Sunscape P.A vs. Catalonia P.A.

sunshinequeen · 07-17-2006

Besides the beach being basically the same, I would like to know what the difference is between these two hotels ? The pricing is about the same from what i noticed. Has anyone been to these two hotels and can give me some direction to which is better? I was looking into the Riu Tequila but i'm now considering a resort right on the beach. Shammy has helped me a lot so far. We like a lot of variety of seafood and different local foods to try. I personally love Puerto Aventuras, which is a really cool place to swim with the Dolphins and shop in the marina area ! Thanks

**Shammy** · 07-17-2006

I stayed at the Sunscape last year. While it was "OK", I would pick the Catalonia. Ask Tappy, she wss just there not long ago, and she really liked it. Matter of fact, I still need to ask Tappy about her trip!

They are right next to each other, and I had an upgraded room (they give these to agents to "impress" us

) so that was nice. But I was not thrilled with the food and the beach was icky. Pool was SOOOOOOOO (can I say this enough?) small and VERYYYYYYYYYYY shallow. They did have an adults only pool on the other side of the resort which was nice, but I'd personally pick the Catalonia over the Sunscape if it were me.

TAPPY · 07-17-2006

I loved the Cat !
It is a great little AI resort at a great price. (and I have been to Barcelo and Bahia and I would go back to the Cat. as my first choice )

Here is the link to my trip report, if you want to see pics just send me a pm and I will send you the link to my pics.

If you have any questions just let me know

http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carm...ie-report.html

MNSwede · 07-17-2006

I'm another fan of the Catalonia.

We were there in Feb of 2005 and March of 2006. I'd like to go back in March of 2007 but my husband may want to try a new resort. This is the 4th AI we've stayed it and it's my favorite. We're pretty low key folk and we aren't in need of lots of marble and such to impress us. I like the size of the Catalonia, the short walk to Puerto Adventuras and the staff, especially the A-Team. We ran into some people we knew last year when we walked into Puerto Adventuras who were staying at the Sunscape and they were enjoying it. They said the food was good and they liked their room which had an ocean view. There are some bad rooms at the Catalonia (like Tappy said in her trip report) and we always seem to get a bad one

but that would be my only complaint about the Cat.

TAPPY · 07-17-2006

They are in the process of re-doing all the rooms- and the updated rooms are pretty WOW ! We stayed on the Yucatan side - ask for a pool view, you can see the ocean as well....great view.

MNSwede · 07-17-2006

In my experience ASKING for a different room doesn't quite cut it!! PAYING for a different room - now that's another story!

I tried every trick in the book, aside from the obvious (cash) to get a new room (we were overlooking construction between the Catalonia and the Serena) and they would not budge. Our first year we were on the Yukatan side and I loved it because we overlooked the pool and could see the ocean. There aren't many rooms on the Riviera side with oceanview rooms. If we go back there in 2007 I'm going to call Guest Services before we go (Ramon from the A-Team suggested a phone call rather than email which is what I did this year) and if that doesn't work I'm going to get out the cash.

TAPPY · 07-17-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNSwede

In my experience ASKING for a different room doesn't quite cut it!! PAYING for a different room - now that's another story!

I tried every trick in the book, aside from the obvious (cash) to get a new room (we were overlooking construction between the Catalonia and the Serena) and they would not budge. Our first year we were on the Yukatan side and I loved it because we overlooked the pool and could see the ocean. There aren't many rooms on the Riviera side with oceanview rooms. If we go back there in 2007 I'm going to call Guest Services before we go (Ramon from the A-Team suggested a phone call rather than email which is what I did this year) and if that doesn't work I'm going to get out the cash.

That is what we did, and it worked, we got a great room. Next year I will call and talk to Ivan ahead of time.

I should clarify...... Mrs Front desk lady ASKED (it was not offered as a "tip") for it and said it had to be in CASH !!!

At first I was going to write a complaint letter to who ever would listen, but then I said - what the heck, I got a great room - and I had a great time and I want to go back to this resort at some point in the future so I dont want my name to be on "the black list" ha ha !

kellyandtom · 07-20-2006

We booked into the Sunscape for Aug 6-10th..its our first trip Sammy's report does look too good anyone have any other comments on this hotel?We booked on Expedia so we are stuck...how bad is it?

keith5919 · 07-21-2006

Three of us are booked into the Sunscape Puerto Aventuras for late September. We're also very curious about the hotel, but we had a great deal through Apple we couldn't pass up. Please let us know your experiences when you return.

TAPPY · 07-21-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellyandtom

We booked into the Sunscape for Aug 6-10th..its our first trip Sammy's report does look too good anyone have any other comments on this hotel?We booked on Expedia so we are stuck...how bad is it?

It wont be bad, every one has things they like or dislike about certain resorts. Just go with the right frame of mind and have a few drinks, and have fun. It looks like a very nice resort from the outside.

keith5919 · 07-21-2006

Hi Tappy,
I agree with you. We'll just go with the flow. We would have preferred a resort in the Playacar area because we like to walk into town, but this was too good a deal to pass up on. Also, I know the reviews for the Sunscape were horrible when they first bought it, but the recent ones aren't all that bad.

TAPPY · 07-21-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith5919

Hi Tappy,
I agree with you. We'll just go with the flow. We would have preferred a resort in the Playacar area because we like to walk into town, but this was too good a deal to pass up on. Also, I know the reviews for the Sunscape were horrible when they first bought it, but the recent ones aren't all that bad.

They may even have a free shuttle to Playa at the Sunscape.... (I know the Catalonia had one).

You can always walk into P. Adventuras - that is a nice little town to check out for a change of pace. (can you tell I always look at the bright side)

It is also good to remember that fancy and $$$$ does not always mean it will be better, it will still be lots of fun because you are on vacation (that is how I look at it).

And think of all that extra cash you saved, you can take an extra tour or shopping trip !!!

(I love a good deal)

keith5919 · 07-21-2006

Yes, we're looking forward to checking out Puerto Aventuras and we'll get into PdC at least once I hope. I'll be sure to review the resort upon our return.

kellyandtom · 08-12-2006

Oh my ! I have no idea what the other hotels have to offer, but having been to Jamica, St. Lucia, Grand Cayman, and now Puerto Adventuras at the Sunscape...we really thought for a lot of reasons this was the best for us! The hotel staff was awesome, food is typically AI, but better!

This hotel out ranks any Sandals we have ever been at...as a matter of fact I looked today to see how much it would be to go back for spring break !

it looks like it has gone up already ! I have no idea what the other posters on other websites were complaining about...but this is a defanitely a FAMILY resort..would not recommened for singles or adults without children unless they are planning to have them! My 9 year old had a blast, my husband who was leery of the whole I cant believe you want to go to Mexico, said he wished we were staying longer ! Anyone who has specific questions please feel free to PM us !

lovetorunfast · 08-31-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAPPY

They are in the process of re-doing all the rooms- and the updated rooms are pretty WOW ! We stayed on the Yucatan side - ask for a pool view, you can see the ocean as well....great view.

Hi Tappy! My husband and I are going to the Catalonia on the 17th of September. How do I request a room?? Email or phone??

I can't find an email address anywhere.
Sorry for the silly question. We have never been anywhere alone in 15 years and are pretty excited.

07-17-2006	#1 (permalink)
sunshinequeen lost on fifth Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 17	Sunscape P.A vs. Catalonia P.A. Besides the beach being basically the same, I would like to know what the difference is between these two hotels ? The pricing is about the same from what i noticed. Has anyone been to these two hotels and can give me some direction to which is better? I was looking into the Riu Tequila but i'm now considering a resort right on the beach. Shammy has helped me a lot so far. We like a lot of variety of seafood and different local foods to try. I personally love Puerto Aventuras, which is a really cool place to swim with the Dolphins and shop in the marina area ! Thanks

08-12-2006	#14 (permalink)
kellyandtom sandflea Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 9	Back from Sunscape Oh my ! I have no idea what the other hotels have to offer, but having been to Jamica, St. Lucia, Grand Cayman, and now Puerto Adventuras at the Sunscape...we really thought for a lot of reasons this was the best for us! The hotel staff was awesome, food is typically AI, but better! This hotel out ranks any Sandals we have ever been at...as a matter of fact I looked today to see how much it would be to go back for spring break ! it looks like it has gone up already ! I have no idea what the other posters on other websites were complaining about...but this is a defanitely a FAMILY resort..would not recommened for singles or adults without children unless they are planning to have them! My 9 year old had a blast, my husband who was leery of the whole I cant believe you want to go to Mexico, said he wished we were staying longer ! Anyone who has specific questions please feel free to PM us !

07-17-2006	#2 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,499	I stayed at the Sunscape last year. While it was "OK", I would pick the Catalonia. Ask Tappy, she wss just there not long ago, and she really liked it. Matter of fact, I still need to ask Tappy about her trip! They are right next to each other, and I had an upgraded room (they give these to agents to "impress" us ) so that was nice. But I was not thrilled with the food and the beach was icky. Pool was SOOOOOOOO (can I say this enough?) small and VERYYYYYYYYYYY shallow. They did have an adults only pool on the other side of the resort which was nice, but I'd personally pick the Catalonia over the Sunscape if it were me.

07-17-2006	#3 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 15,126	I loved the Cat ! It is a great little AI resort at a great price. (and I have been to Barcelo and Bahia and I would go back to the Cat. as my first choice ) Here is the link to my trip report, if you want to see pics just send me a pm and I will send you the link to my pics. If you have any questions just let me know http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carm...ie-report.html

07-17-2006	#4 (permalink)
MNSwede lost on fifth Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 17	I'm another fan of the Catalonia. We were there in Feb of 2005 and March of 2006. I'd like to go back in March of 2007 but my husband may want to try a new resort. This is the 4th AI we've stayed it and it's my favorite. We're pretty low key folk and we aren't in need of lots of marble and such to impress us. I like the size of the Catalonia, the short walk to Puerto Adventuras and the staff, especially the A-Team. We ran into some people we knew last year when we walked into Puerto Adventuras who were staying at the Sunscape and they were enjoying it. They said the food was good and they liked their room which had an ocean view. There are some bad rooms at the Catalonia (like Tappy said in her trip report) and we always seem to get a bad one but that would be my only complaint about the Cat.

07-17-2006	#5 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 15,126	They are in the process of re-doing all the rooms- and the updated rooms are pretty WOW ! We stayed on the Yucatan side - ask for a pool view, you can see the ocean as well....great view.

07-17-2006	#6 (permalink)
MNSwede lost on fifth Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 17	In my experience ASKING for a different room doesn't quite cut it!! PAYING for a different room - now that's another story! I tried every trick in the book, aside from the obvious (cash) to get a new room (we were overlooking construction between the Catalonia and the Serena) and they would not budge. Our first year we were on the Yukatan side and I loved it because we overlooked the pool and could see the ocean. There aren't many rooms on the Riviera side with oceanview rooms. If we go back there in 2007 I'm going to call Guest Services before we go (Ramon from the A-Team suggested a phone call rather than email which is what I did this year) and if that doesn't work I'm going to get out the cash.

07-20-2006	#8 (permalink)
kellyandtom sandflea Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 9	We booked into the Sunscape for Aug 6-10th..its our first trip Sammy's report does look too good anyone have any other comments on this hotel?We booked on Expedia so we are stuck...how bad is it?

07-21-2006	#9 (permalink)
keith5919 ruined Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA Posts: 89	Three of us are booked into the Sunscape Puerto Aventuras for late September. We're also very curious about the hotel, but we had a great deal through Apple we couldn't pass up. Please let us know your experiences when you return.

07-21-2006	#11 (permalink)
keith5919 ruined Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA Posts: 89	Hi Tappy, I agree with you. We'll just go with the flow. We would have preferred a resort in the Playacar area because we like to walk into town, but this was too good a deal to pass up on. Also, I know the reviews for the Sunscape were horrible when they first bought it, but the recent ones aren't all that bad.

07-21-2006	#13 (permalink)
keith5919 ruined Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA Posts: 89	Yes, we're looking forward to checking out Puerto Aventuras and we'll get into PdC at least once I hope. I'll be sure to review the resort upon our return.

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