The difference in Barcelos--your advice

purpleprincesTX · 05-01-2012

We are planning a family vacation, hubby and I in our 40's, son 17 and foreign exchange student 19. We are thinking of trying the Barcelo resort for it's great beaches, on site snorkeling, and other activities that would keep the young men busy.

For the dates we are going in June, here are the prices for the different Barcelo resorts. Would like you guys' advice on which you would pick for the price difference. Price below is for 2.

Barcelo Maya Beach & Caribe $1734
Barcelo Maya Colonial & Tropical $1834
Barcelo Palace $2134

Thanks

off2pdc · 05-02-2012

I would say the Palace is worth it. Much better food & liquor, plus, you can go to all the other resorts.

daystarmike · 05-02-2012

How long are you going to be there? I am guessing that price you mentioned is pp for a week, if the situation is different my answer might be different. I have been to Barcelo twice, once in the Caribe and once in the Tropical section. I walked through the Palace section and it is very nice, and if money is no object, I would probably stay there, but $400 pp difference can be spent on a lot of fun things in Mexico, and the Tropical/Colonial sections are very nice and give you access to about 75% of the resort complex including 6 ala cartes, the entire beach area, buffets with AC, theater entertainment, etc... With two young men, I would probably take the $1600 and book one or two fun excursions, fantastic dinner in Playa del Carmen, and a suitcase full of tequila from the duty free store at the airport.

Rissask · 05-02-2012

We were just at the Palace for ten days in February and it was GREAT...well worth the extra cost, IMO.

And in June the Palace has other advantages- covered walkways in case of rain, and closed-in and air conditioned theatre and lobby bar- the other sections have more open-air facilties and restaurants which can be pretty hot and sticky in the summer months.

The Palace has better food and service, and more service staff, also nicer rooms and it is newer overall. Also, the only snorkeling on site is in front of the Palace.

however- if it IS a bit too high-priced- I think the Colonial Tropical is a great second choice.

gunnarsmom · 05-02-2012

We 're Barceloholics, and just got back from our 13th trip there, but 1st to the Palace. I'll be the odd man out here, and tell you that we prefer the Tropical/Colonial, just because things like larger rooms and more food selection aren't all that important to us. We're glad we had the Palace experience ( it IS nice), but next time would use the extra cash it takes to stay at the Palace to enjoy another day at the Tropical/Colonial... we just like the lush, tropical feel of that side. Good luck in your decision... you can't go wrong with any of the sections if you're a beach person.

purpleprincesTX · 05-02-2012

The prices I listed are for 4 nights, with and early flight there and late flight home, so we get 5 full days!
Yes, keeping the boys entertained and busy is very important.

From what I have read-I don't think the Palace is an option since once of the young ones is 17 anyway.

kaylabxb · 05-02-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by purpleprincesTX

The prices I listed are for 4 nights, with and early flight there and late flight home, so we get 5 full days!
Yes, keeping the boys entertained and busy is very important.

From what I have read-I don't think the Palace is an option since once of the young ones is 17 anyway.

Hubby and I have stayed at both the Palace and the Tropical. Both are really nice and both have air conditioned restaurants. The Palace offers top shelf liquor and the rooms are a little bigger and nicer. You can't go wrong with either.

I'm not sure if things have changed, but we took our 17 year old daughter to the Palace last year with no issues.

CDLVancouver · 05-02-2012

For 150 more pp definitely the palace. We enjoyed visiting with our friends in the colonial but it was definitely nice to head back to the palace to eat at lunch and dinner...and the better drinks and nicer rooms was nice too. Just be sure to sort out all room issues asap and hopefully limit your need to interact or require attention from the front desk.

Rissask · 05-02-2012

The Palace is not Adults Only...why would a 17 year old be an issue? We had 2 13 year olds, 2 16 year olds, and two older teens ...they had a blast.

lvprettyplcs · 05-14-2012

We are heading to the Palace in June with our 2 kids as well, ages 6 & 10. We went with the palace based on all the reviews & also the advice of our AMAZING travel agent Shammy! Im sure it will be great! Good Luck in your decision

05-01-2012	#1 (permalink)
purpleprincesTX way into it Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: La Porte, TX Posts: 136	The difference in Barcelos--your advice We are planning a family vacation, hubby and I in our 40's, son 17 and foreign exchange student 19. We are thinking of trying the Barcelo resort for it's great beaches, on site snorkeling, and other activities that would keep the young men busy. For the dates we are going in June, here are the prices for the different Barcelo resorts. Would like you guys' advice on which you would pick for the price difference. Price below is for 2. Barcelo Maya Beach & Caribe $1734 Barcelo Maya Colonial & Tropical $1834 Barcelo Palace $2134 Thanks

05-02-2012	#2 (permalink)
off2pdc toe in water Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 59	I would say the Palace is worth it. Much better food & liquor, plus, you can go to all the other resorts.

05-02-2012	#3 (permalink)
daystarmike sandflea Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 9	How long are you going to be there? I am guessing that price you mentioned is pp for a week, if the situation is different my answer might be different. I have been to Barcelo twice, once in the Caribe and once in the Tropical section. I walked through the Palace section and it is very nice, and if money is no object, I would probably stay there, but $400 pp difference can be spent on a lot of fun things in Mexico, and the Tropical/Colonial sections are very nice and give you access to about 75% of the resort complex including 6 ala cartes, the entire beach area, buffets with AC, theater entertainment, etc... With two young men, I would probably take the $1600 and book one or two fun excursions, fantastic dinner in Playa del Carmen, and a suitcase full of tequila from the duty free store at the airport.

05-02-2012	#4 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,569	We were just at the Palace for ten days in February and it was GREAT...well worth the extra cost, IMO. And in June the Palace has other advantages- covered walkways in case of rain, and closed-in and air conditioned theatre and lobby bar- the other sections have more open-air facilties and restaurants which can be pretty hot and sticky in the summer months. The Palace has better food and service, and more service staff, also nicer rooms and it is newer overall. Also, the only snorkeling on site is in front of the Palace. however- if it IS a bit too high-priced- I think the Colonial Tropical is a great second choice.

05-02-2012	#5 (permalink)
gunnarsmom into ruins Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Enid, Oklahoma Posts: 61	We 're Barceloholics, and just got back from our 13th trip there, but 1st to the Palace. I'll be the odd man out here, and tell you that we prefer the Tropical/Colonial, just because things like larger rooms and more food selection aren't all that important to us. We're glad we had the Palace experience ( it IS nice), but next time would use the extra cash it takes to stay at the Palace to enjoy another day at the Tropical/Colonial... we just like the lush, tropical feel of that side. Good luck in your decision... you can't go wrong with any of the sections if you're a beach person.

05-02-2012	#6 (permalink)
purpleprincesTX way into it Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: La Porte, TX Posts: 136	The prices I listed are for 4 nights, with and early flight there and late flight home, so we get 5 full days! Yes, keeping the boys entertained and busy is very important. From what I have read-I don't think the Palace is an option since once of the young ones is 17 anyway.

05-02-2012	#8 (permalink)
CDLVancouver life=playa Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 721	For 150 more pp definitely the palace. We enjoyed visiting with our friends in the colonial but it was definitely nice to head back to the palace to eat at lunch and dinner...and the better drinks and nicer rooms was nice too. Just be sure to sort out all room issues asap and hopefully limit your need to interact or require attention from the front desk.

05-02-2012	#9 (permalink)
Rissask Canada Dry Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 49,569	The Palace is not Adults Only...why would a 17 year old be an issue? We had 2 13 year olds, 2 16 year olds, and two older teens ...they had a blast.

05-14-2012	#10 (permalink)
lvprettyplcs beachaholic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 271	We are heading to the Palace in June with our 2 kids as well, ages 6 & 10. We went with the palace based on all the reviews & also the advice of our AMAZING travel agent Shammy! Im sure it will be great! Good Luck in your decision

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