Considering resorts other than Barcelo Maya

[gillybrit]

OK, I had posted that I was planning to book at the Barcelo Maya but open to other options - considering also the Bahia Principe Tulum or Akumal (not sure what the differences are), Iberostar Tucan and Quetzal (seems a little more expensive) , and Sandos Playacar. The thing that is putting me of the Barcelo a little (but which is also true of the Bahias..) is that it is so large. It will be me, my husband and our kids aged 14 and 9.
Thanks

[Shammy]

The Bahia complex is even larger, and contains 3 different sections - the Tulum, Akumal and Coba. The Coba section is the newest, all jr. suites but set behind the Akumal so a ways from the beach. However, they have a good tram system going there so getting from one place to another isn't much of a problem. The Tulum section is the oldest, mostly standard rooms and some jr. suites thrown in, and it's the northernmost section of the complex. The Akumal section was built after the Tulum section, mostly jr. suites with some standard rooms toward the back of the property. It's on the south end of the complex.

Nice resort, but no better/no worse than the Barcelo, and if you're looking for something smaller, this wouldn't be it.

Sandos Playacar is smaller and more compact, as is the IB* Tucan/Quetzal. But both are located in Playacar and there are some beach erosion issues going on there so you need to be aware of this before booking a hotel in that area. My opinion is that the all of the other resorts are a bit nicer than Sandos, but that's only my opinion.

[PBurns1009]

IThe Azul Beach is a smaller boutique style resort that also caters to kids. What a beach!! It's one of Karisma's resorts and they are all very nice, unfortunately the rest are all Adult-only.