playacar palace or barcelo beach last minute

psantiago11 · 07-30-2008

We are 2-40 year olds that love to stay at a small hotel in town and love to go to all inclusives. We own at the solaris and love it. We are going to playa September 6-13th on a last minute 20 year anniversary and can stay for a good price at the playacar palace or barcelo beach. I am concerned at the pictures of the palace that i might have to dress up to fit in and that is not us. We get up and put our suits on till dinner and do drinks and the beach all day like teenagers.I want a hotel that has some action and people that want to do the sun and drinks all day. Not the feeling of the cruise ship old people thing. My feeling is we would fit in better at the barcelo. What is your opinion? Is there night life at one hotel or the other? Is it worth the upgrade to be at the Colonial instead of the beach? THANKS for your help i need it! I feel like a newby but have stayed at the posada and the alhambra many times just not at an all-inclusive.

michellei88 · 07-30-2008

You sound just like us~! Definately the Barcelo Beach...way fun and casual. Great shows, the club is great as well. The food is good but not fabulous, we didn't eat at any of the resteraunts. The pool bar in late afternoon is fun and you'll meet all kinds of fun folks. We loved the place, and are definately going back to the Beach not the other properties they offer, way too stuffy and boring, who drinks hot tea at 4pm? The whole place is wonderful. The beach is the BEST, ENJOY!

queencityfan · 07-30-2008

Another vote for the Barcelo, very easy going and a fantastic beach as well as many places to snorkle right from the beach.

**Shammy** · 07-30-2008

You really can't even compare the two properties, the Playacar Palace is an upscale resort vs. the Barcelo Beach being a more laid back family friendly kind of place. Playacar Palace is lovely (even with no beach) but from what you described as your likes and dislikes - I would pick the Barcelo.

BeachBaller · 07-30-2008

We (early 40's) just got back 2 days ago from the Barcelo Palace. We had a GREAT time, go with the Barcelo you will not be disappointed!!

psantiago11 · 07-30-2008

thanks for the help. I have heard of people on this board asking for a certain building at the Barcelo when I purchase the tickets or do i email them directly? Is it worth a $200 upgrade to go to the Colonial or the Tropical side of the resort? Does anyone have a favorite room or building? Only one more question. I have always done private transportation. It is expensive. When the Barcelo picks you up do you have to stop at all the resorts? Is it better to get a direct transportation?

psantiago11 · 07-30-2008

I guess i did not say the price we got quoted is at the Barcelo Beach. Patty

BeachBaller · 07-30-2008

Go to UNOFFICIAL BARCELO MAYA | Your unofficial guide to Beach | Caribe | Tropical | Colonial | Palace and look around and go to the discussion board and read up. That site has all kinds of information for you. Basically the Barcelo property consists of 5 different resorts. The "beach/caribe" property is the oldest and is worn and does NOT have AC in the buffetts. For this reason in Sept., I would not stay there at that time of the year. If it were me, I would definitely upgrade to the Tropical/Colonial. You will be right in the middle of the 5 properties and can walk everywhere.

GreatLakes · 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by psantiago11

thanks for the help. I have heard of people on this board asking for a certain building at the Barcelo when I purchase the tickets or do i email them directly? Is it worth a $200 upgrade to go to the Colonial or the Tropical side of the resort? Does anyone have a favorite room or building? Only one more question. I have always done private transportation. It is expensive. When the Barcelo picks you up do you have to stop at all the resorts? Is it better to get a direct transportation?

Yes, upgrade! The Colonial/Tropical is newer. I stayed at the beach building 3, room 3201. Great view, extra big balcony with hammock. You cant go wrong either way. We cant decide weather to go back in Feb 2009, we will go to the Tropical. Good Luck, and happy 20th

Johny D · 07-30-2008

Treat yourselves and go to the IB* Grand, we are for our 20th Anniversary

**Shammy** · 07-30-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johny D

Treat yourselves and go to the IB* Grand, we are for our 20th Anniversary

Uhhh...that's quite a treat when you compare the prices for the two resorts! The IB* Grand would have to be at least $1,000+ more!

Not even in the same league, let alone the same ballpark!

Phil in Ottawa · 07-31-2008

Add another vote for the Barceló

Good luck with your planning

psantiago11 · 07-31-2008

We are going Setember 6th-13th and I will make sure and do a trip report when we get back. Again thanks!

07-30-2008	#1 (permalink)
psantiago11 lost on fifth Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 11	playacar palace or barcelo beach last minute We are 2-40 year olds that love to stay at a small hotel in town and love to go to all inclusives. We own at the solaris and love it. We are going to playa September 6-13th on a last minute 20 year anniversary and can stay for a good price at the playacar palace or barcelo beach. I am concerned at the pictures of the palace that i might have to dress up to fit in and that is not us. We get up and put our suits on till dinner and do drinks and the beach all day like teenagers.I want a hotel that has some action and people that want to do the sun and drinks all day. Not the feeling of the cruise ship old people thing. My feeling is we would fit in better at the barcelo. What is your opinion? Is there night life at one hotel or the other? Is it worth the upgrade to be at the Colonial instead of the beach? THANKS for your help i need it! I feel like a newby but have stayed at the posada and the alhambra many times just not at an all-inclusive.

07-30-2008	#2 (permalink)
michellei88 very sparkly Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: pacifica ca Posts: 35	barcelo beach You sound just like us~! Definately the Barcelo Beach...way fun and casual. Great shows, the club is great as well. The food is good but not fabulous, we didn't eat at any of the resteraunts. The pool bar in late afternoon is fun and you'll meet all kinds of fun folks. We loved the place, and are definately going back to the Beach not the other properties they offer, way too stuffy and boring, who drinks hot tea at 4pm? The whole place is wonderful. The beach is the BEST, ENJOY! Last edited by michellei88; 07-30-2008 at 01:47 PM..

07-30-2008	#5 (permalink)
BeachBaller lost on fifth Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 23	Barcelo for sure!! We (early 40's) just got back 2 days ago from the Barcelo Palace. We had a GREAT time, go with the Barcelo you will not be disappointed!!

07-30-2008	#6 (permalink)
psantiago11 lost on fifth Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 11	thanks for the help. thanks for the help. I have heard of people on this board asking for a certain building at the Barcelo when I purchase the tickets or do i email them directly? Is it worth a $200 upgrade to go to the Colonial or the Tropical side of the resort? Does anyone have a favorite room or building? Only one more question. I have always done private transportation. It is expensive. When the Barcelo picks you up do you have to stop at all the resorts? Is it better to get a direct transportation?

07-30-2008	#10 (permalink)
Johny D lost on fifth Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Consett, England Posts: 23	Treat yourselves and go to the IB* Grand, we are for our 20th Anniversary Last edited by Johny D; 07-30-2008 at 05:25 PM..

07-30-2008	#3 (permalink)
queencityfan añejo Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,800	Another vote for the Barcelo, very easy going and a fantastic beach as well as many places to snorkle right from the beach.

07-30-2008	#4 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 11,014	You really can't even compare the two properties, the Playacar Palace is an upscale resort vs. the Barcelo Beach being a more laid back family friendly kind of place. Playacar Palace is lovely (even with no beach) but from what you described as your likes and dislikes - I would pick the Barcelo.

07-30-2008	#7 (permalink)
psantiago11 lost on fifth Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 11	I guess i did not say the price we got quoted is at the Barcelo Beach. Patty

07-30-2008	#8 (permalink)
BeachBaller lost on fifth Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 23	Go to UNOFFICIAL BARCELO MAYA \| Your unofficial guide to Beach \| Caribe \| Tropical \| Colonial \| Palace and look around and go to the discussion board and read up. That site has all kinds of information for you. Basically the Barcelo property consists of 5 different resorts. The "beach/caribe" property is the oldest and is worn and does NOT have AC in the buffetts. For this reason in Sept., I would not stay there at that time of the year. If it were me, I would definitely upgrade to the Tropical/Colonial. You will be right in the middle of the 5 properties and can walk everywhere.

07-31-2008	#12 (permalink)
Phil in Ottawa life=playa Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 671	Add another vote for the Barceló Good luck with your planning

07-31-2008	#13 (permalink)
psantiago11 lost on fifth Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 11	Thanks for all the help I just booked at the Barcelo!!! We are going Setember 6th-13th and I will make sure and do a trip report when we get back. Again thanks!

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