parents with teens in Playa

[ma-warman]

I am running into a problem in planning our next trip to Playa. We are traveling with our kids this time, 16 and 12 for spring break March 2007. I would like to stay at the Iberostar Queztal but a reservation go through because of the 16yr old being an adult. Bummer...so I would like to know is there another way about getting into that location without 2 rooms or any other suggestions for a place to stay???? My husband and I loved the Royal Porto and Gran Porto. The Royal if going to be too spending and we didnt like the beach condition of the Gran. We want and AI, nice beach. Any suggestions? I tried to pm Shammy I wasnt sure if it went through. Thanks

[KevKaos]

If you PM'd Shammy, you probably have the best person working on it that you can get. She seems to know all the angles. She might be a bit busy now, but I'm sure she will get back to you. Good luck on your search.

[Shammy]

I did get the message but I am insanely wrapped up in trying to get ready to head to L.A. in a few days and just have not have time to reply.

But - the Iberostar resorts have a "rule" during the spring break time frame (3/1 through 4/15) that when traveling with teens (ages 13 to 17), only two people will be allowed per room. There is no way around this, it applies to all tour operators so if the Iberostar resorts are what you want and you want to go during spring break, you must book two rooms.

The Royal Porto Real will be going to age 14 and up come November 1st so that resort would be out as well.

Of the hotels you list above, the Gran Porto Real is the only one that would work in this case, but the beach isn't what I'd call great.

There are many other family friendly resorts to choose though, depends on your budget and how far from town you want to venture (sounds like you want to be close).

You might want to look at:

Riu Yucatan
Barcelo Maya
Palladium
Grand Coco Bay

[ma-warman]

Thanks Shammy...I will check out the other locations that you have mentioned. I quess the reason why I wanted close to town is because that is where we stayed before and loved it. Is the Iberostar worth it for two rooms!?!? I have heard so many good reports. Any input from anyone is much appreciated...we checked out the Iberostar last January when we stayed at the RPR and all I have been doing is waiting to book for next year so I havent looked for anything else. Back to the drawing board. Thanks!!

[TnJ]

try the connecting rooms at non-AI playa maya....

[KevKaos]

Originally Posted by TnJ

try the connecting rooms at non-AI playa maya....

I was kinda thinking the same thing except they said that they wanted an AI. I think if I was in this same position, I would seriously have to consider going non-AI for the first time. If it's any help to you, Shammy has my group booked into two Jr-Suites at the Grand Palladium starting this sat for a week. I will surely be doing a trip report once I return.

[lvbluwater]

I am traveling with my teens (12 & 16, boys )next week. We are staying at the Viva Wyndham Maya because of the location and price. My husband and I stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar last year and the RIU Tequila a few years ago. We loved the Iberostar but the price was too high for us this time. If you are interested I can let you know how the Viva Maya is when I get back.

[ma-warman]

I do want to stay at a AI. Both times my husband and I were in Playa we did AI and next time we go alone we are going to try a non-AI, but for now we are sticking with the AI. Question regarding the Palladium...is there more than one?

[Shammy]

There is only one Palladium, but there are four sections to it - the Colonial, Kantenah, White Sands and Riviera. The last two are new as of December 2005. Certian tour operators book certain sections, and since you can basically use all of the sections regardless of where you actually are booked, it really doesn't make a huge difference what part of the hotel you are booked on (there is an adults only area in the Riviera section that can't be used). One should go by which tour operator offers the best price. The good thing about the Palladium is that not only do they offer children's rates for kids 12 and under, they also have junior rates for kids between 13 and 17. That was the deal for my pal KevKaos above , and why the Pallaidum came in a a decent price for his group - he is traveling with teens who at other resorts would price out as adults.

I did price a few things out for you and I can tell you that the Palladium comes in with the best price over even lesser quality resorts.

As far as is it worth getting two rooms at the IB* Tucan/Quetzal - know that if you do this, everyone will pay an adult rate as the first two people in a room price as adults regardless of age. I can only imagine that it will be quite expensive to book two rooms during spring break at the IB*. I see that you had your heart set on it so it's up to you if you want to pay big time to stay there, or save the IB* for a time when they don't have their (silly ) spring break rules in place. And just an FYI - they have kids free this summer and fall so if you took a trip during that time, not only could would you be traveling during a less expensive time of year, but you could all stay in one room AND your 12 year old would be free! Just a thought!

[ma-warman]

Ok, is there better sections to be in? I know I would like to be by the ocean. Is the Barcelo set up the same? (meaning there is more than one section)

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by ma-warman

Ok, is there better sections to be in? I know I would like to be by the ocean. Is the Barcelo set up the same? (meaning there is more than one section)

There really isn't a "better" section to be in - and even if you were to book the section that is closer to the beach, it doesn't mean that your room or building would be the one that is closest to the beach.

Here is a link to a map of the property:

PALLADIUM MAP

As far as the Barcelo, they also have four sections - the Beach, Caribe, Tropical and Colonial. The Beach and Caribe are the original, the Tropical and Colonial opened in December 2005. Tour operators from the USA book the Beach section and they also book the Tropical / Colonial as one, with no distinction as to which section you'll be put in when it comes to the new part of the hotel (you'll find out when you arrive).

This resort differs from the Palladium in that you will pay more money to stay in the new Tropical / Colonial sections than you will if you stay in the Beach section, and staying there also gives you certain privileges that you do not have when staying in the Beach section. The new sections have an air conditioned buffet (important in the summer for sure!) that you would not be allowed to use if you were on the Beach side, and you get four ala carte dinner reservations for a 7 night stay as opposed to only 2 that you'd get on the Beach side. The rooms are obviously much newer in the Tropical / Colonial sections, and have a couch that doubles as a twin bed so no roll away is usually necessary. Other than that, you can use all the bars, lunch/snack restaurants around the pools and near the beach, pools, swim up bars (4!!), etc. The only restrictions are when it comes to the buffets and ala carte restaurants. But you can pay $15/pp per visit to eat in one of the new ala cartes if you are staying on the Beach side - if'n you want to pay that upcharge.

The buildings at the Barcelo are all laid out the same way, perpendicular to the ocean - like a "T". No one building is closer to the beach than another. However, if your room is located at the very end near the pools of any particular building, that's as close to the beach as you can be. But that would be considered a room request and all room requests, regardless of which resort, are based upon availability. You are not guaranteed to have a room closest to the beach just because you request it.

K?

[ma-warman]

I think I am learning something today!! Yea for me!