Grand Sunset/Grand Riviera Princess?

[sonofdob]

DnB...maybe no peeps have been there yet ? I am heading there in about six weeks but I also know I would not be heading to a brand new resort in the first few weeks of their opening...you saw on the TA site how that ended up, even though I know that generally a very nice resort still gets unwarranted complaints over there.

[brandn]

Originally Posted by KC Arrowhead

I would think by now that some one would have some new info on this resort or a trip report since it has been opened for for almost a month now and everything at first was bad .. Anyone???

If you want any updated info then go to TA...thats where I get all my information now.

[DnB]

Originally Posted by sonofdob

DnB...maybe no peeps have been there yet ? I am heading there in about six weeks but I also know I would not be heading to a brand new resort in the first few weeks of their opening...you saw on the TA site how that ended up, even though I know that generally a very nice resort still gets unwarranted complaints over there.

You are probably right in that maybe no Peeps have been to the resort to provide reveiws / reports. However, I'm sure there are some Peeps that will be going in the next month or two such as yourself who could benefit from the information over at TA. It just seems to me that it would be preferable to have some of that imformation summarized here at Playa.info for Peeps that are looking for it.

I'm not saying to copy each and every post, because as noted previously, there are a lot of bad attitudes and whining going on over there and you have to really dig deep to find information that is useful. So rather than force loyal Peeps to go to a competing website and/or forum, logic to me says that the nice consolidated single thread here at Playa.info could be used to capture the actual information (no whining) being strung out over countless threads in numerous forums on TA. This would let many people disseminate the information on TA for useful tidbits that can be placed here rather than each person having to individually scrounge around the chaos at TA for just one bit of meaningful information.

I hate TA and their forums, but there's no information to be found here therefore I have no choice but to swim in the chaos, alone.

[DnB]

Originally Posted by brandn

If you want any updated info then go to TA...thats where I get all my information now.

Example #1

I'm sure James and Anna would prefer to keep the traffic and members on their forums / website rather than over at a competing site.

Just my 2 cents

[KC Arrowhead]

dnb & brandn.. Thanks guys.. I have been there done that, but prefer playa.info for the real thing. Were not going to the Princess till June, but I have some nervous family members looking to me for answers to thier questions since I persuaded them to book this resort while the price was too good to be true. They know we have been to quite a few resorts in the Riviera Maya area so they said whatever resort I think would be best for all of us.. That's why I asked the question.. By the way bnb they live in Spring, Tx basically the Woodlands.. When are you going?

[faykoko]

I agree with the fact that not many people from playa info have gone yet. I think most of the people in this thread are going in the spring. I keep checking the TA site, but its very frustrating. Lazygal had done a great job of giving us some of the details, regardless of how bad her vaction was, she still gave us facts, not just emotion. From what I have read, the hotel appears to be improving, but still hit and miss. Some perks are in place, but not most of the ones they promised. No dive shop yet, the transportation into playa del carmen now cost $5 pp, no tram within the hotel. The one constant theme appears to be that the food is fantastic.

[coloradocj]

The sunset and the Grand Riviera princess are sister properties ? I think??
When you book at one you also enjoy the amenities of both!
We booked 3 adults one child for 3200.00 for a week at the Grand Riv. (in July) great price.The deluxe jr. suite has an few rooms with instant access to pool directly from your room. (They do not recommend this for small children.)
Can't wait to read more posts as time goes by.

[O'Malley]

Will be heading down to the Grand Sunset Princess next month and planning for 6 days of diving...while my wife and her friends bask in the sun. Anyone know the proximity of Diablo Divers dive shop to the Grand Sunset Princess?
Diablo Adventures
PO Box 59
KM 269.5 Carretera Chetumal - Puerto Juarez
Puerto Aventuras
Q.Roo, Mexico
77783
Most dive shops I have been in contact with are located in Playa del Carmen and, from what I have read, 15 minutes by taxi from the resort. Just pondering my options...
Thanks...

[faykoko]

There is a very informative post by jojocruisin on the TA website. Its in the Playa del Carmen forum under my Q and A thread. She took the time to answer an extensive list of questions regarding the hotel. Definately worth a read.
Shammy, it may be worth a copy and post here just because of the amount of information. I'll let you take a look and decide.

[KC Arrowhead]

O'Malley,
I can tell you that Puerto Aventuras is south of PDC .That is where a large portion of the deep sea fishing excursions leave from. About a 10 minute drive out of PDC. Guessing here but don't think I'm too far off base? Thinking that since the Princess is north of town (PDC) it will cost $15- $20 each way from the resort by taxi. You might want to hook up with someone, tip them nicely and work out a schedule for your daily dive trips down there or rent a car??
I do not drive or rent a car in Mexico myself for my own reasons, however you may want to consider that since you plan so many dive trips. also check out the Taxi fee schedule on this website.. Go to trip planning in the top bar and click on van/charter then click taxi ... scroll down to see rates. posted here you will see that from PDC to Puerto aventuras it is listed at $139 Pesos ...easy math=
$13/$14 US each way according to this chart out of PDC not the resort.. Hope this helps?? I say this because the address for Diablo dive shop shows puerto aventuras not PDC..

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by faykoko

There is a very informative post by jojocruisin on the TA website. Its in the Playa del Carmen forum under my Q and A thread. She took the time to answer an extensive list of questions regarding the hotel. Definately worth a read.
Shammy, it may be worth a copy and post here just because of the amount of information. I'll let you take a look and decide.

I believe you, post away!

[faykoko]

Beach. The water looked clear to me, nice and warm.
It has been windy so there is a bit of seaweed to wade through to get out. It stays shallow for quite a ways out if you pick your spots right. When windy there are great breakers to ride, as there are a great number of sand bars or coral formations. I didn't actually go out that far, but some said you need shoes as it is hard on the feet.
The only ocean front rooms are platinum. Some other junior delux suites, you can sea the water from your balcony.
All restaurants, buffets are air conditioned. Only the sports bar and the disco bars are airconditioned. All other bars are open or outside. This was unfortunate on the 2 cold wet days we had. Everyone had on the clothes they came in. The wind was incredible.
French restaurant and Asian were our favourite, at French the lamb was spectacular, the chicken at the Asian was better than the beef, great show, try to get to a table with the cook right there.
If you are not platinum, you have to make reservations one day in advance for the a la carte, I had tried all week to get the Asian at the table with the cook, had to line up at 8:40, to see the concierge at 9:00 to get that table. (9:00-11:00)
No one was snorkling, we brought equipment but it was too wavy, asked around, not a good area, go to Playa, or take a tour. There was a tour to go to three snorkling areas, don't remember the cost.
Teen club, daughter 15 didn't go. You can participate in animation teams activities during day, heard someone say their 12 year old loved the teen disco and organizers.
We walked everywhere, didn't gain a pound, and ate well. I saw some trams, a few guests on them, but mostly staff rode them. There wasn't a regular tram coming to pick people up say near the beach or back to rooms after dinner.
Room upgrade?? We were upgraded on check in after waiting a long time for a room. It was from junior to delux. One room worked well, the other was one of those earlier noted problem rooms. we finally after informing desk periodically during each day that our air conditioning didn't work, received a new room, guess what the air didn't work there either. We hadn't moved our stuff, and finally found a room which was cool but humid. We took it. The upgrade to us was not worth it.

I did hear that the in Junior suites, the lamps had not come in yet, and you only had a few other lights in room, couldn't read in bed. It was funny to see the lamps dissappear one by one in the bar and reception area. This will be corrected as the lamps get here.

Didn't use the water sports as it was too windy. Saw some people on catermarans, but not many, there were 2 jet skis, but all equipment was on shore being guarded. I believe the day we walked down the beach it was too windy to let anything out.

5 of the al a carte restaurants are upstairs in the front of the resorts. 2 are near the platinum suites. There are buffets near the platinum suites during the day, for breakfast and lunch. The main buffet is at the front on the main level, only one of the buffets up front was open.
The walk from the beach to the front took about 10 minutes. It was a wonderful stroll after dinner, or before. It was a pain when the keys unprogrammed themselves. That's why I didn't gain any weight. I was regular at the front desk.

Laptop. My son's laptop didn't fit in safe. His Wii did. A small laptop will fit in safe, he had a 15" dell.
All of our plug ins worked. Lots of plugs in room, I brought a bar for all of the chargers.

Rooms were so hard to get, especially one with 2 beds. We had 2 rooms, asked for both with 2 beds, but finally gave up for the second room as there were too many problems to contend with, and my sons air conditioning worked.
They will bring another bed, that's what we had to do with our second room. it was comfortable and the room was big enough to house it. Connecting doors, I heard they had some, but didn't see them.
Our 20 year olds frequented the disco, they also had fun with the animations team. Beach volleyball, water volleyball, beach soccer, dancing by pool etc,

Lots of smoking, not in restaurants, most bars are open air, so no problems. That took getting used to as I am not a smoker.

Non plantinum pool chairs are plastic with resin covers, Lots of chairs, shaded huts were always being used both by pool and beach, I just found a palm tree and moved with the sun, Pool is huge, and starts at aboout half way down the resort to just before beach. There are platinum pools, but everyone seamed to be using them. Small pools here and there, not connected to miandering main pool none were heated and water was cool.
Wifi was intermittantly available in our room, or in the bar by reception, free, no charge, but we were in the juniour delux. It didn't work all time, but it could be that we are not computer techs. There were people in reception area bar on computers all the time.
Excursion desk is manned throughout day, excursions available.
There were babies around but I'm sorry I did not ask if they were using facility.
Junior delux suites are located half way down and toward the beach. there is a active bar were the animation team reside stiring up the guests just outside on the Sunset side.

Only saw bouys in area where people were using kayaks, none in swimming area.
No restrictions on al a carts, only Tai restaurant is pay, for all even platinum. This I'm sure will change.
Dress code was relaxed while we were there, shorts were allowed.
Shuttle to PC was 5 each and you had to book in advance. Taxi was 12, we used taxi.
Yes music at pool bar, which is centrally locateed by pool. There are quiet areas of pool as well (for sleeping).
animation team is at pool and beach during day.
Disco bar has music at night. Receptionbar and most of front has classical music piped in.

There is a bar on the beach. Seems to close after dark.
Sports bar, can't remember, maybe 3-4 TV's, kids hang out. Pool tables, you sign up for, but mostly children there. This is a popular place, kind of small, only place food is served 24hrs.
Food was great.
Lost of fish/seafood. Lots of fresh fruit, different variety each day.
Breakfast had quite a few fresh fruit drinks and yogurt smoothies.
I saw playpens in servie room, no cribs.

[coloradocj]

[quote=faykoko;1028885]There is a very informative post by jojocruisin on the TA website. Its in the Playa del Carmen forum under my Q and A thread. She took the time to answer an extensive list of questions regarding the hotel. Definately worth a read.
Thanks , good info ... coming from working in the resort industry it definitely is a NEW resort.! I hope the kinks are out when we arrive, (usually takes 6 months or more)
Being new to this board i am trying to figure out how to follow replies, i am just scrolling down and looking in same thread, is this correct? Thanks so much!

[sonofdob]

coloradocj...you're on track...stick with the same thread and follow it down...it will appear in chronological order.

[coloradocj]

Thank You!