GPR 11-26-09 to 12-5-09

[janied]

We were there the same time as you were, except we upgraded to the Royal.
We've been booked at the Gran Porto 4 times, but we've never stayed there, because we always opt for the upgrade.

I'm glad you love the GPR, maybe someday we'll stay there. We did have dinner at the Gran's seafood restaurant, and it was delish!

Your pics are great! ... and I'm so glad to hear your husband is doing well.

[MRSHOLLYWOOD]

Originally Posted by janied

We were there the same time as you were, except we upgraded to the Royal.
We've been booked at the Gran Porto 4 times, but we've never stayed there, because we always opt for the upgrade.

I'm glad you love the GPR, maybe someday we'll stay there. We did have dinner at the Gran's seafood restaurant, and it was delish!

Your pics are great! ... and I'm so glad to hear your husband is doing well.

The Royal looks nice, we just never opted for it because we love GPR so much and can't bring ourselves to change Yes, Il Piscador is delish!

Thanks for the well wishes, all the positivity helps him heal

[zeppelinman]

hey hey,

earliest i can make it down is sept... have you ever been to playa then?
what's it like?.. should i really worry about hurricanes?.. what are the real odds?

[MRSHOLLYWOOD]

Originally Posted by zeppelinman

hey hey,

earliest i can make it down is sept... have you ever been to playa then?
what's it like?.. should i really worry about hurricanes?.. what are the real odds?

We never travel in September to any costal area due to hurricane season, not real sure what the weather under normal circumstances is like there in September?

I know people who have went around that time and were ok, but it is always an iffy time anywhere costal? Get travel insurance if you plan to travel during that season just to be safe.

[zeppelinman]

hi,,

thanks a great idea.. thanks!! maybe i can hold out until..
november!! hehehehehheehe

[MRSHOLLYWOOD]

Originally Posted by zeppelinman

hi,,

thanks a great idea.. thanks!! maybe i can hold out until..
november!! hehehehehheehe

Ha! holding out is so hard, but it might be the best option,

Keep me posted!

[cedwards7]

I'm newto the whole Playa expernce, so don't laugh but is GPR the same as Gran Porto Real? My family and I are panning on going in August and I am seriously considering Gran Porto Real because of the great special they are running. I can't decide between it and the Barcelo Maya Palace. I have a friend who travels to Playa ALL the time with his wife-he's the one person who turned me onto this forum-Thanks, Mikey!- and I'm so glad he did. So much info!

[MRSHOLLYWOOD]

Originally Posted by cedwards7

I'm newto the whole Playa expernce, so don't laugh but is GPR the same as Gran Porto Real? My family and I are panning on going in August and I am seriously considering Gran Porto Real because of the great special they are running. I can't decide between it and the Barcelo Maya Palace. I have a friend who travels to Playa ALL the time with his wife-he's the one person who turned me onto this forum-Thanks, Mikey!- and I'm so glad he did. So much info!

You are correct, GPR is indeed the Gran Porto Real in Playa. We have traveled to Playa for years and just can't bring ourselves to stay at any other hotels. I know there are plenty of nice hotels that are all-inclusive in Playa but you just can't beat 1) location 2) staff 3) rooms, 4) food. I read reviews that say they are hammered about upgrading or timeshares, but I don't have these issues? I guess you just have to have a certain look to be approached

We have not been in August because we typically go in May and November, and to avoid hurricane season. What kind of a deal did you get for August?

[cedwards7]

For six nights for a family of four (2 adults, 14yr, 10yr) the rates are $2264 for a Junior Suite Oceanview and $2584 for Jr Suite Ocean Walkout. They look like good rates to me, but what do I know
I hate having to travel in August, but with kids it's June, July or Augst and we already have alot going on the other two months. The trip insurance is $70.00 so I feel comfortable about buying with that in place.
Do you think its worth the extra money to upgrade to the Walkout Suite? It said something about having a reserved Palapa (Sp?) which I like.....

[MRSHOLLYWOOD]

Originally Posted by cedwards7

For six nights for a family of four (2 adults, 14yr, 10yr) the rates are $2264 for a Junior Suite Oceanview and $2584 for Jr Suite Ocean Walkout. They look like good rates to me, but what do I know
I hate having to travel in August, but with kids it's June, July or Augst and we already have alot going on the other two months. The trip insurance is $70.00 so I feel comfortable about buying with that in place.
Do you think its worth the extra money to upgrade to the Walkout Suite? It said something about having a reserved Palapa (Sp?) which I like.....

Does that include air? If so it doesn't sound bad. Definetly get the insurance, well worth it, just to be safe.

We stayed in one of the walk out suites a couple of times back and it was nice, same exact room you get if you stay in an ocean front room on the 2nd or 3rd floors and we prefer the higher floors for better views and we didn't really use the walk out part because you have to leave your sliding door unlocked in order to make use of it, my husband used it in the mornings while I was still in the room to go and put out our towels, and the reserved palapa is nice as long as other guest don't continually sit in them and have to be moved by security,that's really it though, so to sum it up, if I were you I would consider upgrading to an ocean front from the ocean view, not all the way up to the walk out. Just my opinion.

[cedwards7]

I appreciate your advice. I hadn't thought about having to lock the door all the time to come and go, it wouldn't really work too well. I did wonder how well the "reserved" palapa would go-sortof thought it would be having to deal with security, etc.
In response to your statement about people saying they are hounded to upgrade, etc.-I'm not worried about it if it happens. I can say "no" as well as anybody.
Thanks for all your advice...I am leaning more towards this hotel because of it's proximity to the city itself. How are the beaches? I've heard the beaches are nicer down by the Barcelo resorts, so that was a factor as well. We did the Disney family vacation last year and I promised my husband he'd get his beach vacation this year, so I really want to make sure it's a good beach.

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by cedwards7

I appreciate your advice. I hadn't thought about having to lock the door all the time to come and go, it wouldn't really work too well. I did wonder how well the "reserved" palapa would go-sortof thought it would be having to deal with security, etc.
In response to your statement about people saying they are hounded to upgrade, etc.-I'm not worried about it if it happens. I can say "no" as well as anybody.
Thanks for all your advice...I am leaning more towards this hotel because of it's proximity to the city itself. How are the beaches? I've heard the beaches are nicer down by the Barcelo resorts, so that was a factor as well. We did the Disney family vacation last year and I promised my husband he'd get his beach vacation this year, so I really want to make sure it's a good beach.

They just worked on the beaches in Playa....I hear they are really nice and wide right now......

[MRSHOLLYWOOD]

Originally Posted by cedwards7

I appreciate your advice. I hadn't thought about having to lock the door all the time to come and go, it wouldn't really work too well. I did wonder how well the "reserved" palapa would go-sortof thought it would be having to deal with security, etc.
In response to your statement about people saying they are hounded to upgrade, etc.-I'm not worried about it if it happens. I can say "no" as well as anybody.
Thanks for all your advice...I am leaning more towards this hotel because of it's proximity to the city itself. How are the beaches? I've heard the beaches are nicer down by the Barcelo resorts, so that was a factor as well. We did the Disney family vacation last year and I promised my husband he'd get his beach vacation this year, so I really want to make sure it's a good beach.

The palapa situation we dealt with was having to people sitting in ours everyday when we were ready for shade and they were clearly marked with your room #, it might be better now since they have redone the entire beach area? As for the beach, I always liked it, but they just finished redoing the entire stretch of beach from GPR most of the way down toward town, it is now huge! I think you will be pleased, go to the Gran Porto website and look at the webcam to see a closer view.

[cedwards7]

Originally Posted by MRSHOLLYWOOD

Does that include air? If so it doesn't sound bad. Definetly get the insurance, well worth it, just to be safe.

We stayed in one of the walk out suites a couple of times back and it was nice, same exact room you get if you stay in an ocean front room on the 2nd or 3rd floors and we prefer the higher floors for better views and we didn't really use the walk out part because you have to leave your sliding door unlocked in order to make use of it, my husband used it in the mornings while I was still in the room to go and put out our towels, and the reserved palapa is nice as long as other guest don't continually sit in them and have to be moved by security,that's really it though, so to sum it up, if I were you I would consider upgrading to an ocean front from the ocean view, not all the way up to the walk out. Just my opinion.

I just noticed you thought this was a good rate if it included air. It doesn't. I have found tickets on AA for 289 R/T per person so with taxes it comes to around 1500.00. I went through a local travel agent and she quoted me FunJet rates, but not for the GPR (see how quickly I picked that up?). FunJet wanted close to $400 in insurance to cancel and the rooms for the Barcelo were at the Tropical in a standard toom for about $3700 (which did include airfare). I figured for another 100 or two I could book it myself, get in closer and a nicer room (I think) and still pay only about 150 in insurance for flight and hotel cancellation....if I book airfaire and the AI for six nights for a family of four w/insurance it comes to right under $4000.00 Is that too much?

[Mikey]

Originally Posted by cedwards7

I just noticed you thought this was a good rate if it included air. It doesn't. I have found tickets on AA for 289 R/T per person so with taxes it comes to around 1500.00. I went through a local travel agent and she quoted me FunJet rates, but not for the GPR (see how quickly I picked that up?). FunJet wanted close to $400 in insurance to cancel and the rooms for the Barcelo were at the Tropical in a standard toom for about $3700 (which did include airfare). I figured for another 100 or two I could book it myself, get in closer and a nicer room (I think) and still pay only about 150 in insurance for flight and hotel cancellation....if I book airfaire and the AI for six nights for a family of four w/insurance it comes to right under $4000.00 Is that too much?

You might send "Shammy" who is a member on here and also a travel agent....She gets rave reviews from people that have gone through her before.....