Newbie ... which resort, July 08?

[momeees]

Hi, new here. Husband and I are looking to book either:

Iberostar Tucan
IB Cozumel
Occidental Grand Cozumel
Occidental Xcaret

We have three daughters (yeah, ugh!) who will be 13, 9, and 5. Have read TONS of reviews. Concerned about beach erosion at the Quetzal (will it be better or worse in July??) and how big (too big?) the Xcaret is. We have never been to Mexico (we have a home in Croatia and cannot go this summer). Do not party a lot and want a relaxed but fun vacation. We realize it will will be hot, and brave the Adriatic heat every summer.

Looking for ADVICE as I can't decide!!!!!

Thanks!!!!

[actran]

I have stayed at the Occidental Grand Xcaret and don't recommend it because it doesn't have a real beach. It has a small manmade beach and lagoon. It looks larger on the website's pictures than it really is. It is HUGE and you will do lots of walking. I found the food to be pretty mediocre. It's a beautiful resort and the service was generally very good. But the negatives I mentioned were the main impression I came away with.

We have also stayed at Royal Hideaway which is another Occidental property (adults) and it's amazing. So OGC may be nice.

We have also stayed at the Iberostar Lindo and Ib Grand (adults only). The Lindo was great and we hope to return. The Grand was really great. It seems Iberostar puts out a very high quality product, so I don't think you can go wrong with those choices. you might want to consider the Lindo also.

The Tucan has the erosion problem going on.

Good luck. Truth be told, I think most of these places will provide you with a great family vacation. But I couldn't stand the thought that I was in Mexico with such beautiful beaches and I didn't get to enjoy them at the OGX.

[coloradocj]

Have you looked into the princess Resort? Grand and Sunset? They are new and have seen some good offers on this resort.

[playadreaming]

I have stayed at the IB* Tucan, and would normally recommend it, especially for a family. However, with the current beach erosion...don't know how important the beach is to you. Although, just down south from the Tucan/Quetzal is a large undeveloped beach...and who knows the beach may be great by July. It has a cool jungle feel with animals all around, and a great pool.

I have never stayed at the IB* Cozumel, but have been there twice for diving through Dressel (the IB* dive group.) It is nice, but is really layed back and relaxed. My wife spent the whole day there last April while I was diving, and she liked the "busier" atmosphere at the resort we stayed at in Playa. If you are looking for a smaller resort that is very relaxed (and if you dive), it is a great place.

Don't know about the others you listed, but I have heard good things about the IB* complex at Paraiso Beach. Lots of pools, large beach and use of the other IB* properties.

[Phil in Ottawa]

Hi momeees,

The Tucan is our second favourite Riviera Maya resort. But as you said due to the current beach erosion it may not be the best choice.

I have not visited the other resorts you mention so I can't comment.

But have you looked at the Barceló Maya resorts? We have stayed at many resorts in the Riviera Maya and elsewhere and the Barceló has now become our Riviera Maya home (until we buy our own that is).

Great beach, fantastic pools, snorkeling right off shore, very good food, excellent evening entertainment, etc.

You can get all kinds of information and ask questions if you go to the Unofficial Barcelo Maya website.

I have pictures from our three previous visits to the Barceló in my galleries at the link below if you are interested.

Hope this helps

[smrtypnts]

Bookit.com seems to offer the most information on any of the resorts, so i would look closely at the ones you're considering and any other ones people may mention or other ones entirely.
I just booked Grand Sunset Princess (another poster mentioned the Grand and Sunset, but I think he meant the Sunset and Riviera Princess). My reasons for liking this resort may not be your reasons, and that's why I suggest checking out Bookit. My reasons are because my children are ages 14 and 18 and I wanted a "kids club" that has a get together for this age group, which you have one child for this range. My sister is joining us and has a 9yo, and this resort has two kids clubs, one for the 4-12yo and one for the 13-18yo. (I'm sure they break them down even further, once there.) The other thing is that we're big drinkers and this resort offers top shelf liquor. Brand new and the price didn't hurt either. When I read that some resorts only had 2 restaurants or 3 bars, that wasn't appealing to me either.
So you'll have to see what things are important to you and decide. The things I've mentioned that are important to me may not be remotely important to someone else.

[Babaloo]

Originally Posted by smrtypnts

My reasons are because my children are ages 14 and 18 and I wanted a "kids club" that has a get together for this age group, which you have one child for this range. My sister is joining us and has a 9yo, and this resort has two kids clubs, one for the 4-12yo and one for the 13-18yo.

good luck
i hope your 18 year old doesn't hate you by the time you return home

[smrtypnts]

Originally Posted by Babaloo

good luck
i hope your 18 year old doesn't hate you by the time you return home

She's joined the "kids club" on cruises in the past and loves them. The 16-18 yo's have a tendency to hang out together. All I'm really hoping for is that it gives her a way to meet a couple people her own age. What I know will not happen, is she will not walk up to some girl on the beach and say, "hey, you look to be around my age....wanna hang out together?"
I'll let everyone know what happens after our trip in July.

[Johny2Wheels]

Playa in July?? Wow, in July it's already way too hot here in Canada, i'd die out there!! LOL Drink a lot of water and bring some 35+ cream. Good luck!!

[llfmpt]

Originally Posted by Johny2Wheels

Playa in July?? Wow, in July it's already way too hot here in Canada, i'd die out there!! LOL Drink a lot of water and bring some 35+ cream. Good luck!!

From what I have learned, most high schoolers in the US cannot miss more than a couple of days of classes without jeopardizing their education, ie graduating on time, etc. At least in the bigger cities. So, we often have little choice in vacation scheduling! Having been in July, it's not that bad---you're in paradise and the breeze from the beach helps cool you down!

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by llfmpt

From what I have learned, most high schoolers in the US cannot miss more than a couple of days of classes without jeopardizing their education, ie graduating on time, etc.

This is true for us, I can't pull my 16 year old out for more than 1 day no matter what! I take them to Playa during their spring break, and I prefer not to go in the summer myself, since I already live at/on a beach, but I sure wouldn't pass up the chance if that was our only vacation for the year! MANY families travel in the summer.

[laffmyselfsilly]

Smrtypnts....when in July 08 will you be at the Grand Princess? My family of 6 will also be there for 10 days for the same reasons...cannot justify pulling kids out of school, etc. The age range we have with us will be 14 y.o. girl, two 13 y.o. boys and one 12 y.o girl. We mostly hang out together as a family on the beach or at the pool when vacationing, but the older girl has begun her complete decent into "teenhood" and I think this trip she'll be more interested in getting her tan, than making sand sculptures with Dad and baby sister, but we'll see what happens. LOL.
Our travel dates are 7/2 through 7/11...will you be there at the same time? Would be fun to hook up for a drink.

[smrtypnts]

Originally Posted by laffmyselfsilly

Smrtypnts....when in July 08 will you be at the Grand Princess? My family of 6 will also be there for 10 days for the same reasons...cannot justify pulling kids out of school, etc. The age range we have with us will be 14 y.o. girl, two 13 y.o. boys and one 12 y.o girl. We mostly hang out together as a family on the beach or at the pool when vacationing, but the older girl has begun her complete decent into "teenhood" and I think this trip she'll be more interested in getting her tan, than making sand sculptures with Dad and baby sister, but we'll see what happens. LOL.
Our travel dates are 7/2 through 7/11...will you be there at the same time? Would be fun to hook up for a drink.

oh DARN!! There's going to be 6 of us also. Four in my family includes my 18yo daughter and 14yo son, who I'm sure would have loved hanging with your twins(?). My sister is also joining me with her 9yo son, but we're going 7/18-7/25! And we're both cat families, so you KNOW we would have gotten along well!
I couldn't schedule us to go that "early" as my DD graduates high school on 6/27 and wants to be around for all the parties.

[TAPPY]

My kiddo loved the Barcelo and the Catalonia RM.
But the Bahia had the best activitys for a pre-teen/teen.

This year I think I am ready for a change - so I am looking at other resorts.

[Laney]

Smrtypants -
I'll be at the Grand Riveria Princess with my two nieces to celebrate their 18th b-days and my 15 yr old nephew.
Took the 3 to the Bahia in 2005 but wanted a different resort this time as I go to the Bahia twice a year. Of course the price didn't hurt one bit!