The Royal Vs. Gran Porto Vs. Iberostar Tucan

Kimsuey · 07-26-2012

Hello! We always stay in the Riviera Maya but are wanting to change it up and stay in Playa. We are debating between these 3 hotels (The Royal, Gran Porto, Iberostar Tucan) if anyone can help us or if you have any other suggestions! We definitely want within walking distance to 5th Street, nice beach & pool! We want AI and are looking for affordable as well! Thank you for any input!

Townie923 · 07-26-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimsuey

Hello! We always stay in the Riviera Maya but are wanting to change it up and stay in Playa. We are debating between these 3 hotels (The Royal, Gran Porto, Iberostar Tucan) if anyone can help us or if you have any other suggestions! We definitely want within walking distance to 5th Street, nice beach & pool! We want AI and are looking for affordable as well! Thank you for any input!

We stayed at the Tucan years ago and it was pretty nice but haven't done an AI in years. Try trip advisor as they seem to have more of the AI crowd.

jorgy · 07-26-2012

In my opinion the Royal Playa del Carmen is far superior to the other two. There is really nothing similar. If the Royal is within your budget I would recommend it. I have stayed at all 3 and would pick the Tucan over the Gran Porto Real if choosing between those two resorts. Good luck and have a great holiday.

Jorgy

MRSHOLLYWOOD · 07-27-2012

We ALWAYS stay at the Gran Porto Real. We have been going there for over 10 years. We prefer alduts only like the Royal, but kids aren't an issue at GPR, there are so many places you can hang out. While we have not stayed at the Royal, it seems very nice and is the sister hotel to GPR, just a bit pricey in comparison. I think you would be happy with either of those. We are just partial to Gran Porto for many many reasons.

Mark711 · 07-28-2012

Hey MRSHOLLYWOOD how is your husbands back?
Dont mean to threadjack,
Mark

Jesstzn · 07-29-2012

We were happy with the Tucan .. were there last Feb ... never been to the others but we will go back there again in Feb.

MRSHOLLYWOOD · 07-30-2012

ha! threadjack! anyway, his back is good now. since that surgery he has had 2 surgeries on his left knee and 2 on his right shoulder. NICE! the 2nd shoulder surgery was a month ago yesterday.

Chris in VT · 08-01-2012

Definitely the Royal.

steve balt · 08-02-2012

stayed at all 3 the royal is far superior to many things to list why.

November12 · 08-23-2012

Attached is a link with a trip report from last fall.

The Cook's: 4th Trip To Playa Del Carmen

We have been at the Quetzal/Tucan 4 times...went there when we were dating, we even got married there in 2004, and brought our kids there in 2011. Needless to say, its become a 2nd home to us.

Its not 5 star - but what it is is a lot of fun, with a environment that can not be beat. You really feel like you are deep in the mexican jungle.

It all depends what matters to you. We have stayed at other AI's - notably the El Dorado Casita Suites - and absolutely regretted it due to it being quiet, and for a lack of a better word, not very social/fun. I don't need 5 star everything only to be bored.

While I will rave up and down about how great the Quetzal/Tucan are, realize the following things that do irk some people - albeit most of the thousands are nearly always positive.

1 - It was one of the first AI's in Playacar - so it is not brand new - at some point in time, they are going to have to reno the rooms.

2 - The pool is very deep - it has always struck me as odd why they dug most of it at a 5-1/2 ft depth.

3 - The beds are "european" hard - but we always sleep well.

4 - The jungle wildlife is loud - notably the monkeys and birds - they will wake you if your room is in a certain area.

5 - Several of the restaurants are open-air (buffets, steakhouse, beach grille) - I like it that way - but others like to piss and moan about no AC.

If you can get by those few things, and like to have fun/stay active on your vacations - you can't beat this place.

07-26-2012	#1 (permalink)
Kimsuey sandflea Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 1	The Royal Vs. Gran Porto Vs. Iberostar Tucan Hello! We always stay in the Riviera Maya but are wanting to change it up and stay in Playa. We are debating between these 3 hotels (The Royal, Gran Porto, Iberostar Tucan) if anyone can help us or if you have any other suggestions! We definitely want within walking distance to 5th Street, nice beach & pool! We want AI and are looking for affordable as well! Thank you for any input!

07-26-2012	#3 (permalink)
jorgy lost on fifth Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 17	In my opinion the Royal Playa del Carmen is far superior to the other two. There is really nothing similar. If the Royal is within your budget I would recommend it. I have stayed at all 3 and would pick the Tucan over the Gran Porto Real if choosing between those two resorts. Good luck and have a great holiday. Jorgy

07-27-2012	#4 (permalink)
MRSHOLLYWOOD life=playa Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: stuck in Dallas, sadly not in PDC Posts: 553	We ALWAYS stay at the Gran Porto Real. We have been going there for over 10 years. We prefer alduts only like the Royal, but kids aren't an issue at GPR, there are so many places you can hang out. While we have not stayed at the Royal, it seems very nice and is the sister hotel to GPR, just a bit pricey in comparison. I think you would be happy with either of those. We are just partial to Gran Porto for many many reasons.

07-28-2012	#5 (permalink)
Mark711 way into it Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 214	Hey MRSHOLLYWOOD how is your husbands back? Dont mean to threadjack, Mark

07-29-2012	#6 (permalink)
Jesstzn way into it Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Trail BC CanaDUH Posts: 122	We were happy with the Tucan .. were there last Feb ... never been to the others but we will go back there again in Feb.

07-30-2012	#7 (permalink)
MRSHOLLYWOOD life=playa Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: stuck in Dallas, sadly not in PDC Posts: 553	ha! threadjack! anyway, his back is good now. since that surgery he has had 2 surgeries on his left knee and 2 on his right shoulder. NICE! the 2nd shoulder surgery was a month ago yesterday.

08-01-2012	#8 (permalink)
Chris in VT beachaholic Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: shelburne, VT Posts: 279	Definitely the Royal.

08-02-2012	#9 (permalink)
steve balt beachaholic Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 385	stayed at all 3 the royal is far superior to many things to list why.

08-23-2012	#10 (permalink)
November12 lost on fifth Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago (Naperville) Posts: 19	Attached is a link with a trip report from last fall. The Cook's: 4th Trip To Playa Del Carmen We have been at the Quetzal/Tucan 4 times...went there when we were dating, we even got married there in 2004, and brought our kids there in 2011. Needless to say, its become a 2nd home to us. Its not 5 star - but what it is is a lot of fun, with a environment that can not be beat. You really feel like you are deep in the mexican jungle. It all depends what matters to you. We have stayed at other AI's - notably the El Dorado Casita Suites - and absolutely regretted it due to it being quiet, and for a lack of a better word, not very social/fun. I don't need 5 star everything only to be bored. While I will rave up and down about how great the Quetzal/Tucan are, realize the following things that do irk some people - albeit most of the thousands are nearly always positive. 1 - It was one of the first AI's in Playacar - so it is not brand new - at some point in time, they are going to have to reno the rooms. 2 - The pool is very deep - it has always struck me as odd why they dug most of it at a 5-1/2 ft depth. 3 - The beds are "european" hard - but we always sleep well. 4 - The jungle wildlife is loud - notably the monkeys and birds - they will wake you if your room is in a certain area. 5 - Several of the restaurants are open-air (buffets, steakhouse, beach grille) - I like it that way - but others like to piss and moan about no AC. If you can get by those few things, and like to have fun/stay active on your vacations - you can't beat this place.

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