009 · 12-18-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banzoomba

Barcelo vote from me to......I really loved it there

I really enjoyed your pics!!!! Who is that song by? It totally rocks!!

trekker · 12-18-2005

Just returned from our second trip to the Barcelo Maya. This resort just keeps getting better. For all the latest information check out this site:

http://www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com/

11-27-2005	#1 (permalink)
mjks sandflea Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1	GalaPlayacar or Barcelo Maya?? Which of these would you stay at? We are a family of 4.We have 2 boys who will be 11 and 14. We plan on goung in late January. THANKS!!!!!

11-28-2005	#8 (permalink)
Silver Starfish way into it Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 179	Gala We went in 2/2005 to Gala and are going back in 2006. My son is 9 and he loved it there. This was our first AI so I don't have any comparison but it was a great resort. I liked that it was not a huge sprawling property, i.e. from a parent's perspective I loved that you could allow your child to be more independent but not worry they are going to get lost. We went in February so there was a wide range of kid's ages. We did not use the kids club but my son loved the tennis lessons, the beach soccer and homerun derby on the beach. They also have catamaran lessons and free usage of these and boogie boards. Not included in the all inclusive rate is a water trampoline, snorkeling, jet skis, parasailing all right on the beach. Playacar is just a bike ride or cab ride away. I did consider looking at the Iberstar Lindo (because we never vacation at the same destination twice and because it always got rave reviews on this site) but it was more expensive and no ocean views. I love that Gala is right on the ocean. So we are breaking our rule of not visiting the same place twice and are headed there in a few months. Can't wait!!! If you have ?s just let me know.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

11-27-2005	#2 (permalink)
cuffedlinks añejo Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The City of Presidents Posts: 16,003	Sandos Gala Playacar has recently changed hands and the Sandos is supposed to "kick it up a notch"...I guess they have a good kids program...haven't heard nearly as much on the Gala Playacar (especially since it became a part of Sandos) as from the Barcelo Maya perspective... ...unless there's a MAJOR price difference, I'd go with the Barcelo Maya. Soild and proven reputation, good kids activities, and a fabulous beach area.

11-27-2005	#3 (permalink)
K and P beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 343	Silly question,go to Barcelo.................No comparison We saw the Gala resort while staying at the RIU Tequila and please go to Barcelo. Nothing wrong with the Gala but Barcelo is so much more, take my word for it. I would even spend more money to go to Barcelo with out a question.

11-27-2005	#4 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,264	Barcelo gets my vote too...no doubt about it.

11-27-2005	#5 (permalink)
flyingpig11 beachaholic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bflo, NY Posts: 325	Havent been to to Barcelo. Going back to Gala in four weeks. It is not particularly fancy, but had everything we needed, inlcuding the best beach of the AI's in Playacar. Plus it was undeveloped next door, so there was never a feeling of being crowded. Pesonally, I liked that it was smaller in size, like half of what someof the other resorts. Did nt see a ton of teens there, but we were there during school. As long as I am down there, I will be happy anywhere.

11-27-2005	#6 (permalink)
Banzoomba big sexy speedo guy Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Top of the Chesapeake Bay, Md Posts: 9,276	Barcelo vote from me to......I really loved it there

11-28-2005	#7 (permalink)
aquavitgal beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inver Grove Hgts, MN Posts: 361	My family was at the Barcelo March 2005, children 17 and 19 and one extra friend 19 yrs. Perfect area, beautiful, the resort has plenty to do, but easy to take a taxi or collectivo to PDC. Also an easy trip to Akumal via taxi or collectivo. Accross the hwy are cenotoes (SP?) to visit. We are going back in Dec, with my husbands siblings and their family's, with kids ranging 3 yrs to 20 yrs. It is a great place for all ages, safe and easy.

11-28-2005	#9 (permalink)
btodd reposado Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Posts: 1,309	Hi, I have been to both resorts. We were at the Barcelo without our kids and at the Gala with them. Where would I stay? I think the Barcelo, it was a much larger resort which is why I chose the Gala to go with the kids, but after staying at the smaller resort, we found it a bit confining. There was never any probelm finding chairs at the pool or at the beach at the BArcelo, and it was a probelm at the Gala. The food was more varied at the Barcelo and contained more shellfish choices. I thought being closer to town would be a huge advantage, but we only went in once, bascially to say we did. My girls were 7 and 9 when we were at the Gala this past February, they participated in many of tthe kids activities. The beaches were great at both resorts, but much calmer at the Barcelo and we enjoyed looking off the dock at the fish. Price might be a consideration and of course, the Gala has changed hands but there is my two cents worth!

11-28-2005	#10 (permalink)
paraiso10 lost on fifth Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 15	I would say it all depends on what you are looking for. I have never stayed at Barcelo, but some very good friends have and they said it was HUGE, over 1000 rooms, and very family oriented. I have been to Gala(I actually stayed next door at Iberostar) and it probably has one of the, if not the best beach in all of Playa Del Carmen. Gala was kind of small without a lot of foliage...kind of looked boring if you ask me. This is just my opinion though, I way prefer Iberostar resorts. If you haven't book yet, look at Iberostar Quetzal or Iberostar Tucan, they are about 50 yards down the beach from Gala and I don't think anyone in the family would be dissappointed here. You can read the forum here or go to tripadvisor.com and read reviews while viewing user photos, probably 100 per resort. All three are about the same price.

12-17-2005	#12 (permalink)
RAINDOGG into ruins Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 74	Went to the Barcelo w/o kids and My wife and I found it to be very boring. They do have a great beach at the Barcelo but the beach in playacar has much better water...The Barcelo does have 2 great big pools and good service. We did not like the buffet at the Barcelo. We have stayed at the Riu Tequila and found it to be a superior resort to the Barcelo.

12-17-2005	#13 (permalink)
K and P beachaholic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ont, Canada Posts: 343	I have to say, see how people differ in there opinions. See we were the opposite. We loved the Barcelo and Hated the RIU Tequila. Prefered the food at the BArcelo too. The large tropical layout, calm 2km private beach makes Barcelo a beauty. We found the Tequila very crowded, the rooms very cold atmosphere, and the water in Playa was too rough to swim in when we went. We ended up taking a taxi back to Barcelo for one expensive night to feel like we were on vacation again, the Tequila was just too busy for us. Anyways just different opinions. The snorkling right of the the Barcelo beach is also a plus.

register to remove these adverts

12-18-2005	#15 (permalink)
trekker into ruins Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 73	Just returned from our second trip to the Barcelo Maya. This resort just keeps getting better. For all the latest information check out this site: http://www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com/