Narrowed down to 3: Can you help?

RobD · 04-25-2008

Hi All! Hope you can help. This will be mine & my DH's 1st trip to Mexico and our kids (ages 13 & 15) first trip out of the U.S. After searching the web, forums & consulting with our TA, I've got it narrowed down to 3 resorts. We'll be going June 28-July 5th with a direct flight from Nashville via a charter. Our choices are:

Barcelo Maya Beach (pros: seems like nicest beach; con: a/c not in all restaurants)
Grand Palladium Riviera Resort
Iberostar Paraiso Beach
The total package cost would be $648 more for us to stay at the Iberostar vs. the Barcelo.

We plan on doing day trips to Chichen Itza, Tulum & possibly Cozymel. Nice beach, nice pools & snorkeling at the resort are important. Maybe golf but that's not imperative. Also, my girls aren't really typical teenagers; their more excited about going to the Mayan ruins than spending any beach time and they are definitely not interested in doing any dance club stuff.

These boards are amazing; you've all already helped me out more than you'll ever know

RobD

Linnysue · 04-25-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobD

Barcelo Maya Beach (pros: seems like nicest beach; con: a/c not in all restaurants)

We plan on doing day trips to Chichen Itza, Tulum & possibly Cozymel.
RobD

Rob, if this was the only con for the Barcelo, that really shouldn't be too much of an concern. Most of the restaurants are open-air, and I love that about this area.

Iberostars are top notch. I'm not sure about the Barcelo. I've never stayed there. The reports for the Barcelo on trip advisor seem to be positive for the most part. The beach looks absolutely gorgeous in the travelers' photos.

Please know that Chichen Itza is in the interior, very hot, and a large time commitment. We have never gone for this reason, and found the trip to Tulum a must do over Chichen Itza.

Laney · 04-25-2008

My choice would be Barcelo - better beach,closer to Tulum and Coba ruins and in some opinions better food. Unless it has changed since 2005 not all restaurants @ the Ibero* are a/c - uncertain about the Pallidum but I don't think all are a/c there either. I would save the $648 for spending $$ or towards my next trip down - and unless you have a different experience than most you will be going again, and again, and again.

Have a great trip - I'm at the Grand Riveria Princess mid-July with 3 teens myself.

bearcat · 04-25-2008

RobD, if you are going to do a few tours, than I would stay at Barcelo. It is closer to PDC and Tulum where many of the tours start from and you will be saving some money. The Iberostar is great but it is further away from the action you are looking for.

Tommygurl · 04-25-2008

There is no air in the buffet but it is not too bad.

For the price difference I would stay at Barcelo Maya. What price is an upgrade to Colonial/Tropical side? Then you can be in the air cond buffets?

We had a great time at Barcelo Tropical...the beach is gorgeous!

Mr Cancun · 04-25-2008

Save the dough, go to Barcelo Maya

Barbidoll1 · 04-25-2008

You won't be able to snorkel off the beach at any of the Iberostars....well, you could but there wouldn't be much to see

. I would say if you are set on AI to go with the Barcelo. We have friends heading there next month. If we do another AI would would go with that resort because of the beautiful beach area.

**Shammy** · 04-26-2008

Put that $648 toward an upgrade to the Tropical/Colonial or Palace section of the Barcelo - you'll be happy with the A/C, trust me! It's a GREAT resort complex...the Palace was amazingly beautiful.

RobD · 04-26-2008

Thanks so much everybody; you are all an amazing resource. I have a call into my TA for quotes on the Tropical/Colonial section and the Palace section. We are definitely going to stay at the Barcelo. Hopefully I will have my deposit down by Tuesday. Now off to get those passport photos taken

Shammy, I am a Joisey Girl too. We moved down to TN 5 years ago.
RobD

rcher54 · 04-26-2008

RobD, IMHO it would be worth your while to put the $ into a Barcelo upgrade. The buffet at IB is not AC'd. When we were down last year we checked out the Barcelo complex and it is beautiful. Just too big for us so we are booked through the "Jersey Girl" for the "Cat" again this year. If your looking for a great deal try Shammy for your booking. Have fun in the sun!

Linnysue · 04-26-2008

I think AC cuts you off from those great Caribbean ocean breezes. I love the connection with the sea while dining. That's if the buffets are close to the ocean of course. I think those seaside open air restaurants are very romantic too.

**Shammy** · 04-26-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linnysue

I think AC cuts you off from those great Caribbean ocean breezes. I love the connection with the sea while dining. That's if the buffets are close to the ocean of course. I think those seaside open air restaurants are very romantic too.

The restaurants at the Beach/Caribe and Tropical/Colonial are not near the ocean, they're inland by the lobbies. The only section that offers ocean views at every meal is the Palace, and you can eat inside in the A/C or outside.

KC Arrowhead · 04-27-2008

Rob, I have been to the Iberostar and the barcelo, I have kids aged 16,12,4.. Trust me here when I suggest the barcelo overall. That would be my choice.

lovetheheat · 04-28-2008

I would totally agree with the majority here for the Barcelo.. You can't beat the beach and would be much better for snorkeling.. And you are closer for your tours.. I think they would love it at the Barcelo...

MariePrei · 05-01-2008

Just another vote for Barcelo!! I am going next month, for the (let me count...) 6th or 7th time. Can't beat it. Believe me, I've tried. I keep going back to the Barcelo!!

04-25-2008	#1 (permalink)
RobD sandflea Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 5	Narrowed down to 3: Can you help? Hi All! Hope you can help. This will be mine & my DH's 1st trip to Mexico and our kids (ages 13 & 15) first trip out of the U.S. After searching the web, forums & consulting with our TA, I've got it narrowed down to 3 resorts. We'll be going June 28-July 5th with a direct flight from Nashville via a charter. Our choices are: Barcelo Maya Beach (pros: seems like nicest beach; con: a/c not in all restaurants) Grand Palladium Riviera Resort Iberostar Paraiso Beach The total package cost would be $648 more for us to stay at the Iberostar vs. the Barcelo. We plan on doing day trips to Chichen Itza, Tulum & possibly Cozymel. Nice beach, nice pools & snorkeling at the resort are important. Maybe golf but that's not imperative. Also, my girls aren't really typical teenagers; their more excited about going to the Mayan ruins than spending any beach time and they are definitely not interested in doing any dance club stuff. These boards are amazing; you've all already helped me out more than you'll ever know RobD

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04-25-2008	#3 (permalink)
Laney very sparkly Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 35	My choice would be Barcelo - better beach,closer to Tulum and Coba ruins and in some opinions better food. Unless it has changed since 2005 not all restaurants @ the Ibero* are a/c - uncertain about the Pallidum but I don't think all are a/c there either. I would save the $648 for spending $$ or towards my next trip down - and unless you have a different experience than most you will be going again, and again, and again. Have a great trip - I'm at the Grand Riveria Princess mid-July with 3 teens myself.

04-25-2008	#4 (permalink)
bearcat toe in water Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 51	RobD, if you are going to do a few tours, than I would stay at Barcelo. It is closer to PDC and Tulum where many of the tours start from and you will be saving some money. The Iberostar is great but it is further away from the action you are looking for.

04-25-2008	#5 (permalink)
Tommygurl crab killer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: I am Canadian!! Posts: 14,186	There is no air in the buffet but it is not too bad. For the price difference I would stay at Barcelo Maya. What price is an upgrade to Colonial/Tropical side? Then you can be in the air cond buffets? We had a great time at Barcelo Tropical...the beach is gorgeous!

04-25-2008	#6 (permalink)
Mr Cancun reposado Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Far North Dallas Posts: 1,328	Save the dough, go to Barcelo Maya

04-25-2008	#7 (permalink)
Barbidoll1 way into it Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Louis Posts: 200	You won't be able to snorkel off the beach at any of the Iberostars....well, you could but there wouldn't be much to see . I would say if you are set on AI to go with the Barcelo. We have friends heading there next month. If we do another AI would would go with that resort because of the beautiful beach area.

04-26-2008	#8 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,262	Put that $648 toward an upgrade to the Tropical/Colonial or Palace section of the Barcelo - you'll be happy with the A/C, trust me! It's a GREAT resort complex...the Palace was amazingly beautiful.

04-26-2008	#9 (permalink)
RobD sandflea Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 5	Thanks so much everybody; you are all an amazing resource. I have a call into my TA for quotes on the Tropical/Colonial section and the Palace section. We are definitely going to stay at the Barcelo. Hopefully I will have my deposit down by Tuesday. Now off to get those passport photos taken Shammy, I am a Joisey Girl too. We moved down to TN 5 years ago. RobD

04-26-2008	#10 (permalink)
rcher54 way into it Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Emmaus,PA,USA Posts: 116	RobD, IMHO it would be worth your while to put the $ into a Barcelo upgrade. The buffet at IB is not AC'd. When we were down last year we checked out the Barcelo complex and it is beautiful. Just too big for us so we are booked through the "Jersey Girl" for the "Cat" again this year. If your looking for a great deal try Shammy for your booking. Have fun in the sun!

04-26-2008	#11 (permalink)
Linnysue way into it Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Park City, Utah Posts: 139	I think AC cuts you off from those great Caribbean ocean breezes. I love the connection with the sea while dining. That's if the buffets are close to the ocean of course. I think those seaside open air restaurants are very romantic too.

04-27-2008	#13 (permalink)
KC Arrowhead beachaholic Join Date: May 2004 Location: 15 minutes east of Arrowhead stadium Posts: 314	Rob, I have been to the Iberostar and the barcelo, I have kids aged 16,12,4.. Trust me here when I suggest the barcelo overall. That would be my choice.

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04-28-2008	#14 (permalink)
lovetheheat way into it Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Markham, Ontario Posts: 185	I would totally agree with the majority here for the Barcelo.. You can't beat the beach and would be much better for snorkeling.. And you are closer for your tours.. I think they would love it at the Barcelo...

05-01-2008	#15 (permalink)
MariePrei very sparkly Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 30	Just another vote for Barcelo!! I am going next month, for the (let me count...) 6th or 7th time. Can't beat it. Believe me, I've tried. I keep going back to the Barcelo!!