Grand Sunset Princess or Barcelo Maya

[Orcrone]

My wife and I are looking at these two resorts for the fall. We've been to Barcelo Maya Colonial (new section) a couple of years ago. The price for the new section of Barcelo Maya is about the same as Grand Sunset Princess and the older section is a little less money.
I'm looking for any feedback, especially from people who have been to both resorts, as to which you prefer and why. I've heard comments about how large GSP is. Is it any larger than Barcel Maya?
Also, we enjoyed snorkeling every day at Barcelo Maya. There you can just snorkel off the beach or off the pier. So I'd also be especially interested in whether there is snorkeling to be had at Grand Sunset Princess, or whether we have to head elsewhere.
One advantage of Grand Sunset Princess is that their sale goes through the end of November, while Barcelo Maya's is only through the end of October, giving us some more flexability with GSP.
Thanks in advance.

[Shammy]

I would take the Barcelo Maya, the Palace is stunning (the Palace is the new section now)! The Barcelo is a more established resort, the Princess is still going through some new opening issues. From what I have heard from clients, the food isn't so great - but that's kind of a personal opinion, just thought I'd pass along. There really is no snorkeling to be had at the Princess. If you look at the entire Barcelo complex, all three sections, it would be larger than the Princess, but it would be unlikely that you'd be trapsing from one section to another, you'd probably stay within the section you're booked at.

[Orcrone]

Thanks Shammy. Snorkeling is a big deal (food too). Not worried about going from one section of resort to the other. More concerned with the distance from room to beach, room to restaurants, room to gym, etc. I saw one review of Princess that said it was about a 10-15 minute walk from lobby to beach.
I'll show this to my better half and see what she thinks. Don't think we'll go for the Palace. In fact, since we're going late October the open air buffets should be fine. Just need to decide whether to spend the extra for the additional ala cartes.

[Shammy]

The walk to the beach at the Princess is long from many buildings, there is a long bridge to go over. Platinum suites are closest to the beach, but furthest from the lobby and restaurants. Standard jr. suites are furthest from the beach but closer to the lobby, etc.

[Orcrone]

Thanks again!!!

[dezere]

I am at Grand Sunset Princess right now and I would not come back. The food is major to me and it gets really repetitive at the buffets and there is no outdoor food place so you either have to dry off and put a coverup on to go into buffet or get Platinum so you can get room service.
Dezere

[Orcrone]

Originally Posted by dezere

I am at Grand Sunset Princess right now and I would not come back. The food is major to me and it gets really repetitive at the buffets and there is no outdoor food place so you either have to dry off and put a coverup on to go into buffet or get Platinum so you can get room service.
Dezere

We're not big buffet fans either. How's the ala cartes?

[Linnysue]

Originally Posted by dezere

I am at Grand Sunset Princess right now and I would not come back. The food is major to me and it gets really repetitive at the buffets and there is no outdoor food place so you either have to dry off and put a coverup on to go into buffet or get Platinum so you can get room service.
Dezere

Oh dear, another bad report. I'm really getting worried now.

[dezere]

I liked the Mexican. Some of the meet at the grill was good. I got lasagna at Italian and the top layer noodle was not cooked, still crispy. I hated the seafood as well as everyone else in my family. At the buffets there are some very yummy things but for the most part I found the food mediocre.
Dezere

Originally Posted by Orcrone

We're not big buffet fans either. How's the ala cartes?

[Linnysue]

Originally Posted by dezere

I liked the Mexican. Some of the meet at the grill was good. I got lasagna at Italian and the top layer noodle was not cooked, still crispy. I hated the seafood as well as everyone else in my family. At the buffets there are some very yummy things but for the most part I found the food mediocre.
Dezere

Hmmm, sounds like I may lose some weight!

What didn't you like about the seafood? That's what I was looking forward to the most, that and the Japanese. I figured most hotels down there couldn't screw up seafood, but guess I was wrong.

[dezere]

The seafood basically was fish. I think they had one dish that was something like scallops with either a clam or oyster. I don't like fish but I like shellfish and they did not really have anything for me. I ordered something called a deep fried boquinette because I figured anything deep fried has to be good. But basically it was a whole fish they made some slits in and fried and there was no flavor but fish. Everyone in my family did not like their food. I did hear that the Japanese was really good though from everyone that went there. Our room category did not include it so we never booked it. Platinum gets it for free. Sorry for not responding sooner but we just flew home yesterday. It was hard for me to get to the computer in the lobby with two kids.
Dezere

Originally Posted by Linnysue

Hmmm, sounds like I may lose some weight!

What didn't you like about the seafood? That's what I was looking forward to the most, that and the Japanese. I figured most hotels down there couldn't screw up seafood, but guess I was wrong.