Grand Sunset/Grand Riviera Princess?

[nugent1]

We booked back in October through Apple and the price for our dates have remained the same. (April 30-May-5) But we booked room only. I am wondering if the changes in price you see is for airfare if you are looking at air/land package deals.
It does make me a bit nervous to book without really knowing about this place too. But we liked the price and description. The few pictures we have seen make the beach look pretty nice. We should know in just a few days now what the place is like. Keeping our fingers crossed that the reports will be good.

Rhonda

[sun seeker]

I agree with Nugent. We booked land only for April 5th and our price has not changed, so it must be the air portion.
As far as I know, none of us on this thread have any "inside" information. I think people were lured to check into the resort by the low pricing for the basic junior suite and started checking out the resort.
We ended up booking the Platinum Suites at this resort instead of the Barcelo Palace because: I liked the location of the resort (closer to Playa,Airport&Rancho Loma Bonita), and I liked the luxury that the Plat Suites offered (closest to the beach,private pool, waitress service at private pool&private beach area, private restaurant, top shelf drinks and in-room top shelf bar, massages, motorized sports allowance,free internet in room, phone in ala carte reservations, ect..).

We gambled on the Gran Sirenis and booked it last October and visited this past April and were very happy with our choice.

[Goldenkelsey]

We also booked land only, through Apple in October, for May 7-14. I just checked Apple's site. Strangely enough, the price for the basic room(Junior Suite) has increased, but the Platinum Suite...which we booked...has decreased. The total price is the same as when we originally booked. We used miles for our plane tickets, so I can't comment if the flights have gone up in price from Colorado. Can't wait to hear reviews and see pictures of the place, already !!!!

[surfer]

Originally Posted by KC Arrowhead

We are veterans of the PDC AI resorts and this one has taken us back to asking questions. Since this is a new resort, and have seen prices that are way beyond what we can get for all of the other resorts we know and have seen, I wonder about this place? trouble is every time I look up the resort the price changes.. Do not really want to book blindly not knowing?? About the beach , the resort ETC....Just do not want a great opportunity for the price to slip away while the going is good?? We are trying to book with family in Texas at the same time..
If some one knows something we don't and has advice?? It would be a great help.. Thanks.. KC

Hi KC

I think it's a great deal. You should try it. It's up to you.

[KC Arrowhead]

Thanks everyone. Yes it may be air portion that seems to make the price change everytime I look at apple

[lwgeddes@telus.]

hi all, we just booked at the grand, for dec 22-29, so it must be open.. jr suite, it was about 1800. each from home in victoria bc. cant wait! from the website it looks amazing! this will be our third all inclusive, first one at gbp coba, 2 yrs ago, last year in punta cana, at the palladium barcelo, but we like mexico.. will report back when we return, as it looks like we will be the 2nd lot through there, as the only other flights to there are on the 15 dec.. cheers lenardobc

[beachbride2be]

I'm sure Carole's report will be more helpful, but I thought I'd share some details from my visit to the resort last week. I'm not sure what side I was on - Sunset or Riviera, but I visited one of the resorts on Nov 26 and I was supposed to have a meeting and tour w/the wedding coordinator but we couldn't find her so we just wandered around on our own.
The resort is long and big (it took a while to walk all the way to the beach) but I really love the architectural design of the buildings and the lagoons and pools compared with the other very large AI resorts I visited further south (my preference would be a smaller resort but the nice ones are all $$$$ or didn't have a nice beach).
There were workers everywhere cleaning the pools, planting vegetation, fixing walkways - so it wasn't exactly complete, but I did see furniture in the rooms, ready to be unwrapped, and so forth.
The beach seemed pretty big for that area, which is nice, and there were a bunch of palms planted. They looked a little sad due to the new planting (they were tall so maybe they were transplants?) but hopefully with some time they'll spruce up. The beach was still full of construction materials so it was hard to tell how nice it was, but it seemed promising.
Since I couldn't find the wedding coordinator until the end of my self-tour and by that time we were late for another appointment, I didn't get to see the showroom, which was far from her office. Nor did I see any of the restaurants.
I can't wait to hear how the food and service is from all the people who go once it opens, as it remains a strong option for lodging my guests!

[surfer]

Originally Posted by beachbride2be

I'm sure Carole's report will be more helpful, but I thought I'd share some details from my visit to the resort last week. I'm not sure what side I was on - Sunset or Riviera, but I visited one of the resorts on Nov 26 and I was supposed to have a meeting and tour w/the wedding coordinator but we couldn't find her so we just wandered around on our own.
The resort is long and big (it took a while to walk all the way to the beach) but I really love the architectural design of the buildings and the lagoons and pools compared with the other very large AI resorts I visited further south (my preference would be a smaller resort but the nice ones are all $$$$ or didn't have a nice beach).
There were workers everywhere cleaning the pools, planting vegetation, fixing walkways - so it wasn't exactly complete, but I did see furniture in the rooms, ready to be unwrapped, and so forth.
The beach seemed pretty big for that area, which is nice, and there were a bunch of palms planted. They looked a little sad due to the new planting (they were tall so maybe they were transplants?) but hopefully with some time they'll spruce up. The beach was still full of construction materials so it was hard to tell how nice it was, but it seemed promising.
Since I couldn't find the wedding coordinator until the end of my self-tour and by that time we were late for another appointment, I didn't get to see the showroom, which was far from her office. Nor did I see any of the restaurants.
I can't wait to hear how the food and service is from all the people who go once it opens, as it remains a strong option for lodging my guests!

Hi, what do you mean when your saying : the others very large resorts AI....what do you mean wit AI...?

thanks

[surfer]

Originally Posted by beachbride2be

I'm sure Carole's report will be more helpful, but I thought I'd share some details from my visit to the resort last week. I'm not sure what side I was on - Sunset or Riviera, but I visited one of the resorts on Nov 26 and I was supposed to have a meeting and tour w/the wedding coordinator but we couldn't find her so we just wandered around on our own.
The resort is long and big (it took a while to walk all the way to the beach) but I really love the architectural design of the buildings and the lagoons and pools compared with the other very large AI resorts I visited further south (my preference would be a smaller resort but the nice ones are all $$$$ or didn't have a nice beach).
There were workers everywhere cleaning the pools, planting vegetation, fixing walkways - so it wasn't exactly complete, but I did see furniture in the rooms, ready to be unwrapped, and so forth.
The beach seemed pretty big for that area, which is nice, and there were a bunch of palms planted. They looked a little sad due to the new planting (they were tall so maybe they were transplants?) but hopefully with some time they'll spruce up. The beach was still full of construction materials so it was hard to tell how nice it was, but it seemed promising.
Since I couldn't find the wedding coordinator until the end of my self-tour and by that time we were late for another appointment, I didn't get to see the showroom, which was far from her office. Nor did I see any of the restaurants.
I can't wait to hear how the food and service is from all the people who go once it opens, as it remains a strong option for lodging my guests!

Hi, what do you mean when your saying : the others very large resorts AI....what do you mean wit AI...?

thanks

[Titemiou]

Originally Posted by surfer

Hi, what do you mean when your saying : the others very large resorts AI....what do you mean wit AI...?

thanks

AI : All Inclusive

[lwgeddes@telus.]

all inclusive? would be my guess

[KC Arrowhead]

AI is All Inclusive Surfer.. Beachbride got a question for you? So is the swim up bar at the main pool? I need to know this cause I have some family that thier request is that any resort we go to must have a swim up bar. Just curious since this resort has different service levels depending on where one stays. Don't want the swim up bar in the private area vs. the main pool open to everyone..If you can answer or know??

[beachbride2be]

Yes, AI = All Inclusive - On my quick wedding research trip, I visited Paradisus Riviera Cancun, Azul Beach, Azul View construction site, Grand Sirenis, Grand Palladium, Dreams Tulum (at night), Catalonia Royal Tulum (at night), and Barcelo Maya Tropical (with a peek at the new Palace next door). I also visited some non-AIs.

KC - I don't know about the swim up bars. According to some reservation sites, there are supposedly 3 swimup bars. I think I saw at least one, but I'm not sure what is considered the main pool - the pool I saw was long and narrow and then filtered into a couple wider pools I guess. I am sure between the 3 swim up bars, one is probably in the main pool, no? Sorry I don't know more - sadly I basically guessed about everything b/c I was self-guided.

[faykoko]

thank you for all of your information beachbride.

FYI, a new post at trip advisor gave some information that was handy
Grand Sunset Princess - All Inclusive - Cancun

many real pics at this website

[KC Arrowhead]

Thanks for the link Faykoko, nice pics. Surfer your right we took the chance and booked!!.. However all of the cheap rooms on Apple out of Kansas City are gone.. We had to up grade for $$$ not too bad even upgrading and Iam booking for June. Family in Houston, TX. are booking for same time and had same problem. Just wanted to throw that out to everyone that the "cheaper basic junior suite rooms" are going fast 6 months out!! When my travel agent looked yesterday only 9 were left at a great price. Today they were gone and had to upgrade, albeit for a good price, however higher because of the upgrade.