GSP trip report 6/20-6/29

alandjade · 07-08-2008

This is my trip report for the Grand Sunset Princess- June 20-29 2008:
We booked in October ’07… 6 sisters (with our husbands, kids and parents) for a group total of 32. We flew in from CA, FL and NY for 10 days together in paradise.
CHECKING IN: We all booked thru APPLE Vacations- quick and easy transfers with the ‘green light’! The street entrance is not so grand….

Then you drive past construction, a few minutes later you pull up to the resort...

The lobby is open, airy and beautiful…

Check-in for the 4 rooms that arrived that evening (around 6pm) took about 15 minutes. We had e-mailed the resort with room requests and they were all granted – 9 rooms total.
OUR ROOM: We had a Dlx Jr. Swim-up Suite #2011, just as pictured. Everything worked, we had asked for a third key to keep available for the lights. We had a king so the clock was over on the dresser and plugged in by the TV so it worked even if the key card was not pushed in. (Some in our group had a blinking 12:00 the whole trip).

The shower door is leaky and there is no shelf for razors etc either. There were a few things like that but we didn’t harp over them and let them ruin our trip.
PROPERTY/ GROUNDS: First off, the floors are slippery – so go slowly! This is obvious and I can’t believe people complain. It started raining one day while at the pool and the animation staff was repeating “DO NOT RUN” - “PLEASE, BE CAREFUL” thru the microphone at the activity pool. There were several people flying thru the slick halls- they didn’t listen.
They are understaffed – again an obvious problem. The housekeeping and general dusting/cleanliness could use some help. The bathrooms by the pools and elsewhere need regular attention.
The groundskeepers were amazing! It is kept so clean and groomed. I couldn’t believe how lush and full it all is already. In the next few years it will really fill in and look even better! This is a picture on our way to lunch in the Las Olas buffet down near the beach… so pretty and colorful…

I’ll continue on with the rest of the report later- I’ve got more on the pools/activities and a few tips. AND of course lots of pictures... like this one of the FAB beach!!

Until then….

darkin · 07-08-2008

Thanks for the report, looking forward to the rest...

actran · 07-08-2008

Great start

Great pictures

Waiting for more

smrtypnts · 07-09-2008

I echo actran's words--
great start! great pictures!
what kind of camera do you have? those pics are absolutely fabulous! the clarity is unbelievable!

playadreaming · 07-09-2008

great job

theterms · 07-09-2008

Can't wait to see more!! So glad you had a great time. Did you request a swim up room with your email, or did you originally book a swim up?

**Shammy** · 07-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by theterms

Can't wait to see more!! So glad you had a great time. Did you request a swim up room with your email, or did you originally book a swim up?

I'm not Jade but Oooo Oooo, I know the answer!

Booked a deluxe room and then upgraded before arrival to a swim up.

Great report Jade, love your photos!

theterms · 07-09-2008

Thanks Shammy - how did you do that? I upgraded us to a Jr. Deluxe a couple months ago, I know (I think) the swim-ups are Deluxe, would that just be a request for us or would I have to actually upgrade again?

Did you email the resort for your request? If so, how far in advance? As you can see from my countdown, we're sooooo close! I apologize for the barrage of questions...

alandjade · 07-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by theterms

Thanks Shammy - how did you do that? I upgraded us to a Jr. Deluxe a couple months ago, I know (I think) the swim-ups are Deluxe, would that just be a request for us or would I have to actually upgrade again?

Did you email the resort for your request? If so, how far in advance? As you can see from my countdown, we're sooooo close! I apologize for the barrage of questions...

We originally booked a Dlx. Jr. Suite in October and then about 1 or two months later we upgraded to the swim-up so it was still WAY before we arrived. I think it was about $115 more for the 10 days- totally worth it!! If you want a swim-up and be attached to the activity pool you will want to request a room from #2020-2040 and it will directly connect.

PrettyJewels · 07-09-2008

traci im so upgrading! LOL hahahah i am

smrtypnts · 07-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

I'm not Jade but Oooo Oooo, I know the answer!

Booked a deluxe room and then upgraded before arrival to a swim up.

Great report Jade, love your photos!

So she paid the extra money before she left?

alandjade · 07-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by smrtypnts

So she paid the extra money before she left?

Yes- I paid it when I paid my balance 6 weeks before I left. I would have gone platinum but wanted to stay in the same building/area as my group. That said I'm SO glad- I loved the swim-up option that the platinum does not offer. I doubt I would have been able to upgrade once I was there since they were FULL.

((The APPLE rep said that they were overbooked and sending some people to other resorts the week I was there. APPLE alone had 750 guests arriving that week- but none of their guests had to transfer))

theterms · 07-09-2008

Thanks Jade - those #'s are on the Sunset side though. I'm on the Riviera side. OK - if anyone emailed the resort in advance... how far in advance? I'm leaving one week from today...

mrsOntario · 07-09-2008

Just wanted to comment on how great your pictures are. I hope you will continue to update your review. Any tips & advice would be greatly appreciated. We will be at the Grand Riviera Princess in August & can't wait!!!

alandjade · 07-09-2008

I’m back…

Here’s a view looking up at the lobby from the walkway from the rooms. The evening buffets are on the bottom level as well a boutique/gift shop, gym, spa, photo center/evening kids club/sports bar etc. Upstairs is the evening shows, a few of the a la carte restaurants and the lobby bar...

KIDS:
Not much is mentioned about the kids programs. Since we had SO many with us from 3-19 I’m happy to give you the info. During the day the kids program (10am-5pm) is on the Riviera side about mid resort. It has its own kid pool, arts and crafts, playground equipment, toys restrooms and hourly activities. They do beach soccer, archery, water polo, 12:30 lunch in the buffet, Spanish lessons etc. This is for the younger crowd. You sign them in with room#, name, age, able to swim or not etc. When you pick them up you sign them out. They do ask where you will be if case of any problems (no pagers). One day our little girls wanted to come back and Jose walked them to us at the activity pool- it was so nice. They do a great job and are so sweet with the kids. If you leave and label your sun block they will reapply it on the kids as often during the day as you request.

The evening program (7pm-11pm) is under the lobby on the Sunset side. It has several different rooms with a foosball, mini pool tables, PS3 stations, arts and crafts, playing cards, a large screen (showing Finding Nemo, Toy Story etc.). It is air conditioned and has its own restrooms also. We liked this location because it’s close to the buffets, restaurants and lobby bar so it’s easy for pickup and drop-off).

The kids usually stayed with us all day at the activity pool. They could all touch and float around in the rafts and had a blast! It was tough to get them out unless it was for an ice cream. The basic thought of ‘if they are having fun then we are having fun’ and they loved it.

The teenagers stayed with us too. They all joined in the water polo games, went to the beach, strolled around with new friends etc. They all said it was the BEST trip they have ever been on and didn’t want to leave.

THE BEACH: ... Is beautiful!

Clean white sand- like sugar, lots of space, palapas and chairs. There are some rocks in the ocean but once you pass those you can go out FAR and still touch. There is a netted area for swimming. You can check out boogie boards, kayaks and such (they open at 9:30am).

Here's a shot just after sunrise ...

Seriously- BEAUTIFUL!

The beach side massage is $20 for 30/min. We did the 1 hr sessions for $40- they are awesome! (Alberto works there and he did our massage at the Iberostar when we were at the Tucan in ’05.) It's the perfect chance to take a little rest...

Too be continued... with info on our trip to Xcaret, Senor Frogs and more on the resort.

07-08-2008	#1 (permalink)
alandjade lost on fifth Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 23	GSP trip report 6/20-6/29 This is my trip report for the Grand Sunset Princess- June 20-29 2008: We booked in October ’07… 6 sisters (with our husbands, kids and parents) for a group total of 32. We flew in from CA, FL and NY for 10 days together in paradise. CHECKING IN: We all booked thru APPLE Vacations- quick and easy transfers with the ‘green light’! The street entrance is not so grand…. Then you drive past construction, a few minutes later you pull up to the resort... The lobby is open, airy and beautiful… Check-in for the 4 rooms that arrived that evening (around 6pm) took about 15 minutes. We had e-mailed the resort with room requests and they were all granted – 9 rooms total. OUR ROOM: We had a Dlx Jr. Swim-up Suite #2011, just as pictured. Everything worked, we had asked for a third key to keep available for the lights. We had a king so the clock was over on the dresser and plugged in by the TV so it worked even if the key card was not pushed in. (Some in our group had a blinking 12:00 the whole trip). The shower door is leaky and there is no shelf for razors etc either. There were a few things like that but we didn’t harp over them and let them ruin our trip. PROPERTY/ GROUNDS: First off, the floors are slippery – so go slowly! This is obvious and I can’t believe people complain. It started raining one day while at the pool and the animation staff was repeating “DO NOT RUN” - “PLEASE, BE CAREFUL” thru the microphone at the activity pool. There were several people flying thru the slick halls- they didn’t listen. They are understaffed – again an obvious problem. The housekeeping and general dusting/cleanliness could use some help. The bathrooms by the pools and elsewhere need regular attention. The groundskeepers were amazing! It is kept so clean and groomed. I couldn’t believe how lush and full it all is already. In the next few years it will really fill in and look even better! This is a picture on our way to lunch in the Las Olas buffet down near the beach… so pretty and colorful… I’ll continue on with the rest of the report later- I’ve got more on the pools/activities and a few tips. AND of course lots of pictures... like this one of the FAB beach!! Until then….

07-09-2008	#14 (permalink)
mrsOntario into ruins Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72	GSP trip report from alandjade Just wanted to comment on how great your pictures are. I hope you will continue to update your review. Any tips & advice would be greatly appreciated. We will be at the Grand Riviera Princess in August & can't wait!!!

07-09-2008	#15 (permalink)
alandjade lost on fifth Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 23	Continued... I’m back… Here’s a view looking up at the lobby from the walkway from the rooms. The evening buffets are on the bottom level as well a boutique/gift shop, gym, spa, photo center/evening kids club/sports bar etc. Upstairs is the evening shows, a few of the a la carte restaurants and the lobby bar... KIDS: Not much is mentioned about the kids programs. Since we had SO many with us from 3-19 I’m happy to give you the info. During the day the kids program (10am-5pm) is on the Riviera side about mid resort. It has its own kid pool, arts and crafts, playground equipment, toys restrooms and hourly activities. They do beach soccer, archery, water polo, 12:30 lunch in the buffet, Spanish lessons etc. This is for the younger crowd. You sign them in with room#, name, age, able to swim or not etc. When you pick them up you sign them out. They do ask where you will be if case of any problems (no pagers). One day our little girls wanted to come back and Jose walked them to us at the activity pool- it was so nice. They do a great job and are so sweet with the kids. If you leave and label your sun block they will reapply it on the kids as often during the day as you request. The evening program (7pm-11pm) is under the lobby on the Sunset side. It has several different rooms with a foosball, mini pool tables, PS3 stations, arts and crafts, playing cards, a large screen (showing Finding Nemo, Toy Story etc.). It is air conditioned and has its own restrooms also. We liked this location because it’s close to the buffets, restaurants and lobby bar so it’s easy for pickup and drop-off). The kids usually stayed with us all day at the activity pool. They could all touch and float around in the rafts and had a blast! It was tough to get them out unless it was for an ice cream. The basic thought of ‘if they are having fun then we are having fun’ and they loved it. The teenagers stayed with us too. They all joined in the water polo games, went to the beach, strolled around with new friends etc. They all said it was the BEST trip they have ever been on and didn’t want to leave. THE BEACH: ... Is beautiful! Clean white sand- like sugar, lots of space, palapas and chairs. There are some rocks in the ocean but once you pass those you can go out FAR and still touch. There is a netted area for swimming. You can check out boogie boards, kayaks and such (they open at 9:30am). Here's a shot just after sunrise ... Seriously- BEAUTIFUL! The beach side massage is $20 for 30/min. We did the 1 hr sessions for $40- they are awesome! (Alberto works there and he did our massage at the Iberostar when we were at the Tucan in ’05.) It's the perfect chance to take a little rest... Too be continued... with info on our trip to Xcaret, Senor Frogs and more on the resort.

07-08-2008	#2 (permalink)
darkin toe in water Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Jersey - Exit 5 Posts: 58	Thanks for the report, looking forward to the rest...

07-08-2008	#3 (permalink)
actran reposado Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,492	Great start Great pictures Waiting for more

07-09-2008	#4 (permalink)
smrtypnts way into it Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1 hour northeast of NYC Posts: 152	I echo actran's words-- great start! great pictures! what kind of camera do you have? those pics are absolutely fabulous! the clarity is unbelievable!

07-09-2008	#5 (permalink)
playadreaming way into it Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: near Tulsa Posts: 231	great job

07-09-2008	#6 (permalink)
theterms way into it Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey, Baby Posts: 100	Can't wait to see more!! So glad you had a great time. Did you request a swim up room with your email, or did you originally book a swim up?

07-09-2008	#8 (permalink)
theterms way into it Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey, Baby Posts: 100	Thanks Shammy - how did you do that? I upgraded us to a Jr. Deluxe a couple months ago, I know (I think) the swim-ups are Deluxe, would that just be a request for us or would I have to actually upgrade again? Did you email the resort for your request? If so, how far in advance? As you can see from my countdown, we're sooooo close! I apologize for the barrage of questions...

07-09-2008	#10 (permalink)
PrettyJewels toe in water Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 56	traci im so upgrading! LOL hahahah i am

07-09-2008	#13 (permalink)
theterms way into it Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Jersey, Baby Posts: 100	Thanks Jade - those #'s are on the Sunset side though. I'm on the Riviera side. OK - if anyone emailed the resort in advance... how far in advance? I'm leaving one week from today...

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